Julian’s POV
What lay before wasn’t a corpse. It was carnage.
The remains were scattered across the forest floor like discarded refuse. Limbs torn from their sockets, torso split wide, organs spilling into the earth. Every piece of what had once been a man now decorated the ground in a grotesque display of violence.
The tallic stench of blood saturated the air, creating a crimson pool that stretched far beyond what any single body should contain. I’d witnessed the aftermath of the children’s murders, but this exceeded even that brutality.
My lungs seized as I tried to draw breath. The air itself seed contaminated with death.
The sll overwheld completely. I staggered backward, my stomach rebelling violently, and found myself doubled over beside an ancient oak, retching until nothing remained. The sounds that escaped were animalistic, raw with revulsion.
When I finally managed to straighten, the forest spun around in nauseating circles. Every guard present wore the sa expression of horror. These were seasoned warriors, yet they looked like terrified children confronted with their worst nightmare.
"Identify the victim," I commanded, though my voice erged as barely a rasp.
A young guard’s voice trembled as he responded, "Alpha, that’s Mr. Miller. Senior council mber."
The implications crashed over like ice water. This wasn’t random violence. This was a declaration of war.
Holden’s jaw worked tensely, the muscles standing out like cords. "Based on the condition of the remains, Alpha, death occurred in the early morning hours. Between two and three."
Two and three in the morning.
"Where were your positions during those hours?" My voice exploded from , causing several guards to flinch backward. "I gave explicit orders! Maximum security protocols! No entry, no exit! That was the singular directive! How does an intruder penetrate our territory, butcher a senior official, and vanish without triggering a single alert?"
The silence that followed was deafening. Fear glazed every pair of eyes that t mine, but no explanations erged. Only helpless head shakes and trembling lips.
The truth burned through like poison.
"Dorian orchestrated this," I snarled. "But he didn’t act alone."
Roxanne remained secured in custody, physically incapable of this level of destruction. Dorian had accomplices. Soone from within our ranks had granted him access, possibly even participated in this barbaric execution.
This transcended murder. This was psychological warfare, written in blood and entrails.
Holden approached cautiously, clearing his throat to capture my attention. His complexion had drained of all color.
"There’s an additional elent, Alpha," he announced, extending a folded sheet of expensive paper.
I seized it with trembling fingers and smoothed out the creases.
The words blurred montarily before coming into sharp focus.
"You may have reclaid your daughter, but your ti grows short. The father’s transgressions will be answered by his offspring. This includes both you and your children."
Terror replaced rage in an instant. Not my children. I could accept paying for my father’s mistakes, because his actions were inexcusable. But my children bore no responsibility for this conflict. They could never beco acceptable casualties.
Suddenly, a sharp tug at my consciousness made gasp. Sothing was wrong with Seraphina. The bond between us pulsed with distress.
’Seraphina! Respond imdiately!’ I projected through our ntal connection.
Nothing. Complete void.
Ice-cold panic consud the anger entirely. Why couldn’t I establish contact?
I redirected my focus to Penelope, who should be at the house caring for Theo.
"Alpha, what’s happening?" Penelope’s ntal voice carried obvious anxiety.
’Seraphina’s location. I can’t reach her.’
Penelope’s hesitation stretched for an eternity. "She departed shortly after my arrival. I’m concerned about her condition, Alpha. She appeared ready to collapse. Unsteady movent, unfocused eyes."
The revelation struck like lightning. She was alone and vulnerable? After everything that occurred last night, she understood the dangers we faced.
"Holden!" I barked, thrusting the threatening ssage toward him. "Handle this cri scene. I’ll contact Miller’ family later. Determine which guards were assigned, identify Dorian’s accomplices. I’m leaving now."
I prepared to sprint away, but Caleb’s urgent voice crashed into my mind.
’Alpha, the Luna collapsed outside our periter. I’ve transported her to the Fang Hospital.’
Collapsed. Two episodes in as many days.
I abandoned any thought of shifting. Pure adrenaline propelled forward at inhuman speed, crashing through underbrush and leaping fallen logs until I burst through the hospital’s main doors.
Dr. Neville intercepted in the corridor outside Seraphina’s room. His carefully neutral expression terrified more than obvious panic would have.
"Her condition, Doctor?" I demanded, grasping his sleeve.
He exhaled heavily and guided toward his private office.
"Alpha, her abilities are overwhelming her physical form," Dr. Neville began. "She’s utilizing her power continuously, even unconsciously, despite her body’s inability to cope. Her defensive chanisms are too powerful. Her human form cannot contain such intense energy in her current state."
My chest constricted painfully. "dication options? Sothing to suppress the wolf temporarily? Anything to prevent her from accessing her abilities until she recovers?"
Dr. Neville’s expression filled with genuine sorrow. "You understand that’s impossible. No pharmaceutical intervention can control a White Wolf’s power. But it’s literally consuming her from within."
Despair crashed over in waves. Complete powerlessness.
White Wolves were nearly extinct, most originating from the Ruined Fang. Seeking soone capable of helping her, soone who truly comprehended this type of gift, risked that information reaching Dorian before finding legitimate assistance for Seraphina.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper. "Ti is critical, Alpha. Her deterioration is accelerating. If this pattern continues, if she keeps experiencing these episodes, she might lose consciousness permanently."
The words felt like physical blows. Permanent unconsciousness.
Rage flooded my vision. My wolf demanded destruction, demanded I tear apart everything in sight until this was fixed.
I forced myself to breathe deeply, pushing down my wolf’s violent demands. Seraphina needed my clarity, not my fury.
Only one person possessed knowledge I lacked. The Seer who had previously provided guidance.
My fingers shook as I retrieved my phone. I dialed her number. One ring.
"Julian," her voice carried ancient wisdom and unshakeable calm. "I anticipated this call."
My stomach dropped. "Bad news then."
"Unfortunately," she replied, her words heavy with regret, "I bring no comfort. The war is no longer approaching, Alpha Julian. It has arrived at your gates. And the sole individual capable of saving you is equally capable of destroying everything you hold dear."
I pressed my eyes shut. "Explain that! Tell what action to take!"
"I am en route," she stated simply. "I knew this mont would co. But understand this clearly: for your mate to master her wolf, she must discover her true identity and purpose. For that revelation to occur, she must learn the truth about her biological parents. And that truth will unleash consequences, Julian. Consequences that no one, not even you, possesses the power to prevent."
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