Seraphina’s POV
Running wouldn’t heal a shattered heart. The agony carved through like shattered glass, stealing every breath from my lungs. The pain wasn’t sothing others could witness, but I felt each brutal second as it destroyed the last fragnts of hope I’d been clinging to.
Words weren’t necessary when the truth blazed in their eyes. In Julian’s guilty stare. In Roxanne’s triumphant gaze. Perhaps he’d never truly cared for , never felt genuine love. That bitter reality I might have survived.
But he’d been intimate with her.
Roxanne, my sister in every way except blood, the girl who shared my parents, had declared her victory so casually. Right there, with everyone listening.
Werewolf hearing ant nothing stayed private. I refused to glance back at the crowd. Humiliation already burned through my veins like poison. Heat flooded my cheeks while my stomach twisted into knots.
I walked straight out of the Fang House. My spine stayed rigid, my chin lifted with false pride, even as my spirit crumbled under the weight of betrayal and sha.
Passing Alpha Quincy near the entrance, I t his eyes directly. No words were needed. I hoped he finally grasped what my heart had been screaming all along. He’d broken down, dismissed completely. Maybe now he’d understand the damage he’d caused.
Escape wasn’t an option. My father remained sowhere nearby, binding to this nightmare. I wished desperately for a wolf companion, soone to share this crushing burden, but the Moon Goddess had left empty. The loneliness cut deeper than anything else.
Distance ant nothing when the wounds were internal. Every step I took, the pain traveled with .
Eventually, footsteps echoed behind . I tried pretending solitude, hoping whoever it was would disappear. Instead, they closed the gap between us. My body shook violently until warm arms encircled , offering unexpected comfort.
Viviana. Julian’s mother.
I wanted to stop the tears. Viviana had always insisted I never reveal weakness to anyone. Yet here I was, doing exactly that. The humiliation and agony proved too overwhelming to contain.
I stepped back from her embrace.
"I’m sorry," I whispered, my voice hoarse and broken. "I just needed space."
Her smile held pity mixed with sothing else I couldn’t identify. "We both know you need more than space, dear. And you have every reason to feel this way."
I should have felt relief knowing they finally understood my departure. I didn’t belong in this world. My supposed mate craved my sister instead of .
"I can only imagine your pain right now," Viviana said softly, her fingers gentle on my arm.
But she couldn’t imagine it. She’d never truly understand. Her mate adored her, would move mountains for her happiness.
"I need to find my father," I begged, desperation coating every word. "I need to leave this place. What will it take for everyone to let go and live freely? Your son has made his choice crystal clear." My voice climbed higher, becoming frantic. "This isn’t his fault. You all arranged this disaster. You created this suffering."
Fresh tears cascaded down my cheeks, burning hot trails. "Please, I’m begging you. Let go. Speak to your son and your mate. Give freedom. You have the daughter-in-law you always dread of now. We can pretend, Viviana. Pretend you cared about . But honestly, you only supported my Luna position because you had no alternative. You’ve never approved of , and I don’t need your approval anymore. I just want out. I swear I’ll never interfere again. You can finally have Roxanne, the girl you always wanted for your son."
Viviana had never been openly cruel to . But she’d made her feelings clear repeatedly through cold glances and calculated distance. Why was she here now, offering comfort? Maybe she wasn’t. Maybe this was her perfect opportunity to twist the knife deeper. Her chance to finally secure her preferred choice for her son.
Viviana’s expression shifted dramatically. The pitying smile vanished completely.
"You don’t simply retire or resign from being soone’s mate, or from being Luna. The Moon Goddess made her selection." Her voice turned arctic, cutting. "And I apologize if accepting you proved difficult, but respect must be earned through actions, not granted freely."
My breath caught as the comforting embrace and gentle words evaporated.
"I’m unclear why you expected everyone to wait indefinitely," she continued, her stare unwavering and harsh, "while you indulged your selfish desires. These are direct consequences of your choices. If you hadn’t abandoned your responsibilities, your mate would never have sought companionship elsewhere."
Her words struck like physical blows. The callousness was staggering, especially from another woman. She studied with absolute coldness.
"What you’re going to do imdiately," Viviana said, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper, "is arrange your features into a pleasant expression. You’ll stand beside your mate as Luna. And you’ll earn every pack mber’s respect. The task will be significantly harder now that you’ve proven unreliable. But I’m confident you’ll manage the repairs."
I gaped at her, speechless. Repair this? How could anyone repair what my mate and sister had destroyed? How could I fix this public humiliation?
Viviana moved closer, her eyes boring into mine with chilling intensity.
"Because if you refuse," she breathed, so quietly that even with enhanced werewolf hearing, only I could catch the words, "you won’t just lose everything. Your father will suffer the consequences of your selfishness. And I guarantee you, the price will be far beyond his ability to pay."
Ice flooded my veins. My father. She wouldn’t dare. Would she?
The unspoken promise hung between us like a death sentence, obliterating any remaining hope of freedom.
I was completely trapped.
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