Elena’s POV
Bianca’s eyes narrowed as she stared at with undisguised hatred. "So you’ve already poisoned them against ."
The accusation hung in the air like a blade, sharp and cutting. But before I could defend myself, Asher stepped forward, his voice steady and unwavering.
"She had nothing to do with this decision. I made the call, and I inford the others that you need to stay away from the packhouse." His tone brooked no argunt.
The color drained from Bianca’s face as the reality of Asher’s words hit her. Being banned from the packhouse wasn’t just a suggestion - it was a death sentence if she chose to ignore it. Pack law was absolute, and everyone knew the consequences of defying direct orders.
Her wounded expression shifted between hurt and rage as she processed that Asher, not , had orchestrated her exile. For a mont, I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
She shot one final venomous glare before spinning on her heel and stalking away, her footsteps echoing with barely contained fury.
Asher settled beside on the veranda, his presence imdiately calming the tension that had coiled in my chest. "You holding up okay?"
"Yeah. She’s just trying to intimidate ." The words ca out steadier than I felt.
"That’s exactly her ga plan. But Damien and Elena should be returning soon. Not sure of the exact tiline, but they’ll be back before long." Asher’s arm ca around , drawing against his solid warmth.
We remained there as dawn painted the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink. For the first ti in my entire existence, I felt truly at peace. No training schedules demanding my imdiate attention the mont my feet hit the floor. No rigid routines dictating every minute of my day.
The luxury of not knowing what today would bring felt foreign and wonderful. I could spend the entire day lounging around the house watching movies - sothing I’d never experienced before.
When Caleb called us for breakfast, we made our way to the dining room where Miller sat with Seraph, along with Caleb, Wyatt, Nora, and all the children. The warm chatter and clinking of dishes created a symphony of family life I’d never known I was missing.
After we finished eating, Seraphina appeared at my side while I lingered at the table, her small face bright with excitent.
"Want to co with ? I have sothing special to show you," she asked, bouncing slightly on her toes.
"I’d love to. What kind of special sothing?" I asked, matching her enthusiasm.
"It’s a surprise," she whispered conspiratorially, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
She grasped my hand in her tiny one and tugged away from the table, leading through the back door toward the forest edge. We’d barely taken a few steps into the treeline when she commanded to look upward.
My breath caught as I spotted an elaborate treehouse nestled among the branches above us, complete with windows and what looked like a tiny front door.
"That’s incredible," I breathed, genuinely amazed.
"Daddy built it just for . I had one at our old pack too," she said proudly, her chest puffing out.
I lifted her easily, helping her reach the entrance before hauling myself up with surprising agility. The interior was a child’s paradise - soft cushions scattered across the floor, delicate curtains framing the windows, and decorative touches everywhere.
"This is absolutely amazing," I said, settling cross-legged on the plush floor.
"Mommy said I could decorate it however I wanted. So I picked flower curtains and pink cushions everywhere." Her pride was infectious.
"You did an incredible job with the design."
"Thank you! Do you want to have a tea party with ?" The hopeful note in her voice made my heart squeeze.
"I would absolutely love to."
She imdiately began pulling out miniature tea sets and arranging them on a low table, her movents practiced and precise. Soon we were engaged in an elaborate tea party, complete with imaginary refreshnts and proper etiquette.
At one point, I glanced through the window and caught sight of Caleb and Asher standing near the packhouse, both wearing broad grins as they watched our activities. Sothing warm and unfamiliar blood in my chest at their obvious approval, but I quickly refocused on Seraphina. She deserved my complete attention right now.
Having a sister figure to share these experiences with was probably important for her developnt. Even though our age gap was significant, the connection felt natural and genuine.
Surprisingly, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Playing with Seraphina brought out sothing I hadn’t known existed within - a capacity for simple joy and childlike wonder. This easy companionship promised a beautiful foundation for our relationship going forward.
The morning sun stread through the treehouse windows, casting dancing shadows as we continued our elaborate tea ceremony. Seraphina chattered about everything from her favorite colors to the imaginary adventures she planned for us to share. Each word strengthened the bond forming between us.
For the first ti since arriving at this pack, I felt like I truly belonged sowhere. Not as a warrior or a weapon, but simply as —soone worthy of family, friendship, and unconditional acceptance.
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