Chapter 2: Blood, Betrayal, and a Stranger's Eyes
Seraphina's POV
My wolf whimpered inside me, sensing my pain. Even she'd given up hope.
Five years. Five fucking years I'd chased that bastard like a lovesick puppy, convinced that under all his cold indifference, he felt something for me.
The memory slammed into me like a sledgehammer—the day he first showed up at Silver Moon Pack. I was seventeen, all wild curls and teenage swagger, when this gorgeous stranger strode into our territory. Dark hair, steel-gray eyes that cut right through me, and an aura of danger that made my young wolf practically purr.
I'd been hanging out at the training grounds, pretending to watch the warriors but really just showing off, when I spotted him chatting with Aurelius by the weapons rack.
Without thinking—God, I was such an idiot—I marched right up to him.
"What's your name?" I asked, chin up like I owned the place.
He eyed me with those icy grays, taking in my training gear and cocky grin. "Caspian."
"Well, Caspian," I said, flashing my flirtiest smile, "I've decided I'm gonna find a boyfriend who's exactly as hot as you."
The look he gave me could've frozen hell. "Ever think about how the guy might feel about that?"
But I was too young, too dumb, too full of myself to catch the hint.
For months, I trailed him like a lost pup. Every time he'd shove me off, I'd bounce back twice as hard. Every cold shoulder just fueled me.
"Leave me alone, Seraphina."
"You're wasting your time."
"Find someone your own age to bug."
But slowly—so damn slowly—I thought I was winning. He started tolerating me at pack meetings, letting me lean on his shoulder while we watched the young wolves train.
I figured it was progress. Now I know it was probably just pity.
The worst memory hit like ice water—Aurelius's wedding night three years back. Caspian had bailed from the party, and I found him by the lake, drunk off his ass and looking more wrecked than ever.
"No one's ever gonna want me," he slurred, staring at the dark water.
My heart broke for him—this strong, proud guy, reduced to tears by his demons.
"I want you," I whispered, kneeling in the sand beside him. "I've always wanted you. I'll wait forever if I have to."
Then I kissed him. Soft at first, then desperate when he didn't pull away. He tasted like whiskey and regret, and when he finally kissed back—God, it felt like dying and coming alive all at once.
We made love that night on the shore, sand between our fingers, moonlight turning his skin silver. He was gentle, almost reverent, whispering my name like a prayer.
"Sera... my sweet Sera..."
I fell asleep in his arms, thinking everything had changed. That he finally saw me, wanted me, maybe even loved me.
But when I woke, he was gone. Next day, he acted like I didn't exist.
I should've known then. Should've saved myself the heartbreak.
A commotion outside my door yanked me from my pity spiral. Hushed voices, urgent and worried.
"—heard Alpha's cleaning house tomorrow," one omega servant whispered. "Anyone loyal to the old Alpha gets put down."
My blood ran cold.
"All of them?" another asked.
"Every last one. He can't risk challenges." A pause. "What about Miss Seraphina? She's the old Alpha's sister..."
A heavy sigh. "You think the new Alpha cares? She's a liability. Always has been."
Tomorrow. He was killing me tomorrow.
All this time I'd been wallowing, and that psycho had my execution planned. How stupid was I?
My wolf finally stirred, survival instincts kicking in.
Run. We have to run. Now.
I waited until the hall quieted, then crept to the door. The guards had slacked off—what threat was one heartbroken girl?
When Martha brought my evening meal, I was ready.
The second she stepped in, I grabbed the metal water pitcher and cracked it over her head. She dropped like a rag doll, out cold but breathing.
"Sorry," I whispered, stripping off her servant's dress. "But I'm not dying for that asshole."
The plain brown dress hung loose, but it'd do. I braided my hair, tucked it under her headscarf, and slipped into the hallway.
Head down. Act natural. You're just another servant.
The pack house was quieter than usual—most wolves probably hunkered down, bracing for tomorrow's bloodbath. I reached the main floor without a second glance.
Almost there. Just the side exit by the kitchens, and I'd be free.
"You there."
That voice. That goddamn voice that still made my traitorous heart skip.
I kept walking, praying it wasn't me.
"Hey. Servant girl."
Footsteps closing in. My wolf screamed to bolt, but that'd blow my cover.
Keep going. Don't look back. Don't—
"I said stop."
A hand grabbed my shoulder, spinning me around. And there he was—Caspian, in full Alpha mode, those steel-gray eyes drilling into mine.
We froze for a beat. Then recognition hit, followed by what looked like hurt. Or rage. Or both.
Fuck it.
I let my wolf surge, shifting just enough to break his grip and sprint for the door. Behind me, his snarl echoed, and pursuit thundered.
Run. Run. RUN.
My wolf was strong for a beta, but Caspian was a full Alpha, gaining fast.
There! The cliff ahead—the one Aurelius and I used to dare each other to jump as kids. The river below was deep enough, if I got lucky.
If not... at least it'd be quick.
I skidded to the edge, pebbles tumbling into the void. Behind me, his footsteps closed in.
"Seraphina, don't—"
I glanced back one last time at the man who'd wrecked my world, killed my brother, never wanted me.
"Go to hell, you bastard."
And jumped.
I came to slowly, my body aching like I'd been hit by a truck. Which, yeah, falling off a cliff will do that.
"Easy there. Don't move yet."
The voice was male, deep and warm.
I opened my eyes and nearly shut them again. The guy beside my bed looked so much like Caspian that for a second, I thought I was still trapped.
But his eyes weren't cold steel—they were warm amber, full of concern, not calculation. His dark hair was longer, softer. And when he smiled, it actually reached his eyes.
"Who—" My voice croaked out.
"Easy. You've been out for two days." He grabbed a glass of water from the nightstand. "I'm Damien Blackwood, Alpha of Crescent Falls Pack. And you, little wolf, are damn lucky to be alive."
I struggled to sit up, ignoring my body's protests. "Where am I?"
"My territory." His face turned serious. "You fell into a river. My patrol fished you out on our banks, more dead than alive."
Silver Moon. The name punched me, dragging back everything I'd fled.
"Hey, it's okay." Damien's tone was gentle, nothing like Caspian's harsh bark. "You're safe here."
I stared at this stranger who resembled my nightmare but acted like my savior. Every instinct screamed it was too good to be true. Like I'd just swapped one cage for another.
