Chapter Eleven
Seraphine’s POV
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the dense forest. Kael had been silent for most of the day, his presence a comforting constant as we navigated the rough terrain. It had been weeks since I left the pack, and while I wasn’t about to admit it out loud, I wouldn’t have survived this long without him.§
“I still don’t get it,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “Why did you leave your pack? You were an Alpha.“}]
Kael glanced at me, his blue eyes sharp but tinged with something softer. “Being an Alpha doesn’t mean much when the pack you lead is rotten to the core,” he said.
I frowned, waiting for him to continue.
“My father built the pack on loyalty, strength, and honor,” Kael explained. “But after he was gone, things changed. Corruption took root. They started making deals with rogues, hurting innocents for profit. I tried to stop it, but…” He trailed off, his jaw tightening.”
“They turned on you,” I finished for him.
He nodded. “I couldn’t stay and watch everything my father built crumble. I left, hoping to find something worth fighting for.” “And you think that’s me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kael stopped walking, turning to face me fully. “Yes, Seraphine. You’re worth it. More than you realize.”
His words caught me off guard, leaving me unsure how to respond. Kael wasn’t like Rowan–his strength didn’t come with arrogance or expectation. It was steady, dependable.
“I don’t need anyone fighting for me,” I muttered, brushing past him.
“Maybe not,” he said, falling into step beside me. “But I’m here anyway.”
<-0
Later that night, we sat by the fire in a small clearing. Kael was sharpening his blade, the rhythmic sound oddly soothing.
“You’ve been quiet,” he said without looking up.
I hesitated, then asked the question that had been gnawing at me. “Do you think Rowan’s still looking for me?“)
Kael’s hand paused, the blade glinting in the firelight. “Yes,” he said simply.
The admission sent a shiver down my spine. Rowan had always been relentless, and the bond between us only made it worse.
“He won’t stop,” Kael added. “Not until he’s sure you’re safe–or until he gets what he wants.“@
I stared into the flames, conflicted. Rowan’s betrayal still cut deep, but there was a part of me that couldn’t let go of the bond we shared. And now, with the pup growing inside me…
her.”
“I don’t know if I can face him,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You won’t have to,” Kael said firmly. “Not alone.”@
Before I could respond, the sharp crack of a twig snapped us to attention. Kael was on his feet in an instant, his blade in hand. The scent hit me a second later–rogues.}
“Stay behind me,” Kael ordered, his voice low and steady.
Two rogues emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with malice. One of them smirked, his teeth bared. “Looks like we found
Kael didn’t wait for them to make the first move. He lunged at the closest rogue, his blade slicing through the air. The fight was brutal, the clash of steel and snarls filling the clearing.
The second rogue tried to circle around, his focus locked on me. My wolf stirred, urging me to shift, but Kael was faster. He threw his blade, the weapon embedding itself in the rogue’s chest.
Both attackers lay motionless, the forest eerily quiet once more.
Kael wiped the blood from his blade, his breathing heavy. “Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes scanning me for injuries.)
“I’m fine,” I said, though my voice trembled. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did,” he said simply.
Rowan’s POVE
The scent of ink and parchment filled my study as I sifted through reports. I had sent scouts to every corner of the territory, searching for any sign of her. The bond between us still burned, a constant reminder that she was out there, somewhere.}]
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. “Enter,” I barked.}
A scout stepped in, his expression tense. “We intercepted this,” he said, handing me a sealed envelope.
I tore it open, my eyes scanning the contents. The words were brief but damning:
“Seraphine is with Kael. Location confirmed near the eastern border.“@
My grip tightened, the parchment crumpling in my hand. Kael. The name was a growl in my throat.
“She’s not alone,” the scout continued cautiously. “Kael’s estranged Alpha of Willow Hook pack been protecting her.”
My wolf surged to the surface, anger and jealousy mixing into a dangerous cocktail. I had made mistakes, but Seraphine was mine. No rogue Alpha would stand between us.
“Prepare the trackers,” I ordered, my voice cold. “We leave at dawn.”
And Ma
My wolf surged to the surface, anger and jealousy mixing into a dangerous cocktail. I had made mistakes, but Seraphine was mine. No rogue Alpha would stand between us.
“Prepare the trackers,” I ordered, my voice cold. “We leave at dawn.“>
As the scout left, I stared out the window, the moonlight illuminating the forest beyond.
“She can’t run forever,” I murmured, the bond pulling me forward.
I crushed the note in his hand, his silver eyes glowing with resolve. “If Kael wants to play protector,” he growled, “he’ll learn the price of crossing me.”
chapter Eleven
