By the following morning, the pack house was already busy. The council meeting was scheduled for late morning, giving everyone enough time to prepare. John had gone ahead to confirm the council chamber was ready, while Alpha Kaidan remained in his office reviewing the questions he expected them to ask.
He had barely finished reading the same paragraph for the third time when there was a knock on the door. "Come in."
The door opened. Alpha Kaidan looked up. Serena stood in the doorway. For a moment, he didn’t say anything.
She had clearly dressed for the meeting, though there was nothing formal or severe about her appearance.
She wore a fitted wine-colored dress that fell just below her knees, with a soft neckline and long sleeves that hugged her arms. The fabric moved lightly around her legs whenever she walked, and a thin gold chain rested against her collarbone. She’d styled her dark hair in loose waves that fell over one shoulder. Her makeup was subtle but carefully done, bringing attention to her eyes and the soft curve of her lips. She looked beautiful and he knew it.
Serena walked into the room with a small smile. "Are you ready?"
Alpha Kaidan glanced at the clock. "We still have some time."
"I know." She moved closer to his desk.
"You’ve been in here since early morning."
"I had things to handle."
"I thought you might need a break." Alpha Kaidan closed the folder in front of him. "I’m fine."
Serena smiled again. "You always say that."
Before he could respond, she stepped around the desk and leaned closer. "Alpha Kaidan."
He looked at her. She reached up and adjusted the collar of his shirt, her fingers lingering for a moment.
"You should at least look like you’re going to a council meeting with your mate."
Alpha Kaidan frowned slightly.
"Serena—"
She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek and was about to kiss his lip when, at that exact moment, the office door opened.
Naomi stood in the doorway. Alpha Kaidan immediately pulled back, the movement was quick enough to surprise her.
Her hand was still resting on the door handle. For a second, nobody spoke. Her eyes moved from Serena to Alpha Kaidan, she didn’t look shocked, and she didn’t look angry either.
Her expression became unreadable. Alpha Kaidan stepped away from Serena almost immediately.
"Naomi."
"I’m sorry." Her voice was calm. "I didn’t know you were busy." She started to close the door.
"Wait."
Alpha Kaidan moved toward her. Naomi shook her head. "It’s fine, Alpha."
"It isn’t what you think."
She gave him a small, polite smile. "I didn’t say I thought anything."
Then she stepped back. "I came to ask if Grace had already sent the healer supplies to the eastern quarters. She said you approved them yesterday."
"I did."
"Alright. Thank you. Naomi nodded.
She turned to leave.
"Naomi." This time, she stopped. Alpha Kaidan seemed unsure what to say, after a brief pause, Naomi said, "You should get ready for your meeting. Then she walked away.
The door closed behind her. Alpha Kaidan stared at it. Serena’s expression had changed; she watched him carefully. "Why did you pull me away?"
Alpha Kaidan turned toward her. "What?"
"When Naomi walked in." Serena crossed her arms "You pulled me away immediately."
Alpha Kaidan’s expression hardened. "Because Naomi was there." Serena gave a small, humourless laugh. "Exactly."
She stepped closer. "Don’t tell me you’re beginning to fall in love with her."
Kaidan’s eyes narrowed. "No." The answer came quickly.
Serena studied his face. Alpha Kaidan looked away, his jaw tense.
"No," he repeated, more firmly. "It isn’t that."
Serena’s expression softened, but something was calculating behind her eyes. "I was supposed to be your mate." Alpha Kaidan looked at her again.
"I was the woman you loved," she continued. "The woman you waited for. The woman you thought you had lost." Her voice trembled slightly. "Was it my fault that I was taken?"
Alpha Kaidan said nothing.
"I didn’t choose to disappear."
"I know."
"I didn’t choose to be away from you for four years."
"I know, Serena."
"Then why does it feel like I’m the one being punished for it?"
Alpha Kaidan exhaled slowly. Serena stepped closer again. "You were supposed to marry me. We were supposed to build our life together. You were supposed to be mine, Kaidan."
He looked at her for a long moment. "You’re making this more complicated than it needs to be."
Her eyes glistened. "Because I love you?"
Alpha Kaidan’s expression tightened. "Because we’re supposed to be dealing with the council right now."
Serena stared at him, then she lowered her eyes.
"So that’s all you have to say?"
Alpha Kaidan picked up his folder. "Serena, can we not do this now?"
She looked at him. "Let’s just go to the meeting."
For several seconds, Serena didn’t move; then she nodded. "Fine."
Alpha Kaidan walked toward the door. Serena followed.
Neither of them noticed Naomi standing farther down the corridor.
She had only returned because she’d forgotten the file she needed for the healer’s quarters.
When she saw them leave the office together, she stepped aside. Alpha Kaidan’s eyes briefly met hers.
Naomi gave him a polite nod and he returned it, then he and Serena continued toward the council chamber.
Naomi waited until they were gone before walking back toward her quarters. She had her own meeting to prepare for.
The council chamber was already occupied when Alpha Kaidan entered. The moment he stepped through the doors, every council member rose from their seats. "Alpha."
Their voices came together in respectful acknowledgement as they bowed their heads. Alpha Kaidan gave a brief nod. "You may sit."
The council members returned to their seats. Alpha Kaidan took his seat at the head of the table. Serena followed closely behind him and took the seat beside him several eyes moved toward her.
John remained near the entrance. Once everyone was settled, one of the senior councilmen cleared his throat. "Alpha, thank you for coming."
Alpha Kaidan leaned back in his chair. "You asked for this meeting. Speak."
"We did," the older councilman replied. "There are questions concerning Serena’s return."
Serena sat quietly. "Ask them."
The councilman looked at Serena. "Where exactly have you been for the last four years?"
The room became silent. Serena’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her chair. Alpha Kaidan noticed, he waited.
Serena finally lifted her eyes. "I’ve already told Alpha Kaidan what happened."
"That was a private conversation," the councilman said. "The council needs to understand the circumstances as well."
Serena swallowed. "I was taken."
"By whom?"
She hesitated. "I don’t know."
A few council members exchanged looks. Alpha Kaidan’s expression remained unreadable.
The councilman continued. "And you escaped?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Serena’s eyes dropped. "I don’t remember everything."
Silence filled the chamber, Alpha Kaidan looked at her. Serena slowly lifted her head. "I was afraid. I was injured. I only knew that I had to get away."
The councilman leaned back. "We will need more than that, Serena."
Alpha Kaidan’s voice cut through the room. "She has answered the question."
The councilman looked at him. "We still have questions, Alpha."
"I know." Alpha Kaidan’s gaze hardened. "And you will get your answers."
Alpha Kaidan stood, he looked at Serena. "Let’s go."
Serena looked at him for a moment before standing and following him. Alpha Kaidan didn’t look back.
The meeting continued.