Seraphina knew something was wrong the second she opened her eyes.
The grounds were too quiet.
Not peace.
Silent.
The silence that descended on a battlefield seconds before the first sword was drawn.
She lay still under the covers, allowing her wolf to stretch its senses.
Absolutely nothing.
No sound of footsteps in the hall outside her door.
There were no servants at their morning tasks.
Even the birds that normally nested beneath her window were quiet.
Her wolf growled.
Risk.
A loud knock broke the silence.
“My Lady?”
Liora’s voice.
Seraphina let go of the dagger she’d been concealing under her pillow.
Come in.
The maid threw herself inside, not with her usual morning smile.
She looked very pale.
Almost frightened .My Lady…” she breathed, shutting the door behind her with care.
He was here.”
Seraphina sat bolt upright.
Her pulse was regular.
“Who?
Who?
Liora swallowed.
“The Beta. ”
For one impossible heart beat…
The room was deserted.
She wasn’t in the Vale Estate anymore.
She knelt on a blood-soaked platform, a place of execution.
Cold chains cut into her wrists.
There was a smell of iron in the air.
A knife was at her throat.
And somewhere past the cheering crowd…
I knew the voice that laughed.
The memory disappeared as fast as it had appeared.
Seraphina made herself breathe.
Not yet.
She couldn’t afford to lose herself now.
When?” she inquired gently. before the sun rises.
““How many fighters?” Six. Her eyebrows came together. Just six?”
Liora nodded.
“The rest remained outside the territory.”
That made no sense at all.
Lucien Ashcroft had never announced himself behind invincible barriers.
Unless…
Already he felt he had the battlefield in the palm of his hand.
My Lady?
Seraphina got out of bed.
“Get my blue dress.
The formal one?” “No. “The simple one.”
Liora blinked.
“But the Beta—” “Thinks I should wear the clothing of a frightened noblewoman.”
A faint smile crept across Seraphina’s lips.
I am not going to reward his expectations.”
It was less than thirty minutes before Seraphina appeared in the eastern corridor.
Servants bowed their heads at once.
Whispers followed her as shadows….he came before daybreak…”…the Council must know something…”….why would the Beta come in person…
She didn’t hear a word he said.
Fear ran through an estate faster than fire.
Someone had made certain the servants knew Lucien had come.
That was a message in itself.
She came down the marble stairs and nearly ran into Lord Vale.
His face looked older than it had the night before.
He smiled, forcing it.
“You might have stayed in your room.
“So you should.”
He gave a weary chuckle.
““Neither of us seems to like taking orders.
She looked at him closely.
“You’ve already talked to him.”
It was not a question.
Lord Vale stopped.
““Shortly.” And?
“He called a council meeting.
With Kael.” “Yes.
And me?
His silence answered him before he could .’He specifically said you should stay away,’ he said.
Seraphina felt her suspicion crystallize into certainty.
Lucien hadn’t come because of the servant poisoned.
It was not Mira he had come for.
He’d come…
For her .Where is Kael?” “Training grounds.
She nodded once.
“I will speak to him.
“No.” Lord Vale’s voice was strangely firm.
“The Beta asked that no one interfere until the meeting was over.” “And when did we start doing what the Beta said to do on our own property?”
Before Lord Vale could answer— Heavy footfalls came from the hall westward.
All the servants drew back instantly.
The conversation died.
The heavy pressure rolling through the corridor was not alien.
It was psychological.
Years of authority distilled to mere presence.
Then he arrived.
Lucien Ashcroft.
High
Broad shoulders.
His silver and black hair was perfectly combed, even after the long journey.
He bore no crown.
No robes of ceremony.
Only a dark military coat, fastened by polished silver clasps.
He was not a man of show.
Nothing that needed attention.
But every eye in the corridor was looking for him instinctively.
Power did not require decoration.
It made itself known.
His amber eyes roamed the hall and then settled on Seraphina.
He grinned.
Hot.
Not true at all .
“So….
His voice was as smooth to calm frightened wolves.
“This is Lady Seraphina Vale.
She bowed her head, with the best of manners.
Lucien beta.
He stopped two paces away.
Closer than usual.
Long enough to look at her face in silence.
To most people it would have seemed admiration.
Seraphina knew it at once.
Evaluation.
Like a hunter assessing if the prey had turned dangerous.
Lucien finally spoke.
“You’ve changed. ”So I’ve been told.
””I thought you would refuse.
“I’ve learned you can’t deny the truth and get rid of it.”
There was a genuine sparkle of interest in his face.
Scarcely noticeable.
But there it was.”Hm.”
He turned toward Lord Vale.
“You were right.
Lord Vale frowned.
“About what?”
Lucien looked at Seraphina.
“Your daughter is much more interesting than your letters gave me to expect.
The words sent a warning flashing through her mind.
Letters?
What are these letters?
Lord Vale seemed surprised too.
“I haven’t written anything about Seraphina.
Lucien’s smile did not waver.
“Or maybe it’s another letter I remember.
A falsehood.
A purposeful one.
He was trying.
Watching the responses.
Seraphina would not give him one.
She smiled nicely instead.
Hope your trip wasn’t too much of a strain Beta.
“It wasn’t.
He cocked his head.
““Though, I suspect, the really exhausting part is just beginning.
He walked past her without a word and headed for the council chamber.
Lord Vale followed, reluctantly.
Lucien looked back over his shoulder just as he ducked through the doorway.
Just for a second.
But in that second.
.
.
His smile faded away.
His eyes turned cold.
Calculating…
Knowing.
Then the doors shut behind him.
Seraphina was in the hall.
Her wolf shifted uncomfortably.
He knows something.
She didn’t argue with her.
The question was not whether Lucien knew anything.
The question was…
How much ?
”
The doors of the council chamber closed with a heavy thud.
The sound rolled down the corridor like the closing of a tomb.
Seraphina remained where she was, her emerald eyes glued to the carved oak doors.
Her instincts told her to divide them.
To see Lucien, before he poisoned another mind.
But instinct without strategy had been what had killed her once before.
Not again.
Never again.”Liora.” “Yes, my lady?” “I want to know everyone the Beta speaks to before he leaves this estate.”
The maid blinked.
“Every…person?” All the serfs.
All the guards.” Every messenger.
No talk is too small.”
Liora hesitated.
“That might be a while. I know,’ Seraphina laid a hand on her shoulder. But fear spreads by whispers. So does the truth.”
The young maid nodded stoutly.
“I will start straight away.”
Seraphina turned toward the northern wing, and Liora hurried off.
She wouldn’t break up the meeting.
She was out to wise herself up to it.
The training grounds were visible from the northern balcony.
Below, dozens of warriors were sparring in the morning sun.
Steel clanged against steel.
Orders rang out across the field.
But one thing caught Seraphina’s attention immediately.
Kael was not training.
Instead, he just stood by himself at the edge of the arena, arms crossed over his chest, watching the council chamber.
He looked… nervous.
Nearly distracted.
Before she could call to him, another voice intruded.
“You don’t belong here.”
Seraphina spun around.
Captain Rowan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
My Lady.” “Captain.
“The Beta has requested that no one interrupt today’s proceedings. ”I have no intention of disturbing anyone.”
Rowan dropped his voice.
“Then let me give you a piece of advice.
She looked at him carefully.
Continue.” “I’ve been under the Beta.”
This surprised her.
“How long is it?
“Five years.” “And?”
Rowan’s normally placid expression clouded.
“He doesn’t show up without changing somebody’s life.”
Words hung in the air between them.
Not because they were drama queens.
For they were said with perfect certainty.”
“Thank you. ”I’ll remember that.
Rowan stopped dead .“There’s … just one more thing.
”Yes?” “Yes.
“I’ve never seen him lose.
About an hour later…
Finally the doors to the council chamber swung open.
Lord Vale came out before.
His shoulders slumped under an invisible weight.
Kael came along.
His face was blank, but something was different about him that Seraphina noticed immediately.
He didn’t glance at her.
His eyes did not often stray.
Today ……
He walked right past, without saying a word.
A seed.
Seraphina thought aloud.
The first seed he has already planted.
Lucien was the only one who didn’t.
As though he was waiting for this very moment.
“Lady Seraphina.'”
His voice came from the chamber.
Would you grant an old wolf a few minutes of conversation?”
“Lord Vale,” he stepped forward immediately.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Lucien gave him a pleasant smile.I swear to you …I don’t want to hurt her.”
His eyes fell on Seraphina.
She’ll do it.
Seraphina noticed when Kael finally ceased walking.
He was left by himself.
He glanced.
Measuring.
He waited for her next move.
Just like Lucien wanted.
She tilted her head.
“I’ll talk to the Beta.”
Lord Vale was about to raise an objection.
It’s fine.”
She went into the chamber alone.
The heavy doors shut behind her.
Silence fell instantly.
Between them the long council table looked like a field of battle.
Lucien was at one of the tall windows that looked out over the estate.
He said without looking back: “Beautiful country.
It is .A quiet property.” “For the moment.
He chuckled quietly.
“I like honest answers.”
Only then did he turn to her.
“Lady Seraphina, tell me.. ”What do you make of Alpha Kael?”
She didn’t answer at once.
The trap had been the question itself.
He’s a good Alpha.
“Nothing else?” He protects his people
Lucien nodded, thinking.
“I And if one day…””He didn’t protect you?”
Seraphina’s heartbeat was steady.
“I would defend myself.
That answer made him laugh.
“I believe you do.
He moved slowly around the council table.
No threat.
No hurry.
Every step taken with care.
When I was younger…””“I thought strength was for those who fought the hardest.”
He stopped, a few feet away.
Now I know better.” “And what do you think about it now?
“Those who understand people have strength.”
His amber eyes lingered on hers.
“People betray.
“People are scared. People obey.”
He smiled.
“And all three can be handled.”
Seraphina’s hands went behind her back.
“You don’t sound like a Beta…….and more like a king.
His face flickered with approval.
“Maybe.” “Or maybe titles don’t matter so much. There was silence. Neither averted their eyes. Finally… Lucien spoke again .I know you been asking questions. ”The servant poisoned.
“The missing maid.
The chapel.’ “The arrows.
“You’ve been very… inquisitive.
“Or shouldn’t I?
“No.’ It was his instant answer.
“Curiosity costs a lot.” ‘I can pay for it.’
He laughed.
““Such confidence.
His expression softened almost imperceptibly.
“You remind me of someone.”
And then Seraphina’s pulse faltered.
“Who?
“Little Luna.”
His voice grew distant.
She thought she could change fate.
“And did she?
Lucien’s smile died away.
Nothing.” “What happened to her?”
His eyes were on hers.
She was dead.
The room went silent.
Seraphina kept herself from reacting.
Not a muscle moved.
Lucien observed her closely.
Waiting.
Searching.
And then…
He took one last step forward.
Close enough that only she could hear.
The smile on his face disappeared completely.
It was cold behind it.
Ancient.
Ruthless.
His voice fell to a whisper.
Becoming more skilled at concealing your fear.”
A pause.
“But it won’t help you.”
Another.
“You’ll stand where you stood before.
Another.
“You’ll see everybody making the same choices.”
He squinted his eyes.
And when that day comes….”
He leaned even closer….it’ll work again.”
He started to go.
His hand was on the door of the room
Without looking back
He whispered five words that turned Seraphina’s blood to ice.
“It worked last time.