Seraphina's Point Of View
One year changed everything.
I told myself that as I rode toward the summit grounds, my cloak snapping in the cold wind, my spine straight, my face calm. The past year had carved me into something sharper. Stronger. Untouchable.
That was the lie I needed to survive.
The werewolf summit was held in neutral lands, ancient stone ruins wrapped in enchanted forest, where no pack held power over another. Banners fluttered from every corner, each bearing a symbol of alliance, tension, and fragile peace.
And Ironfang was here.
I felt him before I saw him.
The bond, thin, wounded, but alive, pulled tight in my chest like a sudden ache. My wolf stirred, restless and angry.
Then I saw him.
Kael Ironfang stood near the central fire, taller than I remembered, broader, his dark hair tied back at his neck. His face was harder now, shadows under his eyes, jaw tight as if he lived on clenched teeth.
For a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just us.
Then anger surged in, hot and familiar.
I walked straight toward him.
He noticed me too late.
"Seraphina," he said, my name rough on his tongue.
"Don't," I snapped. "You don't get to say my name like it belongs to you."
His eyes flicked over my face, searching. "You look… well."
I laughed, short and bitter. "You don't."
His jaw tightened. "I deserve that."
"You deserve worse," I said quietly.
Around us, wolves pretended not to listen while listening to every word.
"You humiliated me," I continued. "You nearly tore my pack apart."
"I know," he said. "And I, "
"Save it," I cut in. "I didn't come here for apologies."
"Then why did you come?" he asked.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "Because I wanted you to look at me. And see what you threw away."
His breath hitched. For the first time, his control cracked.
"I never wanted to reject you," he said urgently. "You have to believe me."
I met his gaze, cold and unyielding. "Belief doesn't change the past."
Before he could answer, the summit horn sounded, calling leaders to the council circle. I turned away without another glance, my heart hammering far too fast.
I should have felt victorious.
Instead, my hands were shaking.
The summit dragged on for hours, talk of borders, trade routes, shared patrols. I listened. I spoke when needed. I ignored Kael's presence like it meant nothing.
But every time he spoke, my attention snapped to him against my will.
By nightfall, the tension inside me was unbearable.
I left the council grounds early, retreating to the guest quarters carved into the stone cliffs. I barely had time to remove my cloak before a knock sounded at my door.
I knew who it was.
I opened it anyway.
Kael stood there, eyes dark, shoulders tense. "We need to talk."
"No," I said. "You need to leave."
"I can't," he replied softly. "Not like this."
"You lost the right to closure a year ago."
He stepped closer, voice low. "Something was done to me. By Morrigan. I didn't understand it then, but I do now."
My chest tightened, traitorous and sharp. "That's convenient."
"I swear it," he said. "I never stopped wanting you."
"Stop," I whispered, but my body didn't listen. My pulse raced. My wolf howled.
He looked at me like I was the only thing keeping him standing. "I loved you before that ceremony. I love you now."
The words shattered something fragile inside me.
I shoved him. "You don't get to say that."
He caught my wrists, not rough, but firm.
"Look at me."
I did.
And I hated that the bond flared to life, bright and undeniable.
"This is a mistake," I said, breathless.
"Yes," he agreed.
Neither of us moved away.
The kiss happened like an explosion, angry, desperate, full of everything we hadn't said. I kissed him like I wanted to punish him. He kissed me like he was afraid I'd vanish.
We didn't speak again.
The night swallowed us whole.
Morning came too fast.
I woke with Kael's arm heavy around my waist, his breathing slow and even. For one dangerous second, it felt easy. Warm. Right.
Then reality crashed back in.
I slid from the bed quietly, dressing with hands that no longer shook.
This meant nothing, I told myself.
Nothing but opportunity.
Kael stirred as I reached the door. "Seraphina."
I paused but didn't turn.
"Last night… it wasn't a trick, was it?" he asked quietly.
I looked over my shoulder, letting my face turn to stone. "Don't flatter yourself."
I left him there.
Weeks later, back in Nightwind territory, the sickness started.
At first, I blamed stress. Training harder than ever. Late nights. Too many memories clawing their way back in.
Then my healer frowned.
"When was your last cycle?" she asked gently.
The room spun.
I already knew.
When she confirmed it, the air left my lungs.
Pregnant.
By Kael.
I dismissed the healer and stood alone, one hand pressed to my stomach, heart racing with shock… then something darker.
Power.
No one could know. Not my father. Not Elder Thalia.
And certainly not Kael.
An idea formed, cold and precise.
I would hide this child.
Raise them in secret.
And when the time was right,
I would use the truth like a blade.
Kael Ironfang had broken me once.
Now I would break him back.
I looked up at the moon, a slow smile curving my lips.
"You took everything from me," I whispered. "Now I'll take everything from you."
Inside me, something small and fierce stirred.
And the real war began.