Chapter 13 - such a small mouth

Guilt flickered in Voren’s eyes, quick, almost imperceptible, before vanishing as if it had never been there at all. His expression hardened, his voice wintry and detached. "That was six years ago," he said flatly. "An old tale."

His gaze slid back to Seraphine, sharp and dismissive. "From what I’ve seen, she deserved everything she got."

Oh no, what a wrong answer? Seraphine didn’t think. She didn’t breathe. Rage surged through her like wildfire, burning through every fragile wall she had built to survive. In a blur, she lunged.

Her fingers wrapped around Voren’s throat, her claw extending instinctively, piercing skin before anyone could react. For a split second, shock rippled through the room before Voren moved.

He caught her wrist mid-strike and flung her aside with a single motion, effortless and controlled. "What a wild woman," he remarked casually, almost bored, as the scratch on his neck sealed itself and disappeared.

His wolf was the strongest, most lethal among all the Alphas. Even operating with human instinct, he hadn’t used brute force, but Seraphine still lost her footing. Her body tilted backward, gravity claiming her.

Before she hit the floor, Corvine caught her, arms closing around her firmly.

"Luna," he said urgently, his voice thick with concern. "Are you alright?"

The strength drained out of her all at once. Seraphine collapsed against his chest, her sobs tearing out of her, raw and broken. "Does he even know," she cried, her voice muffled against Corvine’s shirt, "what it feels like to lose a child?"

For a moment, remorse crossed Voren’s face. It was faint, fleeting, gone almost as soon as it appeared. His jaw tightened, but soon loosened with pride sealing his lips shut.

He would not apologize. Not after she had insulted him. No one insulted Voren and walked away untouched.

If anything, she was fortunate to still be standing, fortunate to still be alive. This was the most mercy he had ever shown anyone, man or woman alike.

Seraphine had crossed lines even Alphas, presidents, and the most feared men on earth wouldn’t dare step over.

Kylie moved closer, placing a comforting hand on Seraphine’s back. "It’s alright," she murmured gently. "We won’t allow anything you don’t want."

"But I command it," Voren said, his voice cutting through the room with cold authority.

Seraphine stiffened. Slowly, she turned to face him. Her eyes were red, her cheeks wet, but her spine was straight. "I won’t," she declared.

Tension rippled through the room as Voren stared at her, disbelief dulling his gaze. No one had ever refused him, ever. And yet here she was, doing it again, moments after throwing an insult straight at his face.

"Fine," he said at last, his tone icy. "Then I hope you remain in this house forever. Because out there," he gestured vaguely. "There’s no place for you."

Seraphine let out a hollow scoff, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. This was the last time she would cry for them. She was done being used, done being broken for someone else’s comfort.

"Oh, I will leave," she said evenly. "After the divorce is finalized." Her gaze locked onto his, fearless and piercing. "Let’s see how you plan to stop me."

"Seraphine Walker," Voren said slowly, as though committing the name to memory.

She cut him off. "I would’ve said Seraphine Dion," she replied coolly, "but my parents already disowned me." Her eyes flicked to Ravyn, disgust unfiltered. "And I’m divorced from this trash."

Her words cut deep, and she meant them to. "I’m not changing my name," she continued. "His parents adopted me, and that makes him my brother now."

As if she just remembered something important, she added straightly, "and yes, I hate him for everything he’s done to me."

"You are no sister of mine," Ravyn hissed, Seraphine shrugged, unfazed. "You don’t get a choice. Unless you want to give your parents up to me completely." A faint, dangerous smile curved her lips. "I’d love that."

Ravyn recoiled as if struck. He scoffed instead, masking his discomfort. "You’re shameless. You just can’t stay away from the Walkers, can you?"

"Of course not," Seraphine replied lightly. She hated Ravyn but his parents were on another level in her heart. "I remain Seraphine Walker."

She turned back to Alpha Voren, chin lifted. "Go ahead, blacklist me. Let’s see who falls harder."

Something about her amused Voren. She was petite, bruised, but still standing, still daring him. He had never seen a woman like her, never guessed that such boldness could be forged from pain this deep.

"Heavy words," he said casually, "for such a small mouth." Then he turned and walked out. Ravyn followed.

When they reached the car, Voren paused and took a slow breath. No matter how hard he tried, Seraphine lingered in his thoughts. Her blue eyes that sparked like fire, her defiance, her words etched into his mind like scars.

"Alpha," Chad from the medical team asked hesitantly, "is Luna Seraphine coming with us?"

Ravyn couldn’t bring himself to answer. Shame weighed on him. He had promised them her blood. Had believed Voren’s influence would solve everything.

But Seraphine was no longer the woman he once controlled. And with his parents backing her, Ravyn held no authority over her at all.

Worse, they hated Daisy just as fiercely. Ravyn found himself trapped. "Let’s return first," he said after a pause. "We’ll find another way. Check every blood bank. Contact every hospital in the city. I authorize it."

Chad hesitated, eyes lowering. "Alpha, we already found a human blood that matched hers, but Daisy refused." He swallowed. "She insists on Seraphine’s blood. Says it’s stronger. Says it’s what she’s taken all her life."

Ravyn turned to Voren, searching for support. This time, Voren didn’t even look at him. "Don’t involve me," he said coldly. "The deal is off." He wouldn’t dare to go near a scared woman like Seraphine ever again.

Voren got into his car and drove away, leaving Ravyn standing there, hollow and exposed.

When Ravyn finally arrived at the pack hospital, Daisy lay pale against the sheets, her skin nearly translucent. She smiled weakly when she saw him, hope flickering in her tired eyes.

"Did you convince her?" she whispered. "Will I live?"

Ravyn had no answer, and for the first time, fear settled deep in his bones.