Betrayed, Not Broken

~ Seraphina's POV ~  Tomorrow's the day. I can barely breathe, the weight of it pressing on me—the day I turn eighteen, the day my powers awaken, the day everything changes. I don’t know which I dread more: meeting my wolf or the fact that Regis Caden is standing right beside me. Sweat trickles down my neck as I move through the training routine, my muscles straining with each movement. My dark, midnight-black hair sticks to my damp skin, but I push it back, only for it to fall into my eyes again. I should be focused, but I can feel his gaze on me—piercing, unreadable, stripping me bare in a way that makes my stomach flip. Regis watches me with quiet intensity, his sharp, chiseled features unreadable. I’ve known him all my life, loved him for as long as I can remember. He is my mate, my destiny. Yet sometimes, his gaze unsettles me, as if he’s looking at me not as a person, but as something he already owns. “You’re distracted,” he murmurs, his voice low and deep. “I’m fine,” I whisper, though my hands tremble slightly. It’s not a lie, not really. This is what I want. What I’ve always wanted. I should be grateful. Regis is strong, powerful, the soon-to-be Alpha. And tomorrow, I will be his Luna. His words from before echo in my head—I am the one who will lead the pack, not you. I swallowed hard, pushing away the tiny, nagging feeling deep inside me. He’s right. He always is. I was born with Alpha blood, but I will never lead. That is not my place. I stiffen as he moves behind me, so close that the heat of his body seeps into mine. His arms wrap around me, pulling me back into his embrace, and my breath catches. “I’ve told you many times,” he murmurs against my ear. “You don’t need to train to become my Luna. You only need to focus on your duties as my mate.” His voice is smooth, coaxing, as if he’s giving me something precious instead of taking something away. He’s looking out for me, I remind myself. He just wants what’s best for me. I nod, not trusting my voice. “Seraphina, we need you in the kitchen, sweetie.” Anara’s melodic voice breaks through the haze of Regis’s presence. I turn and meet her warm gaze. She’s Beta Nox’s second-chance mate and Regis’s stepmother—the woman who raised me after my mother died. I smile and nod, but as I step away, Regis catches my wrist. His fingers press against my skin, firm but not painful. “Don’t overwork yourself.” His gaze darkens slightly, and then he leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “I left a gift for you in your bedroom. Just like you… I can’t wait for the ceremony.” My heart pounds as his fingers brush my earlobe before releasing me. I rushed toward the packhouse, needing space, needing air. When I glance back, he’s still watching me. A slow smirk tugs at his lips, sending a strange shiver down my spine. --- “I told you not to enter the training ground, didn’t I?” Anara’s voice is soft, but there’s something sharp beneath it. She sits at the wooden kitchen table, watching me with the same gentle, knowing smile she always wears. “I was just—” She lifts a hand, silencing me effortlessly. “I’m speaking from experience when I say this—men don’t like women who fight. They cherish those who embrace their femininity. I may not have given birth to Regis, but I know his taste well.” Her fingers brush my hair, a motherly gesture, but her words burrow into my mind like seeds taking root. “You have Alpha Logan’s blood,” she continues, “but nobody knows what kind of blood your mother had. Do you really want to disappoint him? You don't, right?” The question strikes something deep inside me. Regis chose me. He could have any girl in the pack, but he wants me. I should be honored. I should be grateful. But what if I’m not enough? Anara leaves, and silence engulfs me. A strange hollowness settles in my chest as I stir the pasta. I remember the last time I cooked for Regis—he had eaten it without a word, but I saw the way he swallowed, the way he forced each bite down. I can’t even make him a proper meal. I have to do better. --- After preparing dinner, I hurried to my bedroom, eager to see the gift Regis had mentioned. My heart pounded with anticipation as I pushed open the door—only to freeze. Scarlett stands there, the dress meant for me pressed against her slender frame, her blonde hair shimmering under the moonlight. Her reflection in the mirror is perfect—golden, radiant, everything I could never become. She admired herself in the blush pink dress—the same dress that now hugged her figure perfectly. Regis was with her. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression. His deep blue eyes flickered with something—approval, satisfaction? My breath hitched. That dress… It was supposed to be for me. I had barely processed the sight when Scarlett turned to me, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, Seraphina! Isn’t this dress just perfect?" she gushed, twirling slightly, letting the soft fabric swirl around her legs. I swallowed, glancing at Regis. He was still watching Scarlett, his lips curling slightly at the corners. Only then did he turn his gaze to me, his expression unreadable. "If you like it, you can have it," he said, his voice calm, almost indifferent. "I'll give Seraphina another dress for the ceremony." Something inside me twisted, but I quickly pushed it down. Regis was right. The dress looked much better on Scarlett. "You don’t mind, right, Seraphina?" His voice was smooth, coaxing. I forced a smile. "Of course not. If it makes you happy, Scarlett, then I’m happy too." Scarlett let out a delighted squeal and threw her arms around me. "You’re the best, Seraphina!" she murmured. As I hugged her back, a small part of me—the part I always ignored—whispered that something felt wrong. But I pushed that thought away just as quickly. This is what friends do. This is what love is. Regis always knew best. Scarlett was my best friend. There was no reason to doubt them. Right? As she twirls in the dress, a shadow falls over the doorway. Lilith. Her gaze sharpens as she crosses her arms. “Not everyone can afford a dress like that,” she mutters, her voice dripping with something unreadable. Scarlett, ever graceful, just smiles. But I see the flicker of something in her eyes. “You’re just jealous,” I say, my voice quieter but firm. Lilith’s bitterness towards Scarlett has always bothered me. Lilith scoffs. “Oh, Seraphina.” She shakes her head. “One day, you’ll see.” Regis steps forward, placing himself between us. “That’s enough.” His voice is calm, but the warning in his tone is clear. Lilith’s jaw tightens, but she doesn’t push further. She just turns and walks away. A strange heaviness lingers in the air after she’s gone, but I brush it aside. --- Dinner passes in a blur of conversation and quiet anticipation. My father, Alpha Logan Valerius, sits at the head of the table, his presence steady, grounding. He’s always been my rock. Since my mother’s death, he has never once sought another mate. His love for her remains unwavering, untouched by time. As he places a hand over mine, warmth spreads through me. “You’re ready for tomorrow, my daughter,” he says gently. “No matter what happens, you will always be my Seraphina.” Tears burn at the edges of my vision. I don’t want anything to change. But tomorrow, everything will. Beta Nox clears his throat, drawing my father’s attention. “Alpha Logan, we should leave soon. Alpha Alaric Everhart isn’t a man to keep waiting.” The name sends a ripple of unease through the room. I’ve heard of him before—the youngest alpha, ruthless and feared. Even Regis bristles at the mention of his name. My father squeezes my hand once before standing. “I’ll be back by midnight, sweetie.” He walks away, Beta Nox at his side. The door closes behind them, and the room feels colder. That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, chasing sleep that never comes. My thoughts tangle with memories and whispers of tomorrow. I try to imagine my wolf, my future—Regis’s hands, Scarlett’s smile, my father’s steady voice. But peace never finds me. The bells rang once. Then twice. And with each chime, the air grew heavier—as if the night itself was warning me. Something was coming.