18 Chapter 18: A Son’s Shame
I slammed my bedroom door shut, my palm still tingling from the impact against Seraphina’s cheek. The look in her eyes haunted me–not the fear or hurt I’d expected, but something else. Something that made my stomach twist with an unfamiliar feeling.
Guilt.
“Fuck!” I hurled a nearby vase against the wall. It shattered, the pieces scattering across the floor like my control.
I’d hit her. Despite everything, despite all my hatred and resentment toward her, I never thought I’d physically strike her. My father had taught us better than that.
Dropping onto the edge of my bed, I buried my face in my hands. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, whining in distress. He’d been agitated since the moment my hand connected with
Seraphina’s cheek. Even he didn’t approve.
*She deserved it,* I tried to convince myself. *After what she did to me. After how she humiliated me.*
But the justification rang hollow.
A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts. “Go away,” I growled.
The door opened anyway, and my mother stepped in, her expression grim.
“Kaelen,” she said quietly, closing the door behind her, “we need to talk.”
I turned away, not wanting to face her disapproval. “There’s nothing to discuss.”
She moved closer, unfazed by my dismissal. “You struck your mate today.”
Her words hung in the air between us, heavy with accusation. I remained silent.
“Your father would be ashamed,” she continued, her voice soft but cutting. “We raised you
better than this.”
“She disrespected Lilith, I muttered, knowing how weak the excuse sounded.
Mother laughed without humor. “Is that what you’re telling yourself? The girl finally stands up for herself after years of torment, and your response is violence?”
I clenched my fists, unable to meet her eyes. “You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.” She sat beside me on the bed. “Help me understand how the three boys who once followed little Seraphina around like devoted puppies now treat her worse than dirt. Help me understand why my son would raise his hand to his mate.
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The memory surfaced unbidden–Seraphina at ten years old, laughing as she ran through the forest with us trailing behind her. Her black hair streaming in the wind, her blue eyes bright with mischief. The way she’d turn and wait for us to catch up, never wanting to leave anyone
behind.
“She’s not who you think she is,” I said through gritted teeth.
Mother sighed. “I’ve watched that girl grow up alongside you three. I watched her world collapse when her father was accused. I watched how she endured every cruelty thrown at her with dignity. What could she possibly have done to deserve such hatred from you boys?”
I stood abruptly, pacing the room. “I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Was it something to do with that letter? The one you wrote her on her fourteenth birthday?”
I froze, my back to her. “How do you know about that?”
“I’m your mother, Kaelen. I know more than you think.” She paused. “I saw how devastated you were afterward. But whatever happened between you two—”
“Nothing happened,” I snapped, turning to face her. “That’s the problem. I poured my heart out to her, and she—” I cut myself off, the pain still fresh after all these years.
Mother watched me carefully. “And did you ever talk to her about it? Ask her why?”
“I didn’t need to. Her actions said everything.”
She stood, closing the distance between us. “The mate bond doesn’t make mistakes, Kaelen. If the Moon Goddess tied Seraphina’s soul to yours–to all three of you–there’s a reason for it.”
“Maybe the reason is punishment,” I muttered.
“Or maybe it’s redemption.” She placed her hand gently on my arm. “You need to think about what you’re doing. That girl is suffering through a bond with three mates who openly despise her, who flaunt another woman in her face. Do you have any idea what that does to an omega wolf? The physical pain alone-”
“Pain is what she deserves,” I interrupted, though the words felt like poison on my tongue.
Mother’s eyes hardened. “No one deserves that kind of torment. If you boys are determined to continue your relationship with Lilith, then at least make it official. Take her as your mistress and give Seraphina the dignity of knowing where she stands.”
My wolf growled at the suggestion, surprising me with its vehemence.
“And what about Seraphina’s heat?” Mother continued. “It’s approaching soon–her first one. Will you abandon your mate to suffer alone while you entertain Lilith?”
Thadn’t thought about that. The idea of Seraphina in heat, calling for us, needing us… I pushed
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18 Chapter 18: A Son’s Shame
the thought away. “She’ll manage.”
“No, she won’t,” Mother said sharply. “An omega’s first heat without her mates could kill her, especially with a bond as strong as yours seems to be. Is that what you want? To be responsible
for her death?”
“Of course not!” The mere suggestion made my chest tighten painfully.
“Then you have decisions to make–all three of you.” She moved toward the door but paused with her hand on the handle. “Remember the little girl who used to bring you wildflowers just because they matched your eyes. Remember the friend who stayed up all night when you were sick. Before you strike her again, remember who she was to you before you decided to hate her.”
She left, closing the door softly behind her. I stood motionless, her words echoing in my mind.
Wildflowers. Green like my eyes. The memory hit me like a physical blow–Seraphina at twelve, her small hands holding out a bunch of tiny green blooms, her smile brighter than the sun.
“These reminded me of you,” she’d said.
I’d kept those flowers until they withered to dust.
The door opened again, interrupting my thoughts. Ronan entered, his face serious.
“Mother just lectured you too?” I asked, forcing my voice to sound normal.
He nodded. “About Seraphina and Lilith.”
“She thinks we should make Lilith our official mistress,” I said, testing his reaction.
Ronan leaned against the wall, his eyes thoughtful. “Maybe she’s right. At least it would provide clarity for everyone.”
My wolf bristled at the idea. “You want to elevate Lilith’s status?”
“I want to stop this toxic situation we’ve created,” he replied. “Either we commit to punishing Seraphina forever, or we need to find a way forward. This middle ground is destroying all of us.”
I turned away, unable to articulate the conflict raging inside me. The image of Seraphina’s face after I’d struck her kept flashing in my mind–the lack of tears, the cold dignity.
“Speaking of Lilith,” Ronan continued, “she’s suggesting we host a celebration for her birthday next week. She wants it to be grand–the whole pack invited.”
“And where would that leave Seraphina?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Ronan studied me carefully. “Since when do you care?”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t have an answer that made sense.
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18 Chapter 18: A Son’s Shame
“We need to talk about this with Orion,” Ronan said. “About Lilith, about Seraphina’s upcoming heat, about all of it.”
The thought of discussing Seraphina’s heat with my brothers made something possessive and primal surge within me. I brushed my shoulder against Ronan’s before storming out of the room, unwilling to face these contradictory feelings a moment longer.
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