Chapter 8 My Husband Is Finally Home
Finished
My mother died in her sleep, peaceful, natural. The king says, it was the best thing that could have happened. For the last three years after the brutal murder of my dad and brother’s, my mom’s demise was full of glory.
“You should eat something.” Emogen’s voice echoed in my mind
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my fingers frozen over the clasp of my cloak. “I can’t.
“You can” She exhaled. Today, Emogen was calm. My mother’s death had taken us both by surprise. However, I felt it more.
“We’re orphans now.” I said to her, feeling my heart shatter. I’d lost my whole family.
You need to be strong today.”
I fastened the cloak with shaky hands. “It won’t change anything.”
“No. but it will keep you from collapsing in front of them.”
I took a deep breath, shutting her out as I turned toward the door. Downstairs, the air smelled of lavender and freshly scrubbed wood. But something else lingered underneath–perfume too strong, voices too loud, laughter where there should have been silence.
Lady Everette’s voice rang through the hall. “Move faster! I want everything spotless before my precious son returns.”
I stopped at the bottom step, watching as new servants bustled about under my mother in law’s strict orders. They were scrubbing, dusting, rearranging–as if preparing for royalty.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended.
Lady Everette turned with a smirk. “Elian didn’t return last night. That only means he’ll be here today. We must be ready.”
“You’re not coming to the funeral?
She scoffed. “Why would I? A dead woman is nothing compared to my son
Celeste chuckled beside her. “Besides, he’ll want to be welcomed properly. We must prepare for his homecoming.”
I clenched my fists, but I refused to waste my breath.
“Elian will come to the funeral,” I said, stepping past them. He’ll come to comfort his wife.
A sharp laugh followed me. “You’re so naive, Seraphine. He’s been gone three years. Do you really think you’re still his priority?”
I didn’t answer. I had no strength left for their games. I walked out the door, my steps heavy, my breath unsteady.
Behind me, Everette called out. “Wait!”
I paused, not bothering to turn.
“It’s a shame that you Velkan’s don’t have any money. You’re so poor and pathetic you can’t even pay for your mother’s funeral. Since the Alpha King is funding this little event, I suppose there’s a chance he’ll attend” Her voice was light, mocking- “Who knows? Maybe you’ll have the chance to grovel for his favor. You do need all the help you can get, don’t you?”
My grip tightened on my cloak. “Are you coming or not?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it,” she purred. “Perhaps I’ll get the king’s attention myself. A man like him–powerful, unmated–he could use some proper company. Perhaps I could seduce him, become the queen”
I walked away before I could hear the rest of her poison.
Chapter & My Husband Is Finally Home
Finished
Dark banners lined the path. Candles burned in silver lanterns. The Alpha King had made sure my mother was honored as the wife of a Beta, as a woman who had once sacrificed for this kingdom. Yet, as I stood before the altar, I felt nothing but emptiness.
“Come.” A voice broke through my haze. I turned to find King Aldrich at my side. He gestured for me to sit beside him
From the corner of my eye, I saw my mother in law hurrying toward us. She pushed her breasts up, making sure they were well tucked halfway under her corseted gown. Unlike everyone’s darker mourning clothes, Lady Everrette wore the brightest. color. The king’s favourite. She smiled confidently while coming towards us.
She stopped a few feet, where King Alrich’s royal guards stopped her. She dropped her fan, looking back at the king with seductive eyes. I recognize the move. She bent down, ensuring we could see her breasts. He picked up her fan.
“What the hell is your mother–in–law doing?” The King turned to me.
“No idea.” I answered, watching while she came to us. But before she could reach us, the king’s guards intercepted. One gave her a slight push, and she stumbled, gasping.
Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd. A flash of rage crossed Everette’s face, but she masked it quickly. “Your Majesty!” she called sweetly. “Surely, you wouldn’t turn away a beautiful maiden.”
Aldrich didn’t so much as glance at her. “Seraphine, where is your husband?”
“He didn’t come home last night.”
A flicker of something crossed his face. “Strange. The army delivered him to the pack just last night. So where is he?”
My fingers curled into my lap. “Maybe he stopped to buy me a present.”
Aldrich chuckled, shaking his head. “Perhaps.”
The ceremony began. The High Priestess stood before the altar.
“We return this soul to the moon, where all wolves find their rest. Just as the first ancestors howled beneath her silver light, so too shall this spirit rise. A warrior. A mother. A woman who bore the weight of duty and never faltered. May the Goddess. welcome her home”
Tears stung my eyes. One by one, the mourners stepped forward to view the body. When it was my turn, I approached, my breath shallow.
Mother looked peaceful. Too peaceful.
But then I saw it. A small wound, right below her collarbone.
A cut.
My stomach lurched. The buttons of her dress had been left open just enough to reveal it. The wound was clean, precise. Like an arrow. Like in my dream.
A gasp tore from my lips, and the room tilted. I stumbled back, my heart pounding.
“Sera?” The king’s voice was close. A firm hand caught my elbow.
My lips parted, but before I could speak, a murmur spread through the crowd. Heads turned. The tension shifted.
I followed their gaze, and my world shattered.
Elian stood at the entrance. But he was not alone.
A woman clung to him.
My husband had finally come home. And he had brought someone else with him.
