19 Chapter 19: Moonshade Blossom
The perpetual scratching of my pen against paper filled the quiet office as I buried myself in work. Pack treaty amendments, border disputes, financial reports–anything to keep my mind occupied. Anything to avoid thinking about her.
Seraphina.
I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion settling deep in my bones. Three days had passed since I’d struck her. Three days of avoiding her, of drowning in paperwork to escape the memory of her eyes after my palm connected with her cheek.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
“Enter,” I called, not bothering to look up.
Marcus, our Beta, stepped inside with another stack of documents. “More reports for your review, Alpha.”
“Just leave them there.” I gestured vaguely to my already cluttered desk.
Instead of leaving, Marcus lingered. I could feel his disapproving gaze on me.
“Something on your mind?” I finally looked up, irritation clear in my voice.
He straightened his shoulders. “Permission to speak freely, Alpha?”
I waved my hand impatiently. “When have you ever needed permission?”
“You look like shit,” he said bluntly. “And the pack is noticing.”
I scowled. “I’m fine.”
“Are you?” Marcus crossed his arms. “Because rumor has it you struck your Luna in front of witnesses, and now you’re hiding in your office instead of facing the consequences.”
My jaw clenched. “Watch yourself, Beta.”
“Someone needs to say it,” he continued, undeterred. “I’ve known you since we were pups, Kaelen. This isn’t you.”
“You don’t know what she did-”
“I don’t need to know,” he interrupted. “Whatever Seraphina did, she’s your mate. Your Luna, And you hit her.”
The shame I’d been suppressing surged back to the surface. “I don’t need you to remind me.”
Marcus sighed, his expression softening slightly. “Have you considered apologizing?”
20 20
19 Chapter 19; Moonshade Blossom
The suggestion made my wolf bristle. “For what? She disrespected-”
“Save it,” he cut me off. “We both know that’s bullshit. You’re not this person, Kaelen. Your father taught you better.”
My father. The mention of him twisted something painful inside me.
“Is that all, Beta?” My voice was cold.
Marcus shook his head, disappointment evident. “Your parents have called a family dinner tonight. They expect all three of you to attend.” He paused at the door. “And Kaelen? Whatever happened between you and Seraphina in the past–maybe it’s time to let it go.”
After he left, I dropped my pen and leaned back in my chair, Marcus’s words echoing in my mind. Let it go? As if it were that simple. As if she hadn’t crushed my heart when I was most vulnerable.
Yet the memory of her face after I’d struck her haunted me.e
Hours later, I reluctantly made my way to the family dining room. My parents were already seated, along with Orion and Ronan. The tension was palpable.
“Nice of you to join us,” Father said, his tone deceptively casual.
I took my seat without responding, noting the empty chair where Seraphina should be sitting.
“Where’s Seraphina?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Mother raised an eyebrow. “Now you care about her whereabouts?”
i ignored the jab. “She’s expected to attend family dinners.”
“I sent Lyra to fetch her,” Mother replied. “She should be here shortly.”
We sat in uncomfortable silence until Ronan finally spoke. Lilith has been asking about her birthday celebration next week.”
Father’s expression darkened. “I’m not interested in discussing Lilith right now.”
The rebuke was clear. No one mentioned Lilith again.
Ten minutes passed, and still no sign of Seraphina or the maid.
An unfamiliar unease crept up my spine. “She should be here by now.”
Mother frowned. “You’re right.” She turned to a servant. “Go check on Lyra and Luna Seraphina.” Another five minutes of tense silence passed before the servant returned, looking alarmed.
30.50
<
19 Chapter 19: Moonshade Blossom
“My Lords, My Lady–the Luna won’t wake up. Lyra says she’s burning with fever.”
I was on my feet before conscious thought, my chair clattering to the floor behind me. My brothers followed immediately as we rushed toward Seraphina’s quarters, our parents close behind.
The scene that greeted us turned my blood to ice.
Seraphina lay motionless on her bed, her skin deathly pale except for two bright spots of color high on her cheekbones. Sweat plastered her blonde hair to her forehead. Her breathing was shallow and labored.
“Seraphina?” I crossed to her bed in three strides, reaching for her hand. It burned against my skin. “What happened?”
Lyra wrung her hands anxiously. “I came to fetch her for dinner, but I couldn’t wake her, Alpha. She feels like she’s burning from the inside out.”
“Someone get the healer!” I barked, my composure fracturing as panic set in. “NOW!”
Orion was already out the door, sprinting for the pack healer.
I pressed my palm to Seraphina’s forehead, hissing at the heat radiating from her skin. “Seraphina, can you hear me?” No response.
Mother pushed past me, her movements efficient as she checked Seraphina’s pulse. “It’s too fast,” she murmured, worry etching her features.
“What’s happening to her?” Ronan asked, hovering helplessly at the foot of the bed.
Before anyone could answer, Mrs. Moon burst into the room, her face white with terror. “My daughter! What’s happened to my baby?”
Father placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “The healer is coming, Gloria. We don’t know what’s wrong yet.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off Seraphina’s face. Had she looked this ill earlier? Had she been suffering while I hid in my office, nursing my pride? The thought made me sick.
Minutes later, Orion returned with Healer Morris, who quickly took charge.
“Everyone back,” she ordered, opening her medicine bag. “Give me space to work.”
We reluctantly stepped away as the healer examined Seraphina, checking her pulse, her pupils, her breathing. The silence was deafening as we waited for her assessment.
“How long has she been like this?” the healer asked, her expression grave.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, shame washing over me. “None of us have seen her today.”
10060
<
19 Chapter 19: Moonshade Blossom
Mrs. Moon stepped forward. “I saw her this morning. She seemed tired but otherwise fine.”
The healer nodded, then reached into her bag for various herbs and instruments. “I need to perform a detection ritual to determine what we’re dealing with.”
We watched in tense silence as she worked, burning herbs and drawing symbols on Seraphina’s forehead with a paste that smelled of mint and something more pungent. The healer closed her eyes, chanting softly in the ancient language of our people.
The minutes dragged like hours until finally, she opened her eyes. What I saw there made my heart stutter.
“What is it?” I demanded. “What’s wrong with her?”
The healer’s face was grave as she packed away her supplies. “She’s been poisoned.”
The word hit like a physical blow. “Poisoned? By whom? How?”
“Moonshade Blossom,” the healer said quietly. “A rare flower that grows only in the deepest parts of the forest. When ingested, it induces a sleep–like coma before…” She trailed off.
“Before what?” Ronan pressed, his voice tight with fear.
The healer met our eyes one by one. “It’s a flower often used for peaceful suicides. And that’s exactly what she did.”
Mrs. Moon’s anguished cry pierced the silence as she collapsed to her knees beside Seraphina’s bed. “No! My baby wouldn’t!”
I staggered backward as if struck. Suicide? Seraphina had tried to kill herself? Because of us? Because of me?
“You’re mistaken,” I said, my voice barely recognizable. “She wouldn’t do that.”
The healer’s expression remained solemn. “I wish I were wrong, Alpha. But the evidence is
clear.”
I looked down at Seraphina’s still form, remembering her face when I struck her. Not fear or hurt, but resignation. As if she’d finally accepted something inevitable,
Had we driven her to this? Had I?
“Can you save her?” I whispered, terror clawing at my throat.
The healer hesitated, and in that pause, I felt my world begin to crumble.
