Chapter 3 A king haunted by her

Seraphina's POV

The forest was my favourite place to escape.

Away from my father's expectations, the endless lessons about leadership, and the responsibilities that came with being the future Alpha, I could finally breathe.

No one expected me to be perfect out here.

I could simply be myself.

You're getting slow, Sera.

I rolled my eyes as Elara's voice echoed through my mind.

Keep talking, and I'll leave you behind.

You wish you could catch me first.

I let out a growl and increased my speed.

Elara's golden wolf darted between the trees ahead of me, her honey-coloured fur shining beneath the morning sunlight. She was fast when she wanted to be, but she also had a habit of talking far too much.

Unfortunately for her, I knew exactly how to shut her up.

I surged forward, leaping over a fallen tree before catching up with her. We raced towards the stream that marked our usual stopping point, our paws pounding against the earth.

I reached it first.

Elara arrived a few seconds later and immediately dropped onto the grass.

"You're cheating," she complained.

I shifted back into my human form and laughed.

"You're just a sore loser."

She transformed beside me, her golden hair falling around her shoulders as she shot me an offended look.

"One day, Seraphina Blackwood, I'm going to beat you."

"Keep dreaming."

She threw a small twig at me.

I dodged it, laughing harder.

My wolf, Silver, stirred inside me.

You enjoy annoying her.

It's one of my greatest talents.

Silver gave a quiet huff.

She was as stubborn as I was, with a fierce spirit that refused to bow easily to anyone. Her silver-white coat and violet eyes made her distinctive, but it was her strength that mattered most to me.

I had spent years training to become the Alpha my pack deserved. Silver was more than my wolf; she was my other half, the voice that challenged me when I was wrong and reminded me of my strength when I doubted myself.

Together, we were going to lead Blackwood Pack.

And I intended to do it well.

"So," Elara said, pulling me from my thoughts. "Are you going to tell me why you've been so serious lately?"

"I'm always serious."

She stared at me.

I stared back.

Then we both burst out laughing.

"You're impossible," she said.

"And yet, you're still my best friend."

"Unfortunately."

I nudged her shoulder.

We sat beside the stream for a while, enjoying the quiet before heading back towards the packhouse.

The morning passed with the usual responsibilities. I attended a short meeting with my father, reviewed a few matters concerning the training grounds, and listened to him remind me that being Alpha meant thinking beyond myself.

I knew that already.

Still, there were days when I wished everyone would stop reminding me.

By late afternoon, I was finally free.

Or so I thought.

My phone rang.

Elara.

I answered immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, you dramatic woman."

"Then why are you calling like somebody has died?"

"Because I have a very important proposal."

I sighed.

"Here we go."

"We're going out tonight."

I stopped walking.

"Going where?"

"The club."

I considered refusing. I had responsibilities, and I wasn't particularly interested in spending my evening in a crowded place.

But then I remembered how long it had been since I'd done something that wasn't connected to training or pack business.

"Fine," I said.

Elara screamed so loudly that I had to move the phone away from my ear.

"You're actually agreeing?"

"Change your mind, and I'll cancel."

"No! Absolutely not. I'm coming to get you at eight."

The call ended before I could respond.

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

Elara could be exhausting, but life would be considerably duller without her.

---

By eight that evening, I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting the straps of my black dress.

It wasn't particularly revealing, but it fit well enough to make me feel confident. I let my hair fall over my shoulders, added a little makeup, and slipped into my heels.

Tonight, I wasn't the future Alpha of Blackwood Pack.

I was simply Seraphina.

A few minutes later, Elara arrived, looking beautiful in a fitted red dress.

She took one look at me and grinned.

"Someone is trying to attract attention tonight."

I grabbed my handbag.

"Don't start."

"Oh, I'm starting. You look gorgeous."

"So do you. Can we go now?"

She linked her arm through mine.

"Of course, Alpha."

I gave her a warning look.

She laughed all the way to the car.

The club was already crowded when we arrived. Music pulsed through the building, colourful lights flashed across the dance floor, and people moved to the rhythm without a care in the world.

For once, I allowed myself to enjoy it.

Elara dragged me towards the dance floor, and we danced until my feet began to hurt. We laughed, sang along to songs we barely knew, and teased each other about the people trying to get our attention.

A few men approached us.

Elara was delighted.

I was amused.

There was nothing wrong with flirting or enjoying someone's company, but romance had never been my priority. I had bigger plans for my future, and I wasn't about to abandon them because a handsome man smiled at me.

If I ever found my mate, I would deal with it then.

Until that day, I had no intention of wasting my time searching for him.

You say that as if fate cares about your plans, Silver murmured.

Stay out of this.

She gave a knowing little growl.

I ignored her and followed Elara towards the bar.

We ordered our drinks and continued talking, unaware that somewhere in the same building, another wolf was beginning to stir.

Then it happened.

I was lifting my glass when a strange sensation swept through me.

My hand froze.

The noise around me seemed to fade into the background. The music continued, people laughed, and the lights kept flashing, but something inside me had suddenly become alert.

Silver rose sharply within me.

Seraphina.

Her voice was no longer playful.

What is it? I asked.

Do you smell that?

I slowly lowered my glass.

There it was.

A scent unlike anything I had ever encountered. Dark, rich, and intoxicating, it slipped through the countless smells surrounding us and reached somewhere deep inside me.

My heart began to beat faster.

I turned my head, searching the crowded room.

Nothing.

I couldn't see anyone who stood out from the others.

Yet the feeling grew stronger.

Silver pressed against the walls of my mind, suddenly restless.

Mate.

The word struck me like lightning.

I stopped breathing for a moment.

What did you say?

Our mate is here.

My fingers tightened around the glass.

No.

That couldn't be right.

I had spent years convincing myself that finding a mate wasn't something I needed to worry about. I had responsibilities, ambitions, and a future to prepare for.

I hadn't been looking for anyone.

Yet my wolf was certain.

Across the crowded club, another presence stirred, equally powerful and impossible to ignore.

I didn't know who he was.

I didn't know what he looked like.

I didn't even know where he stood.

All I knew was that somewhere in that building was the man fate had chosen for me.

And for the first time in my life, I found myself wishing I could see someone I had never met.

"Seraphina?" Elara's voice pulled me back. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I swallowed and forced myself to relax.

"Nothing."

She narrowed her eyes.