The Alpha's forbidden firstborn

CHAPTER 8: SEPERNT TOOTH

Find me, my daughter. The truth is waiting."

The voice echoed in Elara's mind long after she woke. She lay in Kael's arms, her heart pounding, her hand still pressed against her chest where her power stirred beneath the surface. The necklace sat on the bedside table, silent now, but she could still feel its pull—a constant, aching reminder of the mystery she had yet to unravel.

Kael stirred beside her, his arm tightening around her waist. "You're thinking too loud," he murmured against her hair.

She smiled despite herself. "How can you tell?"

"Your heart is racing." He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. "And you're holding your breath."

She exhaled slowly. "I can't stop thinking about her. My mother. The necklace. The voice."

Kael was quiet for a moment. Then he turned her gently to face him, his eyes searching hers in the soft morning light. "Then we'll find her. Together. I told you that."

"But what if—"

"No." He pressed a finger to her lips. "No 'what ifs.' We'll figure it out. One step at a time."

Elara nodded, but the weight in her chest didn't lift.

---

Two weeks had passed since Kael had taken her from Blackfang. Two weeks since she'd tasted freedom for the first time in her life. And in those two weeks, something remarkable had happened.

She was starting to trust.

It happened slowly—in small moments. The way Kael looked at her like she was precious. The way Lyra burst into rooms without knocking, treating her like a sister. The way Darian nodded at her in the hallways, accepting her presence without question.

She no longer flinched at every sudden sound. She no longer expected pain around every corner. She left Kael's room now—walked through the pack house, trained in the yards, ate meals in the dining hall. She was still quiet. Still cautious. But she was no longer a ghost.

And she trusted Kael.

Completely. Unconditionally. With everything she had.

She decided to give herself a chance—a chance to be loved, a chance to be happy, a chance to be a part of his life. Even though she still doubted if she could be Luna. Even though she didn't know much about the mate bond—she'd only heard of it. She didn't have a wolf, so she didn't feel it as intensely as Kael did. But one thing was certain: she felt the connection between them. She was drawn to this man in a way she couldn't explain.

---

Seraphina was the daughter of one of the most powerful families in Blood Moon. Her father sat on the pack council. Her bloodline was old, respected, influential. She'd grown up believing she was destined for greatness—destined to be Luna.

She'd spent years pursuing Kael. Years being perfect, beautiful, worthy. Years waiting for him to notice her.

And then Elara arrived.

A human. A slave. A nobody.

And Kael looked at her like she was the moon itself.

It was unbearable.

---

Seraphina stood at the edge of the training grounds, her arms crossed, her nails digging into her palms. Morning sun bathed the yard, but all she could see was red.

Kael was there—her Kael—standing too close to that filthy human. Teaching her to hold a dagger. Her dagger. The one he'd given her on her sixteenth birthday.

"You're gripping it too tight," Kael said, patient.

Elara adjusted her grip. Her hands were steadier now than they'd been two weeks ago. She was learning. "Like this?"

"Better." Kael stepped behind her, his chest pressing against her back. His hand covered hers on the hilt. "Now try."

Seraphina's wolf snarled inside her. Her fangs lengthened. Her claws threatened to break through her skin.

She'd never hated anyone the way she hated Elara.

"Seraphina."

She spun. Lyra was behind her, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face.

"Sister," Seraphina said through gritted teeth.

"Don't call me that." Lyra's smile was razor-sharp. "We're not sisters. We're not even friends. If you're going to glare at Elara like you want to rip her throat out—at least do it where my brother can't see you."

Seraphina laughed. Cold. Brittle. "Your brother is making a fool of himself. Parading a human around like she's a queen. She's nothing."

"She's more than you'll ever be."

Seraphina's smile faltered. "Excuse me?"

Lyra stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "I know what you're doing. I saw you writing that letter. I don't know who you sent it to, but if you think for one second I'll let you destroy my brother's happiness—"

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" Lyra tilted her head. "I've known you for ten years, Seraphina. I know your schemes. Whatever you're planning—it won't work. Kael loves her. And if you hurt her, I'll kill you myself."

Seraphina felt her heart stutter. Lyra had never threatened her before. Never.

She forced herself to smile. "You're delusional. But by all means—protect your little human pet. See how long she lasts."

She turned and walked away. Her hands shook with rage. When she reached the edge of the pack house, she slammed her fist against the wall.

"I'll destroy her," she hissed. "I'll destroy all of them."

---

Inside Kael's room, Elara sat on the edge of the bed, knees drawn to her chest.

She'd been in Blood Moon for two weeks now. She'd learned to recognize the weight of hatred, the way the air changed when Seraphina entered a room. It wasn't magic—just survival instinct. The same instinct that had kept her alive on the cold stone floors of Blackfang.

Kael walked in, towel drying his hair. He froze when he saw her. "What's wrong?"

"Seraphina," Elara said softly. "She was watching us again."

Kael's jaw tightened. "I saw her."

"She hates me, Kael." Elara's voice was steady now. She was learning to speak her mind around him. Learning he wouldn't punish her for having feelings. "She looks at me like she wants to tear me apart."

He crossed the room and sat beside her, taking her hand. "She's jealous. That's all. She's wanted to be Luna for years, and now she sees you taking her place."

"I'm not taking anyone's place." Elara shook her head. "I don't even know what I'm doing here."

"You're here because you belong here." He squeezed her hand. "Because you're my mate. Because the Moon Goddess made you for me."

Her cheeks flushed. She'd grown up hearing stories about fated mates—about the Moon Goddess's plan for every wolf. She'd never thought it would apply to her. She was human. Humans didn't have mates.

But Kael had kissed her like she was the only woman who mattered. Had held her like he'd never let go. And she'd felt it too. That pull. That rightness.

"I know," she whispered. "I know you're my mate. I just don't understand why. I'm nothing."

Kael cupped her face, tilting it up. "You're not nothing. You survived twelve years of hell, Elara. You're still standing. Still kind." He stroked her cheek. "You're everything."

She leaned into his touch. "I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"Of her. Of the pack. Of Viktor." She met his gaze. "He knows where I am. He'll come for me."

"Let him come." Kael's voice was fierce. "I'll protect you. I'll burn the world down before I let him touch you."

"You can't fight an army alone."

"Then I'll find an army." He pressed his forehead against hers. "You're mine, Elara. And I don't give up what's mine."

She reached up, brushing his jaw. "Kiss me."

His smile was soft. "Always."

He leaned in, lips brushing hers. Slow. Sweet. A promise. She melted into him, fingers tangling in his damp hair. The world fell away—no fear, no hatred, no Seraphina. Just him.

When they pulled apart, they were both breathless.

"Stay with me," he whispered. "Forever."

She nodded. "I'm not going anywhere."

---

Lyra burst into the room an hour later without knocking.

"Seraphina just cornered me," she announced, flinging herself onto the bed. "She was glowing with hatred."

Elara flinched at the sudden intrusion, then forced herself to relax. Old habits died hard. In Blackfang, unexpected visitors meant pain.

Lyra noticed. Her eyes softened. "Sorry. I should have knocked."

"It's okay." Elara's voice was small.

"Liar." Lyra grabbed her hand. "That woman is a viper. But she's all talk. My brother would never let her hurt you."

Elara nodded. "I know."

"Do you?" Lyra tilted her head. "Because you still look like you're waiting for something bad to happen."

Elara was silent for a moment. Then she whispered, "I'm always waiting for something bad to happen. I don't know how to stop."

Lyra pulled her into a fierce hug. "We'll teach you. We'll show you that not every door leads to pain. Okay?"

Elara felt her throat tighten. "Okay."

Lyra pulled back, grinning. "Good. Now—tell me everything. Have you and Kael finally—"

"LYRA!"

---

That night, Elara lay in Kael's bed, staring at the ceiling.

He was beside her, hand resting on her stomach. The room was dark, quiet, peaceful. But her mind was anything but.

"Can't sleep?" he murmured.

"I keep thinking about Seraphina," she admitted. "About her making a move."

"Lyra talks too much."

"She's just protective."

"Of you." Kael smiled. "She's never been like that with anyone else. Not even me."

Elara huffed a small laugh. "That's because I'm weak."

"Weak?" He propped himself up on one elbow. "Elara, you survived twelve years of being beaten, starved, and treated like dirt—and you're still standing. Still kind." He shook his head. "That's not weak. That's the strongest thing I've ever seen."

She looked away. "I didn't have a choice."

"Exactly." He kissed her forehead. "That's not weak. That's a survivor."

"Kael," she whispered. "When you say I'm your mate... what does that mean exactly?"

He was quiet for a moment. "It means you're my other half. When I mark you, our souls will be bound together—forever. I'll feel what you feel. You'll feel what I feel. Nothing will ever come between us."

"Mark?" Her breath caught.

"A bite." He touched his neck. "Right here. It's permanent. Irreversible." He looked at her carefully. "But I won't push you. I'll wait until you're ready."

She was silent. The idea of being bound to someone forever was terrifying. But the idea of being bound to Kael...

"What happens if you mark me?" she asked softly.

"Your scent will change. Every wolf will know you're mine. And I'll be able to find you anywhere." He stroked her cheek. "It's the most intimate thing a wolf can do. It means I'm giving you everything I am."

Her heart pounded. "That's... a lot."

"I know." He smiled gently. "That's why I'm not pushing. We have time. All the time in the world."

She reached up, brushing his jaw. "What if I want it someday?"

His eyes darkened with emotion. "Then I'll be the happiest Alpha in the world."

She smiled. "I think... I'd like that. Someday."

He kissed her forehead. "Someday is enough for me."

---

Across the compound, Seraphina sat in her room, staring at a letter in her hands.

Sealed with black wax. Viktor's sigil.

She'd received it an hour ago. His reply. His agreement.

"I will come for her. Open the gates when I do. You will have your Alpha—and I will have my weapon. She was always meant to serve me. She will again."

Seraphina smiled. Cold. Cruel.

"Enjoy your time with him, Elara," she whispered. "It won't last long."