SHADOWCREST>>>>EP4
905 Words
The massive iron gates creaked open, revealing a world Seraphina had thought she would never see again.
Warm lanterns illuminated cobblestone streets lined with sturdy stone houses, their windows glowing softly against the night. The scent of fresh bread drifted through the air, mingling with wood smoke and wildflowers. Children chased one another through the village square while elders sat outside their homes, laughing over steaming mugs of tea.
For a moment, Seraphina forgot she was bleeding.
Forgot she was being carried.
Forgot she had spent the last eight years believing every pack was ruled by fear.
This... this wasn't anything like Bloodfang.
No one flinched when Kael passed. No one lowered their heads in terror. Instead, they greeted him with genuine smiles.
"Good evening, Alpha."
"Welcome back, Alpha."
A little girl with golden curls broke free from her mother's hand and ran straight toward him.
"Alpha Kael!"
Kael chuckled as he carefully shifted Seraphina's weight onto one arm before ruffling the girl's hair.
"You should be asleep, Lily."
"I couldn't," she said with a dramatic sigh. "Mama said you were chasing bad wolves."
"I was."
Her bright blue eyes landed on Seraphina.
The girl's cheerful smile faded into concern.
"Is she hurt?"
Kael nodded gently.
"She is."
Without another word, Lily slipped a small white flower from behind her ear and held it out.
"This always makes me feel better."
Seraphina blinked.
She stared at the tiny flower resting in the child's hand.
No one had ever offered her kindness without expecting something in return.
Slowly, she accepted it.
"...Thank you."
Lily's smile returned instantly.
"You're welcome."
Her mother hurried over, apologizing as she led the girl away.
"I'm sorry, Alpha."
"No apology needed," Kael replied warmly.
Seraphina watched them disappear into the crowd.
Something inside her chest tightened.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen a child smile without fear.
The sight was almost painful.
"You've never seen a peaceful pack before, have you?"
Kael's quiet question caught her off guard.
She looked away.
"I've seen peaceful moments."
"But not a peaceful home."
She didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Her silence said enough.
As they continued through the village, whispers followed them.
"Who's the woman?"
"Did you smell it?"
"Is she really..."
"The Alpha's mate?"
Seraphina's stomach twisted.
She buried her face slightly against Kael's shoulder, hoping the curious stares would disappear.
Instead, she heard Finn laughing somewhere behind them.
"I give it until breakfast before the whole pack knows."
Cassian walked beside him with his usual unreadable expression.
"They already know."
Finn sighed dramatically.
"I hate it when you're right."
"I know."
Despite herself, Seraphina almost smiled.
Almost.
The moment ended as they reached a large stone building overlooking the center of the village.
The Shadowcrest Pack Hospital.
Before Kael could enter, the doors burst open.
A young woman with chestnut-brown hair hurried outside, tying her healer's apron as she walked.
Her silver eyes immediately found the blood soaking Seraphina's jeans.
"What happened?"
"Rogue attack," Kael answered.
The healer frowned.
"Inside. Now."
She barely spared Kael another glance before turning all of her attention to Seraphina.
"My name is Elara Moonfall," she said gently. "I'm the head healer here."
Seraphina nodded stiffly.
"I've treated warriors with worse injuries," Elara continued as if sensing her hesitation. "You'll survive."
"I wasn't worried."
Elara smiled knowingly.
"No?"
"No."
"You should work on your lying face."
Finn snorted loudly.
Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose.
Kael hid an amused smile.
Seraphina sighed.
Great.
Apparently, everyone in this pack enjoyed seeing through her defenses.
Elara led them into a brightly lit treatment room filled with herbs, clean linens, and shelves overflowing with medicine.
The comforting scent of lavender filled the air.
Kael carefully lowered Seraphina onto one of the beds.
The moment he stepped back, an unexpected emptiness settled over her.
She frowned.
Why did she suddenly feel...
Colder?
Her wolf whined softly.
Closer.
Seraphina ignored it.
Elara knelt beside her injured leg.
"This is going to sting."
"I've had worse."
"I believe you."
Elara carefully cleaned the wound.
Seraphina didn't make a sound.
Not even when the antiseptic burned.
The healer paused.
"You've been injured before."
It wasn't a question.
Seraphina remained silent.
Elara's expression softened.
"More times than anyone should."
Again...
Silence.
Kael watched the exchange quietly.
He noticed the old scars covering Seraphina's arms.
The faded marks along her wrists.
The barely healed cut beneath her collarbone.
None of them looked accidental.
His chest tightened.
What kind of life had she been living?
Elara wrapped the fresh bandage around Seraphina's leg before standing.
"You'll need to stay here tonight."
"I'm leaving."
"No."
Seraphina looked toward Kael.
"I wasn't asking permission."
His gaze met hers steadily.
"And I wasn't giving it."
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.
Then, before Seraphina could argue, a sharp knock echoed through the room.
A young scout rushed inside, breathing heavily.
"Alpha!"
Kael turned immediately.
"What is it?"
"The eastern patrol found something."
The scout swallowed hard.
"It was nailed to one of our border markers."
He held out a folded piece of parchment stained with dried blood.
Kael unfolded it slowly.
His expression darkened.
Without a word, he handed it to Cassian.
Cassian read the message aloud.
"Return the Alpha's daughter... or Shadowcrest will burn."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Seraphina's blood ran cold.
They hadn't come to capture her.
They had declared war.
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