Chapter 4 ***

Seraphine.

I woke up to the scent of herbs and linen. For one disorienting second, I thought I was back in my old room at Silvercrest. Then the pain in my back returned, deep and throbbing. It felt as if my back was being split in half; the memory of yesterday washing over me like ice water.

My family were dead.

I was in Blackthorn's territory, I guessed. It couldn’t be any other place, it was the closest around.

I sat up too quickly, as I realized my predicament and gave a low hiss as the sudden movement worsened the pain.

The room was dimly lit, made of stones or bricks? I couldn’t tell which. It appeared sparse, and was clearly meant for unwelcomed guests. A single window high on the wall allowed the pale blue light of dawn creep in.

I glanced over my body and noticed that my wounds had been dressed. The previous grey clothes of the other day were now replaced by a plain black tunic that smelled faintly of pine and steel.

I heard the door creak before it opened. A masculine figure filled up the doorway. He looked and felt familiar. It was like déjà vu, as if we’d met somewhere in the past. Before I could understand the riotous emotions taking over me, my wolf screamed MATE! Inside my head. Her excitement rang through to my core

How could this be?

I had actually thought that it was all a lie during my almost death experience yesterday. I had believed that my mind had conjured up a mate to try to protect me, to keep me from feeling like a corpse. I was wrong.

I was completely astounded and utterly confused with all of this. How did I go from gaining a mate, to losing him, to also gaining another, in the span of a day. I couldn’t comprehend.

My so called mate stood tall, and even more imposing than the previous night had shown. His gray eyes assessed me the way a warrior assesses a battlefield: coldly, calmly, completely and without a trace of softness.

“You’re awake," he said.

I met his gaze and refused to look away.

“I am Kael, Alpha Kael of blackthorn." He said this in an expectant way, as if I should know who he was. I did, but I can’t say I cared enough at the moment.

“I know”. I answered nonchalantly. A glint of surprise passed through his eyes. Like he hadn’t expected that reply. Good .

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked.

“Two days. You lost a lot of blood. My healers kept you alive”

Two days. These were the only things I could grasp from his words. It was two days; two days in which my families bodies had grown cold and stale in the ground. Two days in which Alpha Cassian had no doubt already claimed victory.

Kael stepped further into the room, distracting me from my dark thoughts . The space suddenly felt smaller, less breathier.

“You carry a prophecy mark… the blood moon mark. Voss wants you dead for it.” He said flatly

I stared at him unblinking.

“A mark..."

What mark?”

The only mark I was aware of was the tiny Crescent shaped one under my collarbone. There was nothing much to it. It was insignificant, just like any other birthmarks.

“My spies said that whatever stunt you pulled during the day of your transition had lead to Voss’s suspicion. He dug deep into it and found out the truth…” he said, leaving a sense of disbelief in the air.

“And what is the truth?”

“They say you’re the silver-haired one. The one destined to rain down chaos upon the territories. Destined to bring down the silver throne."

He seemed amused about the whole thing. I couldn’t even say I blamed him. I don’t even believe it myself. C’mon take a good look at me, it could never be me. He was wrong.

I shivered at the cut of his stare. His eyes were focused, taking me in with so much intensity. They were plotting, calculating and in a blink I saw the resolute silence through his expression. Although I saw bits and pieces of all of these, I still couldn’t tell what he was wholly thinking. He was as closed off as a decade old bottle of jam.

I decided to test the waters by asking,

“Then why am I still breathing?”

His jaw tightened.

“Because the moon goddess has a vicious sense of humor. She’s decided to play a cruel joke on me… You’re my mate, rejecting you is a no. It’ll weaken me. Killing you would do the same. So you will stay."

My laughter was short and bitter.

“How generous”.

I retorted

“It is not generosity. It is practicality."

He continued.

“You will remain in Blackthorn under my protection. You will train with my warriors. You will not leave the territory without my permission. In return, when the right time comes, Blackthorn will march on Silvercrest. Cassian Voss will die. This is the only contract I am offering."

I stared at him for a while before asking.

"No claiming, no soft words, no shared bed? Just a weapon you keep sharp until you need it”

Something flickered in the Alpha’s eyes, it was too fast to name.

“Yes."

I should have felt insulted. Instead I felt cold, clarifying relief. This I understood. This I could use.

I wasn’t looking for more, I didn’t need more, I only craved vengeance.

“I accept.”

I declared.

He studied me for a long moment, as if searching for a lie. When he found none, he gave me a single sharp nod.

“Good. My Beta will show you the training grounds tomorrow. Do not expect kindness from me, Seraphine Vale. I buried that capacity twelve years ago”.

He turned towards the door, but my voice stopped him.

“What happened twelve years ago?”

His shoulder stiffened. For a moment I thought he would not answer. Then, without looking back, he said quietly; “my first mate died by Silvercrest steel. Voss’s orders. I will not survive a second loss.“

The door closed behind him with a soft final click. I sat in silence, the mate bond throbbing faintly between us.

I touched the silver mark on my collarbone and whispered to the empty room, “I don’t need your heart Alpha, I only need your army”. Still, deep down, something traitorous and newly awakened disagreed.