56 Chaptrer 56
56 Chaptrer 56
Chaptrer 56 1
Seraphina’s POV
Margaret reached over and squeezed my hand supportively before Robert began.
“It was August fifteenth,” he said. “A Tuesday night, if | remember correctly. The pack had been having some
minor issues with rogues in
the area, but nothing serious. Nothing that suggested what was coming.”
He paused, running a hand through his graying hair. “The attack cjust after midnight. But these weren't
ordinary rogues, Sera. They
were organized, well-armed, and they knew exactly where to strike. They bypassed the outer patrols somehow,
went straight for the
pack house and the family quarters.”
My chest tightened with dread, but | forced myself to keep listening.
“Your father fought bravely, but they were outnumbered and caught off guard. The rogues had inside
information-they knew the
security protocols, the guard rotations, even which rooms the family slept in.”
“Someone betrayed us,” | whispered.
“Maybe,” Robert confirmed. “Someone with intimate knowledge of your pack’s defenses and routines. Someone
your parents trusted.”
The silence that followed was heavy with grief and anger. | could feel Caleb’s hand tighten around mine, his
warmth anchoringas the
reality of my parents’ murder settled overlike a shroud.
“Were they ever caught?” | asked. “The rogues, or whoever was working with them?”
Robert's expression grew darker. “Sof the rogues were killed in the fighting, but the leaders escaped. As for
the traitor...” He shook
his head. “Never identified. The investigation went cold after a few months.”
“That's not unusual,” Margaret added sadly. “The northern territories were always chaotic.”
“And the rogue problem has only gotten worse,” Robert said. “Especially in the last few years. The borders are
practically lawless now.
Packs are fleeing south every week, looking for protection with Alpha King.”
A chill ran down my spine as | thought of Damien, back in Silver Moon Harbor, dealing with his own rogue
incidents. The attacks Caleb
had described earlier suddenly seemed much more ominous.
“How bad is it really?” | asked. “The rogue situation, | mean.”
Robert said bluntly. “These aren't desperate loners looking for scraps anymore. They're organized, well-supplied,
and getting bolder every month. Sof them are carrying military-grade weapons.”
“That's not possible,” | said, though even as the words left my mouth.
“It shouldn't be possible, Margaret agreed. “But it's happening anyway. Someone is funding them, training them,
giving them resources that ordinary rogues would never have access to.”
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56 Chaptrer 56
The implications hitlike a physical blow. “You think whoever killed my parents is still out there. Still
organizing attacks.”
“It’s possible,” Robert said grimly. “The methods are similar-well-planned strikes against established packs,
targeting leadership and key infrastructure. If it’s the sgroup, they've grown significantly more powerful
over the years.”
| felt sick. Not just because of what had happened to my parents, but because of what might be happening right
now. If these organized rogues were behind the attacks in Damien's territory....
Margaret stifled a yawn, then smiled apologetically. “I'm sorry, honey. It's been such an emotional day, and we're
not as young as we used
to be. Why don’t we call it a night? You and Caleb can go through Robert's files tomorrow, and we can discuss
everything with clearer
heads.”
“Of course,” | said, suddenly aware of how exhausted | was. “I'm sorry for keeping you up so late.”
“Don’t you dare apologize,” Margaret said firmly, pullinginto another warm hug. “Having you here, knowing
you're alive and safe-it's
the best gift we could have asked for.”
Caleb stood up, stretching slightly. “I'll show you to the guest room,” he said. “It’s upstairs, second door on the
right.”
“Actually,” Margaret interjected with a meaningful look at her son, “why don’t you give Sera your room? The
guest room is full of boxes
from when we helped the Peterson family pack up last month. Your room will be much more comfortable.”
“It's fine,” | said quickly. “I don’t want to put anyone out. | can sleep on the couch.”
“Absolutely not,” Margaret and Robert said in unison, making Caleb andexchange amused glances.
“My room it is,” Caleb said with a resigned smile. “I'll take the couch.”
“Are you sure?” | asked, feeling guilty about displacing him from his own bed.
“Are you kidding? | get to be the gentleman who gives up his room for a beautiful lady-my mom would be so
proud!” He grinned widely,
that boyish charm making him look even younger than his years. “Besides, the couch downstairs is actually
pretty comfortable. I've fallen
asleep on it watching late-night movies more times than | can count.”
“Letjust...” he started, then stopped abruptly as we reached his bedroom door. Through the crack, | could
see clothes scattered
across the floor and what looked like several empty energy drink cans on the nightstand.
“Oh God,” Caleb muttered, his cheeks flushing bright red. “I totally forgot... | mean, | wasn’t expecting...” He
pushed the door open wider
and immediately dove into action, scooping up discarded t-shirts and jeans with lightning speed. “Sorry, sorry!
I'm usually better about
keeping it clean, | swear!”
| couldn’t help but smile as | watched him frantically straightening things, his movements quick and efficient
despite his obvious
embarrassment. He grabbed the empty cans and shoved them into a small trash bin, then smoothed the
rumpled bedsheets with careful
attention.
“There!” he announced, standing back with his arms full of laundry. “Much better. The sheets are clean, |
promise-l actually changed
them yesterday. Another blush crept up his neck. “Not that | was planning... | mean, | just like having fresh
sheets...”
“Caleb,” | said gently, touched by his flustered sweetness. “It's perfect. Thank you.”
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56 Chaptrer 56
He beamed atfor just a moment before seeming to remember himself. “Right! Well, I'll just... I'll let you get
settled.” He backed toward the door, still clutching his clothes. “If you need anything-extra blankets, water,
anything at all-just call down the hall, okay?”
“I will,” I promised, warmth spreading through my chest at his obvious care.
He lingered for just a second longer, like he wanted to say something else, then gaveone more shy smile
before disappearing down
the hallway with his armful of laundry.
Twenty minutes later, | found myself alone in Caleb’s bedroom, surrounded by remnants of the boy he used to
be. Even after his hasty tidying, the room was unmistakably his-walls covered with posters of classic rock bands
and old hockey players, a desk still cluttered
with automotive magazines and repair manuals despite his attempt to straighten them.
| changed into the oversized t-shirt I'd brought for sleeping and slipped under the covers, breathing in the
comforting scent of clean
laundry and that subtle hint of aftershave that seemed to cling to everything in the room.
But as | lay there in the darkness, my thoughts inevitably turned to Damien.
Before | could second-guess myself, | reached for my phone and typed out a message.
*How did it go today? Ophelia textedabout her mom. Is Adrian okay?*
His response cquickly: *He was perfect. We had pancakes and went to the park. He's currently sleeping and
dreaming about
dinosaurs, probably.*
Relief flooded through me, followed by a warmth. *Thank you so much for stepping in.*
*It wasn’t a job, * he typed back.
*Are you safe?* appeared on my screen.
*Yes. Very safe. Just processing a lot of information.*
We exchanged a few more messages about my trip, but | found myself reluctant to end the conversation. The
distance between us felt
unbearable tonight, and the thought of Damien stepping so naturally into the role of caretaker for Adrian made
something deep in my
chest flutter with dangerous hope.
Before | could stop myself, | was typing: *I can’t stop thinking about you. About today, about Adrian, about
coming hto both of you.*
Then, feeling bold and slightly reckless: *Is it wrong that I'm getting turned on just thinking about you taking
care of my son?*
His response was immediate: *Not wrong at all. Tellwhat you're thinking.*
Heat flushed through my cheeks as | typed back: *About walking into our apartment and finding you on the
couch with Adrian asleep in
your arms. About how domestic and perfect and MINE you'd look.*
*And then what would happen?*
*After | put Adrian to bed? I'd cback to find you waiting for me. I'd crawl into your lap and show you exactly
how much | missed you.*
The conversation shifted, becoming more intimate as we traded messages filled with longing and desire. My
body responding to his
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words even across the distance, the mate bond humming with need that only intensified with each text.
*I'm thinking about your hands on me. About the way you growl my nwhen you're buried inside me. About
how desperate you make
RSEraney
*1'm touching myself right now, thinking about you. Wishing it was your mouth oninstead of my fingers.*
* want to taste you. Want to make you cwith my tongue until you're shaking.*
*God, yes. | need that. Need you.*
*Tellwhere you're touching yourself.*
*Everywhere. My breasts, between my legs. I'm so wet thinking about you, about coming hto you and
Adrian.*
*| wish | was there. Wish | could taste you while you touched yourself.*
The messages continued, each one more heated than the last, until | was breathless and aching with want.
*| love you. Both of you.*
*Love you too,* chis immediate reply. *Chsoon. We need you here. *
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