Chapter 160: Chapter 160 Claiming Her Fang

Seraphina’s POV

Julian had already left when I opened my eyes. My heart sank slightly. We never managed to finish discussing what I had revealed to him the night before. Exhaustion had claimed me, leaving both of us uncertain how to navigate the weight of my confession.

After brushing my teeth, I stepped under the hot spray of the shower. The steaming water cascaded over my shoulders, and I allowed the bathroom to fill with warm mist, hoping it might somehow clear the fog in my mind.

Refreshed and more alert, I slipped into comfortable clothing. This day would not require formalities. This day belonged to my children.

I quietly opened their bedroom door. Theo lay stretched across his bed like a sprawling sea star, tangled in his blankets, while Elena curled up sweetly, peaceful in her slumber.

"Rise and shine," I called out in a playful melody.

Their eyelids fluttered open slowly, then widened with recognition. "Mommy!" Elena shrieked, bolting upright, her hair creating a wild halo around her face.

Theo rubbed his sleepy eyes, a drowsy grin lighting up his features. "You’re back!"

Laughter bubbled from my chest as I rushed toward their beds, gathering them into a fierce embrace, breathing in their innocent sweetness. "I am here."

"Where did you go yesterday?" Elena questioned, pulling away just enough to study my face.

Theo’s expression, though still bright with joy, showed a flicker of something harder. "Yeah, where were you? You’re always gone now."

The words struck like a blade to my chest. Crushing guilt flooded through me. He spoke the truth. Between all the chaos and obligations pulling me in different directions, I had been absent. My smile wavered. "Oh, my sweet boy," I whispered, running my fingers through his hair. "I had to handle something extremely important. But listen carefully. Everything is about to change. All of it. Starting now, I will be here every single day. We will play together, laugh together, and do every wonderful thing you can imagine. You have my word."

His eyes, so beautiful and trusting, searched mine intently. When he recognized the sincerity reflected there, the genuine promise, his face broke into a radiant, authentic smile. "You mean it?"

"I absolutely mean it," I confirmed, pulling him close again. "Now, who is ready for a bath?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Their enthusiastic chorus of "Me!" was like music filling my soul. I shepherded them to the bathroom, running warm water and adding bubbles to the tub. They chattered excitedly, sharing stories from their previous day.

"Grandma cooked pancakes for us," Elena declared, clutching a yellow rubber duck.

"And Pa shared this hilarious story about a cranky old man," Theo contributed, creating small splashes with his hands.

"That sounds absolutely wonderful. I am so happy you enjoyed your time with Ma and Pa." A small ache touched my heart, wishing I had been present, but mostly I felt grateful they had been surrounded by love and care.

Following their bath, I prepared breakfast featuring eggs, toast, and fresh milk.

As Elena described her imaginary companion, I sensed a familiar presence in my thoughts.

’Seraphina, come to the Fang House immediately. This is urgent.’ Julian’s mental voice was tense and commanding.

My shoulders sagged with disappointment. Not now. Not when I was finally sharing this precious time with my children. "Julian," I responded through our mental connection, working to keep my tone steady, "could this possibly wait? I truly want to spend today with the kids."

’No. This absolutely cannot wait. It is extremely urgent. Come immediately.’

I released a long, silent breath. "Little ones," I announced, forcing brightness into my voice. "It appears Mommy needs to visit the Fang House briefly. But you get to accompany me! How does that sound?"

They looked up with surprise, then their faces lit up with excitement. "Hooray!" The Fang House always represented adventure for them.

I quickly dressed them, collected some toys, and guided them outside. My mind already buzzed with irritation. Urgent? What could possibly be so pressing? And why could Julian not have simply come here?

Upon arriving at the Fang House, the grounds hummed with activity. I noticed a group of children playing near the training area. "Alright, you two," I said, kneeling to their eye level. "Go play with those other children, okay? Mommy will be inside, but I will come for you very soon." They hugged me goodbye and raced off, eager to join the fun.

Drawing a deep breath, I pushed through the heavy wooden door. The familiar scents of pack life and burning wood filled my senses. I walked purposefully toward Julian’s office. The door stood partially open, and voices drifted from within. As I approached, I realized Julian was not alone.

I pushed the door completely open and entered. Then I froze, my breath catching.

Julian stood rigidly beside his desk. Next to him, wearing a grim expression, stood Viv. My parents sat nearby, worry etched across their faces. But commanding the room, making my blood turn cold, sat the person at the head of the large table. The Alpha King.

My gaze darted between them all, dread forming in my stomach. The Alpha King was present? What was happening?

Julian gestured toward an empty chair beside him. I moved stiffly and sat down. The room’s silence felt oppressive, thick with unspoken tension.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, my voice barely audible, looking first at Julian, then at the Alpha King.

The Alpha King’s penetrating gaze fixed on me. Even seated, he radiated intimidating authority. "Seraphina," he began, his voice deep and commanding. "I will remain forever in your debt for eliminating that threat."

My brow wrinkled. The threat? Dorian. He referenced Dorian.

"You need not concern yourself with the Nebula Fang," he continued authoritatively. "I will handle the situation."

"Handle it how?" I asked, growing suspicious.

He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "Nearly everyone in that pack shares Dorian’s guilt. They followed him blindly, assisted his schemes, or remained silent while he plotted. Therefore, some will face banishment as rogues. Others will lose their positions and become omegas. The remainder will receive lesser but still significant punishments." He outlined their destinies with absolute conviction.

My head snapped up, my voice rising sharply. "Punishment? For what reason? For following their leader?"

The unfairness hit me like a physical assault.

The Alpha King sighed dismissively. "Luna Seraphina, do not allow emotions to cloud your judgment. This is justice. They must answer for enabling these events."

"Nobody needs to answer for anything!" I shot back, rising partially from my seat, gripping the table’s edge. My previously quiet voice now rang with sudden steel. "The only guilty party is dead. That was Dorian. He was their Alpha. Since I killed Dorian, I am now their Alpha. And I alone will determine what happens to my pack. Nobody," I emphasized, staring directly at the Alpha King, "can dictate my choices."

"Seraphina, stop this," Julian’s voice was sharp, filled with alarm. He reached out, grasping my arm. "You cannot possibly become the Alpha of the Nebula Fang."

I jerked my arm free, turning to face him, my eyes blazing. "And why not, Julian? Am I too weak for leadership?"

He flinched, shaking his head. "This is not about weakness, Seraphina. You are the Luna of the Zenith Fang. You cannot lead another pack simultaneously. It violates tradition."

"If that requires a decision, then only I possess the right to make it!" I fired back. "The fact that you all held this entire meeting, discussing my Fang’s fate without consulting me, without my participation, is insulting!"

The Alpha King’s patience visibly thinned. "Someone must pay for everything that occurred, Seraphina." His voice remained firm.

"Someone already has," I countered, my voice cracking with emotion. "But more importantly, who has paid for the massacre of the Ruined Fang? Everyone knows what happened there and you did nothing. Honestly, Dorian had legitimate reasons to seek vengeance against those who destroyed his pack. Unfortunately, he chose to target innocent people, but his original anger was justified."

Shocked gasps filled the room. My parents looked like they wished to vanish.

"I respect you, Alpha King," I continued, my voice now low but clear, each word deliberate. "And I hope to guide the Nebula Fang to a point where they deserve inclusion in your alliance. As their Alpha. But you have no authority to determine that pack’s fate. Because I am their rightful Alpha. And I will make those decisions."

With that declaration, I pushed back my chair and stormed from the office. I felt every gaze following me. I did not stop or look back. I simply walked away.

"Seraphina! Seraphina!"

Finally, a hand grasped my arm, stopping my retreat. "What are you doing? What was that back there?"

I turned to him, my eyes cold. "I am not plotting anything, Julian. I have made my decision. I will become the Alpha of the Nebula Fang. And I challenge anyone," I said, my gaze hardening, my voice becoming a low, dangerous growl, "who dares to interfere with that pack or harm them in any way."