I feel calm around her... can you get closer? Bloodfang’s echoed through Voren’s mind, his voice carrying a strange, almost unfamiliar steadiness as they stood at a distance, watching everything unfold between Seraphine, Daisy, and Ravyn.

Voren didn’t hesitate.

The moment he noticed Seraphine moving in their direction, he instinctively stepped back, putting space between them as though proximity alone might stir something he wasn’t ready to face, his body reacting faster than his thoughts could catch up.

But he didn’t get far.

Do you want me dead? Bloodfang snapped, the calm from earlier giving way to sharp irritation. You should be grateful her wolf is keeping me stable enough to hold on until the mate bond is restored.

That stopped Voren mid-step.

He went still for a second, jaw tightening, before finally giving in just enough to remain nearby, though he made sure to stay hidden behind one of the trees, his presence concealed as his gaze fixed on the scene ahead.

From where he stood, he had a clear view of Damon approaching Seraphine, their interaction unfolding in a way that wasn’t inappropriate, nor suggestive yet something about it unsettled him anyway, a quiet discomfort settling deep in his chest as he listened.

"Sera, I’m sorry I’m late," Damon said, his tone carrying genuine regret as he stopped in front of her. "I should have made sure Daisy didn’t leave the pack house when you were heading into the woods."

Seraphine gave a small shrug, as though it barely mattered, though the faint glint in her eyes said otherwise. "It’s fine. My wolf wanted her blood, and she got it, so I guess we’re even now."

Damon studied her for a moment, something heavier crossing his expression. "I heard some things," he admitted carefully. "Was this how she used to treat you?"

It was clear that everything he heard about Seraphine doing to Daisy was a lie. She was the one who always provoked Seraphine.

Seraphine let out a quiet breath, her shoulders lifting slightly before settling again, her tone almost dismissive. "This? This is nothing," she said, her lips curving faintly without humor. "The pack always believes her anyway. I just don’t understand why she keeps finding her way into my space."

Damon hesitated, then added, "I think Ravyn might actually believe you this time—"

Seraphine cut him off before he could finish, her expression sharpening just slightly. "Don’t fall for that," she said, her voice calm but firm. "He used to believe every single word she said, and the last time he accused me of hurting her, I actually did it, just to prove a point."

There was no pride in her voice, and no regret either.

Just something quiet and final.

Damon exhaled slowly, the weight of her words settling in. "I’m sorry you had to go through all that," he said, his tone softening. "Corvine should have stood up for you back then."

Seraphine’s gaze flickered briefly before she looked away, her voice quieter now, but no less certain. "Corvine was a beta... you know what that means."

Damon didn’t need more explanation.

A beta’s loyalty wasn’t something easily broken. It was tied to the Alpha in ways that often left no room for anything else, no matter what was right or wrong.

After a moment, he nodded, changing the direction of the conversation. "Alright, let me take you back to the hotel," he said. "I’ve already packed a few things, so just like last night, I’ll stay in the room next to yours. Then, on the drive, we can go over everything you’ve invested on my behalf for MindNest. And I hope you know this already, but I really don’t mind how much you withdraw from my stocks."

That earned a small laugh from Seraphine, though still carrying a trace of fatigue. "Alright, I won’t turn down your kindness," she said, then added, her tone softening just a little, "but is Bryan, okay?"

They had already started walking toward the car by then, their steps unhurried as Damon answered, "He’s fine. Honestly... I’ve never seen him that happy before."

Seraphine’s expression eased at that, something warmer flickering across her face, but before the moment could settle, a voice cut through from behind them.

"I’ll take her."

Both of them turned at once, their attention snapping toward the source, and the second Seraphine saw Voren standing there, something inside her stirred sharply.

Can’t we just run with him once? Marsha’s voice burst through with sudden excitement. I know you’re not interested, but I like his wolf... a lot.

Seraphine’s fingers curled tightly at her sides, her reaction immediate as she shut the idea down without hesitation. "No thanks," she said firmly. "I’m fine with Damon."

"I wasn’t asking," Voren replied, his tone dropping into something far more serious, a low growl threading through his words as he took a step closer. "I’m taking you back to the hotel, and I’ll be the one watching over you."

Yes! Marsha practically roared, her excitement spiking. Ravyn would lose his mind—

But Seraphine wasn’t reckless.

She had heard enough about Voren’s wolf to know it wasn’t something to take lightly, and with Marsha already restless, already craving blood, the last thing she needed was to place herself anywhere near something equally volatile.

"No," she said again, sharper this time, her refusal clear but Voren didn’t stop.

He moved closer anyway, unmoved by her rejection, his presence closing the distance between them until it became impossible to ignore, his voice lowering as he added, "Besides... I came because of you. We need to talk."

He was close enough now that Seraphine could feel the intensity of his presence, the way it pressed in around her, making her heartbeat pick up despite herself, something instinctive reacting before she could fully control it.

Then—

"What’s going on here?"

Ravyn’s voice cut in, firm and edged with tension, as he stepped into view, having seen more than enough to know something wasn’t right.