Chapter 0289

I glare at him before turning to my mother. “I located her.”

“Who?” She frowns, confused.

“Dad’s precious little favorite.”

Her brown eyes widen slightly. She shakes her head. “That was years ago, Seraphina. You have to release the past.”

I knew she only said that because Caleb was standing right there. If we were alone, she’d be grinning. We both craved it. Deep down, I knew she still wanted payback for what my father did to her. What he did to us.

Caleb points a finger at me. “You’re completely insane. You know exactly who she is, right?”

“Yes. Everything I was supposed to become.”

He laughs. White-hot fury burns through my veins.

“You were never going to be an Alpha, Seraphina. Your father wasn’t an Alpha. It was all a lie, you foolish girl.” He jabs a thick finger against my temple. “Why can’t you get that through your thick skull?”

“He deceived you, Seraphina.” My mother whispers sadly. Where was her fury? Where was her rage?

“Are you truly that dumb?” Caleb shakes his head. “You’re a Blackwood. You could have led this small pack. But you ruined it with this wild obsession.”

I laugh, glancing at the surrounding houses. “There’s barely thirty people in this so-called pack. And my name is Seraphina Harrison.”

He laughs loudly. My mother just stares at me with profound sadness.

“You’d rather take your half-sister’s name than be proud of your own pack?”

“If it secures my rightful place.”

Caleb scoffs. “You’re utterly delusional. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. And I’m not talking about your mother.”

“You’re saying I’m like my father.”

“Exactly like him. Why do you think your mother resented you for so long?!” He mocks.

“Mum?”

She turns away without a word. She retreats deeper into the house. Caleb glances over his shoulder. Then he glares at me. “You had an opportunity here, Seraphina. A fresh start. I was ready to accept you as my own. To give you a loving family. To provide everything you missed as a child. But you threw it all away over this foolish obsession. Now leave. You’re trespassing.” He slams the door in my face. My heart plummets. I truly believed my mother would welcome me back.

I retreat to my car. I watch the house for a long time. Caleb’s words echo in my mind. Occasionally, I see one of my brothers in the window. They never look at me. But they look so happy. A world apart from my own childhood.

My mother changed. She got everything she ever wanted. A happy, loving family. And I wasn’t part of it. A tear escapes. I quickly wipe it away. No crying. She moved on without me. Speeding down the road, Athena’s voice vibrates in my head. She calls all Lycans to Obsidian Howl. “Damn it!” My hands slam the steering wheel. I knew this day would arrive. Why did she wait until now?

I turn the car around. I head back to my mother’s house. I need to see if they will go. Athena’s request isn’t an order. But that could change. Then I’d be forced to go as well.

Would she have them killed because of me?

I stop at the end of the road. They are already loading bags into their car. My mother cradles the baby in her arms. Caleb moves back and forth. He slots things into the car like a game of tetris.

They aren’t the only ones. Every house has people loading cars. They are all going. They are all incredibly stupid.

I slam on my brakes. I block their car. My mother stares at me with wide eyes. She backs toward the house. My sister starts crying. “You’re making a huge mistake.” I mutter.

“It’s our decision.” He snaps back. He slams the car door shut with the boys inside. He starts to speak. Instead, he shakes his head in disbelief. “What the hell have you done, Seraphina?”

I’ve fought Wolves, Lycans, and Rogues for years. I’ve thrived on my own. Yet he always makes me feel like a powerless child. A child who did something terribly wrong. My usual strength and confidence evaporate completely.

“SERAPHINA!” Caleb growls. “What danger have you brought upon this pack?”

“I…”

“You didn’t just find her, did you?” He snarls.

“Let me speak to whoever is in charge.”

“You’re looking at him.”

“You’re in charge?” I ask with disgust.

“As voted by the pack. Now I must speak to the Lycan Alpha about the mess you created.”

“She will likely kill you.”

“Then our deaths will rest solely on your shoulders.”