Chapter 0294

Zachary

“It was inevitable. But Seraphina led me to believe her family was deceased.” I murmur to Sebastian.

“My thoughts exactly.” He scans the room vigilantly. I anticipated resentment over me taking his former pack position, but he appears content with his secondary Beta role.

A woman navigates through the gathering, clutching an infant while two young boys grip her dress. They’re miniature replicas of the man conversing with Alexander. I recognize the woman from the photograph Seraphina gave Athena. Seraphina’s mother.

We advance as Lucas departs to circle the training hall again. He shoots me a quick wink before refocusing on the crowd of Lycans.

Seeing this many in one place feels surreal. My previous experience involved only a dozen Rogues, a minuscule number compared to this gathering, likely even fewer than expected. The bald man mentioned they’re a small pack.

“We need to clarify that we,” the bald man gestures to the assembled Lycans, “had no involvement in Seraphina’s actions.”

“She appeared a few days ago, right before we received your mind-link. Seeking shelter. She’s not welcome in our home.” Seraphina’s mother adds.

“Why?” Athena inquires.

The woman holding the infant stops before her. “She endangered us all. Years ago, she nearly led a Hunter to our doorstep.” She glances over her shoulder. “Actually, it was him. He was hunting her. Before her recent appearance, we hadn’t seen her in over five years. We knew she was alive, but that was all.”

“She blames me for our father’s actions.” Athena informs her.

The woman reaches out, cupping Athena’s face. “I know, and I’m deeply sorry for that.”

“It’s not your fault.” Athena sighs. “You were unaware, and from what I understand, my father deceived you too.”

“He did. And there’s something else you should know. Your—”

“Zoe and I tried to reason with her.” Caleb interrupts, giving his mate a peculiar look. “My mate took years to recover from what he did to her, but Seraphina could never let go. She never even knew the man, yet she’s devoted her life to an impossible vendetta. I regret to say only death will stop her.”

A tear trails down the woman’s cheek at Caleb’s final words. Admitting that your child’s death is the only solution must be agonizing. But everyone seems to overlook the interrupted revelation from Seraphina’s mother. Or perhaps I’m imagining things.

“Did she know you were coming here?” Alexander asks.

“She had already come to us that morning, and we sent her away. She reappeared while we were packing the car. I assume she heard the mind-link too. She tried to阻止 us, but if there’s any chance to protect my children from her, I’ll do whatever necessary.” Caleb explains.

“She is your child too.” I mutter, testing Zoe.

“She ceased being that long ago.”

“They’re telling the truth.” Lucas murmurs as he passes by again. He continues moving, causing the Lycan crowd to shift from one side of the hall to the other as they maintain distance.

Caleb’s deep blue eyes track Lucas. “I’m uncertain why he’s here, but Silverwood is not the pack it once was. We reside in the suburbs. Most of us have jobs and families to support.” He gestures to the others. “Some rarely shift due to the risk of exposure.”

It was the life Brianna had dreamed of.

“Did Seraphina mention any plans?” I question.

“No. Though she claimed you would kill us. I told her if we died, the blame would rest on her.” Caleb shakes his head. “That girl had immense potential for good, and she wasted it.”

“Because she turned Rogue.” Athena mutters.

“Yes, she discovered what happened to the original Silverwood Pack that her mother belonged to.” Caleb reaches out, squeezing his mate’s shoulder. “She completely lost herself in her own delusions. It was something neither of us comprehended. How can someone be so obsessed with rectifying past wrongs that have nothing to do with them?”