Chapter 0384

I remained by her side for hours.

Simply watching the steady rhythm of her breathing.

Occasionally, her breath would hitch, a soft double intake.

A single tear would escape her right eye.

Always the right.

I gently wiped each one away.

My mind raced, trying to decide my next move.

I had somehow become a Lycan's safe harbor.

If my parents were still alive, they'd be furious.

A quiet knock sounded at the door.

Alexander entered.

Hannah stirred slightly but didn't awaken.

"How is she?" he asked, his voice low.

"Her soul is more fractured than yesterday," I murmured. "She had existing wounds, ones she was already trying to heal."

"You said a bond would shatter her. Is that imminent?"

"If more cracks appear." I ran my fingers through her vibrant red hair. "And I don't know if we can undo the damage that bastard has caused."

He frowned deeply. "I need a favor."

"Another one?" I arched an eyebrow. "I believe I've done plenty for you already."

"Evelyn is being taken to Athena."

"And you're here instead?"

"She requested I not be present."

"What does that have to do with me?" Hannah pressed closer to me in her sleep, and I held her tighter.

"Seraphina is in the dungeons."

"You want me to kill her? I'd be delighted. I've waited a long time for that."

"No." He paused, studying me. "Out of curiosity, why haven't you killed her already?"

"Athena asked me not to."

"I thought you didn't listen to Lycans."

"Normally, I don't. But she has her reasons. Oddly, I respect them. She's different. She sees things others miss. She listens. She doesn't irritate me." I gave him a sharp, sarcastic smile.

"What do you mean, 'she sees things'?"

I shrugged. "It's hard to explain. Maybe it's how she was raised. Maybe finding her true self settled something in her. I don't know. But she's not a monster. I don't feel the urge to put a bullet in her head like I do with the others."

He almost smiled. "Or perhaps you're finally realizing not all Lycans are evil."

I rolled my eyes dramatically.

"Regardless," he continued, "I want you to come to the dungeons with me. I have questions for Seraphina. I need to ensure I don't overlook anything important."

Hannah would likely sleep for a while longer, based on the last few days.

She didn't stir as I carefully slid my arm out from under her.

She was in the deepest sleep I'd ever seen.

I followed Alexander across the pack grounds toward the dungeons.

Seraphina was curled in the corner of a cell, her hands bound.

Her legs were drawn up to her chest.

She looked utterly broken.

A cold satisfaction settled in my chest.

"This is the end, isn't it?" Her brown eyes lifted to meet mine.

The resemblance was still unsettling, though the brown eyes and short black hair set them apart.

"You must be terrified, waiting to die," I muttered.

She squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm ready."

"He's not going to kill you," Alexander stated.

"Yet," I added with a dark smile, though her eyes remained closed.

I watched her throat move as she swallowed.

Her entire body trembled with palpable fear.

She was genuinely afraid for her life.

How interesting.