Chapter 4 THE FUNERAL

Seraphina's POV

I brought Daniel to our new apartment, and he happily set up his new room.

As I unpacked my own belongings, I felt a long, quiet sigh of relief rise in my chest when everything was finally in place.

This was mine. Completely mine.

No more disappointment.

That night, Daniel and I didn't bother cooking. We ordered pizza, and by the time we finished eating, we were both exhausted.

When the pale light of dawn finally broke through my blackout curtains, I realized I had slept well for the first time in ages-but today, I had something important to do.

Today we would bury my father.

My mother had insisted that I be there. She said all I had to do was follow instructions, play the role of a polite stranger, and leave quietly.

I was divorced from Kieran now.

The hatred between us-between our families-ended here.

After today, our lives would be completely separate.

Our new apartment sat in the neutral zone between packs. I didn't belong to any pack yet, but this place was safe. That was why I dared to bring Daniel here.

As for my plans... I hadn't really figured them out yet.

My savings were enough to get by.

In truth, I was an anonymous author-I'd made a bit of money from my writing, though no one knew.

Let them keep thinking I was worthless. That was fine by me.

After washing up, I opened Daniel's door. He was already dressed in the tiny black suit we'd picked out together.

"Good morning, Mom," he said calmly.

"Look at you," I whispered, smoothing his collar. "All grown up."

"Let's go," he said quietly, squaring his small shoulders and trying to look brave.

But when the old stone church came into view, his courage faltered. His knuckles went white as he gripped the car door handle.

"Hey," I said softly, resting my hand on his tense shoulder. "Talk to me."

He turned to me, eyes shining with unshed tears, and my heart cracked. "We... we didn't get to say goodbye. Do you think Grandpa knew we loved him?"

The question pierced me like a silver dagger to the ribs.

My father's absence had long since become routine for me-but for Daniel, he had lost his favorite storyteller, his secret cookie supplier.

I pressed my hand against his rapidly beating heart. "Grandpa's right here, sweetheart," I whispered, my voice trembling. "And right here." I tapped his temple gently. "As long as we remember him, he never really leaves."

Daniel exhaled shakily, the tightness in his small frame easing just a little. "Okay."

"Ready?"

He nodded-and that was all the strength I needed.

We stepped out of the car together.

The church doors opened into a sea of mourners-wolves in elegant black mourning attire, allies from neighboring territories, and a scattering of human business associates who had known my father. The air was thick with murmured condolences and the cloying scent of lilies.

My family sat in the front row like royalty. My mother's head rested on Ethan's shoulder, and Celeste-sat beside Kieran.

"Daniel, darling!" My mother's arms opened wide as we approached-but not for me. Never for me.

They were for the grandson who carried the Blackthorn name. The important grandson.

I watched numbly as Daniel disappeared into her embrace, his small body swallowed by her black lace dress. That left only one empty seat-between Celeste and the edge of the pew.

Celeste's ice-blue eyes flicked toward me. Even after ten years, the hatred there hadn't faded. As I sat down, she subtly shifted away, the silk of her gown whispering against the bench-a snake's warning hiss.

I tried not to think about the family that never wanted me. My gaze drifted through the chapel-only to land on another family that never wanted me either.

The Blackthorns.

Kieran's broad shoulders formed a commanding silhouette beside his parents across the aisle.

Leona Blackthorn noticed me watching her and pressed her lips tightly together.

Just as my own family had cast me aside, the Blackthorns had refused to accept me. To them, I was Kieran's lawful wife, but never his Luna.

Even after Kieran inherited the Alpha title, his mother had kept hers. Now she looked at me with a cold satisfaction that told me all I needed to know-she was thrilled about the divorce.

The stain on their family name had finally been washed away.

A small, warm hand slipped into mine.

Daniel had wriggled free from my mother's arms and now stood between Celeste and me, a tiny, defiant barrier between two worlds. His fingers squeezed mine tightly-wordlessly saying, I'm here.

I swallowed my grief and drew strength from this brave little boy who should never have had to be the strong one.

The organ's mournful notes filled the air, signaling the start of the service.

Just a few more hours, I told myself. I could endure that long.

**

I had to hand it to Celeste-her timing was impeccable.

She waited the entire ceremony.

During the burial, as we each took turns tossing handfuls of dirt onto Father's coffin, she lingered, patient as a viper.

When everyone else finally drifted away, only Daniel and I remained, watching the grave diggers at work.

"Long time no see, sister," she said as she approached, her voice sugary and false. "You look... as pathetic as ever."

"And you look as insufferable as ever," I shot back. "So stay out of my way, unless you want me to stop being polite."

"Oh, sister," Celeste hissed, feigning amusement. "So you've found your fangs at last? But did you really think I'd slink away quietly this time?" Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Ten years, Seraphina. For ten years, you toyed with my life. But now I'm taking back everything that's mine-my family, my status..." Her breath warmed my ear. "My Kieran."

At our father's grave, I nearly laughed aloud.

Absurd.

She had always had everything- their love, their loyalty, Kieran's heart. None of it had ever truly belonged to me. You can't lose what was never yours.

And I didn't need it.

"Oh, I'm terrified," I said, pressing a hand to my chest in mock fear. "Are you finished, darling? Can I go now?"

"You'd better mean what you say," Celeste snapped as she turned away. "Because no one will hand you a tissue when you start crying."

Then, as if on cue, she feigned grief and collapsed into Kieran's arms.

Over his shoulder, she flashed me a sly, triumphant smile.

"Mom?" Daniel's small hand found mine again. My brave boy-always standing between me and the world. "Don't worry. I'll always be on your side."

I squeezed his hand, my heart swelling. Daniel was worth more than any of them combined.

"Ready to go?"

"I'll go say goodbye to Dad," Daniel said, and walked toward Kieran.

I turned away from my father's grave, my heels sinking into the damp earth as I made for the car.

But I had barely made it halfway across the cemetery when chaos erupted.

One moment: the gray afternoon was still, broken only by soft sobs.

The next: a nightmare of howls and screams. Shadows with teeth burst from the trees-rogues, attacking without warning.

Daniel.

I spun around, searching through the chaos, his name a desperate prayer on my lips.

My brother's wolf stood protectively over our mother, blood dripping from his fangs. Across the clearing, Kieran's massive golden-brown wolf circled Celeste-of course.

No one looked at me.

No one ever did.

The daughter without a wolf.

The mate without a bond.

The easy target.

The rogues saw it too.

Yellow eyes locked on me. A gaunt figure crept closer, nostrils flaring as it caught the scent of my fear.

"Daniel!" My scream tore through the din. Where was he? Where-

A crushing weight slammed into my back.

Claws raked my skin.

I hit the ground hard, the world spinning, dirt and blood filling my mouth.

A skeletal rogue loomed above me, snarling, fetid drool splattering my face.

So this was it.

After everything, I would die here-on my knees, in the dirt.

My gaze swept the chaos, searching desperately for my son. My shoulders burned like fire, hot liquid running down my spine, but I didn't care. All I could think of was Daniel.

I prayed silently-to any god who would listen-just let me see him one last time.

The rogue lunged.

And before its jaws could close around my throat, a blur of black intercepted it midair.

A sickening crack echoed as bones shattered. The beast was thrown aside like a rag doll.

A massive black wolf I had never seen before towered in front of me, its hackles raised, fangs bared, a growl rumbling from deep within its chest.