Chapter Unedited
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CHAPTER 15
~Rhiannon's POV~
I didn't have time to fully process the significance of the blades in my hands when another knock echoed at the door.
This one wasn't soft. It was sharp and entitled. I didn't need Ravyn to tell me who it was.
I already knew.
"Seraphina," I murmured.
My wolf snarled. "Don't open it. Or better, open it and gut her."
I set the dagger back down with care, walked to the door, and opened it just wide enough to meet her gaze—perfectly painted lips, brown curls pinned like she was still attending court, and that signature expression: sweet with a hint of poison.
"Well," she said, looking past me into the room. Her smile thinned. "You've been busy."
I leaned against the doorframe, unfazed. "Not busy. Gifted."
Her eyes snapped back to mine, the polite mask faltering just slightly. "You're settling in nicely, I see."
I offered her a slow blink. "Why wouldn't I be? After all, Kael made it clear—no one touches what's mine again."
Her jaw flexed at the mention of Kael's name. Good.
"I came to... clear the air," she said, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve. "There's been some... misunderstanding about that dress situation."
Ravyn growled in my mind. "Oh, she's really doing this?"
I tilted my head. "Misunderstanding? You mean where you ordered my clothes stolen and then lied to your alphas about it?"
Her lips twitched. "You seem awfully confident for someone who was wearing a sheet yesterday."
"And yet, today I wear silk, boots, and steel. So you tell me, Seraphina... how long do you think you'll stay on top now that the alphas are finally opening their eyes?"
Her hand balled into a fist at her side, but she recovered quickly, the smile returning—tighter this time.
"I understand now," she said, voice lowering. "You're not here to be quiet and grateful. You're here to play a long game."
I stepped closer, just a fraction. "I'm not here to play, Seraphina. I'm here to survive. And the difference between us is I won't pretend to smile while poisoning the water."
Her eyes narrowed. "Careful, outsider. You might think Kael is softening for you, but power here doesn't shift because of one look and a few nice words."
"No," I said cooly, "but it does shift when the people who've kept it forget what fear looks like."
She stared at me as the silence stretched.
Then she smiled—this time without sweetness. "Don't think this means you've won. You've only bought time."
"I don't need to win today," I said quietly. "Just long enough to watch you fall on your own blade."
Her face darkened, but she turned without another word and stormed down the hall.
I shut the door and exhaled when she disappeared around the corner.
"She'll move faster now," Ravyn warned.
"I know," I enunciated, turning back to the daggers. "But so will we."
I turned around towards the clothes as I picked out a new set to wear.
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~Author's POV~
Dining Hall – Morning
The sun was just breaking over the rooftops when the scent of roasted meat and warm bread drifted through the corridors of the pack house.
Inside the great dining hall, the Alphas were already seated—Kael at the head, the others flanking him.
Lucien had his boots kicked up against the leg of his chair, sipping lazily from a crystal goblet.
Riven sliced through his steak with a bored expression on his face. Talon and Darian were mid-conversation, keeping their voices low and clipped, probably discussing border security.
Kael, silent as ever, scanned the morning reports laid out on the table beside his plate, but his fork had barely moved since they sat.
Then the doors opened.
Every head turned as Rhiannon stepped in.
This time, she didn't wear rags. No dusty, oversized linen. She wore sleek black pants that hugged her form, tucked into dark leather boots.
A slate-gray top clung to her shoulders and arms, tailored yet soft, with silver buttons at the cuffs.
Her damp curls were pulled into a loose knot at her neck, exposing the elegant line of her throat. Her eyes were focused, defiant—but no longer wounded.
Darian's fork paused halfway to his mouth. "Well," he said slowly, "someone raided the right wardrobe this morning."
Talon raised a brow. "Much better. You almost look like you belong here."
Lucien chuckled. "Give her a sword and she might outshine half our warriors."
Kael didn't say anything. But his gaze locked on her, steady and unreadable, as she moved to the seat set aside for her at the end of the table.
She didn't hesitate this time. She sat, calm and composed, and reached for the pitcher of juice. Poured her own drink. As if this was normal. As if she had always been one of them.
Rhiannon ate slowly, her manners quiet, her posture regal even without trying. She ignored the few glances cast her way. She knew what they were thinking.
It was only when the dining doors opened a second time that the mood shifted.
Soren, their Beta, stepped into the room.
He didn't speak right away. He bowed first, hand to chest, then straightened with urgency in his eyes.
"My Lords," he said. "The guests from the Shadowfang Territory have arrived. They're waiting at the southern courtyard."
Kael stood immediately. The others followed suit, instinctive and disciplined.
But before they could turn fully toward the exit, Kael paused—just enough to half-glance over his shoulder.
His voice was quiet, but it cut through the room. "Rhiannon."
She met his eyes. Steady. Sharp.
He turned the rest of the way to face her. "You are not to leave the estate grounds. Eat. Return to your room. We cannot afford another Alpha meeting you yet."
Her lips parted slightly. Not from surprise—but from the careful awareness of what wasn't being said.
Not yet.
He didn't wait for a reply.
Kael turned and strode out of the room, his brothers falling into step behind him, Soren moving quickly to keep pace.
And just like that, the room fell quiet again.
Only the scent of food remained.
Rhiannon leaned back in her chair, her fingers curling lightly around her cup.
"They're hiding me," she murmured under her breath.
Ravyn stirred with interest. "No. They're protecting something. But the question is… is it you—or themselves?"