Sera's POV
Jason sold me to them.
The words taste like poison on my tongue. I can't stop shaking. Can't breathe properly. My brother the person who taught me to shift, who protected me from bullies when we were young, who promised he'd always be there for me betrayed me in the worst way possible.
Sera. Kael's hands cup my face, forcing me to focus. Look at me.
I meet his silver eyes. They're fierce. Protective. Angry on my behalf.
We'll figure this out, he says firmly. But right now, you need to rest. The vision drained you. I can feel it through the bond.
No. I pull away, standing on shaky legs. No more rest. The Council meeting is tomorrow. If I'm weak, we lose. Jason wins. The Shadow Council gets me. My voice breaks but I force it steady. I won't let that happen.
Elena nods approvingly. Good. Then we train. But first, you need food. You need strength. And you need to meet the pack properly. They need to see you're not a threat.
They already hate me.
They fear you, Elena corrects. There's a difference. Fear can become respect. Hate is harder to overcome. Show them you're not a threat to their pack. Show them you're an ally worth having.
Kael offers his hand. Come. Breakfast first. Then training.
I take his hand. The bond hums between us, warm and steady and somehow comforting. It helps. Makes me feel less alone in this nightmare.
We walk to the dining hall. Fifty wolves eating breakfast, the normal morning routine. The moment we enter, silence falls like a guillotine. Every eye turns to us.
Raven stands, her chair scraping loudly. You're bringing the Silverpine reject to breakfast? To eat with the pack?
The word stings like a slap. Kael's hand tightens on mine protectively. Sera is under my protection. Anyone with a problem can take it up with me directly.
She's making you weak, Raven says bluntly. The entire shifter world is laughing at us for harbouring Silverpine's trash. Our reputation
Silver light explodes from my hands before I can stop it. I don't mean to but my power responds to the rage flooding through me. The beam slams into the wall behind Raven, leaving a massive scorch mark.
The hall gasps collectively. Raven stares at the mark, then at me, eyes wide.
I'm not trash, I say quietly, but my voice carries in the stunned silence. I'm Moon Blessed. My power saved your warriors last night when the light exploded. So, think very carefully before you insult me again.
For a long moment, nobody moves. Then someone claps. Ash, Kael's younger brother, grinning widely. The reject has claws! I like her!
Wolves laugh appreciatively this time, not mockingly. The tension breaks. Raven's lips curve into something that might be a smile. Not bad, little wolf. But can you control it? Or does it just explode whenever someone hurts your feelings?
She gestures to a seat. Sit. Eat. You look ready to collapse, and we need you strong for tomorrow.
As we sit, Ash grins at me. That blast was awesome. Seriously. You could be seriously dangerous if you learn to aim properly.
Raven leans forward, all business now. The Council meeting is tomorrow at dawn. You need to prove you're strong enough that Dominic's rejection was justified. That you're not weak. She pauses. Fight me. Win, and the Council sees your power. Lose... She shrugs. We're all screwed.
Fight Raven? A trained warrior with years of combat experience? She's not ready, Kael says immediately.
She blasted a wall without even trying, Raven counters. We have one day. One chance. She looks at me. Can you do it?
Everyone waits. The weight of their stares presses down on me. I'll do it, I say.
Before anyone can respond, a scout bursts in, breathing hard. Alpha! Silverpine wolves at the north border. Thirty of them this time. They're setting up camp.
My stomach drops. Dominic's surrounding us, I whisper.
That's not all, the scout continues grimly. There are six others. Different. Moving like ghosts through the forest. They have silver chains that glow.
Elena's face goes white as death. Shadow Council enforcers. Already. They moved faster than I thought possible.
The scout clears his throat nervously. There's... one more thing, Alpha.
What? Kael's voice is sharp, commanding.
A message. From the Silverpine camp. From Jason Silverpine specifically. The scout hands Kael a folded paper. He says he wants to talk to his sister. Alone. Says he has information that could save her life.
My blood runs cold. Jason. The brother who sold me to monsters. Who's working for the Shadow Council. Who orchestrated my destruction.
It's a trap, Kael says immediately, flatly.
Obviously, Raven crosses her arms. Don't even think about going, Sera. It's suicide.
But I'm thinking about it. Because what if Jason does have information? What if there's a way to stop the Shadow Council before they come for me? What if he's... what if the vision was wrong somehow?
What does the message say? I ask.
Kael's jaw clenches so hard I can see the muscle jumping, but he opens the paper and reads aloud: Sera, I know you think I betrayed you. I know what the moon water showed you. But you don't have the full story. The vision shows truth, but not context. Not reasons. Meet me at the neutral ground. One hour. Come alone. I'll explain everything. And I'll tell you how to survive what's coming. Please. Trust me one more time. Your brother, Jason.
No, Kael says flatly, absolutely. Absolutely not.
He's right, Raven agrees firmly. It's suicide. A trap. Obviously.
But Elena looks thoughtful, troubled. Unless... unless he's telling the truth. Moon water visions show truth, but not always the whole truth. Context matters. Motivation matters.
Hope and fear war in my chest, tearing me apart. What if Jason isn't the enemy? What if he's trying to protect me in his own twisted way? What if I'm wrong about everything?
Or what if this is exactly what the Shadow Council wants? Me alone. Vulnerable. Easy to capture and drain.
I'm going, I say, and the words feel final.
Sera Kael starts, warning in his voice.
He's my brother. If there's even a chance he's not the enemy, I have to know. I have to hear him out. I meet Kael's eyes. I have to.
Kael's expression is torn between fury and understanding. Finally, through gritted teeth: Then I'm coming with you.
The message says alone
I don't care what the message says. His silver eyes blaze with Alpha power. You're not walking into a trap without me. I'll stay hidden, but I'm not letting you face him alone.
The finality in his voice makes arguing pointless.
And honestly? I'm relieved.
Because despite everything, despite the vision and the moon water and the truth it showed me...
Part of me is still terrified that Jason really did betray me.
And part of me is even more terrified that he didn't.