Loose Me Once And Maybe Am Gone Forever

Seraphine ’s POV

Rowan leaned against the jagged arch of the rogue den, his amber eyes glinting in the moonlight as they settled on Mina. She toyed with the hem of her tunic, her laughter rippling through the night like a blade. The faint shimmer of her wolf mark on her collarbone glowed under the moon's silver gaze, a symbol of her rogue lineage.

"You’re impressed, aren’t you?" she teased, her fingers trailing along Rowan’s chest.

He smirked, the crooked curve of his lips making my heart ache. "Impressed doesn’t even begin to cover it."

Hidden deep within the shadows of the woods, I watched them, my breath catching at the sight of their intimacy. His gaze was unguarded—possessive, even—and it shattered the fragile hope I’d clung to. My wolf thrashed within me, her anguish a raw, searing force, but I kept still, rooted by the weight of betrayal.

"You’ve got the pack in your claws, don’t you?" Beta Orin said, appearing beside Rowan with an air of smug amusement. "Mina’s more than just a rogue, huh? She’s a prize."

Rowan’s smirk slipped, his expression darkening. A dangerous growl rumbled from his chest. "She’s not just a prize."

Orin raised a brow, undeterred. "And Seraphine ? Still hanging onto the mate bond? She’s a worthy Luna in her own right, even without your attention."

Rowan’s posture stiffened, his golden eyes blazing with fury. "Say one more word about her, Orin, and I’ll tear your throat out."

The Beta chuckled nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Easy, Alpha. No disrespect."

I couldn’t bear to hear more. Each word cut deeper than the last. Turning on my heel, I fled, the forest closing in around me as my steps quickened. My wolf whimpered, her grief mingling with mine, but I shoved her back. I did not have the time for tears or pain—All I need is clarity.

By the time I got to the edge of the pack's territory, my legs were shaking, and my breath came in short and painful gasps. A patrol wolf came out from the shadows, his sharp eyes narrowing.

"Luna Seraphine ," he said, dipping his head in respect. "Is everything—"

"Don’t," I snapped, my voice sharper than intended. "You didn’t see me. Understand?"

The wolf’s ears flattened, and he nodded quickly, stepping aside to let me pass. Without another glance, I strode toward the village.

The market was quiet, save for the low murmur of voices and the crackle of the central fire. I approached the herbalist’s stall, snatching up a handful of moonroot tinctures and vials of wolfsbane mead. The herbalist raised a brow but said nothing, her gaze lingering as I tossed a pouch of coins onto the counter and left.

As I stepped onto the main path, her scent hit me before her voice did—a sickly sweet mix of wildflowers and deceit. Mina.

"Seraphine ," she called, her tone dripping with mock concern. "You look… tired. Rough night?"

I clenched my jaw, my claws itching to extend, but I forced myself to remain composed. She sauntered closer, the glint in her eyes as sharp as her words.

"You know," she continued, her voice a silken dagger, "Rowan speaks of you often. He says you’re resilient. Strong. A true Luna." She paused, a cruel smile curving her lips. "But even the strongest bonds can break, don’t you think? The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways."

I tightened my fingers around the vials in my pouch, my nails entering into my palm. Still, I did not give her the satisfaction of a response from me.

"Don't let me keep you," she said, her voice calm but filled with poison. "He’ll be looking for me soon. You know how demanding Alpha duties can be."

I strode away without a word, her laughter trailing behind me like a shadow.

Back at the Pack House, I dropped the vials onto the table and collapsed into the nearest chair. The silence pressed down on me, thick and suffocating. I uncorked a vial of wolfsbane mead and drank deeply, the bitter burn offering little solace against the storm raging within.

The sun dipped below the horizon before Rowan returned. His golden eyes softened as he stepped through the door, his gaze falling on the nearly empty vial in my hand.

"Seraphine ," he murmured, his voice low and careful. "Have you been drinking wolfsbane mead?"

I lifted the vial, the bitterness in my heart matching the mead on my tongue. "Is that a problem?"

He crossed the room in fast strides, kneeling before me and taking my hand. "You don’t need this, love," he said, his voice thick with concern. "Whatever’s troubling you, we can face it together."

I laughed, a hollow, humorless sound. "Together?" I repeated, shaking my head. "That’s rich coming from you."

He flinched, his jaw tightening. "You’re exhausted," he said softly. "Let me take care of you."

I pulled my hand free, placing the vial on the table with a sharp clink. "I don’t need you to take care of me, Rowan. I need you to tell me the truth."

His amber eyes searched mine, the flicker of guilt there fleeting but unmistakable. "I’ve never lied to you," he said, the words smooth but empty.

I rose to my feet, the chair scraping against the floor as I moved past him. "Maybe you haven’t lied," I said quietly, my voice cutting through the heavy silence. "But you haven’t told the truth either."

As I stepped into the bedroom, I heard the faint chime of his messenger hawk—a soft series of high-pitched calls only audible to werewolves. I stopped, my heart sinking as Rowan’s voice came down into a hushed tone.

"I’ll be there soon," he said, his words clipped and impatient.

The final piece of the puzzle clicked into place, each fragment sharper than the last. My stomach churned, and my wolf growled low, but I swallowed the rising fury.

Tomorrow, I thought bitterly as I closed the door behind me. He always promises tomorrow.

But this time, I’d be the one making promises. And when the moonlight faded, Rowan would learn what it meant to betray a mate.