Mate's VENGEANCE

The first week passed in a blur of early mornings, aching muscles, and careful observation.

Sera kept her head down and her presence minimal, exactly as instructed. She learned the rhythms of the household-when the Alpha trained, when he took his meals, when he closeted himself in his study for hours of pack business. She learned which corridors were busy and which were empty. She learned faces and names and positions in the complex hierarchy of a large pack household.

And she watched Celeste Ravencroft.

The future Luna arrived at the estate every afternoon at precisely two PM, driven in a sleek black car by her personal attendant. She was beautiful in a way that seemed almost unreal-perfect auburn hair always styled impeccably, flawless makeup, designer clothes that probably cost more than Sera earned in a year. She moved through the house like she already owned it, her posture regal, her voice cool and commanding.

But it was the way she looked at Kael that caught Sera's attention.

Sera was dusting in the formal sitting room-invisible as always, barely worth noticing-when Celeste and Kael were meeting with the wedding planner. She'd seen the way Celeste's eyes followed him as he moved around the room. The way her expression softened when she thought no one was watching. The way she found excuses to touch his arm, his shoulder, his hand.

And the way Kael remained politely distant, never quite returning the touches, never quite meeting her eyes with any warmth.

It was fascinating. And useful.

"What do you think of the floral arrangements?" the wedding planner was asking, spreading photographs across the coffee table.

"Whatever you think is best," Kael said, barely glancing at them. He was reviewing some document, clearly only half-present in the conversation.

"Kael," Celeste said, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "This is our mating ceremony. Don't you care about any of the details?"

"I trust your judgment," he said absently, signing something without looking up.

Celeste's jaw tightened. "It would be nice if you showed some interest. This is supposed to be important to both of us."

"It is important," Kael replied, finally looking up. His tone was patient but firm. "The alliance with your family strengthens both our packs. I understand the significance."

"That's not what I meant," Celeste said quietly.

But Kael had already returned to his paperwork, missing-or ignoring-the hurt that flashed across her face.

Sera continued dusting the same bookshelf she'd been working on for the past five minutes, absorbing every detail of the exchange. Celeste was in love with him. Really, genuinely in love-not just interested in the status or the alliance. And Kael either didn't notice or didn't care.

This was even better than Sera had hoped. A woman in love was vulnerable, emotional, prone to mistakes. Celeste would be watching for threats, yes, but she'd also be desperate to win Kael's affection. That desperation could be exploited.

After they left, Sera and Rosie continued their work in comfortable silence until Rosie said, "She's beautiful, isn't she? Miss Celeste."

"Very," Sera agreed neutrally.

"But..." Rosie hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Does it seem to you like she actually cares about him? Like, more than just the political stuff?"

So Sera wasn't the only one who'd noticed. "What do you mean?"

"The way she looks at him," Rosie whispered, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "My sister had that look when she met her mate. All soft and hopeful. But the Alpha... he doesn't look at her that way at all."

"Maybe he's just reserved," Sera suggested, keeping her tone mild.

"Maybe." But Rosie sounded doubtful. "I just hope she doesn't get hurt. Arranged matings are complicated enough without one person being in love and the other just going through the motions."

Sera filed that away. Even the staff had noticed the imbalance. That would make Celeste's eventual humiliation even more public, even more devastating.

Good.

---

On her fourth day, Sera discovered the garden.

She'd been sent to inventory the linen closets in the east wing-a boring task that took her through parts of the mansion she hadn't explored yet. A window at the end of one corridor caught her attention, and she looked out to see an overgrown garden below.

It had clearly been beautiful once. She could see the bones of careful design-curved pathways, a central fountain, beds that had once been meticulously planned. Rose arbors that were now wild and tangled. Hedges that had grown into shapeless masses.

But it was dying. Choked with weeds, neglected, forgotten.

Something about it made her chest ache in a way she hadn't felt since Marcus died. It was like looking at something that had been loved and then abandoned, left to decay slowly.

"That's Elena's garden."

Sera jumped, turning to find Elder Moira standing behind her, a stack of linens in her arms.

"I'm sorry," Sera said quickly. "I was just-"

"It's all right." Elder Moira moved to stand beside her, looking out at the garden with an expression of deep sadness. "Elena-the Alpha's first mate-she planted most of that herself. Spent years designing it, nurturing it. It was her pride and joy."

"What happened to it?"

"She died," Elder Moira said simply. "And the Alpha... he couldn't bear to go near it after that. Couldn't bear to let anyone else tend it either. So it's been dying slowly for thirteen years."

Sera stared at the overgrown paths, the dried fountain, the roses that had gone wild. "That's so sad."

"It is." Elder Moira sighed. "Miss Celeste wants it completely redesigned. Modernized. She's already contacted landscapers about tearing everything out and starting fresh."

Something fierce and protective flared in Sera's chest. "That seems... wrong. To destroy something that was loved just because it's hurt."

Elder Moira looked at her sharply, those wise eyes assessing. "You have a kind heart, child."

Sera looked away, uncomfortable with the observation. She didn't have a kind heart. She was a weapon. A monster wearing a kind face.

But the garden...

An idea began forming. Dangerous, risky, but potentially perfect.

"Could I..." Sera hesitated. "Could I work on it? The garden? In my free time, I mean. Before my shift or after. I wouldn't let it interfere with my regular duties."

Elder Moira's eyebrows rose. "Why would you want to?"

"I've always loved flowers," Sera said, which was true. "My mother and I had a garden when I was growing up. It feels wrong to let something so beautiful die just because... because of pain. Maybe it could be saved."

"Miss Celeste has already made her wishes clear."

"But the wedding isn't for weeks," Sera pointed out. "What if I could restore some of it before then? Show what's possible? Maybe she'd change her mind."

It was a calculated risk, inserting herself into something connected to Elena. But if Kael still cared about that garden-and Elder Moira's expression suggested he did-then restoring it could get his attention in a way that simple cleaning never would.

Elder Moira studied her for a long moment. "You're not what you appear to be, are you, Sera Blackwood?"

Sera's heart stuttered. "I don't know what you mean."

"You present yourself as simple, unambitious. Just another maid looking for work. But I see intelligence in your eyes. Purpose." Elder Moira's gaze was penetrating. "What are you really doing here?"