Once Despised, Now Begged

Seraphine's POV

The corridor lay engulfed in darkness, with only the pale moonlight streaming through the grand windows, casting eerie, shifting shadows along the walls. My pulse pounded in my ears, the oppressive atmosphere thick enough to choke on. Rooted in place, I barely dared to breathe as Leonel’s sharp voice sliced through the silence again, sending a fresh wave of chills down my spine.

"Who’s there?"

I swallowed the lump lodged in my throat, the icy air pressing into my skin like an unwelcome touch. Drawing every ounce of strength left in me, I stepped forward, allowing the dim glow to illuminate my face. Leonel’s gaze locked onto mine, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes before he quickly concealed it beneath his usual cold, unreadable mask.

"Seraphine," he murmured, his voice slightly softer, though a thread of suspicion still wove through his words. "What are you doing here so late?"

Forcing my composure, I willed my voice not to waver. "I couldn’t sleep. I came down for some water." My eyes flicked to Aurora, who stood just behind Leonel, her gaze gleaming with something that made my stomach turn. A triumphant smirk played on her lips, as if she had already won some cruel game.

Leonel’s brows furrowed slightly, his sharp eyes scanning me carefully. "Did you hear anything?"

My heart skipped a beat, but I met his stare with an unwavering expression, my voice betraying none of the unease clawing at my chest. "No. I just arrived."

Aurora sighed dramatically, her tone dripping with artificial sweetness. "We didn’t mean to disturb you, Seraphine. Leonel and I were just wrapping up."

My jaw clenched involuntarily, my fingers curling at my sides as I leveled my gaze at Leonel. "Wrapping up what?"

For the briefest moment, Aurora’s smug expression faltered before she could recover. Leonel, ever the master of deception, smoothly intervened, his tone almost casual. "We had a late meeting with Aurora’s pack. It ran longer than expected, and she wanted to stop by for tea before heading home."

My gaze darted to the table near them—bare, untouched, without even the faintest sign of tea or conversation. The air carried no lingering warmth from a recently brewed drink. The lie was blatant, and my stomach twisted, yet I forced my features to remain neutral, unwilling to grant them the satisfaction of knowing they had rattled me.

"Tea at three in the morning?" My voice was soft, but the edge to it was unmistakable.

Aurora stiffened, a flicker of irritation crossing her face, but before she could speak, Leonel placed a firm hand on her arm, silencing her. "You’ve been looking exhausted lately, Seraphine," he said, his voice taking on a forced gentleness. "You should take a break. Get some fresh air tomorrow. It’ll help clear your mind."

Every instinct in me screamed that something was wrong. Yet, I nodded, a small, artificial smile tugging at my lips. "Maybe I will."

Leonel’s shoulders relaxed slightly, as though he had won a battle only he understood. He smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. "Good. You’ll feel better."

Aurora shot me one last gloating look before brushing past me, her perfume sickly sweet in the stagnant air. Leonel followed, sparing me only a final, indifferent glance. "Go back to bed," he instructed, disappearing into the darkened hallway with her.

For several moments, I stood frozen, my hands trembling at my sides. My breath came in shallow bursts as I cast my gaze back to the empty table. The realization settled like lead in my stomach, solidifying the suspicions that had been gnawing at me. Whatever Leonel and Aurora were doing, it wasn’t just a late-night meeting.

The first streaks of dawn bled through my curtains, but the warmth of the sun did nothing to chase away the weight pressing against my chest. The conversation still lingered in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts, and as the hours stretched on, the unease only deepened. The crescent pendant around my neck, once a source of comfort, now felt distant, like a relic from another life.

By the time Elin arrived in the kitchen, I was already awake and dressed, too restless to sleep. She paused upon seeing me, setting a tray of fresh bread and fruit on the table.

"You’re up early," she remarked, her tone light, but the concern in her gaze was unmistakable.

"Couldn’t sleep," I admitted, sinking into a chair. I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Elin, do you know if anything’s happening tomorrow?"

Elin froze, her hands hovering over the tray, and I watched as her expression subtly shifted—guarded, cautious. She avoided my gaze, and the unease coiled tighter in my gut.

"Why do you ask?" she replied carefully.

I exhaled slowly, keeping my voice level. "Leonel told me I should go out tomorrow. He said I needed fresh air." I paused, feeling the words settle uneasily in my chest. "It felt… off."

For a long moment, Elin said nothing, then sighed heavily. "You’re not going to like this, Belle."

"Tell me," I demanded, my voice sharper than intended.

Elin glanced around the empty kitchen as if making sure no one else was listening before leaning in closer. "It’s an engagement party," she whispered. "For Leonel and Aurora."