Chapter 4: Entering the Lion’s Den

Selena's POV 

The moment I saw the Silver Night crest, my heart stopped.

It was a black wolf beneath a crescent moon. The same symbol was once embroidered across my dresses.

The same crest Kael pressed against my lips the night he made me Luna.

Now it hung above a temporary manor in Greyhaven like a cruel reminder of everything I lost.

I stood across the street with my hood pulled low, staring at the grand estate surrounded by armed warriors.

Kael was inside. So was Vanessa.

Three months ago, I would have walked through those gates as Luna of the Silver Night Pack.

Now I stood outside pretending to be a nobody. That's good, at least they will underestimate me.

My fingers curled tightly against my sides as a notice board near the gate caught my attention.

The Records Department Needs A Temporary Record Assistant.

I almost laughed. The Moon Goddess truly had a twisted sense of humour because no one knew Silver Night Records better than me.

I had organised half of those archives myself when I was still the Luna.

Fate had just handed me a key into Kael’s world, and he won't see what's coming for him.

***********

“You’re applying for records work?” The guard looked at me from behind the iron gates, like he was skeptical about it.

I lowered my gaze slightly, forcing myself into Seraphina’s timid posture. “Yes, sir.”

He snorted. “You can read?”

I swallowed my irritation. “Fluently.”

He handed me a small parchment and an ink pen. “Write your name.”

I obeyed and wrote Seraphina Winters. Though seeing the name still felt like wearing stolen skin.

The guard examined my handwriting before shrugging. “Wait here.”

I stood silently while servants and warriors moved through the estate behind him. 

Familiar scents hit me instantly. Cedar wood, iron, wolf musk. They all smelled like home.

“Not home anymore.” My teeth tightened as I mumbled to myself.

A few minutes later, another man approached. Older and sharp-eyed. “The records supervisor will test you personally,” he said.

I hid my growing smirk. The deeper they placed me inside the estate, the easier everything would become.

I followed him through the massive gates. Every step hurt because memories attacked me from every direction.

The garden where Kael kissed me after our mating ceremony.

The fountain where Vanessa and I used to sit beside for hours.

The east wing balcony where I once believed I was loved.

Painful memories lingered everywhere.

“Here,” the man said, stopping before double wooden doors and I entered carefully.

The records room looked the same as before. Shelves stacked with ancient documents lined the walls while candles flickered softly beside massive desks.

I watched in pain because I built this room myself.

Kael once teased me endlessly for spending more time with paperwork than him. I remembered laughing.

God. How stupid I had been.

A middle-aged woman sat behind one of the desks, organising scrolls. She barely glanced up. “Name?”

“Seraphina Winters.”

“Experience?”

I hesitated before speaking. “I worked under a textile accountant before the factory closed.”

Technically, it was not a complete lie.

The woman slid several scrolls toward me. “Sort them by territory, tax rank, and year.”

What an easy task, I almost chuckled. I finished the task perfectly within minutes.

The woman finally looked impressed. “Hmm… amazing.”

She handed me another stack. “Translate these northern trade markings.”

Another easier task. I had spent years handling pack negotiations, and this task is just the tip of the iceberg.

By the end of the third task, suspicion replaced her skepticism.

“You’re overqualified for this position.” She trembled, her eyes piercing into mine.

I quickly lowered my eyes. “I just need a job.”

The woman studied me silently before nodding. “Fine. Temporary employment only. If you cause trouble, you’re removed immediately.”

Relief mixed with dark satisfaction crept inside me.

The lion’s den had opened its gates willingly.

And I was it's guest.

***********************

By evening, I had already learned more than expected.

Kael brought nearly forty elite warriors to Greyhaven.

The royal council planned negotiations with several neighboring territories.

And Vanessa… I nearly crushed the ink bottle when I saw her name signed beneath official documents.

Vanessa Thorn, Acting Luna of Silver Night Pack.

The title burned me like acid.

“Be careful.” Someone spoke behind me. I quickly looked up to see another assistant standing nearby, carrying scrolls.

“You almost spilt ink everywhere,” she said.

“Sorry.”

She offered a small smile. “You’re the new girl, right? Seraphina?”

I nodded cautiously.

“I’m Lydia.” Her expression brightened slightly. “You’re lucky. Most people would kill to work this close to Alpha Kael.”

Lucky? If only she knew.

Lydia leaned closer conspiratorially. “Though honestly, the acting Luna terrifies me.”

I stiffened instantly. “Vanessa?”

“Shh!” Lydia glanced around nervously. “Don’t say her name loudly.”

“She’s that cruel?” I asked carefully.

Lydia hesitated. “Let’s just say… she enjoys reminding everyone that she’s important.”

Hatred simmered quietly beneath my heart. Some things never changed.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Every wolf inside straightened instinctively.

Heavy footsteps echoed outside, and my pulse instantly stopped.

Let it not be…

The doors opened, and Kael entered. He looked entirely different now. Stronger than before.

Dark power rolled off him that the air itself felt heavier. His black shirt stretched tightly across broad shoulders while silver markings flickered faintly beneath the collar of his throat.

‘My stolen essence!’ I clenched my fist furiously, my nails dug into my palms. Seeing it inside him made me sick.

But what terrified me most was his eyes. They looked emptier now. Like something inside him had died, too.

The room fell silent as everyone bowed respectfully.

I forced myself to lower my head with the others. Don’t look at him. Don’t react. Don’t…

Kael suddenly stopped walking. My heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears when I felt it.

His stare was directly on me!

Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I stayed frozen instead.

“What is your name?” he asked quietly.

The sound of his voice nearly shattered me, but I managed to keep my gaze lowered. “Seraphina Winters, Alpha.”

The silence felt heavier this time around. 

He then moved closer. Too close that my wolf stirred violently beneath my skin.

He inhaled sharply, and I instantly noticed the change in his expression, but I couldn't tell if it was confusion, disturbance or recognition.

No, he can't possibly recognise me because this body wasn't mine to begin with, and my scent should be different.

Yet Kael stared at me like he’d seen a ghost.

“What’s wrong, Alpha?” the supervisor asked nervously.

He ignored her completely. His eyes remained locked on me.

Then another voice cut through the room.

“Kael?” That was Vanessa. I looked up before I could stop myself.

She entered wearing elegant silver robes, beautiful as ever. But the moment her eyes landed on me, her expression hardened.

She crossed her arms. “Who is she?”

“A new records assistant,” the supervisor answered quickly.

She kept staring at me like she sensed something wrong. Could it be that she recognised me? 

My heart raced. No, it was impossible. Yet her wolf looked restless beneath her skin.

Kael finally spoke again, but his voice sounded distant. “Leave us.”

Everyone obeyed immediately. Vanessa looked surprised, and she hesitated for a while before joining the crowd to leave.

The room emptied within seconds. Then he walked toward me slowly.

My breathing became uneven when he stopped directly in front of me. His hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist.

Heat exploded beneath my skin. My hidden silver markings flickered faintly before disappearing. 

Ooh no! Wrong timing.

Kael’s eyes widened, then he asked the question that made my blood run cold.

“Have we met before?”