Chapter 7

Seraphina's POV

This time, Alexander was dead set on forcing me to be "normal."

For days, my surroundings were full of deliberate, unbearable stimulation.

Before, even when we fought, he'd leave me some breathing room. Now even that last bit of peace was gone.

I didn't know when my relationship with Alexander had become this.

But it wouldn't be much longer.

I looked at the encrypted message I'd just received on my phone.

From Julian: "Everything is arranged. In five days, the plane will be waiting at the agreed location. Seraphina, I look forward to meeting you."

I rubbed my burning eyes.

Five days.

After days of constant emotional stress, I'd visibly deteriorated. My face was paper-white, dark circles under my eyes.

When Alexander came to check on me, something complicated flickered across his face at the sight of me—but it was quickly replaced with cold detachment.

Chloe came too. She stood at my doorway and whispered in his ear: "Alexander, hold steady. This is the darkness before dawn. Once we get through this, she'll be reborn, and you'll finally be free."

Alexander's jaw tightened. He nodded.

By the morning of the fourth day, while going down the stairs, I collapsed from exhaustion and malnutrition. Everything went black.

When I woke up, Alexander was sitting by my bed holding a bowl of plain oatmeal porridge. His tone was unusually conciliatory.

"Seraphina, you win."

He sighed, his voice hoarse. "I just want you to live like a real werewolf. Is that wrong? Why can't you understand my intentions?"

Looking at this Alpha—famous in the werewolf world for his ferocity and brutality—now looking helpless and frustrated with me…

There was nothing left in my heart but a cold exhaustion.

I turned my head, avoiding his gaze.

"I'll try to cooperate with Chloe," I rasped. But all I was thinking about was getting out of here as fast as possible.

His eyes seemed to brighten.

He reached out, wanting to pat my head like he used to. But his hand stopped mid-air. In the end, he just said stiffly, "Get some rest. No more foolish stunts."

I forced out a weak smile.

Right. No more foolish stunts.

Because in five days, I'd disappear from his world for good.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chloe standing in the doorway.

Her eyes were dark and cold. Her fists were clenched. She turned and left.

Something about that look sent a chill down my spine.