Chapter 4

The elders from my distant pack rushed to Damien's pack overnight.

When Seraphina saw these elders, who were technically Elara's "family," tears streamed down her face. She acted humble and grateful.

After the three of them had a "heartfelt" chat for a bit, the elders asked about me.

"That Elara child, where is she? In the same pack, and she doesn't even come to see us elders, or thank Seraphina for her 'recovery'? After all, it was Elara who 'helped' make this good thing happen." There was a hint of a sneer in his words.

Seraphina hesitated. "Sister Elara… has already left the pack."

An elder's wife, a sharp-tongued she-wolf, gasped in fake surprise, covering her mouth.

"Left? She's doing well, then? Leaving just a few days after such a 'small' ritual. Isn't she afraid of dying out there alone?"

The head elder cut her off. "What are you saying? Seraphina may be recovered now, but there's no guarantee there won't be problems later. If Elara dies, and something happens to Seraphina again, what about the alliance between our packs?"

The she-wolf quickly waved her hands. "No, no, no! If anyone's going to have trouble, it'll be after Seraphina."

"Seraphina, dear, don't worry. We, your 'family,' will definitely protect you."

A warm feeling spread through Seraphina as she listened to the elders.

The next day, Damien walked into Seraphina's recovery den and saw her surrounded by the "warm" scene of my distant pack elders.

It felt… off to him. He'd never seen those elders look at me with such kindness.

"Alpha Damien, you're here! We have you to thank for Seraphina's recovery, for making such a quick decision."

The elders only thanked Damien, not mentioning me at all.

Damien asked the elders if they had any news of me.

The elders looked annoyed at the mention of my name.

"Why bother with her, Alpha? She's already left, so she must be fine. You should focus on Seraphina."

"Seraphina has always been the jewel of our pack. That Elara child… she's too wild."

The elders had always wanted to marry off one of their own talented she-wolves to Damien, to replace me, the "unworthy" Luna. Now that Seraphina was recovered and had Damien's trust, they thought their chance had come.

Before Damien could say anything, a pack warrior came in.

"The Alpha is so good to his future Luna, watching over her every day."

The distant pack elders heard this and thought it was a done deal. Seraphina blushed and looked down shyly.

But Damien's face clouded with anger, his voice icy. "Who told you she's my future Luna?"

The warrior didn't notice Damien's expression and just grinned. "Everyone in the pack knows, Alpha. Don't try to hide it."

Then he hurried out of the den.

The distant pack elders latched onto Damien. "Alpha Damien, since Elara isn't here anyway, if the pack members think Seraphina is your Luna, they'll take better care of her. It's good for her recovery."

Damien saw Seraphina's eyes welling up and forced down his anger.

Back in the council den, before Damien could find that gossiping warrior, someone announced that the pack's High Priestess, Lyra, who had also been his childhood mentor, had arrived.

Damien hurried to the Priestess's sanctuary.

The moment he saw the white-haired Elder Lyra, Damien rushed to support her.

"Mentor, it's been too long. Are you well?"

Elder Lyra nodded, then looked Damien up and down with eyes that seemed to see everything. "I hear you presided over a Soul-Spark transfer ritual. You've surpassed your teacher, it seems."

Elder Lyra then mentioned how she had once performed a forbidden life-extending ritual for a young, dying Damien. She never thought that when Damien grew up, he'd also start meddling with such deep soul magic.

Damien was stunned. "Mentor, what ritual are you talking about?"

Elder Lyra was surprised by his reaction. "The soul-bond and life-force sharing ritual. The one you received as a child. Didn't your mother tell you?"

The sanctuary was quiet for a moment before someone burst in.

"Alpha! You need to come quick! At Seraphina's den, Elara's distant kin are arguing with your mother!"

Hearing Seraphina's name, Damien bolted towards the den.

As he got close, he heard someone yelling, "You still dare to deny it? My niece Elara's Soul-Spark—a part of it has been bonded to your son for years!"