Seraphina’s POV
Stepping into Alexander’s chamber, my heart raced with a combination of apprehension and determination. The walls of the room seemed to close in on me as I sought the one person who held the key to my torment. My gaze fell upon Sophia’s son, his features a haunting reflection of Alexander’s own. The striking resemblance sent a pang of envy and regret coursing through me a reminder of what I had lost.
Beside Sophia stood the daughter, a mirror image of Sophia herself. Her presence was a testament to the deep connection they shared, a bond that I could only dream of having. The sight of them together, a family formed by fate and love, was like a knife twisting in my heart.
I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage within me as I approached Sophia. Her beauty was undeniable, her aura captivating in its own right. But compared to the alpha wolf females of the Shadow City, she seemed rather ordinary. I couldn’t fathom what Alexander saw in her a human, an outsider who had somehow managed to capture his heart.
She was in the garden, tending to the delicate blossoms with a care that mirrored her gentle nature. My footsteps, despite the delicate high heels I wore, seemed to echo loudly in the space. My heart pounded in my chest as I called out to her, my voice laced with an attempt at casual indifference. “Excuse me, are you Sophia?”
She turned towards me, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. Her eyes, a shade of warm brown, met mine, and for a moment, I felt a twinge of unease. “Yes, that’s me. Can I help you?”
I stepped forward, my movements deliberate and graceful, a dance of confidence and tension. “I am Seraphina,” I announced, my voice tinged with an air of superiority. “The daughter of an elder of the Shadow City and a childhood friend of Alexander.”
Her brow furrowed, her curiosity shifting into recognition. “Ah, I’ve heard about you,” she said, her tone respectful but not subservient.
My lips curved into a semblance of a smile, my eyes assessing her with an analytical gaze. “I must admit, I was quite surprised to hear of your arrival here. You are certainly unlike any Luna we’ve had in the Shadow City.”
Her response was humble, her eyes steady as she met my gaze. “I’m just here to support my family and contribute as best I can.”
I couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. Her humility only fueled my skepticism. As she stood there, amidst the delicate blooms, her presence seemed out of place, a foreign element in a world of strength and dominance.
“I must confess,” I began, my tone carefully measured, “I find it rather puzzling that Alexander has chosen you as his Luna.”
Her eyes flickered, a mixture of surprise and perhaps hurt hidden beneath the surface. “I love him,” she said simply, her voice unwavering.
I raised an eyebrow, my skepticism intensifying. “And what is it about you that has captured his heart? Is it your human charm? Your fragile beauty?”
Her gaze met mine, her eyes unyielding as she met my scrutiny head-on. “It’s not about charm or beauty. It’s about the bond we share, the love we have for each other.”
I couldn’t suppress a mocking smile. “Love? You humans are quite fond of using that word, aren’t you? But can love truly conquer all? Can it make you one of us an alpha female of the Shadow City?”
Her expression remained resolute, her gaze unwavering. “I may not be an alpha wolf, but I am his choice. That’s all that matters.”
I couldn’t hold back any longer, my frustration and bitterness spilling forth like a venomous tide. “Do you know, you were not his first choice? Four years ago, he considered me as the one to bear his children. But I arrogantly rejected his proposal, believing I deserved more than to be a mere vessel for his heirs.”
Her eyes widened, surprise and perhaps a hint of understanding in her gaze. “I didn’t know…”
I pressed on, fueled by my own desperation and resentment. “Yes, and now, you’ve taken my place. You, a human, a mere outsider, have borne him two children and claimed a title that should have been mine.”
Her eyes glistened with a mixture of hurt and compassion. “I’m sorry if my presence has caused you pain.”
I shook my head, my voice laced with bitterness. “Your presence is a reminder of my own mistakes, of my own foolish pride. You are nothing more than a surrogate wife, a means to bear his children.”
Her gaze didn’t waver, her resolve unshaken. “I may have borne his children, but I am not just a surrogate. I am his partner, his confidante, his Luna.”
I laughed, a cold sound that rang through the air like a bitter melody. “You really believe that, don’t you? You’re naive if you think you can truly replace an alpha female.”
Her gaze held mine, her eyes reflecting a strength that I had underestimated. “I’m not trying to replace anyone. I’m simply living my truth and following my heart.”
The sincerity in her words hit me like a blow, a reminder of the very thing I had rejected in my pursuit of pride and desire. As I stood before her, my heart heavy with the weight of my own mistakes, I realized that perhaps I had been blind to the complexities of love.