Seraphina
I was just finishing up my cleaning duties and getting ready to leave work.
As I passed by the training room, I sensed something unusual.
I couldn’t help but peek through the glass door.
Wait, oh my god, what was I seeing?! I almost couldn’t hold back a scream.
Kael and Vivienne were inside. Vivienne was holding Kael, and they seemed to be whispering something intimate.
I couldn’t hear them, but I could feel how close they were, like a couple in love.
In that moment, it felt like my heart was being squeezed tightly.
The pain spread from my heart to the rest of my body.
I felt an overwhelming sense of agony and wanted to escape.
Kael noticed me. He turned to look at me, his face filled with shock.
He seemed just as surprised to see me there.
He immediately started walking toward me, but I didn’t want to hear any explanations. I turned and left.
I walked quickly, and soon I heard hurried footsteps behind me. Kael called out, “Stop, Seraphina, let me explain.”
But my heart was in chaos. I couldn’t bring myself to believe him. His so-called explanation felt like nothing more than an attempt to cover up the truth.
The thought that he had been deceiving me all this time filled me with anger.
He had always been so close to Vivienne, yet he lied to me, saying there was nothing between them.
Thankfully, I had always been cautious. From the moment Kael proposed we start dating, I had suspected I might become his plaything.
But even with that preparation, seeing Vivienne and Kael together shattered my heart.
I admit, I’m a coward. The sadness and anger I felt when I saw them together nearly broke me.
My eyes stung, and tears blurred my vision.
But I wiped them away.
I couldn’t cry.
Seraphina, tears would only make them think their scheme had succeeded!
It would make me weak, and they would crush me.
By then, Kael had caught up to me and blocked my path.
“Seraphina, it’s not what you think. She approached me.”
“Why not? So I am just a toy to you two, huh? Well, sorry, but I’m not playing this game!”
I pushed Kael away.
My anger gave me strength, and I actually managed to shove him back a few steps.
I was shocked. How had I become so strong?
He stared at me with disbelief, but I didn’t care what he was thinking anymore.
I walked away quickly.
Behind me, I heard Vivienne’s voice: “Kael, have you forgotten why your father was angry?”
Even without turning around, I could hear the amusement in her voice.
She was watching us like it was some kind of show, and I was sure she was feeling triumphant.
But I didn’t have the energy to confront them. I turned and ran, fleeing as far as I could.
It was the end of the workday, so I rushed out of the Eagle Club and ran as fast as I could.
I walked along the road, heading toward my apartment.
Kael didn’t follow me, which gave me some relief.
But I couldn’t shake the sadness.
Vivienne really did know Kael, just as she had said. They had known each other for a long time.
Their bond was much deeper than mine, so my earlier suspicions were completely correct.
Kael had pretended everything all this time, and all he wanted was just to get back at Vivienne.
Having my suspicions confirmed didn’t bring me peace. Instead, I felt physically ill, and my heart ached.
The more I thought about it, the sadder I became. But in a way, it was good. I wouldn’t have to deal with Kael anymore.
I wouldn’t have to be forced into the world of werewolves.
Just then, a white ice cream cone appeared in front of me.
I looked up and saw Marek’s pale gray eyes.
“Seraphina, have some ice cream.”
“I don’t want it,” I said angrily. “Go back to Kael. I’m done with him. You don’t need to follow me!”
The thought that Marek was here because Kael had sent him to watch me made me furious.
“No, Seraphina, I’m just here to keep you safe,” Marek sighed, his eyes filled with a hint of hurt.
Since he was no longer a monster, he looked gentle and harmless.
He almost seemed like a younger brother to me.
“I don’t need it. I don’t want anything to do with you werewolves!” I snapped, my voice harsh.
If it weren’t for the fact that we were in public, I might have shouted even louder.
But I restrained myself. I didn’t want people to think I was a monster.
“But no matter what, Seraphina, this ice cream is innocent. Look, it’s melting. Have a bite. I’ve heard humans like this kind of thing. It might make you feel better.”
I looked at the ice cream, then at Marek’s persistence. Finally, I sighed and took the cone from him.
I took a bite.
It was vanilla ice cream, smooth and sweet, melting in my mouth.
For a moment, I felt calm.
Honestly, Marek’s gesture of offering me ice cream warmed my heart.
It was like someone handing me an umbrella on a rainy day. How could I not be moved?
I had been afraid of him before, but now he didn’t seem so scary.
He had appeared by my side when I was at my lowest, offering comfort.
My emotions were a tangled mess.
As I walked, eating the ice cream, Marek followed behind me.
Even without looking back, I could feel his gaze on me.
He was like a loyal bodyguard, diligently protecting me.
No matter how much I tried to push him away, he refused to leave.
I felt utterly helpless.
After finishing the ice cream, I felt a little better. By then, I had reached my apartment building.
I turned to say something to Marek, but he was standing so close that I accidentally bumped into his chest.
He wasn’t short. Despite his youthful face, he was a head taller than me.
I felt like I was about to fall into his arms, but Marek steadied me by holding my shoulders.
“Seraphina, be careful,” he said, his voice filled with concern.
“Since you treated me to ice cream, I think I should treat you to something too.”
I didn’t like owing people, especially when it came to personal connections. I wanted to keep my distance.
“Sure, thank you, Seraphina,” Marek replied, sounding both surprised and pleased by my invitation.