Chapter 6 Alliances Forged

• Seraphina's POV
• The days after the full moon passed in a careful rhythm inside the palace. I used my new position to slip messages to contacts in the border packs that I knew would face destruction in the wars ahead. These packs had suffered heavy losses in my first life because Lucian focused his forces elsewhere. I reached out through trusted runners and arranged quiet meetings at the edge of the training fields during supply runs.
• Three representatives came under the cover of night. I met them in a sheltered spot near the outer walls and spoke plainly. I told them about the planned routes of coming raids without giving away that I carried memories from another life. I shared exact timings for when enemy scouts would cross certain rivers and which supply lines would fail first. The men listened closely and asked sharp questions.
• One of them a grizzled alpha from the eastern ridge crossed his arms. "Why share this with us now Seraphina? What do you gain?"
• I kept my answer direct. "I want the pack strong as a whole not just the inner circle. Your people will bleed first if nothing changes. Help me watch the borders and I will make sure you get what you need when the time comes."
• They exchanged looks before nodding. By the end of the meeting we had the start of a network. They agreed to pass information back through safe channels and prepare their warriors quietly. I felt a small measure of relief as they disappeared into the trees. These alliances could shift the outcome of the wars I remembered so clearly.
• I returned to the palace through the servant entrance and nearly reached my quarters before Lucian appeared. Two guards stood behind him. He gestured for them to wait outside and closed the door once we were alone in the room. His face looked hard with suspicion.
• "You have been leaving the palace at odd hours," he started. "Meeting people away from watching eyes. Tell me what you are plotting Seraphina."
• I stood near the table and faced him without flinching. "I am not plotting anything against the pack. I spoke with border allies about shared threats. That is all."
• He stepped closer and the mate bond reacted immediately. The room felt smaller with him in it. "Border allies. You think I believe that? You rejected me. You spread evidence against Vesper. Now you build connections outside my control."
• His voice stayed low but carried clear anger. I saw the obsession burning behind his eyes. He reached out and caught my wrist in a firm grip though not enough to hurt. The touch sent heat up my arm. I tried to pull free but he held on.
• "Talk," he demanded. "What did you tell them?"
• I met his stare and kept my words even. "I told them the truth about weak points in our defenses. The same truths you refuse to see. If you want details then ask your scouts instead of accusing me."
• Lucian pulled me nearer until our bodies nearly touched. The bond flared hot between us. His free hand came up to my shoulder and held me in place. "You belong here with me yet you keep fighting. It makes me want to remind you exactly who you answer to."
• His voice dropped lower and took on a possessive edge. I felt my breathing change despite myself. Anger mixed with unwanted desire in my chest. "I answer to no one Lucian. Not anymore."
• He leaned in until his mouth hovered near my ear. "That is where you are wrong." His grip tightened slightly on my wrist then loosened as his fingers traced up my arm. The touch stayed possessive and full of tension. Our faces stayed close enough that I felt his breath against my skin.
• The interrogation shifted as we stood there. His questions came slower while his body pressed closer. I pushed back with words about his failures as a leader but the heat between us grew. He captured my chin with his fingers and forced my gaze up to his. The look in his eyes showed raw want mixed with frustration.
• "You drive me to this," he said roughly before his mouth came down on mine. The kiss carried dark possession. He held me against him like he could claim me through sheer force. I kissed him back with equal intensity because the bond left little choice in the moment. Hate and need twisted together until I could not separate them.
• I broke away first and stepped back breathing hard. My hands shook slightly as I pointed toward the door. "Get out."
• Lucian stared at me for a long moment with his chest rising and falling. The possessive look did not leave his face. He finally turned and left without another word but I knew the session only fed his suspicions and his fixation.