Chapter 7 Honeymoon Interrupted

• We'd just closed the door when the sound of a war horn blared through the kingdom. I pulled back, startled. "Is that...''
• "The war horn.'' I finished. Suddenly, screams erupted in the air. A commotion occurred outside. Elian and I barely spoke again. We rushed out and headed into the compound where our wedding party was. Instead, our party was now a chaotic venue where people screamed and rushed around while warriors moved around delivering the Alpha King's message.
• "Seraphine, what's going on?'' Elian asks me.
• "I don't know. But the war horn can only mean one thing: we’re under attack. The Northern kingdom have made their move.’’ I said, fighting that sinking feeling inside me. Before we can move, a warrior stops in front of us.
• "Elian. Every healer has been summoned to the front lines. You’re needed immediately—no exceptions.” The warrior spoke with urgency, barely stopping to breathe.
• Elian froze. “But I’m not a fighter. I’m a healer. I can’t—”
• “You’ll be on the front lines treating the wounded,” the warrior interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. “But if the battle reaches you, you’ll have to defend yourself. Every able body is needed.”
• Elian turned to me, looking afraid. “Seraphine, I—”
• “Go,” I said, cutting him off. My voice was steady, though my chest felt like it was being crushed. “They need you. I’ll be fine.”
• He hesitated, looking deep in my eyes as if looking for permission to stay. But there was no time for hesitation. The war horn blared again, louder this time, and the screams outside grew more frantic.
• “Elian,” I said, squeezing his hand. “You’re a healer. This is what you were trained for. Go.”
• He nodded, swallowing hard. “I’ll come back to you,” he promised. “I swear it.”
• “I know you will,” I replied, smiling.
• He leaned in, pressing a quick, desperate kiss to my lips before pulling away. I watched as he followed the warrior, his figure disappearing into the chaos of the crowd. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
• The compound was in disarray. Guests who had been laughing and dancing just moments ago now ran in every direction. Warriors moved with purpose, weapons drawn as they barked orders and herded civilians to safety.
• I stood frozen, not knowing what to do. All my life, I’ve been part of those taking initiative. I’ve led the fights, provided strategies. I don’t know how to sit back and watch. But I had made a promise—to Elian, to myself. I wasn’t the Red Phantom anymore. I was a wife. And wives waited.
• “Seraphine!” Vex shakes my shoulder, breaking my freeze. “Every warrior is going to battle. The Northern kingdom has hit the 13th pack so bad that half the population is nearly gone.’’
• She stares at me, pausing for dramatic effect. “I’m joining the fight. I can’t afford to stay. If they take the 13th park, then Alpha King Canan might think that our kingdom is weak, and attack another pack. King Aldrich declared the need to make a strong statement right now.’’
• She reaches behind her, and pulls out my sword. “You want your sword?”
• I stared at the weapon, my fingers twitching at my sides. It felt like an old friend, calling to me. But I shook my head. “No. My husband is going to battle. I’ll stay here and wait for him. Like a good wife should.”
• Vex’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t argue. The sounds of battle grew louder. My heart ached for Elian, for the warriors I had trained with, for the kingdom I had sworn to protect.
• But I stayed. Like a good wife would. Like my mother had taught me.
• And as the night wore on, I prayed to the moon goddess that Elian would come back to me.