Chapter 2
Seylah’s POV
Alpha Daemon had been mad at me ever since that incident. Lately, as I watch him, my fiancé, and the future Alpha of the Fireclaw Pack, my hope crumbles with every passing day.
Zaira was always there. Always smiling, always laughing, always… close. Closer than anyone should be to my supposed to be Alpha. I knew what people said that I was destined for someone stronger,
someone more prestigious. But Daemon was mine, and I was his. Or at least, I was supposed to be.
As I stare out the window of my room, I feel the weight of the impending wedding bearing down on me. In a week, I’d be Luna of this pack, but instead of excitement, all I feel is a gnawing dread.
Why isn’t he here with me?
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Every night, he would disappear, spending hours with Zaira. Everyone in the pack seemed to have accepted her presence, like she belonged by his side, even though that was supposed to be my place. How did it come to this?
I heard the soft knock at my door, and I knew before opening it that it wasn‘ t Daemon. It was his Beta, Jace, sent to deliver some excuse, no doubt.
“Seylah,” Jace said as he entered, his eyes filled with pity. I hated that look.
“Alpha Daemon… he’s busy tonight. He won’t be able to join you for dinner.”
Again. Busy with Zaira, no doubt. “Busy with what, Jace?” My voice was clipped, and I didn’t bother hiding my frustration. “With pack matters or with her?”
Jace shifted awkwardly, not meeting my gaze. “He… it‘ s-”
“It’s always her,” I snapped, pushing past him and heading down the hallway
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toward Daemon‘ s study. “I’ve had enough.”
Jace followed me, his protests falling on deaf ears. “Seylah, don‘ t do this. He’s
“He’s what? My Alpha? My future husband? Or is he just Zaira‘ s plaything now?”
I pushed the door to the study open, and there they were. Daemon was sitting behind his desk, but Zaira was leaning over him, far too close for comfort, her hand resting on his arm like she had every right to touch him.
“Seylah,” Daemon’s voice was sharp, cold. He looked at me like I was the intruder. Like I was the one out of place.
My wolf stirred beneath my skin, her hackles rising. The disrespect was too much. “Alpha, we need to talk. Alone.”
Zaira straightened up, giving me that same sweet smile that always grated at my
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nerves. “Oh, don’t worry, Seylah,” she said, her voice dripping with false innocence. “Alpha and I were just discussing pack business.”
“Pack business,” I echoed, my tone laced with sarcasm. “In my packhouse? Wearing my clothes? Using my things?” I glanced at Daemon, but he didn’t even flinch.
He rose to his feet, his presence towering over me, but I refused to back down.
“Zaira stays,” he declared, his voice final.
My heart sank, but I kept my chin up, refusing to show weakness. “I’m your fiancée. Your future Luna. She has no right to be here during our conversations.”
Daemon’s eyes narrow. “And I’m the Alpha, Seylah. I decide who has a right to be here.”
I could feel my wolf pacing, ready to lash out, but I bit down the snarl threatening to escape. “You‘ re the Alpha, and I’m supposed to be your Luna. But lately, it
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feels like Zaira‘ s been taking that role, not
me.”
Zaira stepped closer, touching Daemon‘ s arm again. “Seylah, you‘ re
misunderstanding everything. I would never try to replace you. I‘ m just here to support Alpha Daemon. We’ve known each other since we were kids. It’s all innocent.”
Innocent. The word burned in my throat. “Don’t you dare act like this is normal. You‘ re always around him, always taking what’s mine.”
Daemon’s growl echoed in the room, silencing me. “Enough, Seylah. Zaira‘ s family. You‘ re making a scene over nothing.”
Nothing? I felt my hands ball into fists. “You think this is nothing? You think watching my supposed Alpha spend all his time with another woman, letting her wear my clothes, and disrespect me is
nothing?”
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Zaira let out a soft, pitiful cry, her eyes wide and teary. “I’m sorry, Seylah. I didn’t mean to upset you. If you want, I can leave. I just didn’t want to be
alone…”
Daemon pulled her close, shielding her from me. “You‘ ve done enough,” he snapped at me. “Zaira‘ s not going. anywhere. If you can’t accept that, maybe you‘ re not cut out to be Luna.”
His words hit harder than any blow. I felt like I had been gutted. How did it come to this? How did I go from being the daughter of the Alpha King, respected and revered, to being cast aside for some she–wolf who was playing the victim?
I stepped back, my wolf howling inside me, but I swallowed the pain. I wouldn’t cry. Not in front of him. Not in front of her.
“Fine,” I whisper, my voice trembling with barely contained rage. “But remember this, Daemon–Luna or not, I am still the daughter of the Alpha King.
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And I will not be disrespected like this.”
Zaira‘ s tears vanished in an instant, replaced by a smug smirk. She knew she had won-for now.
I turned on my heel and left the room, Jace was waiting for me outside. His eyes flickered with concern, but I shook my head. “Don‘ t,” I warned him. “Not tonight.”
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