Chapter 0186

"I truly hope you do. She's someone worth every second of waiting, trust me."

We dive into work, tackling the backlog that's been piling up in my absence. Nathaniel is a capable Beta who can seamlessly step into the Alpha role when needed, but he's meticulously documented every decision made while I was gone. It's reassuring to see the pack functioning smoothly despite everything. I update him on the company's progress and the new hires I brought in during my time away.

Just as we're about to take a break for drinks, I hear it—Seraphina's bone-chilling scream.

I'm out the door and up three flights of stairs in an instant, bursting into her room. Her eyes meet mine, haunted and wide with terror. When I step closer, she flinches away. Damn it.

Shift. She isn’t afraid of me. Dorian urges.

Without hesitation, I shift, shredding my clothes in the process. Dorian leaps onto the bed, and Seraphina immediately clings to him, her grip desperate. He settles over her just like last night, his massive frame pressing gently against hers.

Nathaniel's voice echoes through the mind link. "Do you need anything, Alpha?"

"No. Another nightmare. Keep everyone off this floor."

"You know you’ll have to address the rumors soon. The pack is buzzing."

I know. For the first time in my life, I’ve had a female secluded on my private floor for nearly two weeks—unseen by anyone. And now that Evelyn has visited, the speculation will only grow wilder.

Seraphina trembles violently, her bones pressing sharply into Dorian’s body despite his thick fur. He starts purring, the deep vibrations soothing her like before. Slowly, her death grip on his fur loosens, her breathing steadies, and she whispers, "I'm sorry," just like last night.

She has nothing to apologize for. The horrors she endured—I can’t even fathom them. Anger surges through me. I should have found her sooner. Logically, I know searching a vampire coven for my mate would’ve been madness, but the guilt still claws at me. I’m her mate. I was supposed to protect her.

As we lie there, listening to her heartbeat slow, I recall Evelyn’s words. The vampires knew about the Guardians. Worse, they seemed to relish their blood. If King Oberon’s records hold any clues about this, we need them. The last thing I want is every vampire in the country hunting my mate.

Dorian licks her face. 'I don’t like when mate cries.'

"It's okay, Dorian. I'm okay," she murmurs, stroking his fur. I savor the sensation of her fingers running through it as much as he does. One day, I hope she touches me like this.

Dorian nudges her with his nose, the same way that coaxed her to talk last night. I need to know what’s haunting her.

"Another nightmare," she admits, pausing as Dorian nuzzles her. A soft laugh escapes her before she continues. "There was another girl in the coven with me. The vampire I told you about—Malachi, the one who brought me to Prince Damien—was rewarded with his pick of 'fresh food.' That’s what they called the humans brought in daily. She was the only other one they kept alive. Malachi didn’t share her, but he... hurt her every day."

Her voice wavers. "We made eye contact once. After that, we’d mouth words to each other at night. Just a way to say, You’re not alone. Someone here cares."

Tears spill down her cheeks again. "In my dream, Prince Damien killed her because I fought him. I watched them tear her apart in front of me." Her sobs return, and Dorian whines, pressing closer.

I need to speak to her. Dorian agrees.

I shift back, careful not to crush her, then pull the blanket over myself before drawing her into my arms. She stiffens the second she realizes it’s me.

"What are you doing?" she asks, voice tight.

"Shhh. I just want to talk to you."