Chapter 0250

"Seraphina." His voice is barely above a whisper as his gaze traces every curve of my body like it's the first time he's seen me. Heat rises to my cheeks, but before I can shield myself, Sebastian captures my wrists and pulls me before the full-length mirror.

"Look."

At first, I don't understand what has him so transfixed. Then I see it.

'Valeria?'

'We've restored ourselves completely. I knew we could do more. The scars remain, but they're fading.' She murmurs in my mind.

Fading? The puncture wounds now resemble clusters of dark freckles scattered across my skin. The grotesque welts that once marred my body have vanished entirely, leaving only smooth, unblemished flesh.

Tears blur my vision as I meet Sebastian's reflection.

"I didn't think perfection could be perfected, yet here you stand." His arms encircle me, lips brushing my shoulder.

I turn into his embrace and let the tears fall freely.

——

The afternoon passes in a blur of exertion. Gregory has me running an advanced obstacle course now—complete with sudden drops and projectiles designed to knock me off balance. It forces Valeria and me to think three moves ahead, our reflexes sharpening with each near-miss.

Gregory ends the session early. "Seraphina, come here."

I drop onto the bench facing him, accepting the water bottle he offers. "How are you feeling about tonight's Luna ceremony?"

The water cools my throat as I consider my answer. "Part of me is ready. Sebastian needs me, and I won't fail him. The other part..." My fingers tighten around the bottle. "What if I'm terrible at this? What if he realizes too late that he's bound himself to a liability?"

The fears pour out like floodgates breaking—all the insecurities I hadn't acknowledged until now.

My voice drops to a whisper. "What if he regrets choosing me?"

Gregory's smile holds decades of paternal wisdom. "Listen to me, child. Sebastian would burn the world before regretting you. Fate doesn't make mistakes—and neither did he."

His wheelchair creaks as he moves closer, capturing my hands. "I've watched that boy grow into the Alpha who stands before you. Twenty years of grief and duty, never knowing joy... until you."

A calloused thumb wipes away my tear. "Want to know how to become the Luna he deserves?"

"Tell me."

"After the ceremony, seek out Luna Seraphina Grey. That woman could teach stones to lead. If anyone can guide you, it's her."

"Thank you." My arms wrap around his shoulders, breathing in the familiar scent of leather and pine.