Chapter 178: Chapter 178 Unexpected Redemption
Seraphina’s POV
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows as Theo tugged at my sleeve with impatient fingers.
"Is breakfast finished yet, Mom?" he asked, bouncing on his toes.
"Just about ready, sweetheart," I replied, forcing brightness into my voice. "Go scrub those hands clean."
Preparing breakfast for my children had become my anchor to normalcy. During those endless weeks away from them, I had ached for these simple moments. The house had felt like a tomb without their laughter echoing through the halls. Now that they were back, they seemed more interested in adventures beyond our walls than spending time at home.
My thoughts kept drifting to the dangerous game between Cordelia and Julian, but I buried those worries behind a maternal smile. I loaded their plates with golden pancakes, creamy scrambled eggs, and fresh berries. They devoured everything while chattering between bites, their joy infectious despite the storm clouds gathering in my mind.
"Can we spend the day at the pack house?" Elena asked, milk mustache adorning her upper lip. "Everyone else will be there."
"Of course you can," I agreed. "Just promise me you’ll stick together. And absolutely no wandering into the forest alone."
Their delighted cheers filled the kitchen before they grabbed their shoes and bolted through the door. Silence settled over the house like dust.
I had business to attend to. Roxanne needed to be found.
Pulling on my jacket, I stepped into the crisp morning air and headed toward the pack house. I questioned several pack members about Roxanne’s whereabouts, each answer leading me closer to an unexpected destination.
The orphanage. My blood chilled at the revelation.
Roxanne was manipulative and self-serving. What possible reason could she have for visiting defenseless children?
As I approached the building, children’s laughter drifted through the walls. Rather than announce my arrival, I positioned myself beside a large window to observe undetected. I wanted to witness whatever scheme she was orchestrating.
What I discovered left me speechless.
Roxanne sat cross-legged on a vibrant carpet, completely surrounded by a circle of eager young faces. A colorful picture book rested in her hands, and her voice carried theatrical flair as she brought the story to life.
"And so," she declared, deepening her tone dramatically, "the mighty dragon soared above the enchanted castle!"
The children erupted in giggles and applause. A small girl with uneven pigtails had claimed Roxanne’s lap as her throne. Instead of pushing the child away, Roxanne tenderly smoothed the tangled hair while continuing her performance.
Roxanne’s expression captivated me most. Her smile held genuine warmth, free from the calculating coldness I had grown accustomed to. Her eyes sparkled with authentic kindness.
For several minutes I remained frozen at that window, studying this impossible transformation. She appeared... content. Peaceful, even.
Drawing a steadying breath, I pushed through the entrance.
The doorbell’s chime drew Roxanne’s attention. The moment her gaze met mine, every trace of happiness vanished from her features. Raw terror replaced the gentle joy I had witnessed, her hands trembling so violently she nearly lost her grip on the book. She looked like prey caught in a predator’s sight.
"Seraphina?" The name escaped her lips as barely a whisper.
Before she could continue, the children noticed my presence.
"Luna Seraphina! Luna Seraphina!" They abandoned their circle and swarmed me, tiny arms wrapping around my legs and small hands grasping mine. Their enthusiasm warmed my heart despite everything.
"You came back!" one boy shouted. "We thought about you every day!"
I lowered myself to their height, genuine affection flooding through me. "I thought about all of you too, my darlings. You were never far from my heart."
"Did you bring surprises for us?" a girl asked hopefully.
"Don’t be greedy," another child scolded. "Luna Seraphina has important duties."
The pigtailed girl from Roxanne’s lap approached with solemn eyes.
"Luna Seraphina," she announced with childish gravity, "your sister Roxanne is wonderful."
I glanced up at Roxanne, who remained motionless near the carpet, anxiety radiating from her rigid posture.
"Really?" I prompted gently.
"Absolutely!" the girl continued. "She visits us every single day and reads amazing stories. When we’re still hungry after dinner, she sneaks us extra treats. And when my favorite dolly’s arm tore off, Roxanne fixed her perfectly."
"She’s the most caring person ever," another child chimed in. "We adore Roxanne."
Their chorus of praise continued, each testimonial more surprising than the last. This wasn’t the Roxanne I knew. Someone entirely different had taken her place during my absence.
"Roxanne," I said evenly, "we need to speak privately."
Her face drained of all color as she swallowed hard. "Yes, Seraphina," she managed.
After instructing the children to continue examining their picture book, she followed me onto the porch with downcast eyes. The door clicked shut behind us.
Immediately, words poured from her in a panicked torrent.
"I know exactly why you’re here," she stammered, tears gathering. "You want me gone. You despise everything about me."
Her voice cracked with emotion.
"You’ve come to exile me from the pack," she pressed on. "Or perhaps... perhaps you plan to have me killed for my past crimes. I accept that. I’ve earned whatever punishment awaits me."
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for my wrath.
I studied her trembling form. She seemed so fragile, so broken.
"Roxanne, look at me," I commanded softly.
Her eyelids lifted reluctantly.
"That’s not why I’m here," I stated clearly.
Confusion clouded her features. "It... it isn’t?"
"No," I confirmed, crossing my arms. "Roxanne, your past actions were unforgivable. But they’re behind us now, and dwelling on them serves no purpose." My tone grew serious. "I need your assistance. Tell me everything you know about Cordelia."
Given Roxanne’s history as Cordelia’s accomplice and favored relative, she possessed valuable intelligence.
Roxanne wiped away her tears and straightened slightly, attempting to regain composure.
"Cordelia has become fixated on Julian," she revealed without hesitation. "Her obsession consumes her completely. She shadows his every move, constantly touching his arm, whispering in his ear."
Her immediate cooperation caught me off guard, as did her willingness to betray Cordelia so quickly.
"And Julian responds strangely, Seraphina. He doesn’t resist her advances. He simply stands there motionless, as if he’s trapped in some kind of trance."
So others had noticed the peculiar change in his behavior as well.
I stepped forward and pulled Roxanne into an embrace. She stiffened in shock, remaining perfectly still. Years had passed since our last hug.
"You’ve grown into someone truly admirable," I whispered against her hair. "I’m genuinely proud of the woman you’ve become."
Releasing her, I gripped her shoulders and locked eyes with her. For just a moment, my wolf’s presence flashed behind my gaze.
"But understand this clearly, Roxanne," I warned, my voice dropping to a dangerous level.
"I’m offering you redemption," I continued. "However, if I discover you’re scheming against me, or if I learn you’re collaborating with Cordelia to harm my pack, you’ll witness a side of me that will haunt your nightmares. There will be no second mercy."
I anticipated anger or defiance.
Instead, she nodded with fierce determination.
"I understand completely, Seraphina," she declared firmly. "I would never betray you again. You have my absolute loyalty. I swear it."
"Excellent," I said. "Now dry your tears. We have serious work ahead of us."
