She was the only beating heart, the only being of warm blood and flesh in those cold, lonely halls of the castle. The walls around her were undoubtedly familiar to her in the recent past, these walls had started becoming her home, making her feel she belonged somewhere, but it was all now a strange maze. The light fell on the words that spoke to no one, unaware that their audience had vanished or that the stone floor lay silent beneath no feet except her. It was as if Goddess had stopped time, removed all the distractions so she could see it for real, see how it really was, what it really was. And all she wanted at the time was another beating heart in this deserted castle, another being of warm blood and flesh, another pair of feet to walk beside hers.

Her shaky feet were giving up, unable to bear the weight of her being, of her heavy heart. Her hand clutched her chest tightly as she struggled into the first floor. His scent hit her full force as she pushed open the doors to the bedroom they shared. She closes the doors as she collapses to the floor, staring at the carpeted floor as if it were the most interesting thing in the world. Moments pass by as slowly tears start streaming down her face. The silent cries become increasingly louder as she screams her lungs out, her eyes welling up with never-ending tears. Her chest tightens, and she clutches her chest in an effort to lessen the pain. She feels as if her heart was ripped out of her chest and shattered into a million pieces.

"Why did you have to be so cruel to me! What did I ever do to deserve such a punishment? What did I ever do to deserve you stabbing my heart on continuously? How strong do you think I am to strike me in such a way? Why do you give me everything only to take it away? Why! Don't you feel a smidgeon of pity? Don't you see how much pain you cause me? I can't this any longer, I can't. You should just kill me now. Maybe you will let me have some peace then!" She collapses to the floor, shaking and crying.

She wept and wept, for the wound of her parents' death that she had kept hidden for centuries was cut open; raw and bleeding, for the one, she looked up to as her mother betrayed her, for the male she never got to know, for that male whose name she doesn't know, for the part of her soul she brutally murdered and never felt a thing. And finally, for that one person she had begun to care for, for the cold walls she had begun to call home, for the warmth, for the peace that would engulf her, for the bond she had begun to cherish, it was all snatched away.

That night, the moon shone so brightly that her light danced through the darkness, illuminating the rising path. While the beasts were busy cleaning up the corpses, taking in the prisoners, and caring for the injured, the two unfortunate souls were left alone. The moon shone brightly over them as Aiden locked himself inside his office, his tears concealed from prying eyes. He sobbed silently as everything he had known as a child was taken from him; the female he called his mother, the female who had provided her with warmth, was not even related to her. The man he called his father turned out to be the man who snatched away his peace and happiness. The female who claims to be his birthmother killed the other half of his soul, and finally the female he was falling for pushed him away. He doesn't blame her though, how can he when she is correct about they didn't belong to each other and how could she look at him the same way when he was the son of a man who destroyed her life. But everything he felt for her, those smiles, comforts, warmth, and those addictive touches; how could something so fake feel so so real?

She could hear footsteps approaching the chamber as she lay just inside the door, her tears long dried, her body limp and exhausted. The feet came to a halt, and after a few moments of deliberation about whether or not to knock, they walked away. Her beasts were so deep inside her that she could barely feel them, but she knew that everything affected them just as much, if not more, than it did her. She knew who had been there, but she didn't wish to anyone's face. The night passed, and in the morning, those same feet appeared, and this time they knocked.

"Seraphina?" Emmerich called, but she didn't have the energy to respond.

"Mano Princesė?" He knocked again, but she did not respond. He sighed and walked away after a few minutes of knocking.

Days passed by, as they do and life went on. The pack gradually rebuilt their packhouse, restoring everything they had lost. The injured healed. They gradually come to terms with the fact that it was the person they thought of as their protector and provider was the person behind everything. Aiden had left his office and was on his way to the unknown after a few days. Nicholas, on the other hand, dragged him back into the packhouse. If it were some other day, Nicholas couldn't have overpowered him, but Aiden was drained both physically and emotionally. Emmerich had given him a good hearing after forcing some food into him. Concerning his duties and responsibilities. Despite Aiden's objections, Emmerich was adamant that this pack couldn't survive without him. He hadn't said anything, just bowed and walked into his office. His thoughts were clouded by everything, including what Emmerich had said.

Seraphina had barely dragged her body to the bed, and the warmth it had once provided her was gone, his scent was faint, and the bed was cold. Her dried eyes welled up again as she sobbed quietly beneath the duvet, curdling the pillows he used to sleep on. Even the faint scent had faded after a few days, and despite her body's protests, she had dragged herself into the closet. His scent enveloped her as soon as she opened the door. She walked past his neatly folded clothes. She gathered up one of his hoodies and slipped it on. She lay back on the floor, clutching it close, her eyes giving up and closing on their own. Her mind, however, was wide awake and clouded.

As the day broke through, the first thing he did was dragging himself into the shower and change into some fresh clothes. Even though it didn't belong to him, he had to look after the pack until she took over. He couldn't ignore everything because his heart was broken and his mind was heavy from everything he'd been through and everything he'd lost in a day. Wiping his emotions out, shielding his heart from further breaking, he walked out of the confines of his office. The beast's face lit up with hope as he joined everyone at the breakfast table. He made his way past the long table and towards the head of the table. Nicholas and Liam gave him a small smile, to which he does not respond. He stretches his arm to pull the empty chair at the head of the table, his eyes fell on the vacant chair Seraphina used to occupy making his heart ache. He pulls the chair and sits down as everyone begins eating quietly.

No one was allowed into the castle as Seraphina mourned alone inside the confines of the cold castle. Emmerich would bring her food, but she would never open the door to accept it. He'd leave them by the doors, and sometimes she'd take them in, and other times the food would go untouched. When she dragged her body to the balcony one day, her gaze was drawn to him on the farthest side of the packhouse. She turned around and dashed back into the bedroom.

As Aiden walked towards the convey that was waiting for him, his gaze was drawn to the castle, and he caught a glimpse of her red hair as the doors closed. He could tell she wasn't doing well; how long can a person hold out? Everyone has a breaking point. Only if he could pull her close and ease her pain, but that's no longer his role. She doesn't belong to him!

"Are we ready?" He asked solemnly, turning his head towards the convey and approaching the Gamma.

"Yes, Alpha!" Liam bowed his head.

"Please do not refer to me as that Liam. I'm not the Alpha." Liam only stared at him as he turned around and walked to the car.

Liam followed suit, and four warriors boarded a second car and they began driving towards the human town. Aiden was starting his own business because he needed to do something once Seraphina was well enough to take over the pack. And he knew she wouldn't want him in the pack then, no other pack will take him in and he doesn't wish to roam around the woods being a rogue. He sighed as he gazed out the moving car's window. His eyes widened and he yelled, but before anyone could react, the truck spears the driver's side, flinging them off the road as the car rolls over and collides with a massive tree. He was dangling upside down by the seat belt, blood dripping down his forehead.

His vision was blurred as a searing pain shot through his entire body. Something sharp had pierced his abdomen, he could perceive. The second car came to a halt as the warriors rushed towards them, frantically attempting to open the car doors. His lips were painted with a ghostly smile.

'Out of all the things, never thought a car accident would be the end of me!'

She hopped under the shower head as cold water cascaded down on her as if she were within arms that flowed and hugged her so gently. This castle, this chamber, and this pack hold many memories for her, from the first time she met him, staring into his captivating blues, to the moment the world crashed down around her feet. As long she'll be here, those memories will haunt her. Make her yearn for what she has lost. Even though it was the hardest decision, it had to be done.

She steps out of the shower and changes into a plain black hoodie and jeans after drying her body. She carries her belongings out of the closet, stuffing them all into a bag. She pushes the main door open, and see's Nicholas rushes through the hallway before she can carry the bag out. He comes to a halt as he hastily says,

"He was headed to the human town, but on their way there..." he paused, and she frowned

"What Nicholas?" She inquired, her voice trembling as it was the first time she had spoken in days.

"A truck clashed with their vehicle. Despite Liam's minor injuries, the driver is dead and Aiden is critically injured!" A new pain, a new sense of loss stabbed her heart as the words came out of his lips.

"Where is he?" She muttered something.

"In the infirmary!"

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