MATED TO THE BEAST ALPHA BROTHERS
Chapter 49: you belong to me

Chapter 49: you belong to me

"No....Keres!"

The Wolf King’s roar was swallowed by the howling storm as she vanished into the darkness.

The black whirlwind spiraled, consuming the room in chaos. The walls cracked, furniture shattered, and bodies were flung like ragdolls. The council scrambled for cover, their cries lost in the deafening howl.

Then...

Silence.

The storm vanished.

The air was still.

The only thing left in its wake....

Blood.

Haelyn’s body was gone.

The King staggered forward, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His silver eyes, wide with disbelief, searched the now-empty space where Keres had stood just moments ago.

"She’s gone," one of the council members whispered, voice trembling.

"And so is the girl."

The King clenched his fists. "Find her. Find them both!"

No one moved.

No one dared.

Because they all knew....

Keres had become something beyond their reach.

And Haelyn was lost to them now.

"You look troubled, Zareth."

Nyx’s voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it, sharp as a dagger. She stood in the doorway of his private chamber, arms crossed, watching him in the dim candlelight.

Zareth didn’t answer immediately. He sat hunched over, elbows resting on his knees, fingers steepled beneath his chin. His eyes were fixed on the flames dancing in the hearth, but his mind was far away.

He hadn’t gone to the Wolf King’s court. He hadn’t seen what happened. But he felt it. The shift in power. The violent storm that shook the land itself.

Something was wrong.

Something had changed.

"They’re saying Keres took Haelyn’s body," Nyx continued, stepping forward. "She vanished into a storm of black fire."

Still, Zareth said nothing.

"And you?" she pressed, voice dropping lower. "You didn’t even try to stop it."

At that, he finally moved. His fingers curled into fists, and when he exhaled, it was slow and deliberate.

"Because I wasn’t there."

Nyx narrowed her eyes. "Convenient."

Zareth’s gaze flicked to her, sharp and calculating.

"I had no reason to be there," he said simply. "The outcome was inevitable."

Nyx scoffed. "You mean you knew Haelyn would fall into Keres’ hands?"

Zareth’s silence was all the confirmation she needed.

Nyx shook her head, a dry laugh escaping her lips. "So that’s it? You lost a fight with her, and now you sit here sulking?"

"I don’t sulk." His voice was dangerously low.

"No," she mused, circling him like a predator. "You plot."

Zareth didn’t deny it.

Nyx studied him carefully, then tilted her head. "You’re thinking about a sacrifice, aren’t you?"

This time, he smirked. A slow, dark curve of his lips.

"You’re not a fool, Nyx."

"No, I’m not." Her expression didn’t change. "And I know why you’re looking at me like that."

Zareth leaned back, resting his head against the chair. "You’re my last option."

The words hung between them like a blade.

Nyx’s jaw clenched. "Because you couldn’t get Haelyn."

"Because Haelyn inherited the spirit wolf," Zareth corrected. "She’s the only one of Lunara’s children with that power. You, on the other hand..."

Nyx felt a chill run down her spine.

"You were born on a dark day." His voice was almost thoughtful. "A child of shadows. You may not have the spirit wolf, but your blood is tainted with something far more sinister."

Nyx inhaled sharply. "And that makes me what? A tool?"

"A sacrifice," Zareth said bluntly.

A muscle in Nyx’s jaw twitched, but she didn’t look away.

"You’re insane if you think I’ll just let you use me."

"Who said you have a choice?"

Nyx’s fingers twitched at her side, magic coiling beneath her skin.

"Try it, Zareth," she whispered, her dark eyes burning. "I dare you."

She hated calling him father...

Zareth chuckled, low and dangerous.

"You should be careful what you challenge, Nyx." His voice was almost amused. "Because the next time we talk about this, I might not give you the chance to walk away."

Nyx swallowed hard, but she didn’t back down.

Zareth leaned forward, his gaze unreadable.

"The storm is coming," he murmured. "And one way or another, I’ll be ready."

"Seraphis."

The voice cut through the air like a blade. The moment she heard it, the temperature in the room dropped. The energy shifted, thickening like a storm about to break.

Seraphis turned slowly, her golden eyes locking onto the man standing before her. His presence was a wound reopened, a scar she had buried beneath years of power, duty, and silence.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was calm, but there was pain beneath it. A pain she couldn’t quite hide.

The man took a slow step forward, his son lingering just behind him. "I traced you." His gaze flickered to Rowena before settling back on Seraphis. "I had to see you again. And her."

Rowena, standing between them, glanced between their faces. Confusion twisted her features.

"Who is he?" she asked.

Seraphis didn’t respond immediately.

Rowena’s brows furrowed. "Is he my father?"

"No." Seraphis’ answer was immediate, sharp, final.

Rowena’s frustration bubbled over. "Then who is?"

Seraphis exhaled through her nose, fingers curling into fists at her sides. The weight of the past pressed against her chest, and before she could stop herself, the words poured out.

"You want to know who your father is, Rowena?" Her voice trembled with old fury. "You are the product of my disgrace, my hurt, my pain. The result of a night that should never have happened."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Rowena’s face paled, her breath catching in her throat.

Seraphis lifted her chin, eyes burning. "This man.....", she gestured at him, "was supposed to be my mate. My chosen mate. But before that could happen, his best friend...." she spat the words like poison, "....stole everything from me."

Rowena’s hands shook at her sides. "What?"

Seraphis’ voice darkened, thick with years of suppressed agony. "I tried to tell the truth, but no one believed me. Not him. Not his pack. They believed him....the friend. And I was cast out like a liar, a disgrace." She let out a bitter laugh. "Yet I kept you. Against all reason, I loved you. My sisters helped me raise you, including Lunara. And when I left, I...." She cut herself off, her throat tightening.

Rowena swallowed hard. "And that’s why you never really wanted me, isn’t it?" Her voice wavered. "Because every time you looked at me, you saw your past?"

Seraphis didn’t answer.

She couldn’t.

Rowena blinked rapidly, her chest rising and falling unevenly. Then, before she could stop herself, she whispered, "I’m sorry, Mother."

Seraphis’ eyes widened.

Then, for the first time in her life, she opened her arms.

Rowena hesitated....just for a second...before stepping into them.

The embrace was desperate, raw. Seraphis clung to her daughter as if trying to hold onto something she thought she had lost forever. Tears streaked down her face, silent and unbidden.

For the first time in decades, she allowed herself to be vulnerable.

Rowena held onto her just as tightly.

When they finally pulled apart, the man cleared his throat. "Seraphis... I looked for you."

She stiffened.

"Years ago. But you were gone. And by then... the council had already chosen a princess for me to marry. She became Luna. And from that union...." he turned slightly, "....came my firstborn son."

The young man stepped forward, his piercing gaze settling on Rowena.

She met his stare, her heart hammering.

She recognized him. The moment their eyes met, something inside her shifted, a strange pull tightening in her chest.

He took a slow breath, his eyes darkening with realization.

"It’s you." His voice was quiet, but firm.

Rowena frowned. "What?"

His jaw tightened. "I’ve been searching for you my entire life."

Seraphis’ eyes snapped to him in alarm. "What are you saying?"

The young man took another step toward Rowena, his expression unreadable.

"She’s my mate."

The room went deathly silent.

Seraphis’ body tensed, her breath hitching.

Rowena’s own heart slammed against her ribs.

The young man held her gaze, unwavering.

"Rowena," he said softly, "you belong to me."