88 Chapter 88
88 Chapter 88
Seraphina’s POV 1
Three dayster, the doctor finally cleared me to leave the hospital, though he insisted I take things slowly
for at least another week. The pregnancy was progressing normally, and my body had recovered remarkably
well from the trauma it had endured.
As Damien helped me out of the wheelchair at the entrance to the military base where the training camp was
located, I could feel the change in myself more acutely than ever. The air seemed crisper, sounds were
sharper, and there was a thrumming energy beneath my skin that made me feel like I could take on the world.
“You ready for this?” Damien asked quietly, his hand steady on my elbow as we walked toward the main
building.
“I think so,” I said, though truthfully I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thest time these people had seen me, I’d
been an omega who’d copsed from overexertion. Now I was… what exactly? An alpha? A Luna-to-be? A
pregnant woman carrying the future heir to the most powerful pack in the region?
The weight of it all should have been overwhelming, but instead I felt oddly calm. Centered, even.
“Remember what we discussed,” Damien murmured as we approached the entrance. “Don’t try to suppress
your new nature. Let them feel what you’ve be.”
I nodded, straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin. Whatever happened next, I would face it head-on.
The moment we stepped through the doors, I could sense the change in the atmosphere. Conversations died
mid-sentence as heads turned in our direction. The dozen or so warriors scattered throughout the lobby
froze, their expressions shifting from casual recognition to something approaching awe.
Marcus Thompson, the gruffbat instructor who’d been skeptical of my presence at the beginning of my
training, was the first to approach us. But instead of his usual confident swagger, his steps were measured,
almost hesitant.
“Sera,” he began, then stopped, his brow furrowing as if he were trying to process something he couldn’t
quite understand. “You… you feel different.”
I could see the exact moment when my new scent fully registered with his wolf. His eyes widened, his
88 Chapter 88
posture automatically straightening into something more deferential. Before I could say a word, he inclined
his head in a gesture of respect I’d never seen him give anyone except Damien.
“Alpha,” he said quietly, the title falling from his lips as naturally as breathing.
The reaction rippled through the room like a stone dropped in still water. One by one, the other warriors
began to turn and look at me properly, their wolves recognizing what their conscious minds were struggling
to ept. I watched as each of them went through the same process-confusion, realization, then that
automatic show of respect.
Riley was approaching with what looked like the intention to give me her usual enthusiastic hug. But as she
got within a few feet of me, her step faltered, her wolf clearly responding to my transformed presence.
“Sera?” she said uncertainly, her voice higher than normal. “What… how do you…?”
I could smell her nervousness, her confusion, and underneath it all, the deep respect that her wolf was
demanding she show. It was a heady feeling, this newfound authority, but I didn’t want it to drive a wedge
between me and the people who had weed me here.
“It’s still me, Riley,” I said gently, offering her a warm smile. “I’m still the same person who couldn’t throw a
proper punch when I first got here.”
By now, a small crowd had gathered around us, drawn by the unmistakable aura of power that I was
apparently radiating. I could see Lucas approaching from across the room, his expression intrigued but not
surprised-Damien had clearly filled him in on recent developments.
“Everyone,” Damien said, his voice carrying easily across the lobby andmanding immediate attention. “I
know
you all have questions about what you’re sensing, and I want to address them directly.”
The room fell intoplete silence, every person present focusing on their Alpha King with the kind of
intense attention that important announcementsmanded.
“As many
of you know,” Damien continued, “Seraphina risked her life to save seventeen of our wounded
brothers and sisters. What you may not know is that during her recovery, certain… abilities have awakened
within her.”
He paused, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently before he continued.
“Seraphina is no longer the omega she once believed herself to be. Her true alpha nature has emerged, and I
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want to make something very clear to all of you.” His voice took on a note of unmistakable authority. “This
woman is going to be your Luna.”
The silence that followed was profound. I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat, could smell the mixture
of surprise, respect, and curiositying from the assembled warriors.
“Now, I know this isn’t the formal ceremony that tradition dictates,” Damien said, a slight smile ying at the
corners of his mouth. “That willeter, with all the pomp and circumstance that our pack heritage
demands. But I wanted you to hear it from me first, because you are the ones who have trained alongside her,
who have seen her courage and determination firsthand.”
Marcus stepped forward, and to my amazement, he dropped to one knee. “Luna,” he said simply, his gruff
voice filled with sincerity.
The gesture was like a dam breaking. One by one, every warrior in the room followed suit, dropping to one
knee in a show of respect that took my breath away. Even Lucas, Damien’s Beta and closest friend, knelt with
the others.
“Please,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “Please get up. You don’t need to-”
“Yes, we do,” Riley interrupted gently, rising from her knelt position with a bright smile. “You saved our
people. You nearly died protecting warriors you barely knew. If that doesn’t earn our respect and loyalty, I
don’t know what would.”
A murmur of agreement ran through the group as they all returned to their feet. The overwhelming
eptance, the immediate loyalty, was almost too much to process.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “All of you. I promise I won’t let you down.”
Damien’s arm slipped around my waist, pulling me gently against his side. “There will be more formal
announcements,” he told the group. “But for now, I’d ask that you spread the word among the pack. And
remember-” His voice took on a warning edge. “Anyone who has a problem with my choice is wee to take it up with me personally.”
The implied threat was clear, and I could see several of the warriors suppressing smiles. No one would be
foolish enough to challenge Damien’s authority, especially not over something as personal as his choice of
mate.
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As the crowd began to disperse, chattering excitedly among themselves, I felt a mixture of relief and
apprehension.
“Lucas,” I called out as Damien’s Beta started to walk away.
He turned back with a questioning look. “Yes, Luna?”
The title still made me feel slightly dizzy, but I pushed through the sensation. “Are there still wounded
warriors here? New injuries from recent skirmishes?”
His expression grew more serious. “Yes, unfortunately. Three new casualties came in yesterday from a border
patrol that ran into rogue activity. Why?”
“I’d like to see them,” I said. “If they need healing…”
“Sera,” Damien interjected, concern clear in his voice. “You just got out of the hospital. You need to rest.”
I turned to face him, cing my hand on his chest. “Damien, I feel stronger now than I have in weeks. And if
there are people hurt, people who could benefit from what I can do…”
He studied my face for a long moment, then sighed. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Would you?” I countered. “If you had the ability to take away someone’s pain, to heal their injuries, could you
just walk away?”
A rueful smile crossed his features. “Point taken.” He looked at Lucas. “Take us to see the wounded. But,” he
added, his voice taking on a tone ofmand, “if I see any sign that she’s overexerting herself, we’re leaving
immediately.”
“Understood,” Lucas said with a nod. “Follow me.”
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