"I will not give you a single coin of alimony unless you apologize for what you did to Daisy."
The words sounded insulting in Seraphine's ears, but she was strangely calm. When she finally spoke, her voice was deceptively calm, as she moved toward Daisy in slow, measured steps.
No one knew that what she wanted to do, was in getting even for what they did to her child. No woman would remain the same after hearing that her child had been murdered by the very people she protected.
Even though Corvine had saved the child, her where abouts were still unknown so someone had to pay and one of those people, was Daisy.
Every movement Seraphine made was controlled, almost regal. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat bun at the nape of her neck, exposing her pale throat and the sharp line of her jaw.
There was nothing reckless about her posture, as this was not the walk of a woman cornered. It was the approach of someone who had already decided how the encounter would end.
Across the room, Ravyn's lips curled into a satisfied, sly smile. He had expected resistance, fury, perhaps another emotional outburst.
Instead, her compliance lulled him. So she was not as proud as he thought. The realization loosened his guard, and the sound came before the shock.
A sharp, resonating slap echoed through the hall, snapping Daisy's head violently to the side. Before anyone could react, Seraphine followed it with a brutal kick that sent Daisy crashing to the floor.
"This," Seraphine said coldly, "is my apology." Her eyes were dark, void of warmth, or mercy. The air around her seemed to thicken, heavy with authority and restrained fury.
"Seraphine!" Ravyn roared as she lifted her hand again, ready to strike, but he lunged forward, catching her wrist mid-air, his grip tight, possessive, furious.
Daisy curled in on herself like a wounded animal, sobbing uncontrollably, her body trembling as if she expected another blow at any second.
With a sharp twist of her wrist, Seraphine broke free of Ravyn's hold. The movement was smooth, almost graceful, as though she had done this before, stunning him.
Sure, every Luna was exceptionally skilled, but Seraphine's was different. No number of words could describe the side of her he just saw.
"Until the divorce is finalized," she said, her voice steady and commanding, "I am still the Luna of this pack. And I have every right to discipline my subordinate."
The weight of her words pressed down on the room. It was not an opinion, but law. The Luna's authority superseded interference, even from an Alpha.
Ravyn's jaw tightened. "That discipline should have a reason," he challenged, unwilling to retreat.
Seraphine's gaze slowly returned to Daisy, her expression unreadable. "I have been too quiet, too lenient." Her lips curved into a humorless chuckle. "You wanted an apology? That was her first offense."
She took a step forward, intent written in every line of her body. She was seconds away from tearing Daisy apart when Ravyn spoke again, his voice low and threatening.
"If you touch her again, you'll leave me no choice. You already signed everything over to me. I can refuse you alimony."
Seraphine stopped. For a brief moment, something flickered across her face. Calculation, not fear. She stepped back slowly. "Alright," she said evenly. "I give up."
Ravyn exhaled, tension draining from his shoulders. Of course, she'd give up. She needed the money, always had.
He turned slightly, preparing to address Alpha Voren, but it was too late. Seraphine moved.
The punch landed with terrifying force. Daisy's body went limp as she crumpled to the ground, unconscious before she hit the floor.
"What have you done?!" Ravyn shouted, his eyes glowing red as he rushed forward, scooping Daisy into his arms as if she were something precious, something fragile.
Seraphine watched him, her expression carved from ice. "First of all," she said nonchalantly, "I don't need a single dime from you." Her lips curled as she raised her hand, her middle finger standing tall between them. "And secondly, since you wanted me to apologize, this is it."
Her voice dropped, venomous and final. "Fuck you, Ravyn. Fuck this pack and fuck your disgusting relationship."
She slammed the door behind her. The sound reverberated through the corridor long after she was gone.
Moments later, Corvine opened the door again, a faint, unreadable smile on his face. "Goodbye, Alpha."
Ravyn stood frozen, Daisy cradled in his arms, helplessness etched into his features as he turned to Voren. "What do I do?"
Voren felt offended by the question. His presence here was strictly business, yet he had somehow been dragged into domestic warfare.
"Who made me the judge of your pack affairs?" he replied coldly. "You should be more concerned with selecting a new beta."
Corvine's presence had allowed Ravyn the freedom to manage city affairs, but now that he was leaving, that balance would collapse. Still, at the moment, Ravyn's focus remained solely on Daisy.
"I'll take her to the hospital," he said hurriedly. "We can finish the discussion later."
Voren nodded once and sank back into the couch, his posture relaxed, almost regal. Never in his life had he witnessed such chaos, and a woman like Seraphine. Calling her merely a woman felt insufficient.
She was a man trapped in a woman's skin. No wonder Ravyn had never been attracted to her. Strong women were not easy to love.
Outside, Seraphine was speaking to Corvine when she glanced back and saw Ravyn carrying Daisy as if she were a cherished rose. Something sharp and painful lodged itself in her chest.
For seven years, she had done everything he demanded but when she was sick, weak, or broken, he never offered her even a glass of water. She had believed he simply lacked emotion.
She had been wrong. He had emotions but they just were never meant for her.
"Luna, are you listening?" Corvine's voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. "Yes," she said quietly. "What did you say?"
"I asked if you'd like to stay at my parents' house until the divorce is finalized."
Seraphine considered it briefly. Then her eyes sharpened with resolve. "No," she said. "I have a better idea."