Ex-Alpha's Regret: Siren's Comeback novel Chapter 17

POV: Seraphina

I stood in the doorway of his study, frozen by the casual cruelty of his words. Gracious. He wanted me to be gracious while another woman dismantled my life, piece by piece, right before my eyes. I turned and walked away before the scream building in my chest could escape. I was a ghost in my own home, my presence tolerated but my identity actively being scrubbed from the walls.

Later that day, a soft knock came at my guest room door. It was Martha, a frail, silver-haired Omega who had served my mother before she had served me. Her hands were gnarled with age, but her eyes were as sharp and loyal as ever. She carried a tray with a steaming cup of chamomile tea.

"Luna," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she bustled into the room and closed the door securely behind her. "I shouldn't be saying this, but you must be careful."

I looked at her, my heart aching with a sudden rush of affection for this last bastion of loyalty.

"What is it, Martha?"

"The new lady… Sylvie," she said the name as if it were a bad taste in her mouth. "She's been asking for the household ledgers. The ones only the Luna is meant to see. She's looking at the accounts, at your private expenditures for the arts program and the pup's educational funds."

My blood ran cold. The Luna's ledgers were sacrosanct. For Sylvie to be granted access was a violation of the deepest pack traditions. It meant Damian was giving her authority over my official duties, my responsibilities to the pack.

"She's trying to find something to use against you, my lady," Martha warned, her old eyes filled with a fierce, protective light. "She wants this house. She wants your place."

Just as she spoke, the door was pushed open without a knock. Sylvie stood there, a look of startled innocence on her face. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just looking for…" Her eyes darted from my face to Martha's worried expression, a flicker of triumph in their depths. She had heard everything.

An hour later, I was in the library when I heard a sudden, shattering crash from the hallway, followed by a theatrical sob. I rushed out to see Sylvie on the floor, surrounded by the glittering shards of a priceless Lumerian crystal vase. Damian was already there, kneeling beside her, his face a mask of concern.

"But, Alpha, I swear—" Martha began, her voice cracking with desperation.

Damian raised a hand, silencing her. "Now."

He turned his back on the weeping old woman and gently helped Sylvie to her feet, leading her away as if she were the victim. I watched two guards take Martha by the arms, their faces grim, and escort her toward the door. She looked back at me one last time, her eyes filled with a desperate, helpless apology.

And I could do nothing but watch as the last person in this house who was loyal to me was cast out into the cold.

The heavy front door slammed shut.