Seraphina's POV
My hands trembled as I stuffed the last of my clothes into my bag. Every instinct screamed at me to move faster. I needed to get out of this house—now.
What had felt like sanctuary just days ago had transformed into something sinister. The elegant furnishings, the attentive staff, Valerius's intense gaze that followed me everywhere—it all felt suffocating now.
"I should have listened to my wolf from the start," I whispered, zipping the bag closed.
My wolf had been uneasy since we arrived, but I'd ignored her warnings. I'd been so desperate to believe someone genuinely cared about me without ulterior motives.
How naive I'd been.
The sound of the front door opening downstairs made me freeze. Heavy footsteps crossed the marble floor—Valerius was back earlier than expected. My heart hammered against my ribs.
"Seraphina?" His deep voice called up the stairs. "Are you home?"
