Fragments of a Vow

Seraphina looked up. Caelum and Liam were standing at the doorway.

Liam climbed down from Caelum's arms and sprinted over with his short little legs. He threw himself into Seraphina's arms.

"Mom, who did you say was leaving just now?" he asked curiously.

In a soft voice, Seraphina answered, "A human friend of mine. Her marriage fell apart, and she's planning to leave her husband and child."

Liam tilted his head up and rubbed his cheek against hers. This was the way young pups expressed affection.

He said, "Your friend is so pitiful. Luckily, Dad and I will love you forever."

Caelum set down his coat and walked over to pull both of them into his arms. As usual, the Alpha scent he gave off was possessive yet gentle.

"Liam is right, Sera. Our family will be together forever. It's a vow we made to the Moon Goddess," Caelum said lovingly.

Seraphina didn't respond. She looked down, and her long lashes hid the bitterness in her eyes.

What was this talk about being together forever? Their bond was already showing cracks.

Liam spotted the cake on the table. He quickly reached out to hand over the leather pouch he had been holding.

"Mom, this is the gift Dad and I picked for you."

Caelum opened the gift box inside the pouch. It was a necklace carved from moonstone.

He sounded a little apologetic as he said, "Sera, the negotiations in Freca were difficult. That's why Liam and I returned later than planned. Please don't be upset with us."

As he spoke, he took out the necklace and lowered his head to put it on her.

But the moment he leaned closer, Seraphina smelled a strong scent that wasn't hers. There was another she-wolf's scent mixed into Caelum's.

She herself never carried any foreign scents. This caused her stomach to churn violently. She pushed Caelum and Liam away hastily. She ran to one side and started gagging uncontrollably.

Caelum had always been extremely concerned about her health. Even the slightest cough drove him into panic mode. Upon seeing her in such a condition, he became frantic and immediately wanted to summon the pack healer.

Seraphina grabbed his hand. Her eyes were still reddened from retching. She stared at him unblinkingly.

She breathed, "I'm fine. I just thought of my friend's husband and child… I felt disgusted by their behavior. Caelum, if you don't love me anymore, I will—"

"That's impossible!" Caelum cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

He stepped forward and wrapped her into his arms. It was as if he was trying to rub her scent all over himself again to emphasize that they would always be bound together and would never part ways.

Tenderly, he said, "Sera, you should know how deep my feelings run for you. You are the only mate I'll ever have in this life. I will never let you leave me!"

Liam clenched his fists and said seriously, "Don't worry, Mom. Dad and I would never do anything to hurt you. I'll watch Dad for you. If he ever misbehaves, I'll tell you right away. I'll always be on your side."

Caelum couldn't help but laugh. "Liam, do you seriously take me for that kind of person?"

Liam rolled his eyes at him and said, "Hmph! I love Mom the most. I'll always protect Mom."

Their bickering didn't stir any feelings of amusement or joy in Seraphina. She felt terrible, like invisible claws were tearing her heart to pieces.

Caelum said he loved her, yet he carried another she-wolf's scent. Liam said he would protect her, yet he helped Caelum hide the truth.

She no longer knew whether they meant those words sincerely or if it was all just a lie.

The next morning, Caelum personally roasted the freshest cut for Seraphina, as usual, and set it before her with loving eyes.

"Sera, let's go hunting at Mount Neviah after breakfast. We came home late, so we'll make it up to you for missing your birthday," Caelum suggested casually.

Liam handed her a cup of fresh goat milk and snuggled against her waist. "Let's go, Mom! Hunting is so much fun."

Seraphina had no interest in hunting. However, before she had even finished breakfast, Caelum and Liam had packed all the gear. They then pulled her into the SUV without asking if she wanted to go.

It wasn't until they reached Mount Neviah that she realized why they had insisted on coming.

The moment she stepped out of the car, she saw Rayna in a form-fitting hunting outfit. She was standing at the entrance and looking around expectantly.

As soon as Caelum and Liam got out of the car, Rayna's eyes lit up.

She jogged over and wrapped a scarf, which was infused with her own pheromones, around Liam's neck as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Then, she handed Caelum a steaming thermos and gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

Seraphina watched her smooth, practiced movements wordlessly.

Despite his young age, Liam had always disliked being touched by anyone outside their family. Caelum had the unfortunate experience of being drugged by an enemy pack six years ago. Since then, he never accepted drinks or items handed to him by other she-wolves, except for Seraphina.

Caelum cleared his throat and spoke up in a voice that sounded a little strained. "Sera, this is my assistant, Rayna Klein. She planned the route for this hunt, so having her around makes things easier. That's why I invited her along."

Liam hurriedly chimed in, "Yeah, Mom. All we need to do is focus on having fun. Isn't that great?"

Was it really for convenience, or was it because they wanted Rayna with them at all times? Seraphina no longer cared to decipher their true thoughts.

Only then did Rayna pretend like she had just noticed her.

She reached out a hand shyly and greeted, "Hello, Luna Seraphina. I won't intrude on your family time."

Seraphina's sharp eyes caught a flash of green on Rayna's wrist. "What's that on your wrist?"

Rayna pulled up her sleeve to reveal a green moonstone bracelet.

Her face glowed with happiness as she said, "This is a gift from my family."