Page 29 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

A glimmer ignited in Logan’s brown eyes, an unyielding spark of defiance that told me this wasn’t merely about loyalty—it was a claim. “I will not leave my fated mate’s side.”

In that charged moment, it felt as if his wolf had ripped into me, tearing through my sanity. Incredulity spun through me, leaving me reeling. But my wolf, who snarled within, fierce and primal, soon defeated my disbelief. If this usurper dared to lay claim to Seraphina, I would defend what was rightfully ours.

Just as my fury threatened to spiral out of control, the only thing that could have snapped me out of this rage did—Seraphina’s eyelids fluttered open, revealing the deep jade of her eyes. In an instant, the world faded, her gaze holding me captive as my heartbeat drummed a wild rhythm in my chest.

Chapter Thirteen

Seraphina

The world drifted back into focus. The darkness lifted, and colors bloomed like wildflowers. At first, disorientation clouded my mind, hazy shapes melding in and out of the fog, but as consciousness washed over me, I registered the pale walls of the infirmary. The scent of herbs lingered in the air—robust yet comforting. Yet, dread lingered as I tried to remember why I was lying in the infirmary.

As my surroundings came into focus, my gaze locked onto the two figures at the foot of my bed—Tyler and Logan. Seriousness was etched into both their faces. My heart sped, memories flooding back. The last remnants of darkness fell away—my mind skipping over fragments of what had happened: the Black Moons attacking us on the mountain, how Tyler and Logan threw themselves in front of me—protecting me from the impact of the curse, and how it had taken all of my magic to lift the curse from them.

But the presence of the two men at my side was full of even more confusion as a flush of warmth ignited through me at the sight ofbothof them.

“Seraphina,” Tyler said, his voice a deep timbre, punctuated with heart-breaking relief that made me wish I could hammer down all of these confusing emotions churning through me. “How are you feeling?”

I shifted slightly, the blankets rustling around me as I drew myself up against the headboard. How was I feeling? Unbelievably confused.

My attention landed on Logan, who stood a little closer than Tyler. Instantly, Logan’s presence pulled at something deep within me. The revelation crashed over me—as vast as an ocean wave—Logan was my fated mate. The weight of that knowledge sunk into my chest, heavy and potent, pressing me to think of a future I’d never anticipated.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling like the Moon goddess was playing a cosmic joke on me. Igaluk, with all her caprice, had tied me to another. I couldn’t escape the bond’s undeniable tug, but beneath the shimmering strand was a deep-rooted instinct—to recoil and resist it.

In a moment, I remembered the Moon goddess’s words from my dream,“Every wolf shifter should have a fated mate.”My heart punched my chest as I realized that even if I severed the bond, she’d pair me with someone else. If it weren’t Logan, it would be another. As I engaged in a silent battle, I ultimately abandoned the thought of severing this bond. So far, trying to shape my own fate hadn’t gone well.

“Is Logan your fated mate?” Tyler’s question cut through my reverie. His gaze searched me. His voice was mixed with concern and something rawer.

I hesitated, then nodded. “He is.”

The admission felt heavy on my tongue, a mix of resignation and caution. I didn’t say what else I felt—that while I felt the bond, tension churned within me. My wolf was restless, panting anxiously in the background, crying out for freedom andflattening herself down as if she were getting ready to bolt. She didn’t long for Logan, nor did she welcome the prospect of being tied to him. Instead, she actively resisted the bond, clawing at the very fibers that bound us.

But I wouldn’t reveal that—the heaviness in my chest was mine alone. For now, I needed to compartmentalize things. This new obstacle the Moon goddess had presented me with needed to be dealt with.

“Tyler,” I said, steeling myself for what had to come next. “Can you please give us some privacy?” The request fell from my lips, wrapped in unyielding determination, although my heart twisted as I watched the light fade from his bright eyes.

“Seraphina…” He opened his mouth to protest, but the resolute firmness spread like wildfire through my veins as I locked eyes with him, searching for the resolve to stand firm.

I shook my head, shooing away the brewing storm in his gaze. “Please, Tyler. I need to talk to Logan. Alone.”

He hesitated, glancing from me to Logan, confusion and concern lacing his features, before finally conceding. “All right.” He cast a last glance back at me. My wolf rose up, and I felt her frantic energy as if she were nipping and nudging me to stop him. She didn’t want to part with him. It was a feeling that only intensified with the anguished look Tyler gave me before exiting the infirmary. But he went, leaving Logan standing by my side.

As soon as Tyler’s footsteps faded into the distance, I turned my focus to Logan, who remained rooted in place. I tried to fool myself into thinking the intensity with which he looked at me was no different from the hawkish way he’d watched methese last few weeks. But an undercurrent of somethingmoresimmered just beneath my skin.

“Logan,” I began, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “We need to talk about this… bond.”

His expression shifted, the warmth radiating from him instantly at odds with the heaviness dragging me down.

“You don’t want to be with me,” I blurted out, needing him to hear my truth.

“What do you mean?” Surprise sparked in his brown eyes. “You’re my fated mate. Of course, I want to be with you!” He spoke with such earnestness as if this were a clear-cut situation. I frowned. This was anything but clear-cut.

I pressed on, ignoring the jagged pain twisting deeper in my chest—the rawness ofhisemotion, which I felt through this new bond already joining us.

“I mean, I’m not ready for a romantic relationship.” I took a breath, struggling at where to begin. The bond in my chest felt like a snarled, tangled mess. “I only came back to the pack to clear my parents’ names.”

His brow furrowed, confusion clouding his features. But even that look didn’t entirely conquer the unmistakable faith he’d already placed in our bond, which thrummed in my chest. It beat loudly through my body, its presence feeling suffocating.

He approached slowly, looking at me as if I were a skittish animal he was afraid would panic. “Can I sit down?”

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