SERAPHINA The moment I stepped into the Academy , I knew the storm hadn't passed . So , when Alpha Jude entered the grand hall holding Grace's hand and Alpha Gideon stood in the center of the room , emotionless and unblinking , the real storm began to stir . Grace looked like a ghost beside him . Pale . Silent . Her eyes flicked up to Alpha Jude , then back to her father , uncertain and trembling . As they stopped just a breath away from Alpha Gideon , the entire hall fell into hushed stillness . The tension clawed at every corner , everyone expecting either a deadly clash..or something far worse . But what happened next ? No one could've predicted it . Alpha Jude took Grace's hand and handed it to Alpha Gideon . Gasps echoed . My heart plummeted into my stomach . Grace … didn't move . Didn't speak . Her eyes , glassy with tears , searched Alpha Jude's face like she was begging him to look at her , to say something , to choose her . / He never did . " I'll submit my official resignation immediately , " Alpha Jude said , voice cold and steady . Then he turned to leave . Grace stood frozen between the two most important men in her life , breaking apart from the inside out . Her silent tears , the way her hand dangled , untouched , unwanted , felt like a blade to the chest . Mine broke along with hers . Ronan stood beside me , unmoving . Ryker quietly watched me from a distance . Not that I could look at either of them . Not when all I could think was : Why did their love have to end like this ? Grace didn't deserve this pain . All she did was love , truly , deeply . Not just any man , but the man who descended into a hellhole to rescue her . Maybe Jude thought walking away was protecting her , from having to choose between him and her father . Maybe it was duty , or respect , or pride . No matter the reason it was tearing them both apart . Until- " Jude " Alpha Gideon's voice rang out , sharp and commanding Jude stopped but didn't turn " You left something behind " Every head snapped to Alpha Gideon When Jude finally turned , he found Gideon holding Grace's hand again this time placing it firmly back into Jude's . Jude blinked , startled It was the first time I saw his mask crack Chapter 123 Storm Hadn't Passed Gideon bent and pressed a kiss to his daughter's head . " Live happily with your mate , Grace . " Mate ? The air punched from my lungs . Gasps burst through the crowd . Whispers echoed . My heart … it swelled . So it was true . They were soulmates . Fated . Bound by something ancient and sacred . But bound also by circumstances , and entangled relationships . Yet , in that moment , none of it mattered . Alpha Jude pulled Grace into his arms , not like someone fulfilling a duty , not like a man accepting a consequence , but like a man finally choosing what was his . Grace sobbed into his chest . Her whole body crumpled in relief , in joy , in disbelief . I smiled . A genuine , full - hearted smile . The way he held her … my heart fluttered like a schoolgirl watching a love confession . Around us the other Alphas , usually stern , unshakeable , burst into cheers and whistles . Alpha Hugo even let them . He didn't stop them . He just watched , arms crossed , a knowing smirk on his face . Alpha Gideon turned , expression unchanged , and addressed the hall . " Everyone get your injuries treated ." Then , his gaze flicked to Alpha Jude , " You too . " Alpha Jude stiffened slightly . Grace looked up in alarm . Alpha Gideon continued walking past them , adding flatly , " I will not tolerate any absences , or resignations . " My lips parted in quiet awe . It wasn't just forgiveness . It was acceptance . Permission . For the first time , it felt like the storm had passed . With a wide smile stretching across my face I watched them , Grace and Alpha Jude , finally in each other's arms . Their love won . For a second , it felt like their happiness was mine . Like the weight in my chest had lifted . Like someone had just handed me the ending I'd never dared to ask for . But then … I felt it . A gaze . I turned slightly and caught Finn watching me from across the hall . My smile instantly faltered . How long had he been looking at me like that ? Before I could process it , I instinctively glanced to the other side , only to find Asher's intense eyes fixed on me too . What the hell was going on ? Heat crawled up my neck , and I immediately decided not to look to my side , where Ronan stood . Because I was absolutely, one - hundred - percent sure he was watching too . Maybe not even blinking . The thought alone was enough to make my stomach knot . 7 2 Chapter 123 Storm Hadn't Passed So , I didn't look . I saved myself that embarrassment . I turned to leave instead , only to be snared by Ryker's eyes . Blue . Unmoving . Impossible to ignore . The moment our gazes locked , my steps slowed . His aura … it felt different now . Calmer , almost . Still what I remembered from the brothel , the way he beheaded Juan like a man possessed , like a beast who knew no mercy , that was something else entirely . They had never met before . So why kill him that way ? Nevermind that smile he gave me afterward … it hadn't been normal . I forced myself to look away and kept walking , trying to ignore the thrum of unease rising inside me . Only just as I passed , his wolf's presence brushed hard against mine . Phina shuddered . The feeling we'd both sensed before surged again , danger . Not imagined , not exaggerated . Real . Thick in the air like smoke before a fire . I turned my head again , instinct overriding caution . No smile this time . No expression at all . Yet his wolf had surfaced and the way his eyes looked at me , I felt it deep in my bones . That wasn't hatred . It wasn't even desire . It was claiming . Predatory . Possessive . Like a hunter watching his prey , waiting for the right moment to strike . I walked past him with a neutral face , but something inside me was trembling . And then , out of nowhere - Dante's voice screamed in my head . That terrifying day in the forest . His rage . The way he chased me like a ghost refusing to die . How had he even known my name? How much had he known about me ? He hated me . That much was obvious . But Ryker … no . Hate wasn't what I saw in him . It was something worse . Something darker . Something far more dangerous . Whatever it was , I didn't dare say it aloud . Still caught in that haze of fear and confusion , I returned to my dorm . Closed the door behind me without thinking . I froze . There sitting casually on my bed was Ronan . My heart jumped to my throat . 7 3 Chapter 123 Storm Hadn't Passed " What are you doing in my room ? " " Your room ? " he smiled , and tilted his head side handsomely , " You mean our room , right ? " The moonlight fell on my shocked state from the window as he bit his lip , " I am back , Seraphina ." Wait ! I Have Something to Say ! Send a Gift to the Writer !