Draven's growling voice echoed in the room. They had just gone through a passionate phase of lovemaking for the first time, after four months of marriage.
The touch slowly flowed with a pervasive warmth, making Sera feel like she was bewitched by the intimacy she was experiencing for the first time.
Both of them did not care about anything else, other than diving into the turmoil that continued to burn their bodies. They did not care even though sweat was pouring down between them.
“Thank you for taking me in,” Draven said, as he kissed Sera’s eyes.
“You are my husband. Accompanying you and pleasing you is my duty,” Sera replied. Her words touched something in Draven's heart.
For the first time since Lilith left, Draven felt that he was not truly alone. He didn't know if he could love Sera like he loved Lilith, but he was determined to try and live his life with Sera.
Unbeknownst to both of them, somewhere far away from the Bloodclaw pack, Lilith who was rumoured to be dead was actually alive. She lay weak in a small room, being cared for by someone who kept her whereabouts a secret.
Her eyes opened slowly, and in her weakened state, she whispered, Draven, I miss you. I want us to be like before, filling our hearts with love.
***
3 days have passed. Draven and Sera's relationship was getting better. They did not even hesitate to show their affection in front of the pack members.
“I'm glad to see they can be that romantic.”
“I'm sure, soon this pack will be bustling with the presence of the pack's future Alpha and his younger siblings.”
“I can't wait for that day to come.”
Such were the comments of several pack members who were happy to see Draven and Sera's romance.
That night the air in the Bloodclaw Pack' s great hall was warm. Many guests were present to attend Draven and Seraphina Moonveil's wedding reception.
“Darling, I'm sorry for always hurting you,” Draven said, as he looked at the beautiful Sera in her simple yet elegant wedding dress. “Only now can I give you this wedding reception.”
Sera turned her head towards her husband, then came closer. Caressing her husband's cheek, she said, “It's okay, Draven. I can understand your situation.”
Draven kissed Sera's palm as he closed his eyes. “Thank you, dear. Thank you for understanding me and not giving up on me.”
Back then, they were married in a closed ceremony, witnessed only by a few pack members. But tonight, Sera smiled broadly beside Draven. All pack members as well as invitees from other packs were coming and would know that Alpha Draven now had Luna.
After four months of hardship, Sera felt this was the end of her waiting and patience. Draven had finally expressed his willingness to move on with her, no matter how much Lilith's shadow haunted his life.
“Come on, let's get to the courtyard,” Draven urged.
Sera smiled and clung to Darven's right arm. They walked towards the courtyard where the reception would be held.
Some of the invited guests were already entering the party area. They quickly approached the handsome and beautiful couple of Draven and Seraphina Moonveil.
“Congratulations on your marriage,” said Alpha Alden of the Crimson Pack. “Here's a gift for you.”
Draven smiled broadly. “Thank you, Alden. I'm glad you wanted to come to my wedding.”
The party atmosphere was lively and festive. Draven even danced with Sera. Sera felt that she was needed by her husband, and even the hope of being loved bloomed.
The party was not over yet and the guests were still having fun in the middle of the dance, Draven had already invited Sera to their room.
“It seems like I'm getting addicted to your body. I can’t even sleep if I don't make love to you first,” Draven said.
Sera lightly punched her husband's arm while holding back a smile. “Aren't you ashamed to talk like that? Look, there are still many people here. You are indeed a naughty Alpha.”
Draven laughed and looked at his wife. “I want you right now.”
They decided to leave the event. Just as they were about to enter the Bloodclaw packhouse, a messenger suddenly approached Draven and Sera with his breath caught in his throat.
“What’s wrong?” asked Draven with a serious face.
“I ... I ...,” the messenger hesitated to relay his findings, as Sera was there.
Not just Draven and Sera, but all eyes were on the messenger.
Sera realised that her presence made the messenger hesitate to speak. “Just tell me. I won't do anything.”
The man fell silent while normalising his breathing. He looked at Draven and Sera in turn, but he had to deliver this news.
“Alpha Draven,” he said in a trembling voice, “I received word that Miss Lilith is still alive.”
The words were like a thunderbolt striking Sera's heart, while Draven stood transfixed with his eyes wide.
The world seemed to spin for Draven. His brain tried to digest the fact that Lilith, his long-sought mate, was still breathing.
“Where is she?” asked Draven in a low voice. “Tell me quickly.”
Sera turned her head towards Draven. The big happy smile Draven had shown at the wedding reception was gone. At first glance, there was an enthusiastic look on his face.
“She was found at the northern border, in a weakened condition. She has a mysterious illness. My warriors and I have taken her to a Healer, as her illness must be cured by magic.”
Sera could feel the chill of silence that came over Draven. His normally stern eyes were now filled with emotions. Draven turned his head towards Sera, as if to say something, but the words seemed to get stuck in his throat.
Not wanting to waste any time, Draven walked away leaving Sera standing transfixed, enduring the heart-wrenching pain. Apparently, the happiness and hope only lasted for three days. All the guests were silent.
Sera felt that her life would return to darkness, just like the past 4 months. Moreover, now Lilith appeared, no longer as a shadow, but in real form.
While her mood was in turmoil, Rowan, her best friend since childhood approached, placing a hand on her shoulder gently. “Sera, you're okay right? You can't be weak. Don't let this situation bring you down.”
Sera smiled faintly at her best friend, but tears welled up in her eyes. ‘I'm honestly not okay, Rowan. How could I possibly compete with the woman who became Draven's true love?’ she whispered softly, only Rowan could hear.
Meanwhile at the home of a Healer named Damien, Draven stares at the figure of Lilith, the woman he loved with all his heart.
Her once bright face now looked pale, her body thin and weak. But Lilith's eyes still had that familiar glow, triggering a storm of emotions within him.
“Lilith …” he whispered. “It's not an illusion is it?”
Lilith tried to smile while shaking her head. “It's not. I'm real, Draven,” she said weakly, her voice barely audible. “I miss you.”
Draven immediately hugged Lilith's frail body tightly, channeling the millions of longings that had consumed him for the past six months.
“I missed you more,” Draven said. The sound of sobs echoed in the room.
Meanwhile, Sera chose to be alone by the quiet lake, away from the bustling pack. The image of Draven leaving her without saying anything, kept replaying in her mind.
It reminded her of the harsh reality that her love might never be reciprocated.
“Sera! Where are you?”
Sera closed her eyes. She knew it was Rowan's voice that was looking for her.
It wasn't long before Rowan's voice was heard again in Sera's ear, even though the distance was very close.
“I finally found you, Sera,” Rowan said, then sat down next to Sera. “You mustn't give up. You are his wife. Luna is for the Bloodclaw pack. While she is just your husband's past. You have far more right to Draven.”
“What's the point?” replied Sera in a broken voice. “Lilith is back, and I won't be able to compete with her, Rowan. She is my husband's true love, while I am only a second chance.”
“Don't even think that,” Rowan said firmly. “Draven must understand that Lilith is a thing of the past and you must be firm as his wife.”
“I understand that. But I will give Draven time. Let Draven think about who he needs to be as a woman. If he chooses Lilith, I will give up.”
