Seraphina POV:
A deafening roar, not of sound but of pure will, echoed in the cathedral of my skull.
It was the howl of my awakened wolf, a cry of pure, destructive rage.
I reached up and with a single, vicious tug, tore the pure white veil from my head.
The delicate lace ripped, falling to the stone floor like dirty snow.
Julian reached out to touch me, his face a mask of feigned panic.
"Seraphina, what are you doing?" he asked.
I ignored him and moved with a speed that sent a collective gasp through the stunned onlookers.
I grabbed the silver ceremonial sword resting on the altar.
I gripped the leather-wrapped hilt, but the intricate silver of the crossguard still radiated a faint, searing heat against my skin that my healing abilities fought to ignore. I didn't care.
I leaped off the altar steps and charged at the cloaked intruder.
The intruder stumbled back, raising their hands in fear.
I swung the silver blade, catching the thick fabric of the cloak.
With a sharp pull, I sliced the tie at the neck.
The heavy cloak fell away, revealing the person hiding beneath.
The foul scent of the witch's brew faded instantly.
It was replaced by the sickeningly sweet scent of crushed roses and honey.
It was the undeniable scent of an Omega.
Elara stood there, shivering in a loose tunic that was far too large for her.
She let out a high-pitched scream.
Her voice was no longer rough, but delicate and distinctly female.
"How dare a filthy Rogue disrupt a sacred Mating Ceremony?" I yelled.
I stepped closer, the fury emanating from me a palpable, shimmering heat.
"You dare wear male clothing to ruin the reputation of a high-ranking female?"
I reached out and grabbed the collar of her tunic.
With one fierce pull, I tore the fabric down her shoulder.
Her slight, fragile Omega frame was thus laid bare before the assembly.
I grabbed the bone crown holding up her hair and crushed it in my hand.
Her long, golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall.
As the whispers grew louder, I took a half-second to focus my will, sending a silent, urgent command through the Mind-Link to my most trusted guard hiding in the shadows of the cathedral pillars.
The heavy pressure of my dominant aura crashed down on her.
Elara's knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the uneven, mortar-dusted flagstones, a small cloud of ancient dust rising around her as she sobbed.
The mood in the cathedral shifted in a heartbeat.
The Pack members who were whispering about my purity a moment ago were now disgusted by her.
An Omega masquerading as a male to sabotage a noble wedding was an unforgivable offense.
I raised my hand and slapped Elara across the face.
The sound echoed loudly against the high vaulted ceilings.
"Who gave you the courage to frame a Warrior general's daughter?" I demanded.
My mind raced with the memories of my past life.
In that timeline, Julian was supposed to step in right now to play the hero.
He was supposed to calm the crowd and save her from the Warriors.
Elara sat on the floor, biting her lip so hard it bled, refusing to speak.
I took a deep breath, preparing to use my Alpha's Command.
The vocal power would force her into immediate submission.
Before I could speak the command, a heavy force shoved me from the side.
Julian pushed me away with all his strength.
He quickly took off his expensive suit jacket and wrapped it tightly around Elara's trembling shoulders.
His scent of damp earth covered her sweet rose scent.
"Have you lost your mind, Seraphina?" Julian yelled at me.
He glared at me, his eyes full of anger.
"She is just a weak Omega, there is no need for such vicious cruelty!"
*His protectiveness was a confession louder than any words. A true mate wrongfully accused would demand answers—not shield the accuser. My fingers tightened on the sword's hilt as the last piece of the puzzle clicked into place. *
