Chapter 536 Focus on what your heart wants

Athaliah took a quiet moment to think about the question before giving an honest answer, her voice soft but steady.

“I do. It’s hard not to like him once you really get to know him.” Up until now, she never thought she could like anyone the way she was beginning to like Corvine.

The first night they talked about business all through was the beginning but after he got injured, she even realized there was more to what she felt.

At that moment, she thought she was going to lose him before she even knew him and could not help imagining living without him.

She had slept in his room for two nights and he respected her. When she used the bathroom, he would excuse her entirely, and he even stood against her father for her.

A shy smile found its way onto her face as her eyes softened with the memory that had stayed with her ever since that time.

“When I hugged him after he regained consciousness, I felt his heart beating.” She unconsciously placed a hand over her own chest, as if she could still feel the echo of it. “It was beating for me. Sera, it was so strong that it honestly scared me a little.”

Her cheeks turned pink under the weight of the admission. Seraphine studied her expression carefully, taking in every detail. There was real affection in Athaliah’s eyes, and clear hope, but there was fear sitting right alongside them too.

She tilted her head gently. “You look worried. What’s bothering you?” Seraphine wanted to help, and she loved that Voren decided on making Corvine his Co-Alpha to keep him at the pack.

When she left this pack that night with Corvine on her tail, she never imagined a non-romantic relationship so deep between them, especially when they had worked together in this very pack for ages.

Athaliah nodded before letting out a slow breath that seemed to carry some of the tension with it. “It’s complicated.”

Seraphine smiled reassuringly and squeezed Athaliah’s hand with quiet encouragement.

“You can tell me. If we’re going to be friends, we shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.”

Athaliah’s smile widened at that. She appreciated how easy Seraphine made it to open up, like the pressure of holding everything in had finally eased a little.

“Then I’ll tell you.” She gathered her thoughts carefully before continuing. “You’ve probably heard of Love Wolves.”

Seraphine nodded. “A little.” At the academy, her specialty was werewolf traditional medicine, so she never dug so deep into history.

Athaliah looked out the window for a moment, watching the snow and the people still working beyond the glass. “My wolf is different from most. I’m physically strong, but she isn’t.”

Seraphine blinked, clearly not expecting that. “What do you mean?”

“My wolf wasn’t born for battle.” Athaliah’s smile turned bittersweet as she spoke. “That’s the reason my father has always insisted I marry an Alpha. They’re stronger and can protect me when I can’t protect myself.”

Understanding slowly dawned on Seraphine as the pieces clicked into place. No wonder Athaliah settled in France.

“So, you’re saying your wolf can’t fight?” In the werewolf community, that wasn’t so much of a problem but in Athaliah’s case, it was. Most of the Lunas were not strong, not because they were weak, but because they were trained that way.

Alphas were strong so of what need was it to have a physically strong Luna? Seraphine had a different understanding, never conforming to the academy’s mediocre standard, as it made the Lunas completely dependent on their Alphas.

Athaliah finally released the breath she’d unknowingly been holding. “Exactly.” A helpless little laugh escaped her. “One day we’ll let our wolves out together. Then you’ll understand. My wolf, Carys, is beautiful, so emotional, and completely uninterested in violence.”

Seraphine finally understood why the Alpha King had reacted so strongly to the idea of his daughter choosing freely. He wasn’t trying to control her life out of pure stubbornness.

He was trying to protect her the only way he knew how. Any father would worry under those circumstances, especially when the one he loved most carried a vulnerability she couldn’t simply train away.

She gently rubbed Athaliah’s hand in quiet support. “Corvine isn’t weak, and if you truly have feelings for him, you’ll also have the entire Grimroot Pack protecting you.” She shrugged lightly, keeping her tone open. “But the decision is yours.”

Athaliah sighed, the sound carrying a weight she hadn’t fully voiced yet. “Even if my father eventually agrees, he’ll make Corvine fight with any other Alpha he’s already chosen for me, and that’s what scares me.”

Seraphine intertwined their fingers more firmly and gave them a reassuring squeeze.

“I think you’re looking too far ahead. Focus on what your heart wants. The rest…” She glanced toward Corvine outside, still working steadily alongside the others in the cold. “Leave that to fate. And the Corvine I know, has a habit of surprising people.”

Athaliah couldn’t stop herself from smiling at that. She stared at Corvine for another moment, watching the way he moved with quiet focus, before turning back to Seraphine with a change in her expression.

“There’s actually something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

Seraphine raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking. “What is it?”

Athaliah’s smile became teasing as she leaned back against her seat. “Hypothetically, if Alpha Voren had never existed, who would’ve been your love interest? Secondly, would you have ever given Alpha Ravyn a second chance?”

“Never.”

The answer came so quickly and firmly that Athaliah almost laughed out loud. Seraphine didn’t hesitate for even a second.

“When I’m done with something, I don’t go back.” Her expression turned solemn as the weight of the past settled over her. “Maybe, if he hadn’t ordered our daughter killed, and if everything else hadn’t happened, his parents might’ve been the only reason I’d even consider speaking to him again.”

Athaliah nodded thoughtfully, her gaze drifting toward Ravyn in the distance. He stood alone looking every bit like a broken man who had finally run out of places to hide from himself.

“I was wondering. Seeing how miserable and full of regret he’s become, I thought maybe you’d still feel conflicted.”

Seraphine slowly shook her head, a faint, bitter smile appearing on her lips.

“Conflicted? I spent years suffering because of him. What he’s experiencing now, is nothing compared to what he put me through.”

Athaliah studied her for a few quiet seconds before letting out a soft laugh that held no judgment, only clear admiration.

“You really can be ruthless.” Then she pointed playfully at Seraphine, her eyes sparkling with renewed curiosity. “But you still haven’t answered my first question.”