CHAPTER 2: SERENA'S JEALOUSY

Evelyn POV.

Suddenly, I was woken from a deep and restless slumber by a hard knock at the solid wood door. I had scarcely stepped into my room that was so cold, so new, and not like home at all. A harder knock—this time—came at the door.

I hesitated before opening it. Outside stood a woman I had seen briefly at the mating ceremony, her piercing green eyes scanning me with something sharp and unreadable. But I didn’t need to guess—I already knew.

She was beautiful. Men were left speechless by the beauty in their sight of it. He has long, dark hair, and a strong jawline. His lips always curl with an understanding smile.'... She exhibited an unwavering sense of self-worth and strength, with her shoulders facing upwards, and her chin touching the ground.

Despite its beauty, I could detect the presence of venom.

“You must be Evelyn.” Her voice was smooth, pleasant even. But there was something else beneath it.

I nodded off, swallowing the edge of the door. “You must be Serena.”

Again, her glories smirked deeper. “I see Kieran has mentioned me.”

“He hasn’t.”

That drove a shadow across her face, but instantly she lightly laughed. “That's like him. He has very little to talk about; it’s his gesture that—speaks volumes.”

All those words could only fuel an uncomfortable silence from my side. I was no more light-headed. Fiona knew who she was—that woman in Kieran's life long before he met me.

Serena's eyes fast, friantically ran over my form, calculating quietly while just looking into mine. "You are his mate, but not yet his Luna."

It caused a pang of pain through my chest, but I held expression. "It's up to Kieran to decide that."

"Oh, but he's already decided." She approached, wearing a veneer of expensive cologne, almost for the laugh. "Kieran doesn't want you, Evelyn. This bond is meaningless to him."

I cleared my throat and faced her. "Here I still stand. That does prove it otherwise."

For a second, something flickered in her eyes—annoyance? Amusement? I couldn’t tell. But then, she smiled, and it wasn’t a friendly one. “You won’t last here.”

I stiffened.

"So you think that just coming up and claiming whatever in this pack is within your purview?" She challenged, coming in even closer and, thereby, whispering. Kieran and I have been together for every year. He loves me.

I felt a pain, sharp and hot, and left it unattended. "And why doesn't he do anything about this simple fact?"

Serena's eyes shone darkly for a moment but then were rapidly eclipsed by laughter and another smile. "Well, because he's been waiting. For the right moment. And little there are you today," she said, very low and full of bitterness. "Bonding is not loving, Evelyn. It is a hindrance for you."

I pushed the dregs of fear down my throat and said: "We will see."

The twist in Serena’s smile stayed, but the challenge in her eyes just burned. "Oh, yes. We will."

Then Serena walked away, tall and confident, without another word except the sound of her high heels clicking on the wooden floor.

I heard out the door after her, my back pressed hard against it, my heart leaping in my chest.

Serena was a problem. A menacing one. And I felt she was not going to let me walk out of Kieran’s life without putting up a good fight.

Serena stormed into Kieran's office without knocking, as usual. He barely looked up from the papers that were piled on his desk.

"What is it, Serena?" His voice sounded rather impatient and dismissive.

He hated that tone. Hated all the changes since Evelyn walked through his door.

"I chinwagged with the little missus of yours." She stacked her arms and glared hard into his face. "Stubborn girl. Could have been rejected by you."

"Serena," Kieran began heavily and rubbed, "This is a question without a simple answer."

"Really why not?" She moved in closer, whispering even lower: "You don't want her. She's weak, meaningless in this house."

Kieran clenched his mouth tightly but gave no denial.

Serena smiled, “Look at that, you know I’m right.” Her hand touched his arm lightly again. “I just don’t know why you let this happen. We were great. There is still a chance to be great."

Kieran exhaled sharply, a little uneasy at the pain easing. He moved a bit out of her touch, “This isn't about you.”

Her fingers bit into her palms, pulling away from each other. "Maybe not, but it’s about us. You are throwing everything away because of that stupid mate bond."

His look was severe. "The bond means nothing when you belong with me." Her heart leapt up and just inhaled, "Prove it."

Kieran frowned. "How?"

Serena smiled largely at this. "Let me solve it."

He glanced at her, something unreadable passing through his eyes. Then Kieran nodded to her and finally allowed, "Do what you have to do. Just do not cross the line."

Her grin became broader. "Oh, Kieran. I never do."

An Accidental Fall

The next morning, I left my room early, knowing that as long as Kieran and Serena stayed apart, things should go pretty well. But, then, the pack house was a big place, all rock walls, and long, winding hallways which made me feel more lost than at home.

As I was on the upper stairs, I sensed something slippery underfoot.

I was unable to maintain my balance and foothold before I could do anything. The world appeared to be tumbling, with my breath being trapped in my throat. The wooden steps hurried up towards me, and my side was in pain as I tumbled down after hitting them.

I was stung so badly in my ankle that by the time I reached the bottom, I couldn't look anything up.

A shadow loomed over me.

I muttered, and she was present.'

Standing at the top of the stairs, Serena attempted to remain unemotional but felt tingly in her eyes. She gasped and asked: "No way!" She then placed her hand on her chest. "Are you alright?".

I trembled, eager to sit up straight, but the pain was relentless. The throbbing in my ankle indicated that I had bruises on my ribcage.

Serena slowly descended the stairs, her steps smooth and steady as if on the back of a queen returning from court. She sat beside me, her hands touching mine with ease.

“You need to be more careful,” she murmured, her lips curving into a smile only for me. “These stairs may be so… dangerous.”

My belly twisted.

She did this.

I didn’t realize how, but I knew.

And as I stared into her emerald-green eyes, a cold consciousness settled deep in my bones.

Serena wasn’t just looking to push me out of Kieran’s life.

She wanted to destroy me.