Chapter 552 - Sera, thank you for saving my life
Voren’s soft gaze landed on his wife, and the tension that had filled the conference room moments earlier eased just a little whenever he looked at her.
"Tell us."
Seraphine took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before looking at Voren. The room had gone unusually quiet, everyone waiting for her to explain what had been running through her mind.
"If Corvine is going to the Silver Moon Pack in a week, then he could find a way to get the truth from King Jaron."
Her words pulled Voren deeper into thought. That had been his plan all along, and he was glad Seraphine had reached the same conclusion even before he shared it with her. There was something reassuring about knowing they were thinking along the same lines, especially with so many unanswered questions hanging over them.
"That’s what I planned before, but the knowledge about the involvement of blood to activate the crown blew my mind."
Seraphine could understand why. The crown had already been surrounded by enough mystery, and now they had learned that blood was somehow connected to its power. There was still so much they didn’t know, and every answer seemed to open the door to another question.
"You don’t have to worry about that. If we get the crown and there is a need to activate it, I can do so."
"No."
The firmness in Voren’s voice made Seraphine look at him. His expression had hardened, and the softness that had been in his eyes only moments earlier was gone. He wasn’t willing to entertain the idea for even a second.
"You are pregnant with twins, so I’m not allowing you to give your blood under any circumstance."
Seraphine couldn’t argue with him. Deep down she knew exactly why he was reacting that way. Voren had spent so much time worrying about her and the babies that even the thought of her putting herself at risk was enough to bring out the protective side of him.
"But Aunt Madison can help, right?" Corvine reminded him.
Seraphine’s eyes lit up instantly. The possibility gave her a small sense of relief. "Indeed, my mom can," she agreed, but when she noticed how distant Voren suddenly looked, the relief on her face faded slightly.
"What’s the matter?"
Voren combed his fingers through his hair, frustration growing as he tried to put everything together. His mind had been running nonstop since learning about the crown, the Lycans, King Jaron, and everything else that seemed connected.
"I honestly think Espe is still different from you both, but if things go as planned, we can test the crown whichever way."
Athaliah let out a long breath, relieved that they had at least found another possible solution. "In that case, I should go prepare to leave."
She glanced between them before continuing, already thinking about everything she needed to put in order. "I need to set things in place before taking another long leave, and Corvine, can you tell Zane to hasten the software? It will make it easier for me to work remotely."
Before Corvine could assure her, Seraphine took the words right out of his mouth. "Don’t worry. We are going to New York too, and I’ll help Zane finalize it quickly."
Athaliah’s face softened immediately. "Thank you, Sera." She stepped forward and embraced Seraphine warmly, holding her for a moment longer than necessary.
There was genuine affection in the hug. "I’ll be working on all your clothes for the coronation too, but if Corvine is going to the Silver Moon Pack, then I’ll go with him."
Corvine’s expression softened. He hadn’t expected that. Her presence would give him comfort since he technically had no friends at the Silver Moon Pack.
Going there alone, knowing he would have to deal with King Jaron and whatever secrets were waiting for him, was something he had been trying not to think too much about. Having Athaliah beside him made the thought considerably easier to bear.
Voren noticed the look that crossed Corvine’s face and made the decision without hesitation. "In that case, Corvine, you will be on the next chopper with Athaliah, Jasmine, and the kids. After dropping you off in New York, you can put her on the jet to France and have the chopper return to pick us up."
Seraphine blinked, surprise immediately crossing her face. "We aren’t going together?"
The mischievous look in Voren’s eyes made her smile despite herself. There was something about that expression that told her he had already thought several steps ahead.
"We have to take care of a few things here, and I’ll have enough security around the company and mansion."
Corvine, however, wasn’t convinced. "Voren, is there something you aren’t telling me?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Voren. Voren never mentioned tight security throughout their stay in New York, especially when Corvine was there to protect the kids.
If Voren was suddenly concerned enough to increase security around both the company and the mansion, there had to be a reason.
The atmosphere in the room changed again. Voren’s expression became more serious as he considered how much he should reveal.
"Well, you forgot that Lycans can also take human forms just like us, and from what I heard from Killian, they might be the ones ruling the underworld, meaning the mafia."
Silence followed. The words settled heavily over the room. All the pieces of information Voren had gotten were finally beginning to fall into place on their own. The more he connected them, the less comfortable he became.
His thoughts returned to Santiago. He remembered the man’s strength, the way he had carried himself, and the feeling that there had been something different about him from the very beginning.
Voren’s jaw tightened. No, maybe he was just overthinking it. But even if he was, he wasn’t willing to take the risk. He wouldn’t leave any stone unturned.
Corvine was leaving with Athaliah when he suddenly stopped. He stood there for a moment with his back to the conference room before something seemed to pull him back.
He turned around and hurried back inside, his footsteps quick against the floor. Before anyone could ask what he wanted, he went straight to Seraphine and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"Sera, thank you for saving my life."
The emotion in his voice was impossible to miss. Seraphine hugged him back just as tightly, a smile breaking through her expression as she squeezed him.
"Did you think I’ll allow you to die? Dream on."
A laugh escaped Corvine. The heaviness that had followed them through the conversation finally broke for a moment. He pulled away, his grin returning as he looked at her one last time before leaving.
Seraphine watched him go before slowly turning toward Voren. The moment they were alone, her curiosity returned.
"Are you going to tell me everything you got from Noelle and Chuck?"
Voren took a deep breath. Instead of answering immediately, he stepped closer and lifted her into his arms. Seraphine gave a small gasp of surprise before instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.
The familiar warmth of his body settled some of the tension that had been sitting in her chest. She rested against him while he carried her, waiting for the answer she had been asking for.
"Let me shower and get something to eat. I’ll tell you on the way."
Seraphine felt guilty. The moment she thought about it, her heart sank. Throughout last night she hadn’t even seen Voren eat, and her focus had been entirely on the kids.
She had been so consumed with everything happening around them that she had forgotten the man who had been carrying just as much weight on his shoulders. "I’m so sorry. I should have considered your needs too."
Voren didn’t mind at all. He looked down at her, and the tension in his features softened. There was no accusation in his eyes, only the same tenderness he always had whenever she worried about putting him first.
"No, Sera, you are the one who needs taking care of."
His words made something warm spread through her chest.
An hour later they had both showered, and Voren had eaten enough before they set out.
The atmosphere had changed by then. The urgency of the earlier conversation hadn’t disappeared but being alone together made everything feel slightly less overwhelming.
"So, where are we going?" Seraphine asked, Voren smirked as he glanced at her. He was looking so yummy in the casual shirt he wore that it made him less intimidating and somehow even sexier.
Without the formal clothes that gave out an intimidating look, there was something more relaxed about him, something that made it much harder for Seraphine to look away. Her eyes lingered on him for a second longer than she intended. Voren caught it, and the corner of his mouth lifted higher.
"Can’t you guess?"