Chapter 2: We are not suitable, let's cancel the engagement.
1166 Words
Chapter 2: We are not suitable, let's cancel the engagement.
(Seraphina's POV)
"Let's cancel the engagement," I repeated, my tone calm and unwavering.
As my words, I could see the shock rippling across their faces - my parents, the Volkovs, even the servants who had been hovering nearby.
Luna Cassandra Volkov was the first to recover. She rushed toward me, her face a mask of concern and barely concealed panic.
"Sera, dear," she said, reaching for my hands with trembling fingers. "You're just upset because Damien isn't here yet. We understand completely."
I stepped back politely, avoiding her touch. "I'm not upset, Luna Cassandra. I've simply realized that Damien and I are not suitable for each other."
"Not suitable?" Alpha Magnus Volkov's voice boomed across the ballroom. "You're speaking out of anger, child. When that boy returns, I'll make sure he apologizes properly."
His mate nodded frantically. "We've sent people to find him everywhere. He'll be here soon, and then everything will be fine."
I shook my head firmly. "His absence today only confirms what I already knew. We're not meant to be together."
Cassandra's expression shifted from concern to fury. Her carefully composed mask slipped, revealing the calculating woman beneath.
"Even as an Alpha's daughter, you'll never find a better mate than my son," she snapped, her voice dripping with venom.
"Damien is the heir to the Crimson Fang Pack. You'd be foolish to throw this away over a moment of wounded pride."
"Don't regret this decision when you're left with no other options," she added coldly.
I felt no anger at her words. In my past life, I might have been hurt or defensive. Now, I simply felt pity for her desperation.
Instead of responding to her insults, I turned to my parents. My father's face was unreadable, but I could see the wheels turning in his mind. My mother looked torn between concern and confusion.
"Mom, Dad," I said quietly. "I've made my decision. I want to cancel the engagement."
My Mother's eyes filled with worry. "Seraphina, are you certain? This is a big step. Maybe we should wait until Damien returns and you can talk things through."
But my father stepped forward, his Alpha authority radiating from him. He studied my face carefully, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation.
"Have you thought this through completely?" he asked, his voice steady and serious.
"Yes," I replied without hesitation. "I have."
My father nodded once, decisively. "Good."
The single word carried the weight of absolute finality. I felt a surge of gratitude toward my father for trusting my judgment without question.
Magnus's face turned red with rage. "Marcus, you can't be serious! The children have known each other for years. This is just a lovers' quarrel!"
"My daughter has made her choice," my father replied coldly. "The engagement is canceled."
Soon after, my parents descended to the main ballroom to make the announcement. I could hear the murmur of shocked voices rising from below as the news spread through the gathered guests.
The spacious Thornfield Private Lounge fell silent around me. I slowly sank back onto the velvet sofa, finally allowing myself to process what had just happened.
My mind drifted involuntarily to Kaelan Blackwood's face. Even in memory, his features were striking - sharp cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and an aura of quiet strength that commanded respect.
The image of him rushing into the flames at Shadowmere Manor flashed through my mind. His voice echoing through the smoke: "Sorry, Sera, I'm late."
A painful thought struck me. Was he still alive?
The possibility that he might have died trying to save me sent a sharp pang through my chest. In my past life, I had been so blind, so focused on Damien that I had dismissed Kaelan's feelings entirely.
He had confessed his love to me on my twenty-second birthday, and I had rejected him without a second thought. Yet when I needed him most, he had risked everything for me.
The weight of that sacrifice, that selfless love, pressed down on me like a stone.
A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts. The door opened to reveal a familiar and beautiful face that made my heart skip a beat.
"Talia," I breathed.
Talia Blackwood, Kaelan's sister also my best friend, stood in the doorway, her expression a mixture of disbelief and concern.
"Is it true?" she asked, stepping into the room. "Did you really cancel the engagement?"
Seeing Talia brought back a flood of memories from both my past and present life.
We had been inseparable since middle school, sharing secrets and dreams like true sisters.
But my obsession with Damien had driven a wedge between us. Talia had never liked him, had warned me repeatedly that he wasn't worthy of my devotion. Our friendship had grown strained as I chose Damien over her advice again and again.
Yet she had still come to my mating ceremony in my past life.
She had brought an expensive gift and cornered Damien privately, warning him to treat me well or face her wrath.
If she had known how Damien murdered me on our mating night, burning me alive in our Shadowmere Manor, it would have destroyed her.
"Sera?" Talia's voice brought me back to the present. "Are you okay?"
I forced a smile, pushing down the overwhelming emotions. "I'm fine. And yes, the engagement is off."
"Is he crazy?" Talia exploded, her fiery temper flaring instantly.
"What could possibly be more important than your engagement ceremony?"
Before I could answer, her eyes narrowed with sudden understanding. "Wait. Is this about that junior girl again?"
I nodded, confirming her suspicion.
"That bastard!" Talia cursed colorfully, her face flushing with anger. "I knew he was trouble. How dare he humiliate you like this!"
"It doesn't matter," I said with a shrug, surprising myself with how genuine my indifference felt. "I didn't want to get engaged to him anyway."
Talia stared at me in shock. "But just last week you were practically bouncing off the walls with excitement about the ceremony. You spent hours talking about your dress and the flowers and‚...."
She made a disgusted sound. "Ugh, don't remind me of all that gushing."
I laughed despite everything. "Talia, I'm serious. I've realized that I don't really like Damien that much. It was just habit, familiarity. Now that he's being ambiguous with other girls, I don't want to continue with him."
Talia studied my face intently, a slow smile spread across her features. "It's about time you came to your senses! That trash Damien doesn't deserve you."
Her eyes lit up with sudden enthusiasm. "Someday, I'll introduce you to someone better. Someone taller, more handsome, richer, and more devoted than Damien could ever be!"
"Okay," I agreed, chuckling at her declaration.
But even as I smiled, my thoughts drifted back to Kaelan. The Moon Goddess granted me a second chance at life. While revenge is important, I must also find my true happiness.
- Writer
