Chapter 0228

My fingers tighten around Seraphina's arm as I pull her away from the cells, putting distance between us and Victor. "What do you mean he's telling the truth? He was standing over her body."

She doesn't flinch. "He admits to being there. But every word he just said was true. Valeria confirms it."

No. No, this can't be right. My entire life has been built on hunting the man who murdered my mother, and now—what? He didn't do it? The ground feels unsteady beneath me.

"Then why was he there?" My voice is rough. I rake a hand through my hair, pacing. "Why was he holding her?"

Seraphina steps closer, her hands closing over mine. "I don't know. But he's the only one who can tell us."

I search her eyes. "You're certain?"

"Completely."

Fuck. All these years. All this rage. I've been torturing an innocent man.

I drag in a sharp breath. "If he lies—even once—you tell me."

"Of course, Sebastian." Her palm cups my cheek, and I lean into her touch like it's the only thing keeping me grounded.

"Always," she murmurs.

I press a kiss to her palm before releasing her. "Always, little angel."

When we return, I drag two chairs over, pulling Seraphina into my lap the moment I sit. I need her scent, her warmth, to keep the storm inside me at bay. She settles against me without protest, and only then do I meet Victor's gaze.

"You said it's a long story. Start from the beginning."

Victor

Why now? After years of torture, why does this arrogant Alpha suddenly want the truth? I don't want to relive this. But if it means clearing my name—if it means exposing Lucian Blackwood's lies, even in death—I'll do it.

I lower myself onto the thin mattress in my cell. "Do you know why I was banished?"

The Guardian—Seraphina—shakes her head, but Sebastian answers. "Your Alpha exiled you because your father betrayed the pack."

That's the story Lucian fed everyone. That my father turned traitor, murdered my younger brother and the Alpha heir, Leopold. That Lucian, in his mercy, spared my life.

Every word of it was a lie.

"That's the story Lucian told to save face." My hands clench. "Do you want the truth?"

Seraphina shifts slightly against Sebastian. "Yes. We do."

I scrub my face, then begin.

"I was twelve. My brother Tristan was fifteen, training to take our father's place as Beta. Leopold Blackwood was worse than his father—a spoiled, vicious brat who thought being an Alpha heir made him a god."

"Leopold was seventeen when it happened. He and his friends took Tristan into the woods. I don't know if it was planned or just bad luck, but they stumbled across a mother cougar and her cubs."

"Leopold ordered my brother to prove his worth as Beta by protecting him. Then he ran. Left Tristan alone against an enraged predator defending her young." My throat tightens. "My father and I found him torn apart. Claw marks shredded his body."

"My father confronted Lucian and Leopold. Leopold claimed if Tristan had been worthy, he'd have survived. Lucian said my father failed to raise a strong Beta." A bitter laugh escapes me. "My father snapped. He challenged Leopold to a duel."

"Lucian forbade it, but Leopold accepted. My father won. And in his grief—his rage—he didn't let Leopold yield. He killed him."