Chapter 27

Seris’s POV

I walked down the familiar hallways, descended the old staircase, and headed straight for the kitchen. The murmur of voices grew louder as I approached the doorway, pack members deep in their evening meal. I paused at the threshold, my breath catching as the chatter cut off and dozens of eyes swiveled toward me. For a moment, I froze, heart hammering. Would they lash out? Curse me? Laugh? Hurl insults—or worse? My legs trembled at the thought of their reaction. Then, just as abruptly, they all returned to eating, as if I’d never arrived.

I exhaled, relief flooding me, and scanned the room for Kaien. He wasn’t here. I was about to turn away when a gentle hand on my back startled me—I yelped as someone pulled me into a warm embrace. “Relax, Seris, it’s me,” Kaien says softly. I whirled around and hugged him fiercely. I’d missed this—his presence, our conversations, the comfort of his arms. He rubbed my hair, breathing in my scent. “I missed you so much,”