At the lab, Damon stayed close the entire time, his presence steady and watchful, but overbearing, though it was clear he wasn’t taking any chances, especially not when it came to Seraphine.

He made sure she ate properly, watching until she finished her meal, instead of brushing it off like she tended to do. What truly caught him off guard was Bryan because the boy didn’t just sit there quietly.

He ate with them, calm and cooperative, as though he wasn’t that picky boy who always preferred pancakes above all else. He was devouring the meat balls in Seraphine’s plate like they were meant for him.

The hours passed almost unnoticed, swallowed by the quiet rhythm of work and conversation, until Bryan’s energy began to fade, his small body struggling to keep up as sleep slowly pulled at him, his eyes growing heavier with every passing minute.

Seraphine noticed it and quickly informed Damon, "It’s getting late, take Bryan to bed."

Damon hesitated, not because he didn’t agree, but because leaving her alone even for something this simple didn’t sit right with him, his protective instincts refusing to settle as his eyes lingered on her.

He exhaled slowly before speaking, his voice low with concern. "I can have someone else do it. I don’t like leaving you alone."

A faint smile curved along Seraphine’s lips, calm yet firm, carrying that unspoken assurance that she was more than capable of handling herself. She met his gaze without wavering as she said, "I’m done for today, and tomorrow I’ll start testing while making more of Bryan’s serum, so you don’t need to worry. When you’re done, meet me in the east woods. I’m going for a run."

Damon studied her for a brief moment longer, reluctant but ultimately giving in. With a small nod, he agreed, though the hesitation in his expression didn’t fully disappear as he took Bryan with him and left the lab.

Seraphine didn’t linger once everything was settled, stepping out into the night where the air felt cooler, lighter, reminding her of what she left behind.

The path toward the east woods stretched ahead, quiet but not empty, and it didn’t take long before the murmurs began, low voices rising just enough for her to hear.

"It’s just like the rumors... she really has no shame."

The words slipped through the air, followed by a scoff that carried more contempt than subtlety. "Came crawling back, just like we said."

Another voice joined in, sharper, laced with satisfaction. "I heard Alpha Ravyn doesn’t even look at her anymore."

Seraphine didn’t slow, didn’t turn, didn’t give them even a fraction of her attention, her steps steady and unbothered as though their words didn’t exist, even when the tension beneath her calm exterior stirred faintly.

Inside her, Marsha’s presence rose, restless and eager, a low growl echoing through her mind. I want to see their blood.

Seraphine ignored her, refusing to give that instinct even the slightest opening, and continued walking as though nothing had been said, her focus fixed ahead until one of them stepped forward and blocked her path.

"Luna Sera... you’re back?" the girl asked, her expression carefully composed, yet the flicker in her eyes betrayed her curiosity and judgment all the same.

Seraphine’s gaze settled on her, calm but piercing enough to make the air feel heavier, and when she spoke, her voice carried a quiet authority that didn’t need to be raised. "Why do you call me Luna? I’m no longer your Luna."

The girl faltered, her lips parting as if to respond, but Seraphine didn’t give her the chance, continuing smoothly, her tone even yet edged with something unmistakable. "I came here as a doctor, and if you upset me, the families affected by that chemical exposure may never recover."

A brief pause followed, her eyes sweeping over the small group in front of her, letting the weight of her words settle properly before she added, softer but far more chilling, "I can promise you that."

Silence fell immediately, thick and suffocating, as whatever the girl intended to say vanished completely, and within seconds, they reached out through the mindlink, rushing to Daisy to confirm the truth of what they had just heard.

Seraphine didn’t wait for anything else, moving past them without another glance as the forest gradually swallowed the lingering tension behind her, the sounds of the pack fading until only the quiet of the woods remained.

When she finally reached deeper into the east woods, the stillness wrapped around her fully, untouched and calm, and without hesitation, she began removing her clothes, placing them carefully over a branch before stepping back, her body already responding to the anticipation building beneath her skin.

Marsha surged forward eagerly, the excitement impossible to contain, and the transformation followed almost instantly, her bones cracking and reforming as her human form gave way to something far more powerful, smooth skin replaced by pristine white fur that gleamed faintly under the moonlight.

Every sense sharpened at once, the world expanding into something vivid and alive, from the faint rustle of leaves to the distant movement of creatures hidden in the dark.

Her tail lifted, her claws extending as her paws met the ground with weight and purpose, and the growl that rose from her chest carried a deep satisfaction that couldn’t be mistaken.

It feels good to be in control, Marsha murmured, her presence fully awakened as she moved through the woods, each step filled with strength, with freedom, with something intoxicating that made it almost impossible to resist.

Seraphine let herself sink beneath that control, allowing her wolf to take over completely for the first time in months, and with it came a wave of relief that spread through her entire being, her body finally free from the constant restraint she had forced upon it for far too long.

Time passed unnoticed as Marsha roamed, the woods bending around her presence, until eventually, the energy began to settle and she began to shift back into human form slowly until Seraphine stood human once more, her breathing steady as she reached for her clothes.

Then she stopped.

A scent lingered in the air, unfamiliar yet powerful, tugging at something instinctive deep within her.

Sera... let’s hunt, Marsha murmured, her tone darker now, edged with excitement. I smell a Fenrir wolf.

A flicker of alarm ran through Seraphine as another shift began to occur immediately, forced by her wolf, but she knew exactly what that could mean if Marsha lost control, and she pushed back without hesitation. No, Marsha, let me take over.

But the moment had already taken hold.

Marsha had already taken over moving towards the threat before Seraphine could fully stop her, silent and precise as she followed the scent, tracking it with ease until the source finally came into view, and without giving it a second thought, she lunged forward, slamming the Fenrir wolf to the ground and pinning it beneath her weight, her fangs lowering, ready to end it in a single strike.

Stop.

Seraphine forced a shift back into human form again, ripping control away at the last possible second, halting the attack just before it could land, her entire body tense from the effort it took to regain control.

At that same moment, the wolf beneath her shifted, and Seraphine stepped back quickly, her breath catching as shock spread across her face the instant recognition hit.

"You..."

Her voice came out quieter this time, disbelief threading through it as her eyes locked onto her, her thoughts racing faster than she could contain.

"A Fenrir wolf," she said slowly, her gaze narrowing as realization settled in, heavy and undeniable. "Does Ravyn know about this?"