"Your Grace—"
A soft groan snapped Lucian out of his fury. He immediately loosened his grip on his current dance partner, suppressing the fire that was threatening to burn through him.
"My apologies."
Lucian offered a courteous smile, though every fiber of him wanted to throw everything aside and charge straight toward Seraphina. But he couldn't, he needed to stay, to draw closer to her without raising suspicion.
The maiden, who moments ago had been wincing in discomfort, blushed and nodded obediently under the spell of his smile.
A graceful spin, and Lucian switched partners again. But Jeremiah was still glued to Seraphina, as if daring him to lose his patience.
This Beta was getting bolder by the second.
From a distance, Seraphina could feel the heat of Lucian's gaze burning against her skin, his pheromones spreading like a silent threat in the air.
She cast an uneasy glance his way. What fresh madness was that prince consumed by now?
"Is something wrong, Lady Seraphina?" Jeremiah asked, noticing the sudden tension in her face.
Seraphina drew her gaze back and responded with calm detachment, pushing every thought aside.
"Nothing."
Jeremiah followed her line of sight and locked eyes with a storm brewing in Lucian's. A chill ran down his spine, and he quickly looked away.
Betas weren't affected by pheromones the same way Alphas and Omegas were, but when it came to someone as powerful as a Pureblood Alpha, it was impossible not to feel something.
"That man…" Jeremiah swallowed hard, trying to summon his courage, "…what is he to you?"
He had been dying to ask since the moment he first saw Lucian appear at Seraphina's side. The possessiveness in that man's eyes, it was not the look of a stranger. But Lucian was an Alpha. What connection could he possibly have to the Duke's Alpha daughter?
Seraphina paused at the question. What is he to her?
The bond between them—unspoken, unacknowledged—was something neither of them should admit, and yet it couldn't be denied either. A connection that shouldn't exist.
"Just an acquaintance," she said at last, after a slow blink.
Jeremiah's eyes lit up at her answer, his heart swelling with hope. So there was still a chance for him. However slim, it was better than nothing, right?
"That's… good to hear," he replied, cheeks tinged red.
Seraphina wasn't naive. Of course she knew about Jeremiah's feelings.
Jeremiah was a kind soul. Before he opened his own flower shop, he used to tend the gardens for her mother. They had known each other for quite some time.
In truth, Seraphina had once considered using Jeremiah as a shield against political marriages. But she couldn't bear to hurt him. Because she knew she could never give him what he longed for.
"You're a good man, Jeremiah."
Seraphina said softly, her eyes drifting through the crowd, just to make sure Lucian wasn't up to something reckless. That was all.
"Any girl who ends up with you will be very lucky."
It was a gentle rejection. Seraphina trusted that he would understand the meaning behind her words. Jeremiah wasn't a fool.
The hand resting lightly on her waist briefly withdrew, then tensed again. Jeremiah lowered his gaze like a puppy just cast aside by its master.
"I know I'm not worthy of you," he murmured, "but you can't keep living like this. It's killing you."
The calm in her emerald eyes sharpened instantly at his words. Seraphina looked up, cold and distant once more.
"Jeremiah," she said coolly, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Realizing he had crossed a line, Jeremiah stammered in panic. "I—I didn't mean anything by it, my lady…"
His hand dropped from her waist.
"I just… it hurts to see you like this."
A new turn was approaching. Seraphina remained on guard, her voice steady and clear.
"I appreciate your concern." She turned smoothly, her tone colder than winter wind. "And I suggest you bury 'it' along with yourself."
Jeremiah was left behind. He didn't reach for a new partner, just stood frozen, staring after Seraphina's fading figure as she melted into the crowd.
He knew her secret. He wanted to protect her from something as cruel as fate. But perhaps a Beta's place in this world was too small.
All Jeremiah could do was support her from afar, silently.
Seraphina was trying to make her way out of the dancing crowd. She needed to leave. She wanted to go home.
Suddenly, a strong arm—like a python striking—wrapped around her from behind. A wave of pheromones overwhelmed every cell in her body, leaving her breathless.
"Having fun?" Lucian's voice hissed at the nape of her neck.
Seraphina furrowed her brows, irritated by the oppressive scent engulfing her. Instinctively, she wanted to move away.
"I'm tired. Let's get back."
"Fine. Let's go."
Lucian didn't object. He wanted to get her out of here as much as she did. Away from that bothersome Beta's gaze.
Or more accurately, he wanted to lock her in his arms and never let go.
"I can't walk if Your Highness keeps holding me like this," Seraphina muttered, struggling against the vice-like grip.
"Shall I carry you then?" Lucian sneered. "Would you prefer the princess hold, or should I sling you over my shoulder?"
Seraphina froze. She knew he'd actually do it if she resisted any further.
She let out a long breath, swallowed the nausea building inside her, and allowed him to hold her as they walked.
They headed straight to the carriage. Lucian helped her up first, then climbed in after. But instead of sitting across from her like usual, he took the seat beside her, practically pressed against her.
The already cramped space was now saturated with Lucian's pheromones. Seraphina felt suffocated. Her stomach twisted. Her vision blurred.
The carriage started moving. Her body swayed with the motion, and that's when Lucian noticed how pale she'd become.
"Sera… are you alright?"
The jealousy simmering inside him subsided in an instant. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder to support her, his voice gentle. But the moment his fingers touched her skin, a jolt surged through him.
Seraphina… was going into rut.
***