Seraphina's POV
I struggled for breath, it was as if I was drowning. Not drowning in water but in memories.
I opened my eyes and stared at the three horrified children maids in front that looked shocked.

"Are you fine, my queen?" one of them asked curiously.
" I think so…
"I should get the Alpha…
"No, no!" I shouted at her and she stopped in her tracks. "Don't disturb him, I'll be fine," I added, not sure if I'll be fine.
I wondered what they were about, I went back to the future and could hear Hannah's voice.
She sounded excited.
Hannah? Excited that I am alive?
Had she repented?
She was definitely beside me, and I remembered the strong smell of the hospital.
Well, at least I was alive in the future.
But why did my personality change?
Why did my soul go back to my real body?
Are there negative energies monitoring me? I looked around and wished I could find answers.
"My Queen, are you okay? You seemed lifeless for a while." The second maid said she looked horrified.
Lifeless?
Well, Seraphina was surely dead before I took control of her body.
"You can leave; I want to be alone," I stated, and they bowed their heads and left me alone in the water.
I heaved a sigh.
This was getting too much.
I needed a break. Probably a peaceful sleep.
I could ask my healer but people's eyes would be on me.
I stood up from the water, naked. I strode into my room and put on a hefty robe, it was comfy and warm.
I then climbed my bed and laid myself down.
~~~~~~
Dark energy! Dark spells! Dark magic!
I was in danger!
I opened my eyes and quickly sat upright, nobody was in the room.
Was I dreaming?
It was not a dream, I felt it.
I could sense dark energy in my room, I was probably overthinking.
I brushed off the thought and was about to settle into my blanket when I heard the distorted voice.
"You feel me, Seraphina. Don't ignore me."
I quickly stood up from my bed and became alert. My feelings were not wrong. I should not have shaken it off. It was not a dream, it was reality.
I heard a laugh, it echoed through the room.
This was the moment I needed the Alpha.
"Who are you?" I asked shakily.
"Ohh….I am nothing and I am everything. I'm nowhere and I'm everywhere….
"Then show yourself…coward!" I blurted out confidently, I should at least know what I was up against.
A shadow suddenly showed up in my front, there was nobody but the shadow. It had a woman's form, the shadowy hair was flowing abundantly.
"Don't be in a haste, Seraphina. I'll make it quick…you won't feel a thing," The distorted voice called out, teasing me.
"Are you here to kill me?" I asked, saving myself some time. I need a savior.
"How'd you know?" The shadow giggled deeply.
I had to escape, and escape fast!
I immediately grabbed my robe and ran to the door.
Before I could reach for the door, the shadow circled me laughing wildly.
"Going somewhere?"
"The Alpha won't spare you if you harm me," I yelled as if that would do anything.
"Now I am scared!" The shadow laughed it off, circling me swiftly. "Would you like to see your past, since you don't have a vivid memory of it?"
Before I could respond, I felt the shadow entered my head and this made me weak. I could feel it in my head but could do absolutely nothing.
Suddenly the room changed to a lush garden. I could see the young Seraphina, she looked carefree and happy. But as that moment progressed, darkness engulfed Seraphina's life. The Loss, pain, betrayal, and death.
I felt sad as I realized Seraphina's life had not been easy like mine. She had been broken so many times.
"You're not Seraphina, are you?" The distorted voice whispered in my head which made it ache.
I was in pain. Dangerous pains.
"Get the hell out of my head!" I yelled trying my best to get on my feet.
"Not until I kill you. You're just a stranger in someone else's body, I'll force you to leave because the Alpha is not meant to be yours."
The words echoed in my head.
My room started spinning.
I felt so dizzy.
Liquid dripped out from my nose, and I touched it; it was blood!
I can't die like this! I still have mysteries to uncover.
I remember the energy I used to overpower the wolf and suddenly summoned it from nowhere.
I needed it, to defeat the shadow.
How does one defeat a shadow?
I had no answer for that. I immediately forced the shadow out of my head with the heavenly energy, and it came out, scattered in pieces.
I quickly got on my feet and ran out, I bumped into Lorien.
He looked as if he was coming to rescue me, prepared and determined.
"A… a shadow!" I managed to speak.
"Stay here." He replied and entered my room with two guards.
~~~~~~~~
Lorien's POV
I could not believe what happened. How could someone plan an assassination against my mate? Of course, I hated her and wanted her dead but not like this.
She can only die by my hands and no one else!
Only the royal families who held high authority could summon a shadow.
This is the second attempt against her life ever since she started living for the second time.
She was not safe in her room and I knew what to do.
I walked out of the room and grabbed Seraphina by her hand.
"Come with me," I said authoritatively and she followed me, obviously overwhelmed.
I stormed into my room and pulled Seraphina in; she was holding her robe together.
"Can you explain what is going on?" She asked anxiously.
"Your life is in danger…
"My life has always been in danger." She replied angrily but calmly.
"Someone is after your life, again," I replied reluctantly.
I watched as she dropped into my bed.
"You don't have to think about it, I'll catch whoever did this."
"What about the first attempt, you have not even found out the person behind it." She fired back.
"I'm trying my best, trust me," I said not sure if that was to make her stay calm.
I remember the first attempt, both Isolde and Seraphina were hurt. Who wanted to hurt his mate? A shadow?
A shadow!
It was Caelum!
The demon prince who kissed Seraphina days ago.
Why would you want to kill Seraphina?
To punish him?
"Someone of high power wants you dead, and I think it's Caelum," I announced.
"Caelum? He wouldn't kill me." She replied boldly.
"And how do you know that? Have you been seeing him behind my back? Caelum is the prince of the shadow on the realm, he controls those dark shadows…
"And how sure are you?" She replied cautiously. "I've not been seeing Caelum, but he can't want me dead. He must be evil, but he can't do that."
I clenched my fist and walked to her.
"Why do you trust him so much?"
"I…I don't know, but that force was not from Caelum. I could feel it, it felt like….someone in this castle was controlling it. I could not see the master but that person is definitely here, in the castle."
I rolled my eyes, most of my maids and people wanted her dead but no one would dare perform dark magic on her.
"I'll look into the matter, were you wounded?" I asked concerned.
"I'm fine, I just bled from my nose." She replied, moving her eyes away.
"My brother, Alistair is arriving in the castle today after a long trip. I'll tell the maids to dress you up, and remember this: you will be by my side. Always!"
I commanded.
She looked up at me, her wild eyes glowing with hope.
"Say yes, Alpha," I demanded softly.
She hesitated for a while then blurted out gently. "yes, Alpha."
"Or should I watch while you bathe?"
"What! No, I'll be fine."
I chuckled and bit my lower lip, she was getting stronger and wiser.
"No problem, no one will perform dark magic on you in my room. Stay safe and alert. My maids will attend you now." I explained then bent and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.
She was speechless.
I smiled and brushed the hair on her forehead backward. " you always amaze me." I muttered softly.
"You've to get ready for your brother's arrival," I said, not sure if I wanted to hold him close or push him away.
He stepped back and kept a straight face.
"The maids will bring you to me when they're done. Be careful." I proclaimed and walked out, reluctantly.
~~~~~~
Seraphina's POV
"Ahh…my king." The young prince announced as he bowed to Lorien politely.
I have seen him before.
We had met before.
He raised his head, and our eyes locked; he looked surprised but suppressed his emotions.
"Welcome, Alistair," Lorien said as he embraced him and released him immediately.
"Thank you, brother, how are you? My Queen?."
I smiled and bowed slowly. "I'm fine, My prince; how was your journey?"
"Well, it was full of fun and surprises." He turned to Lorien and beamed lightly.
"How did you bring our queen back to life? The last time I saw her, she was bound and killed by you." He added.
I was not sure whether he said that to make me angry or better.
"That's a long story, dear brother; Seraphina has been proving herself to be a good queen. She has been doing well." Lorien replied heartily.
"I see….she has turned the ruthless king into a charming man." He chuckled and looked at me, lustily.
"Well…look who is here?"
"Mother?" Alistair marveled and bowed to the regent.
"Come here, you prodigal son." She giggled and Alistair embraced her tightly.
I bowed.
"Raise your head, Seraphina." She uttered gently.
"Where have you been mother? I came to check up on you earlier." Lorien said.
"Ohh…I had urgent matters to take care of." She replied and gave me an intense gaze.
I wondered why the family was like this.
All strange.
I wondered how Seraphina had managed with all of them. What life had she lived, and whatever had driven her to the brink of death?
"We have to talk, Alistair." Lorien declared calmly.
"You won't give a mother and son space to talk?" Elara replied, eyeing him.
"Forgive me Mother, but it's urgent." He retorted authoritatively.
"No problem," she said and walked towards me then whispered in my ears. "You can't escape death." Her voice was low and menacing.

I gasped.
I felt a sense of dread washed over me.
She was the one who sent the shadow!
I widened my eyes as she smiled devilishly at me and walked away. I tried to force words out of my mouth but they were stuck.
Lorein's concerned gaze met mine and he touched my shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked scanning mine for any sign of distress. " Did mother say anything?"
"Umm…yes, yes! I'm fine." I replied, forcing a smile.
Lorien's expression was skeptical, but he let it slide.
"Alright, you can head to my room. I'll come once I'm done with Alistair."
"No, Alpha….I want to be around you, I….I will just wait behind as you discuss with your brother." I stuttered, hiding my emotions. I could not let him out of my sight.
He raised an eyebrow but nodded.
"If you say so."
"Your Alpha is not running away, Seraphina," Alistair said with amusement as he chuckled and they walked away.
I followed but maintained a distance, I was in danger. Danger lurked around me. I had to stay vigilant.