Chapter 4

After breakfast, they headed to the Group together. But Seraphina refused to sit in the passenger seat.

"I get carsick. The back is more comfortable. I can catch some air."

Caden didn't press her. "Alright then. I'll drive steady."

At the Group's entrance, he jogged around to open her door. As she stepped out, the pack members on their morning rush stopped and stared.

Two of them hurried over, faces eager. "Seraphina, it's so good to see you!" one grinned. "Alpha always says you love caramel lattes. I'm just heading out—let me bring one back for you."

The other chimed in quickly, "And I'll pick up some pastries. Your favorite cake, right?"

Caden chuckled, pulling her close with a protective arm. "That's enough, you two. You'll spoil her rotten. She's been eating too much lately—her bond ring barely fits."

"Come on, Alpha," the first teased. "She looks as radiant as ever. Must be the ring shrinking!"

"Shrinking? Moon-silver doesn't shrink, idiot," Caden scolded lightly, giving him a friendly smack on the arm. "Fine then, go ahead. Just one small latte."

"You don't get it," the second laughed. "As long as Seraphina's happy, Caden's happy. If he's happy, we're all happy."

Caden smiled, good-natured. "Alright, alright. You've found my weakness."

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

By the time they reached Caden's office, she was practically carried there on a wave of adoration. Fruit, snacks, everything she might want were laid out. He even pulled up a drama on his computer.

"Sera, I need to work. Stay here and relax. If you need anything, just ask the assistant outside."

Seraphina asked deliberately, "Where's your new assistant Layla? Haven't seen her today."

Caden said lightly, "No idea. I'll have HR call and check." Before leaving, he stroked her hair and murmured, "Wait for me. We'll have lunch together."

He left. The members drifted away too. Then Seraphina noticed—Caden's phone was still on the desk. She grabbed it and hurried after him, but stopped short at the sound of two members talking just outside.

"...the rooftop? Caden and Layla are getting bolder."

"Not their fault. Who knew Seraphina would show up today? They had to change spots."

"Should we still send him condoms?"

"No need. I saw him go upstairs with several boxes in his pocket."

"Heh, only Caden could manage that—ordering them right under Seraphina's nose."

"Easy. Delivery services bring anything these days."

Seraphina froze. So that was the morning's relentless phone calls—the delivery man. Caden had ordered them at dawn, eager for his rooftop rendezvous.

"Hope he bought enough. Last time he and Layla spent a whole day and night in the car. She could barely walk the next morning."

"If not, we'll send more. Serving Caden is our job."

"Didn't you just say we should serve Seraphina?"

"Pfft. She's easy. A coffee, a cake, she's fooled. For a man like Caden, what Alpha doesn't have mistresses? With his power, playing around is normal—as long as she never finds out."

"Exactly. Seraphina looks so naïve. Fooling her won't be hard."

At that moment, Caden appeared. "Don't let Sera hear you talking like that, understood?"

They nodded quickly. "Of course, Caden. We know better."

One ventured, "Then why bring Seraphina here today? Now you and Layla have to sneak off to the rooftop, and we can't even talk freely."

Caden shot him a glare. "Seraphina is the pack's Luna. She comes when she pleases. Don't question it."

"Yes, Alpha, of course..."

"And listen well—take care of her. She wasn't feeling well yesterday. No raw food. And if anyone breathes a word about Layla, you're out of this pack. Clear?"

"Yes, Alpha. Crystal clear..."

Seraphina didn't wait to hear more. She rushed back, slipped Caden's phone into the pile of snacks, and sat down.

Moments later, Caden returned, smiling as if nothing had happened. "Enjoying the treats?"

Swallowing her disgust, she asked, "Weren't you in a meeting? Why are you back?"

"My phone. Did you see it?"

Seraphina shook her head. "No."

He rummaged and found it among the snacks. "Ah, here it is. Alright, I'm off again."

Then her own phone rang. She answered.

"Hello, is this Ms. Finn?"

"Yes, I am."

"Ms. Finn, your ticket for next week's flight to Norway has been confirmed. You only need your passport to board."

"Nothing else?"

"Just the passport."

"Alright. Thank you."

When she hung up, Caden looked at her with faint suspicion. "Passport? Sera, why do you need a passport?"