When The Moon Hides Her Crown (Seraphina) by Pooja novel Chapter 262

**He Promised to Give Me the World, Yet the Price Was My Soul**
**by Caden Blake**
**Chapter 262: Ryker Wraithe**

Lily’s expression shifted as she processed the name I had just uttered. Her brows knitted together in disbelief. “Hold on a second,” she began, her voice tinged with incredulity, “isn’t he that bizarre guy you mentioned? The one who literally tore his own face off and then came back days later with a completely new visage and a different name? The one who gave you that love token, claimed he was on a quest for your heart, and then turned around to accuse you of betrayal just because you had a moment with Alpha Ronan?” She recounted every detail with precision, as if trying to piece together a puzzle.

“Yes,” I confirmed, the weight of his name hanging heavily in the air.

Lily’s eyes widened with a mix of concern and disbelief. “Sera, why on earth would you want to track down such a deranged Alpha?” Her surprise was palpable, her disbelief evident.

“Because,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within, “when I touched Luna Victoria earlier, I experienced a vision—a glimpse of a shadow that I believe was Ryker.”

Her eyes grew even wider, reflecting a mixture of fear and fascination. “That’s… incredibly strange,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I know,” I admitted, feeling the urgency of my quest. “That’s precisely why I need to unravel this mystery. I have to find out where Ryker is hiding.”

She took a deep breath, her expression shifting to one of determination. “Alright,” she said, reaching out to pluck a stray hair from my head, “since I don’t have his face, his aura, or even his scent—just a name that could very well be a facade—I’ll use you as a conduit to locate him.”

“Thanks,” I replied, gratitude flooding through me.

“I’ll have to leave this territory and return to the witch den,” she added, her tone serious.

I nodded, watching as she turned and melted into the shadows of the woods, her form disappearing among the trees.

With my thoughts swirling, I resumed my walk through the clearing, but before I could gather my bearings, Asher materialized in front of me, blocking my path.

I halted, and for an extended moment, our gazes locked in a silent exchange. I contemplated sidestepping him, assuming he was merely checking on his mother, fearing I might have crossed some invisible line. But then he broke the silence.

“Thanks,” he said, the word hanging in the air, unexpected and heavy.

I stood frozen, taken aback by his sudden expression of gratitude. After everything that had transpired between us, I had not anticipated such kindness from him.

“Thank you for helping my mother,” he continued, his voice low yet filled with sincerity.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I fought to maintain my composure. “It was nothing,” I replied, my voice softening. “Your mother reminds me so much of mine. If she could be healed, I’d be overjoyed.” I began to walk again, but Asher stepped in front of me once more.

“I’m sorry, Seraphina,” he said, his expression earnest and vulnerable. “I misunderstood you… I mean, the Blood Petal. I was so focused on wanting to destroy it that I failed to see the other possibilities, like Ronan did. I realized you didn’t harm those she-wolves. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I’m—”

“It’s alright, Asher,” I interjected, wanting to dispel the thick tension that hung between us. “If I had grown up in your shoes, witnessing everything through your lens, I might have responded similarly. My mother meant the world to me. The thought of someone taking her away… it would have driven me to madness as well. But as long as we have clarity now, and your mom is on the mend, that’s what truly matters.”

I paused, a small smile creeping onto my lips. “In fact, I’m a bit thankful that we had that fight.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. “What do you mean?”

“If we hadn’t clashed, everyone would still view me as the villain,” I said, a playful grin spreading across my face. “So, our little skirmish wasn’t in vain.”

**Chapter 262: Crazy Pair of Friends**

Asher chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Just don’t say that in front of Ronan. He’s already furious with me for keeping our arranged marriage under wraps.”

“I-I witnessed it with my own eyes, Alpha. The Academy building is nothing but rubble now,” the man stammered, urgency creeping into his tone. “It’s as if a war broke out there,” he added, quickly displaying the photos he had taken as evidence.

Jude stared at the images in disbelief. The place where he had dedicated the last nine years of his life was reduced to dust and debris. Clenching his phone tightly, he muttered, “What the hell is happening there?”

In a fit of frustration, he tossed the phone aside, grabbed his coat, and snatched his car keys. He needed to see the devastation for himself, to assess the situation, especially concerning Alpha Gideon. If Grace learned that her father was in danger or worse, he feared it would be impossible to manage her reaction. He wanted to evaluate everything before breaking the news to her.

“Grace, I’ll be back,” he called out as he descended the stairs of the pack house. But he halted midway, his heart sinking when he realized there was no response. “Grace, I’m leaving!” he shouted again.

She would typically come rushing out to greet him, showering him with kisses, but this time, there was only silence. Frowning, he ascended the stairs again, entering their bedroom to find Grace sitting on the cold floor, her back to him.

“Grace!” Panic surged through him as he rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?” He quickly assessed her, noticing the sweat glistening on her skin and the tremors coursing through her body as she clutched her diary tightly.

“Jude…” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

**Chapter 262: Crazy Pair of Friends**

“What’s the matter?” Jude asked, concern etching lines across his forehead.

“I… I remember where I saw Alpha Ryker before,” she stammered, her voice trembling.

“What?” Jude raised an eyebrow, confusion clouding his features.

She tightened her grip on the diary and insisted, “You need to take me to Alpha Ronan—quickly!”