My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188: Chapter 188 D-DAY

SERAPHINA’S POV

Daniel’s training had to be completed before his tenth birthday and the heir ceremony, so the day of departure for his secluded training wasn’t too far away.

Before that, he had a couple of basic courses he needed to finish.

I was supposed to continue training at OTS, but I took some time off, deciding that this period belonged solely to my son.

She didn’t admit it, but I was pretty sure Maya was worried about me, and she took ‘I’m on your side’ really, really seriously—by rarely ever leaving mine.

Most days, she joined us in the Blackthorne courtyard or the private arena Christian and Leona had prepared.

And afterwards, in our backyard, she ran through drills and practice routines with him.

I watched, half-amused and half-relieved, as Maya—with infinitely more patience than she had with me—walked him calmly through defending, countering, and anticipating, even when he challenged some tactics.

And when Daniel balked, Maya simply smiled, ruffled his hair, and repeated the demonstration.

Kieran would sometimes appear at the Blackthorne mansion, lingering near our exercises or peeking through windows.

Even as he related to Daniel, he respected my space—mostly.

Thankfully, he seemed to understand that pushing too hard right now would only fracture the fragile rhythm we’d managed to find.

Ethan made several appearances, too, joining Maya seamlessly just like that day during training.

And surprisingly, whenever I lingered a little too long in anxious thoughts, it was his calm voice and reassurance that soothed my scattered nerves.

My mother visited the Blackthornes often, and when she and Leona invited me for tea while Daniel trained, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

They shared their experiences with me, recounting how Alphas once handled similar training periods. Most were anecdotes about their own sons, light and humorous—and I found myself laughing, not minding.

Even Christian proactively included me in the training prep, checking in often to get my approval on things as trivial as Daniel’s meal plan.

And because of all these, instead of the dread I thought I would feel, I found an unexpected lightness growing as the days led up to his departure.

My anxiety didn’t quite fade—in fact, it resurfaced at the most inopportune moments—but with it came a tentative sense of peace. Harmony.

No looming competitions, no constant coil of dread in my stomach, and—my personal favorite—no screaming matches or subtle manipulations undermining my peace.

Celeste being a whole ocean and a continent away felt like a more precious gift than the Moon Dew Nectar.

***

The day before Daniel’s departure began with sunlight brushing the edges of the kitchen blinds.

He sat at the island, wolfing down French toast and bacon, hair messy from sleep but eyes bright with that fierce spark he always carried.

He must have been tired from all the training, but he faced each new day with unwavering enthusiasm.

As I watched him, pride mingled with worry, and it took a ton of willpower not to let my smile falter.

“Blink, Mom,” he mumbled around a bite of bacon. “I promise I won’t disappear in that split second.”

I rolled my eyes, reaching out to wipe some grease from the corner of his mouth. “Cheeky.”

Like clockwork, Maya strode in through the unlocked front door, holding two to-go cups of coffee in a cardboard cup carrier.

She ruffled Daniel’s hair as she passed. “I hope you’ve been practicing your endurance runs. Care to show me a lap or two after breakfast?”

He nodded eagerly. “Yes! And maybe some strategy drills too?”

Maya’s gaze flicked to me as she set one cup of coffee before me.

I heard the unspoken question: He had no official training at the Blackthornes’; should we push him, or let him enjoy the calm of his last day before things intensified?

I simply shrugged. Whatever Daniel wanted. I couldn’t let my own reservations hinder him.

The morning passed in laughter and quick bursts of training. Throughout, I sat on the deck, watching my son glow as he practiced agility exercises in the backyard.

He moved with an intensity and focus I recognized from secretly watching his father practice when we were younger. It was beautiful to watch, and I could see the confidence building in him, layer by layer.

I reminded myself this was what he needed, not my constant protection or my anxiety. Just space. Support. Love.

At one point, Maya joined me.

“How are you doing, Mama bear?”

I exhaled, watching Daniel run through the drills he had memorized. “Seeing him so young, and yet so ready...it’s terrifying.”

Maya’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Terrifying is okay. Maybe even good. But he’s prepared. And so are you, even if you don’t feel it yet.”

I nodded, closing my eyes for a brief moment.

“I just hope I can handle it when the time comes.”

She squeezed my shoulder. “You will. You’ve handled worse. And you’re not alone. Remember that.”

I nodded, her words settling deeply.

Afterward, Maya and I gathered with Daniel at the kitchen table. We walked him through the final checklist—laying out his gear, checking provisions, and reviewing communication protocols step by step.

I repeated the instructions Christian had given Daniel, and each one echoed the reality of the coming separation.

“Mom,” Daniel cut me off after the third time, looking at me with those earnest eyes that always seemed too old for his age, “I got it.”

I sighed. “Yeah, I know.”

“I don’t want you to worry.” He squeezed my hand. “I’ll take care of myself. I’ll train hard, and I’ll make you proud.”

My chest tightened. I swallowed against the lump forming in my throat. “I already am proud, baby. Always.”

He smiled, but there was a glimmer of hesitation, the quiet awareness that this would be a test unlike any before. “Even if...even if it’s hard?”

“Especially then,” I whispered, brushing the hair from his forehead. “Especially then.”

***

The night stretched long and peaceful, and I watched Daniel drift to sleep, small chest rising and falling, one hand wrapped around me and the other loosely clutching Wolfy.

That sight made my heart clench. Just like when he left for Kieran’s island, the world would move on. Yet for me, everything would pause—out of order, out of rhythm—until he was home again.

I couldn’t bring myself to sleep. So I just rested in the tender comfort of simply being a mother with her child.

***

The morning of the D-day came way too fast.

Daniel’s excitement was palpable. The bags were packed. The itinerary and resources double-checked. Nothing left to do but go.

Maya, Ethan, and my mother showed up at our door, bright and early.

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