Chapter 4

SCARLET

"Callum, just this morning you told us not to bother you about finding a mate," one of the pack elders said, his voice obviously echoing with disbelief. I realized then, that I didn’t even know his name, I just referred to him as their Alpha, My captor.

We were seated side by side on grand, throne-like chairs. Callum’s posture was relaxed, like he was so used to this, like this was nothing to him. But I on the other hand could barely breathe, with the number of gazes on me, I felt suffocated.

“How did it happen?” another elder asked.

“It just did,” Callum replied curtly, his tone was dismissive. The elders exchanged glances, nodded as though they understood, and left us alone.

“L-Luna? W-what’s going on?” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I turned to him, I hadn’t gotten the chance to ask and I might never, so the moment I got a chance, I asked. He didn’t even spare me as much as a glance.

“Would you rather die?” he asked coldly, his gaze still on the dance performers in front of us. The sharpness of his words was sharp enough to tear my skin open. I froze, dropping my gaze. Of course not. Death was the last thing I wanted, if I wanted to die, I wouldn’t have stepped near this pack.

The festivities continued around us, vibrant and lively. Pack members showcased their talents in a grand celebration of the Luna’s coming out. The seemed really happy they now had a Luna, what a scam.

As the festival rounded up, Callum abruptly grabbed my hand, yanking me to my feet. The movement was rough, yet so discreet that no one noticed. Pack members paused and bowed as he strode past, dragging me along like I was little more than an accessory.

We entered the Grand Pack House, ascending to the second floor in silence. Without warning, he pushed open a door, his hand still wrapped tightly around mine. He stepped inside and pulled me in with him before slamming the door shut.

My heart pounded as he bolted the door. He turned to me slowly, his gaze unreadable. Taking steady, deliberate steps toward me, I inturn took shaky steps until my back hit the wall.

His lips curved into a small smirk, an eyebrow quirking like he was daring me to keep moving backwards.

I flinched lightly as his hand cupped my jaw and tilted my face up to meet his eyes, I couldn’t stop the trembling in my lips. My heart raced wildly, hammering violently against my chest. I swallowed hard as he slowly leaned towards my height his breath warm against my skin.

His cologne—earthy and intoxicating— deep inside my nose messed up my senses, I froze as his lips brushed against my ear, trailing down my neck with maddening slowness.

My eyes slammed shut, my breathing grew shallow, my pulse erratic. I was terrified, yet a shiver raced down my spine under his touch, a mix of fear and something I couldn’t explain.

“Why can’t I sense your wolf?” he whispered, his voice low and hoarse, sending a chill through me. My eyes snapped open, panic flooding me.

The words stuck in my throat. How could I tell him? How could I explain that the Luna he just presented to the pack was wolfless?

“Why can’t I sense your wolf?!” he demanded, his tone sharper now. He pulled back, staring intently into my eyes, his frustration barely restrained.

“I—I don’t have a wolf,” I stammered, the truth rolling off my tongue before I could stop it. His expression flickered with surprise, but he was quite good at hiding his expression, it disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

“You’re human?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

“No! No, I’m not!” I blurted, shaking my head furiously.

“I come from a long line of werewolves!”

He stepped back, his lips pressing into a tight line as he absorbed my words.

“No,” he muttered, more to himself than to me. “This can’t be.”

****

MEANWHILE

Somewhere in Willow Brooke.

"A mate?" I murmured, my fingers tightening around the stem of my wine glass. My voice was calm, almost indifferent, but those words just shattered every single one of my plans. I set the glass down on the table, its delicate clink the only sound in the room.

"Yes, Boss," he replied, his voice trembling.

"He finally found his mate."

I slowly leaned back in my chair, studying him with cold detachment.

"And you think this changes anything?" My words sliced through the air like a blade.

"Yes, shall we stop now?"

Before he could finish, I reached into my jacket, pulling out a sleek pistol. His eyes widened in shock as he tried to protest, but it was too late the silver-coated bullet hit him squarely in his head. The sound of the shot echoed in the room, sharp and final. He crumpled to the ground, lifeless, his blood pooling around him.

I turned my head slowly, locking eyes with the figure lingering by the entrance.

"Get rid of this mess. Now."

“I don’t need losers at my table,”

Without hesitation, two men stepped forward, their footsteps silent as they dragged the body away.

I exhaled sharply, setting the pistol back on the table. Picking up my glass, I swirled the wine absently, my thumb caressing the rim of the glass

"Find me this Luna,"

“Nothing is too small or too insignificant. Bring it all to me."

“And do it as soon as possible!”

“I want her!”