SCARLETT :I stepped forward, but my sister pulled me back, her anger palpable."Are you so low that you'd threaten us with our parents?" I asked Logan.Logan huffed, "Threaten? I don't need to do that. It's just the truth. In the world of hierarchy, it's only normal that you should know your place, isn't it? Think about it. A lowly omega against a superior royal." He checked his watch. "You're wasting my time, Scarlett. Get in.""Let me go, Soph," I whispered to her. "I have to go. It's getting late, and Mom and Dad might be worried. The sooner I settle this, the better."Reluctantly, my twin let go of my hand."Don't drive away. I need to go home with my sister," I told him as I entered the car."Relax, sweetheart. I don't kidnap people," he chuckled.I rolled my eyes inwardly, waiting for him to get to the point. The car model looked newly launched, but the smell of cigarettes polluted the air. The tinted car windows were closed, leaving no room for fresh air."Can we wrap this up
JAX:I had my chauffeur, Henry, pick up Scarlett from her house. I waited patiently for word to reach me that her parents weren't home, as we had agreed to be discreet around people who weren't trusted staff.I lay on my bed in my cabin, the same bed where I had taken her for the first time, and a few more times after we returned from the Moonrock pack.Only three days had passed, and I became a man starved for her. I stared restlessly into space, waiting for her arrival. I missed the feeling of her in my arms, the tugging of her lower lip, her soft blonde hair, and the scent of her body and shampoo.As long as the bond existed, I would forever be damned if I didn't have her. A gentle knock on the door made me sit upright, grab a file from the nightstand, and pretend to go through it.Why appear as a restless dog waiting for its owner when I could appear composed enough to match my status?I cleared my throat as if I hadn't spoken in a long time. "Come in."The door creaked open, reve
JAX:The morning sun was hot, scorching, and seeping its rays through my window. I looked at the woman next to me and realized how much of a mess I had made of her. Her waves looked tangled, her lips were swollen, and I replaced the hickeys on her skin where they had begun to fade.I subconsciously traced her eyebrows, moved to her lashes, then her lips. Her eyes fluttered open, staring blankly into mine like she was trying to take in her environment."No," she croaked, rising up.The plan was for her to go back that same night, but that failed because I ended up losing control. My hunger for her took a long time before it got satisfied."It's okay. I told Hensley to send word to your family that you'd be spending forty-eight hours at the pack house tending to me because I'm working overnight for two days, and I'd rather eat only what you make.""That doesn't make any sense," I told her."It might not make sense, but the order came from me so automatically it should.""It's not up to
JAX:"Jax," her sweet voice brought me out of my delusions. She called me by my name. She was getting used to it."Yes," I stuttered like a thief who had been caught. I stuttered. I had never done that before, not since I was a little boy. People barely made a...Scarlett had a look of worry on her face. How I reacted wasn't normal, it wasn't like me. "Are you okay?" Her voice further softened, and I think that did something to me. No one had ever spoken to me like that before, not even my best friend."I am," I replied, regaining my composure."Are you sure?""Yeah, I am.""Okay, that's good because I was asking if you ever cook here.""No," I spoke earnestly. "I sent my last chef away, now Hensley brings me takeouts.""You're ridiculous," she shook her head. "The kitchen looked so spotless, I should've known something was wrong when I saw dust on the utensils. Ugh, why did I assume you'd have ingredients just lying around in the kitchen?"I laughed. "It's a cabin, Scarlett. There's
JAX:I handed Scarlett the last tissue to wipe her tears. Every time the main characters got into an argument or something tragic happened, she'd tear up, curse the villains, and blame the author.That was the first time I had seen her go from sad to furious."Are you sure you don't want to stop watching?" I asked her, worried for her sanity."No," she sniffed. "There's only thirty minutes left."I groaned inwardly. "Okay."I spent the next thirty minutes wanting to transport myself into the scenes on the screen to finish off the blonde main character Scarlett wouldn't stop fawning over.She laughed because of him, swore because of him, cussed because of him, and cried for him, and all he did was play a role. I doubted he was like that in real life. He's an actor, and actors play pretend."That was amazing," she gleamed.The look on her face was worth it. If she didn't smile like she did at me for letting her watch the movie, I would've sworn to never put myself through the torture of
JAX:I drove to the palace myself, heading down to my mother's chambers.My mother’s throne room exuded refined splendor, simple yet commanding. Stone walls were draped in deep blue and silver tapestries bearing the pack’s crest. A black silk rug led to the elevated mahogany throne, carved with wolves and traced with silver accents. She had created the space for herself since my father passed away. The main throne room belonged to me now.An arched window behind it let in sunlight, blending with the warm glow of gold candle holders. Greenery softened the corners with trailing vines.She sat on the throne, her black dress flowing like liquid shadow, catching the light with each subtle movement, along with two female maid servants by her side who left the room as soon as I entered. Her presence was powerful, every breath filled with poised authority, very much like my mother's personality."Mother," I greeted her."Son," she looked at me with disdain, her honey brown eyes holding rage.
SCARLETT :No matter how much I tried to deny it, the truth was that I wanted to spend everyday like that laying in Alpha Jax's arms.I felt it in my heart, my wolf did too. He had finally warmed up to me. Was he in love? That I couldn't answer. My time was running up, and he hadn't told me he loved me yet.I teased him whenever I had the chance to by talking about other men like Sophie advised me to, he reacted similarly to what she said he'd act like.Time went by too fast with him making me upset, making me wish time would freeze or slow down. Nothing compared to the way he touched me recently, I had never orgasmed just as I did with him in all the years I began to touch myself. He roamed his hands, and mouth around my body like a thirsty man lost in spring who finally found a clean lake.I was losing my mind over him that it made me wonder who was the one falling in love. The way he caressed my body made me feel beautiful in ways I was unable to comprehend.And oh, the painting he
SCARLETT :I did what any normal person would do in that situation. Got up from the bed, freaked out, panicked and yelled. "And you didn't think to inform me before thinking about sleeping with me again?!""I was going to tell you." He explained, getting up from the bed as well, leaving us at opposite ends. "What? You wanted me to wake you by saying. Hey, wake up Scarlett, my mother proposed I sign another alliance with another pack to gather as many resources as possible to protect the pack. That means I'll have to leave for two weeks and by the time I'm back, your deadline’s up. Is that what you want?""Of course, not." I fumed pacing back and forth on my side like a lecturer. "But it would be nice to know you'd be away for that long before touching me like that. Is that something you enjoy? Having me till you're satisfied then discarding me?!""I wasn't discarding you.""Oh, sure you weren't." I spoke sarcastically."Calm down.""Don't tell a woman to calm down! I'm calm, okay?" I
JAX:All good things come in good time. As Doctor Rachael said, Scarlett was discharged on the seventh day with no issues.And it wasn't a dream.It's a blissful reality.She changed out of hospital clothes into a black dress that hugged her slim figure. The diva that she was. I'm completely mesmerized by her."I've waited long enough," I said as I pulled her by the waist and embraced her.She stilled for a moment as if she was rethinking everything.Please don't.Don't leave me again.I don't say those words out loudand let them burn at the back of my throat.Soon she relaxed in my arms and gently hugged me back.Yes.She felt so small in my arms. I made it my responsibility to help her regain her previous weight. She looked too thin."Let's stop before someone sees."Right. Anyone could come in.It wasn't going to be her parents because they were planning a surprise party for Scarlett. I sensed that they must've gotten a hint about us but weren't willing to discuss it yet, which wa
JAX:I reached the front of her room, the buff guards still in place."Alpha Jax!" Scarlett's mother called out to me."Is she?" I asked."Yes," Sophie responded as she embraced Zharn, who was happy for her. For all of us.Her parents had come to terms with it. Those two were never leaving each other.I creaked open the door. No one accompanied me inside. There was no need for me to voice it out. I wanted to see her alone.Her head slowly turned.My chest was about to explode.Amber eyes filled with longing.I think I'm gone."Scarlett," I breathed out. How much breath was I holding back? It was hard for me to recognize the sound of my own voice."Jax," she replied in the same tone.I'm about to scream with joy.Stow your inability to be calm as well as your restless spirit, Jax!She was right in front of me.Her eyes open, staring at me intently.Say something else, you fool. My inner voice taunted me.Ah, yes. I had to say something. Now, if the words would come out."How are you?"
JAX:"Three out of the six shelters have been completed, Alpha Jax," one of the council members informed me."Fifteen people who survived the attack but have been in a coma passed away today," another informed us."Shall we then have a moment of silence for them?" I asked the council members and elders who were left.Three whole months had passed, and things weren't fully back in shape. There had been improvements, but it wasn't enough. How do I do justice to what happened? My soul felt utterly crushed. Meeting upon meeting at least thrice a week.I have never had to go through so many paper documents in my life.How dreadful.The minute of silence was quickly over, and there was much more to discuss. Cage had resumed duties as the Lord of the Harrison family, much to the disappointment of every person who contested his right and replaced the family in the council. The Harrisons were a crucial part of the pack, and his father was present for every important meeting.That aside, I had
SCARLETT :Jax cared, I felt it. I saw it. And the guards knew he'd probably listen to me when it came down to it, and it worked in my favor. I was in the garden in no time.Oh, it was chilly."Get her a blanket, now!" One of the men told the nurses. "The Alpha must not find her this way.""You don't need to. I want to feel the cold.""He's right, Miss. You need to maintain a warm temperature for the sake of your heart." The nurse differed before rushing off to get a blanket.Oh, all these constrictions. I hated them.The moon wasn't full; it was in half, and there were many beautiful stars in the sky, twinkling in the sky.It felt surreal. One moment I was with Herrera, then I was back."What date is it?" I asked him."Ma'am, it's..." One of the men responded."Three months!" I exclaimed.I was out for three whole months.No wonder a part of me was eager to see the sky. I deserved it.It's not as bad as I thought. In Herrera's paradise, it seemed as though I had been there for years.
SCARLETT:A cold monitor pressed against me through my hospital gown as a wave of shock surged through me. My back arched, lungs convulsing—then I gasped into life.No more Herrera. No more golden everything.A chorus of relieved sighs filled the room."Patient has responded!" The doctor’s voice rang through the tension. "She's awake!"The defibrillator paddles were pulled away, the scent of burnt skin lingering in the air.Beep. Beep. Beep.My heart was beating again. I was alive.I almost died.I almost died.My mind struggled to catch up, pieces of the past shattering and reforming in fragments I couldn't quite grasp. My heart rate spiked. The machine beside me echoed the rising panic.Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep."Miss, you're fine," the doctor assured me, her voice was steady but firm. "You need to stay calm. You cannot overwork your heart." She leaned over me, her sharp eyes assessing every change in my expression. "Take deep breaths. Slowly. In through your nose, out through your mo
SCARLETT:How long has it been since I left my world? Days? Months? Years?Sigh.Time here moved really fast.And it felt like such a long time since that divine being took control of my body.I would never forget how she transformed into a white angel. White long silky hair, blazing blue eyes, and a garment too white I thought it'd get stained once she hugged my body to take control of it.I remembered faintly how Jax held me in his arms. For what it's worth. I knew I could never have him anyway, and so I allowed myself to have him in that moment. My desire spoke out for me, and it didn't matter.The divine spirit said I could go back; her name was Herrera, and she's a pest most of the time, but the rest of the time she's fun."I can hear your thoughts, you know." Ah, there she was. In a vast space that was only made of pure gold. She sat goddess-like on a large couch with an enormous backrest while her servants clad in white cloaks served her red wine and grapes. We wore the same wh
LOGAN DE VAUNT:It was a well-organized scheme to ruin everything my brother cherished. The northern rogues were the deadliest, alive or not, since most of them got killed fighting against the Moonstone pack.My plan was easy. I only had to rat out information about my pack and the formation that held the walls of our border strong and secure. Our borders were our strength. The moment something goes wrong with it, all will come crashing down. I wanted nothing more than to see my brothers deflate as his ego broke.Everyone thought he was the perfect leader. I wanted to see just how good he was, how he would be able to handle the situation. The northern rogues had sought the help of evil grim witches who granted them immense power to do whatever they pleased. Each wielded different magic except for the children of the leader of the rogues. From a young age, they had been given the power to control their magic and wield it together, or so I heard.Over a century, they had destroyed sever
JAX:I took her pale hand in mine; her temperature seemed normal, a good sign that life coursed well through her. My mother had surprisingly been waiting for her to wake up. I don't know what she had planned in that conniving head of hers, but she'd be wrong to think her sad methods of motherly manipulation would work.Since the last dinner I attempted to have with her, I realized that it was foolish of me to hope that we'd be able to form a strong mother and son bond; again, a man can only dream. She had been saying confusing things about Scarlett, hinting at the power she wielded in the attack. She was unwilling to divulge it all until Scarlett woke up, and that seemed to be taking forever. Seriously, I would grow old and miserable if she never does.I had asked around, and the elders suggested that such a person could have lost connection with their wolves. Our wolves were a huge part of us, even if most of us rarely communicated with them. They served as a part of our life source,
JAX:Days have been longer, times have been slower since Scarlett went into a coma. I had changed doctors over and over with the same results until I came to the conclusion that she just had to wake up. Perhaps, it wasn't the doctor; it could be the power that was granted to her. Whatever it was, it drained her completely, yet not enough to take her life. Thankfully, because I doubt I'd survive if that were the case.Every night after meeting upon meeting, I'd go to see her. It became my tradition, it became a must-do for me. Seeing her peacefully resting made me feel very much at peace. Hearing her breathe softly was also more than enough, seeing her steady heart rate on the monitor brought me a sense of security I could not fathom.Many lives were lost due to the attack, many properties were destroyed. Councilmen dead, elders of the pack dead, a lot wounded, a lot unscathed as well. Zharn suggested dedicating land to all those who did not survive the attack. Families who were okay w