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.
TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER SCARLETT : It had only been a week since I found out who my mate was. I was still in shock after knowing that I was fated to the Alpha of my pack; Alpha Jax. It was a day after my eighteenth birthday and the day I got my wolf. I caught glimpses of him when he came around the pack house, but I didn't dare move near him. How could I? I was an Omega, the weakest of my pack. I mean, one of the weakest of my pack. The powerful wedded the powerful, and the weak ones got each other. Just like my parents did, passing on the misfortune to me. However, luck seemed to embrace me enough to think of me as worthy of a man like Alpha Jax. All that was left was for him to accept me. I gulped at the thought. There was a hundred percent chance that he would reject me on the spot. At least, that was what I thought until he invited me to his place. My hands shook with trepidation, but my wolf comforted me. "It'll be fine, he's your mate, and you're de
SCARLETT :If only he hadn't touched me as if he truly desired me. If only he had been upfront about it when I arrived at his cabin, maybe the hurt wouldn't have been so bitter.The look in his eyes was vastly different from the one he had when he was on top of me. I could have sworn I wasn't imagining it, but who's to say?"You can't do this to me," I croaked, a tear streaming down my cheek. "Not after what we just did.""You wanted it too, Scarlett," he smirked like the devil. "You had the chance to push me away, but you didn't, did you? If you don't want to freshen up in my bathroom, that's fine. You can just go home. The chauffeur will be waiting.""Why?" I sobbed. "You can't be serious. That was my first time."I saw his eyes soften for a moment before returning to their stern expression. "I thought so too from the way you lay flat like a board." He moved closer to me, towering over my frame. "If you think that would be enough to trap me, you're pitifully wrong." His words seeped
SCARLETT :The next day, I registered an application as the kitchen's main chef and chief server for the Alpha's kitchen. It was a whole competition. I had expected it. Anyone would want to work close to him. Pleasing Alpha Jax could lead to earning a small favor from him or so I heard.Three days later, I was given a letter to participate. The best chef would win the spot."Are you sure you don't want to get a job elsewhere? As much as the Alpha gives favors when he's pleased which is rare, he gets upset when his steak isn't properly made. The last chef and his assistant quit three days after the appointment." My mother's eyes creased with worry. Sophie and I got blonde hair from our mother, while our amber-green eyes from our dad who had brown hair."Your mom's right, Hun." My dad said out of concern. "We all know you're a softie. You might not be able to handle his criticisms. One of the cleaners at the pack house ran back home in tears and begged her parents to let her quit after
SCARLETT :I was to resume two days before the Alpha returned to the pack house. His personal assistant arrived ahead of time to give us a tour and inform us of his menu for the week.Standing at 5'11, with dark hair and brown eyes, Mr. Hensley Victor, the Alpha's personal assistant, had a large scowl on his face."I am Scarlett De Luca," I introduced myself."I'm Reyes Von," the Chief Chef introduced himself."Nice to meet you," Mr Hensley replied."Thank you, Mr. Hensley," I smiled."Please, call me Victor," he told us. His voice seemed calm, but his expression was stern. "I don't like being called Hensley.""Yes, Sir Victor," we chorused."Since you two passed the last stage, I have no worries regarding the steak. In the past, it wasn't a requirement to know the recipe before getting the job, but due to previous issues, we had to implement that. The recipe can be difficult to follow."I could only wonder what the grand Luna was thinking when she made the recipe."Thank you, sir," w
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.
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:"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: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: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
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
SCARLETT :"What are you thinking about?" Sophie shook me."Nothing," I lied."I didn't take a week off work so I'd have to watch you brood over Alpha Jax," she folded her arms."Damn, I hate how well you know me," I groaned.“That's how it should be. We're twins. Moreover, I'm the older twin. I gotta look out for you, lil sis."I scoffed. "You were older by five minutes, Soph. Not sure how that counts.""Five minutes. That's how much it counts. You spent an extra five minutes bracing yourself to be welcomed into the world.""Whatever makes you sleep at night, Soph," I grinned sarcastically."Oh, I do sleep really well."I grumbled a few words and picked up my phone to watch a movie I had downloaded."Mom's back," Sophie opened the door of our room. We went to welcome her, getting the groceries from her hands."Scarlett, I need you to go get soy sauce," my mom sighed. "I don't understand how I forgot. Your dad is making dinner tonight, and he'll need it.""Can't Sophie go?" I whined.
SCARLETT :To stop my parents from worrying about me losing my job, I told them the Alpha gave the staff in his chamber some time off. Sophie took a week off work too to help me. I don't know how she convinced the Beta to let her off work when she said he was an irritating jerkface.Our parents were out working, and when they weren't, we'd play games and have a barbecue like old times. The month was almost over, and Sophie wouldn't stop blabbering about her paycheck."Look at this!" She squealed, showing a screenshot on her phone. Sophie was a hairstylist at heart and experimented with different hairstyles.She loved going all out. Today she had bangs, tomorrow she'd style her hair into a bob. Not that frequently, though. She just changed her look once a month.My eyes beheld a flashy set of expensive hair styling tools. "I don't know what these are, Sophie." I reminded her that I was a novice to her favorite items.Sophie's eyes lit up with excitement, the phone gripped tightly as sh
JAX:I pleaded with my mother to keep Logan busy until I convinced my unyielding mate to stop coming to work, to take a sick leave at least.Once Logan set his eyes on something that caught his interest, it would be hard for him to let it go. We had that in common. Scarlett was associated with me, therefore, she was on his list of piques.I knew Logan wasn't over that one time. His girlfriend had given me a drink and told me someone needed to see me. I never told him about that part, that she intentionally intoxicated me to arouse me.I'd never betray my brother like that, even if our father and grandfather set us against each other to compete for the position of Alpha.I tolerated everything he had done so far because I wasn't blind to the fact that the family and elders favored me over him, but he cut too deep into my skin for me to bear with.I wished our mother hadn't called for some useless truce so he would stay away himself. I would have banished him myself if there was a way t