JAX:Sophie stayed with Scarlett all through the night. I decided to leave them by sending the same excuse I used for Scarlett days ago to their parents.I stayed in the gardens looking into the sky listlessly."Son." I turned to see my mother dressed in her usual style. Her elegant blue nightgown looking too inconvenient for sleep flowed to the floor.I looked at her and looked back at the sky refusing to acknowledge her."I understand that you are upset." "Never thought you could understand anything." I shot back at her."Do you love that woman?" She asked me.Love? I didn't know what that was."I don't know." I answered honestly. "I just don't want to see her get hurt.""Fair enough." She sat next to me. "If you don't want her to get hurt I suggest you cut all ties with her."I wasn't surprised at what she said. I had been thinking the same too. "I still have to do the right thing, I'm the reason that happened to her.""That's not on you, but on your brother." She told me. I sta
SCARLETT :The last thing I remembered before I passed out was Logan's dreadful face as he ripped my clothes off while I hopelessly called for help.How I ended up in one of the rooms in the royal pack house remained a mystery. The room oozed a hospital scent, but a nicer one, the type of room that would be given to royalty. The room was painted white with gold accents embellished on the walls. The bed I lay on felt so soft, not only that, but it was spacious too, so large I was certain ten people could sleep comfortably on it.I had made up my mind to finally end things. I had damaged myself in the process, ruined my life all for nothing. Alpha Jax was right to have called it off the night he did. Had I been satisfied and not covetous, I wouldn't have laid down with my body limped, scarred, and bruised in a place that isn't meant for someone like me.I had Sophie lie to my parents about where we were. I sensed they didn't believe it, however, I had some peace of mind as Alpha Jax sen
SCARLETT :I was grateful that my sister took a stand for me when I was unable to, yet a question pricked my heart. Where would we go? There was no way I could show my face to my parents, especially when my right leg still hurts to move.Sophie packed my things, I mean the things the Alpha sent to me."Leave the clothes," I told her. "I don't want to take anything that's his with me.""You're right." Sophie dropped the clothes on the floor. "What about the one you're wearing?"She gestured to the floral blue gown ending just above my knees."I'll just have it returned," I sighed."We should get out of here before the bitch queen gets back," she rolled her eyes."Soph," I cautioned her with glaring eyes."What? The worst she could do is behead me."My voice softened. "I'm so sorry.""You better be," she scoffed. "You should've given her a good verbal lashing before I did. You're supposed to be a savage, Scar!""Soph," I failed to stop myself from bursting into tears."Hey!" She yelled.
JAX:Two weeks of hell. That's how much Scarlett's absence affected me. It was by chance that I managed to secure the last alliance, especially considering that I was unable to pull myself together. If someone had told me two months ago that I would miss another human being this much, I would have laughed and bet my title that I wouldn't. Scarlett didn't just leave me; she left her presence to haunt me. My cabin smelled of vanilla. I saw her doe-like amber eyes, beautiful pure blonde hair, and pink pouty lips every time I closed my eyes.There was so much I had planned to do with her until I figured things out. I hadn't told her how good her cooking was. I was reluctant to eat her food at first because I didn't want to trust her. The first time I did, it was like nothing I had ever tasted. Damn, I missed the way she tugged on her lower lip when she was upset. I missed running my fingers through her soft locks. I missed how peaceful she looked when she slept. So fragile, so easily brea
SCARLETT :Harrison Cage turned a deaf ear to all my excuses, and we ended up staying at his place.His lifestyle was no different from any other person of high ranking. His place was just a simple-looking apartment, yet everything about it screamed luxuriously. The neatly white-painted walls had exquisite art on everything, and the sofas were too soft and plush not to cost a fortune. It had a mini bar with a shelf of glass souvenirs next to it.The flat-screen TV in the living room seemed like it was meant for movies, and the cream rugs felt so good against my feet that I kept rubbing them on the rug throughout my stay.He gave Sophie and me separate rooms, but we agreed on sharing a room. I begrudgingly took his offer; he did not have to give up the nice rooms in his apartment for us. That seemed utterly ridiculous to me. Moreover, I believed that would give us the chance to talk about her new friend whose family owned a chain of hotels, yet she'd bail on me using work, and we'd end
SCARLETT :"Help," I said in my head, as if anyone would actually come to save me.On second thought, maybe it was good for me. Who would want me after this anyway?"Scarlett." A distant voice called out to me.This was it.I was dying."Scarlett!" Logan's voice thundered, making me flinch.And my eyes opened.Worried blue eyes stared back at mine."Scarlett." Cage cupped my face. "Are you okay?"I nodded frantically.Sweat trickled down my forehead.It was a dream. It wasn't real.I swallowed hard, holding onto my throat lightly.Cage abruptly got up and returned with a glass of water. "Drink up."My hands shook with no limits, preventing me from holding onto the cup properly. It fell from my hand and broke into pieces."I'm so sorry," I shrieked.Tears pooled in my eyes again.Damn it, if I could just not get emotional for one fucking day!"It's fine.""No." I reached to pick up the glass without picking. A piece of it cut through my thumb."Scar, please!" He held my hand. "Breathe.
SCARLETT :Almost a month had gone by since the incident. I had my hair chopped off to my shoulders and had Soph dye it red. Everyone thought I looked like a rebel, but for me, it was to help me forget those memories. Sometimes I still felt my hair being dragged. It being short gave me a sense of safety I could not comprehend. I believed I was recovering fair enough. I was back with my parents who made a little feast to celebrate our return. Papa was particularly vexed about us being away from home for that long."Next time, fake being sick," he told us. "Every day I had to brace myself not to go throw a fit at the pack house."Our very honest papa was asking his girls to lie so we could be home. No shocker. He called more often than our mother did. I saw my therapist in secret. Lucinda, whose name sounded like she was perfect to play a wicked stepmother or villainess, was so heartwarming towards me. She did not look at me with pity as others would but with understanding. While her gr
SCARLETT :"I didn't tell Mom that I now work with Harrison Cage," I communicated with my sister through looks and our eyes.And what did my sister do?She shrugged!"It's our new friend, Mama," she told our mother with bustling energy."A friend with a luxurious means of transport?"We both shrugged, giving her the same grin."And what's with Scarlett today?""I'm trying something new.""She's trying something new," my sister and I replied coincidentally."Girls, I made pancakes," my dad held the pan in one hand. "Scarlett," my dad chirped. "You look amazing. Trying something new?""Yup," I nodded in affirmation."Just give me a minute to pack your lunch boxes," he held his index finger up."Honey, our girls have a new friend with a really expensive car," my mother blurted.Trust my sister to give her THE LOOK. The "are you kidding me, Ma?" look. Well, we didn't expect her to tell our dad."Don't tell your friend to keep waiting outside, bring her inside."Overprotective papa mode ac
SCARLETT :The past days and weeks have been utter bliss. Life has never been so fulfilling. It almost feels too good to be true. I'm thrilled. I'm scared.Pushing the negatives aside, I remember Lucinda's words.My therapist.Cage said she was hospitalized, but she's recovered just fine and hasn't quit the profession. I was glad. Lucinda was a darling. I hope she never quits."Sophie," my father's voice reaches the room from downstairs.Right. We were supposed to hand out free pastries to the neighborhood as goodwill. Papa's pastry shop was coming into good view, and boy, was I excited for it. Sophie must be up already. I texted Jax into the night. I feel like an actual teenager now. Late-night calls and texting. I loved those activities quite a lot. It's an understatement to say I am not quite fond of them.I got off my bed, looked into my mirror, at my tattoo. My parents don't understand it yet. I have to tell them at some point.I brushed my teeth, had a shower, changed into a gra
SCARLETT :We grabbed some food first and played some outdoor games before heading to the arcade. The neon lights of the arcade cast a colorful glow as Sophie squealed, jumping up and down."It looks just like in the images," I said, delighted that it met our expectations."Right?" Sophie beamed."What games shall we play first?" Zharn asked."I vote air hockey, unless you guys are scared wimps," my twin pointed to Jax and me."What about your boyfriend?" I arched my brows."Nah, Zharn has never and will never be a scared wimp.""Thank you, baby," he leaned down and pecked her cheek."Well, my girlfriend and I aren't scared wimps. Air hockey is too easy."I blushed at Jax's retort. We weren't dating yet.We decided to play as teams: Team Jax and Scarlett and Team Zharie. I can't with their name combination."We won! We beat you two!" Sophie declared, pointing at Jax and me. My mouth hung open in betrayal at the air hockey table."You cheated," I fumed."You both just suck," Zharn grin
SCARLETT :The day was upon us. The day we had all been waiting for.Our double date!I stared at the neatly wrapped box on my bed, my band inscribed on a smooth, precise script. A single deep red rose rested on top, its petals velvety and rich in color. Sophie’s box sat beside hers, wrapped in soft blue ribbon, a pale pink rose accompanying it."Do you think they actually picked these out themselves?" Sophie asked, holding the delicate flower between her fingers, her blonde curls bouncing as she turned to me.I smirked, running my fingers over the sleek black leather jacket inside the box. "I don't know, but it looks so good. They probably had Sir Hensley help them. I've always wanted a new leather jacket. It's designer. I hope it didn't cost a fortune. I have to treat Jax to corn dogs and burgers at the amusement park."Sophie gasped, dramatically clutching her heart. "Blasphemy. Zharn has good taste. I believe he picked these out himself." She pulled out a silky baby blue off-shoul
SCARLETT :So far, so good. The move was going nicely for us. The people were kind, and there were others our age who were AMAZING. Dad had enlisted a few people to help build a nice, cozy wooden pastry shop.My father was such a hard worker. We were currently hanging out with our new friends.José, Elena, Adrianne, Estelle, Jean, Lennie, and Courte.It took me three whole days to memorize their names.This side of town had a lot to offer, though it wasn't as beautiful as our pack's Capital since the majority of the population here was filled with lowborns, as the nobles would call us.Elena invited us to watch a movie. Her parents were well-to-do, owning a flourishing timber business. Not huge, but doing alright. Her parents were out, and we were all just chilling with popcorn and soda.Sophie had had a couple of hangouts with friends before, so she knew what to say or do. I had always been more reserved; hence, it was the first time I had tried putting in effort to associate with ot
SCARLETT :The farmhouse sat at the end of a winding dirt road, nestled between rolling green fields and a thick tree line. It was a sturdy two-story home, built with warm brown timber and stone, standing strong as if it had weathered years of seasons. The wraparound porch had wooden railings, a few rocking chairs, and flower pots spilling over with bright daisies and lavender. A wind chime swayed gently, adding a soft melody to the sounds of nature.Past the house, the land stretched wide, dotted with trees that swayed under the afternoon sun. A fenced pasture sat to the side, where a chestnut horse grazed peacefully, flicking its tail. A few cows stood lazily in the shade of an old oak tree, chewing grass without a care in the world. Closer to the barn, goats wandered near a wooden pen, occasionally headbutting each other in playful mischief. Chickens pecked at the dirt, their soft clucking blending with the distant croak of a frog near a small pond at the edge of the property. A pa
SCARLETT :To say that meeting with the grand Luna was fairly okay is viewing it on the positive side.How estranged was her relationship with her son?When did it get this bad?Has it always been that way?How exactly did Jax grow up? Did he even experience any parental love?I wanted answers. No, I needed answers."Scarlett!" My mother called out to me."I'm coming." I put the last box onto the truck."I'm so tired." Sophie slumped onto me."Get up, lazy ass." I pushed her off me gently. "I won't be moving your hair kit box for you."Two days went by fast, and we were moving to the farmhouse.I told Sophie everything, about my new ability, about Herrera. It still felt unreal that my spirit remembered her, not everything. Just faintly and with time, it seemed as if all my memories there with her were leaving me. My newfound ability was for the pack alone. When the pack becomes in great danger, it will arise. The permission for Herrera to use my body was irrevocable. Meaning I can sli
JAX:Scarlett tensed at the mention of the royal pack house. I understood why. My brother hadn't been found. All I needed was for him to come around so that I could confront him for my mate. How were skilled spies and assassins not able to locate him? The issue was beginning to seem beyond me. I hated it.She fiddled with the seatbelt next to me. I could tell she was still anxious."Why did you lie to me and say that you are fine, Scarlett? When will you learn to trust me fully?" I asked.I glanced to the side, our eyes met.I placed one hand on the steering wheel and the other on her fidgeting hand. She became stiff, just like when I hugged her in the hospital, but later relaxed to my touch."That's it. Don't shy away from me," I said.I didn't say anything more to her. Her body understood what mine was trying to convey. I saw through her because she's mine.The drive wasn't too far, and the enormous gates of the royal pack house opened to us, very grand and stylish.We entered and m
SCARLETT :"It is easy. Too easy. You have me by your side."His words sounded sweet, sweeter than all the honey in this world, if you will.He made it sound like nothing, yet to me, it was something. It was the whole of it."How much time?" He asked me, his gaze unmoving, unnerving. This man was trying so hard to reach into my soul.I think it's working."I have no idea," I replied to him honestly.How long does it take to think a relationship through?A day?A week?A month?One year?I did not know."I can't say I know all of you, and you can't say you know all of me," I told him."Scarlett, you have all of me. You can take all the time you need to study me, and I'll let you. Nothing is holding us back."How can you say nothing is?Are you going to tell him how you planned to use him first? A voice teased at the back of my head. It was like the devil whispering words of conceited advice sure to ruin me. Herrera would give it a good smash and stab if she were present.The voice was
JAX:La Belle Vue. The restaurant was just as I envisioned—warm, intimate, yet refined. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a soft glow over the dark oak tables and exposed brick walls. A fireplace crackled in the corner, the scent of burning cedar mixing with the faint aroma of freshly baked pastries. The space was entirely ours, not a single other guest in sight. Just Scarlett and me.She looked around, taking in the dim golden chandeliers and plush leather seating. The faint notes of a jazz piano hummed through the air, barely noticeable under the quiet shuffle of the wait staff."I've never been to this side of town. It's so pretty," she murmured, settling into her seat.I loosened my tie slightly, trying to shake off the ridiculous nerves creeping up my spine. "I thought you'd like something simple but nice.""Thank you," she told me.A waiter appeared with two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice, setting them down with a polite nod before handing us the men