When I returned to the room, my breath was shallow and ragged, like I had been running for my life. In some ways, I had.Vespara looked up from the corner of the bed where she sat wrapped in silence, her eyes narrowing as soon as she saw me. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.I smiled.But it wasn’t the kind of smile one gives to reassure. It was the kind born of secrets, of plans stitched together in shadows. I had clarity now. I had a purpose. The destruction of the Moonlord pack wasn’t just revenge anymore, it was freedom. Solace. A beginning.I stepped closer. My voice dropped, quiet but steady. “Do you want to solidify your position as Beta?”She blinked, confused, frowning as if unsure she’d heard me right. “What?”I sat beside her, leaned in just enough for her to listen what I am going to say. If there are stronger wolves around us, they may listen to us. Dammit. I wish I could have a mind link right now. “On the outskirts of the Moonlord territory,” I
Warning: The few chapters contains sensitive content, including references to sexual assault, trauma, and emotional distress. Reader discretion is strongly advised. If you are sensitive to such topics or find them triggering, please proceed with caution or consider skipping this chapter.It seemed Alpha Dante had been helping Vespara with her preparations because he did not return all night. Vespara had already left along with many of the soldiers she came with. The house felt too quiet for its own good. I suddenly miss Dante and Vespara. Although Dante was avoiding me because he thinks I will pounce on him, which I planned to, but is on hold for now, I still miss him. It was just as the first ray of dawn broke across the sky when I heard movement outside the bedroom. My heart lifted for a moment. I thought it was Dante. I hadn’t seen him since the morning, and the idea of seeing him again gave me a fleeting sense of comfort.But when I stepped into the living room, it wasn’t Dante.I
Hector grabbed me by the throat, his grip like a vice while choking the air out of my lungs.“You dared to call that bastard?” he growled, eyes gleaming with fury. “Let me show you who really owns you.”I clawed at his hand, struggling to breathe, my other hand desperately reaching behind me. My fingers brushed against the nightstand, searching for anything—something—to save myself. Then I felt it: a small glass vial. The poison. The one Alyssa had given me. It was the one meant for Dante. She had told me to pour it directly on his heart. It would kill him.But I wasn’t going to use it on Dante.As Hector bit into my skin, sinking his teeth with vicious hunger, I wrapped my fingers tightly around the bottle. My hand shook, but I didn’t hesitate. With one sudden motion, I uncorked it and poured the poison onto his back.He let out a bloodcurdling scream. It was inhuman, raw, guttural pain ripping through him. His skin hissed where the poison touched, like acid on flesh. I had never hear
Scarlet's POVBlood-stained, fury etched into every line of his face as eyes blazing with rage but when he saw me, curled up and naked, covered in wounds and shame, in his closet something in him shattered.His jaw clenched as he turned sharply toward the soldiers behind him.“Everyone. Out. Now,” he commanded, his voice deadly calm.Boots shuffled quickly out of the room. The door shut. Silence.Then he knelt.He reached for me, gently, as though I would break at his touch.But I recoiled, tears blurring my vision. I pushed at him, trembling. “Don’t… don’t touch me. I’m dirty…” My voice cracked. “I’m spoiled… stained. Dante, please… don’t…”“Hush,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms anyway, as if to shield me from the very air around us.I didn’t resist for long.I collapsed into him.And I cried. I cried like a child. He held me through it, against his soul, not letting go. Not once.I don’t know how long I cried. Only that he never stopped holding me.Then he carried me in his
Scarlet’s POVI couldn’t accept it. No… this thought, this looming truth, it couldn’t be real. I didn’t know what would become of me. My life was spiralling out of control, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. I clung to him, desperately, like a drowning soul latching onto driftwood in a stormy sea. I held him as tightly as I could, because if I let go… I would fall.He was the only solid thing left in my world. My anchor. My pillar of strength. Without him, I would shatter.My mind was muddled, scattered, lost in fear, lost in the crushing weight of tomorrow. My trembling fingers reached for him, again and again, needing to feel every inch of him. But it wasn’t enough. No closeness could be enough.I wanted to be closer. So close, I would melt into him. So close, I could seep beneath his skin, flow in his bloodstream, hide within his heartbeat.Because if I had to leave him tomorrow, I didn’t want to exist as a memory. I wanted to become a part of him. A piece he could
When the morning came, I opened my eyes to find him already awake, and his gaze was fixed on me. There was no smirk, no teasing in his expression, just a quiet stillness, like he had been watching over me all night.The memories of last night flooded my mind in a slow crashing wave. The desperation, the closeness, the way he had held me like I was something worth saving. I didn’t know what to feel grateful, fragile, loved, ashamed, maybe all of it tangled into one tight knot in my chest.He didn’t say a word, but as if he could hear every loud, messy thought echoing in my mind, he pulled me gently closer and pressed a kiss into my hair. The warmth of it settled something deep inside me.I should have looked away. I should have said something. But I didn’t.Instead, I leaned forward and kissed him. Slowly. Softly.And he didn’t stop me.He kissed me back, deeper this time. His body was pressed against mine, the heat of his skin radiating through the thin sheet, and the simple proximit
Allyssa entered the room and paused at the doorway, surprised. Alpha Juno sat slouched in his chair, a half-empty bottle of whiskey clutched loosely in his hand. She had never seen Juno drunk so early in the morning. A sinking feeling twisted in her gut. Something had happened.From the look on his face, dark, brooding, and worn, she could tell he was deeply displeased. She had heard the whisper about Dante’s conditions for Scarlet’s return. It didn’t take much to guess that Juno had been forced to agree, and the humiliation was eating at him.If Hector hadn’t been so obsessively fixated on bringing Scarlet back, Juno would have never wasted such a hefty sum to reclaim a woman who, in his eyes, contributed nothing valuable to the pack. Scarlet’s absence had been no real loss, and her return was only a painful reminder of their defeat at the hands of Phantom Moon.But Hector couldn’t tolerate defeat. His pride wouldn’t allow him to let Phantom Moon keep what had once been his. No matte
Scarlet’s POVI stood in the negotiation room, the air heavy with tension as the four Alphas gathered to decide my fate. My eyes found Dante, seated at the centre of the room. His Betas were conspicuously absent as Vespara had yet to return. For a moment, I wondered if she was injured in the attack, but then I told myself that Vespara knew what she was getting into. She would certainly be fine. Across from him sat Juno, flanked by his newly appointed Beta. I had heard whispers that my father stepped down from the position after my mother’s death. Outwardly, he mourned her, but the truth was far less noble. My mother had been the true Beta as she was sharp, cunning, and lethal. Without her shielding him, it wouldn't be long before his incompetence was exposed. Stepping down was merely his way of escaping disgrace.From her place beside Juno, Alyssa glared at me, her hatred burning deeply. Too bad I wasn’t concerned with her anymore.I hated her far more deeply than she could ever hate
Scarlet’s POVAlpha Edward’s voice rang out, "Alpha Dante," he said, his gaze unwavering, "what is your decision?" "If Phantom Moon chooses not to accept Miss Rosetti," he continued, "she will be declared a rogue. Although she made a mistake, you, as the man involved, are under no obligation to accept her or the child she carries."I stood there, feeling the burden of the world pressing down on me. In a pack, an Alpha’s word was law. Their prerogatives were many, and their mercy was rare. I smiled bitterly to myself. It didn’t matter whether Alpha Dante accepted me or not. That was never the point. By destroying my own reputation, by tearing apart what little "good girl" image they had forced upon me, I had given Alpha Juno exactly what he needed that was a reason to sever all ties with me. So what if I was no longer a Rosetti? Had I ever truly been one? The truth was simple: they had never treated me like family. To them, I was less than a person but a a burden, an inconvenien
Dante’s POVShe looked around the room, her gaze sweeping over every face, before it landed on me. And then slowly, with trembling fingers, she pointed at me.For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. What was she saying? Did she even realize what she was doing? How could it be possible?“Dante… Alpha Dante,” she whispered brokenly, and every pair of eyes turned toward me."You bastard!" Alpha Juno exploded. He lunged across the table, trying to reach me, but before he could lay a hand on me, my soldiers and Edward’s men intercepted him, shoving him back into his seat."Alpha Juno! Remain seated!" Alpha Edward barked. "We are the mediators! We will conduct this negotiation properly."Juno seethed where he sat, but didn’t move again.Alpha Edward turned his attention back to Scarlet. She stood trembling, her lips wobbling, eyes swimming with terror and shame. It wasn’t like last night when she was broken apart. This was different. There was something raw and devastating in her now as wel
Scarlet’s POVI stood in the negotiation room, the air heavy with tension as the four Alphas gathered to decide my fate. My eyes found Dante, seated at the centre of the room. His Betas were conspicuously absent as Vespara had yet to return. For a moment, I wondered if she was injured in the attack, but then I told myself that Vespara knew what she was getting into. She would certainly be fine. Across from him sat Juno, flanked by his newly appointed Beta. I had heard whispers that my father stepped down from the position after my mother’s death. Outwardly, he mourned her, but the truth was far less noble. My mother had been the true Beta as she was sharp, cunning, and lethal. Without her shielding him, it wouldn't be long before his incompetence was exposed. Stepping down was merely his way of escaping disgrace.From her place beside Juno, Alyssa glared at me, her hatred burning deeply. Too bad I wasn’t concerned with her anymore.I hated her far more deeply than she could ever hate
Allyssa entered the room and paused at the doorway, surprised. Alpha Juno sat slouched in his chair, a half-empty bottle of whiskey clutched loosely in his hand. She had never seen Juno drunk so early in the morning. A sinking feeling twisted in her gut. Something had happened.From the look on his face, dark, brooding, and worn, she could tell he was deeply displeased. She had heard the whisper about Dante’s conditions for Scarlet’s return. It didn’t take much to guess that Juno had been forced to agree, and the humiliation was eating at him.If Hector hadn’t been so obsessively fixated on bringing Scarlet back, Juno would have never wasted such a hefty sum to reclaim a woman who, in his eyes, contributed nothing valuable to the pack. Scarlet’s absence had been no real loss, and her return was only a painful reminder of their defeat at the hands of Phantom Moon.But Hector couldn’t tolerate defeat. His pride wouldn’t allow him to let Phantom Moon keep what had once been his. No matte
When the morning came, I opened my eyes to find him already awake, and his gaze was fixed on me. There was no smirk, no teasing in his expression, just a quiet stillness, like he had been watching over me all night.The memories of last night flooded my mind in a slow crashing wave. The desperation, the closeness, the way he had held me like I was something worth saving. I didn’t know what to feel grateful, fragile, loved, ashamed, maybe all of it tangled into one tight knot in my chest.He didn’t say a word, but as if he could hear every loud, messy thought echoing in my mind, he pulled me gently closer and pressed a kiss into my hair. The warmth of it settled something deep inside me.I should have looked away. I should have said something. But I didn’t.Instead, I leaned forward and kissed him. Slowly. Softly.And he didn’t stop me.He kissed me back, deeper this time. His body was pressed against mine, the heat of his skin radiating through the thin sheet, and the simple proximit
Scarlet’s POVI couldn’t accept it. No… this thought, this looming truth, it couldn’t be real. I didn’t know what would become of me. My life was spiralling out of control, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand. I clung to him, desperately, like a drowning soul latching onto driftwood in a stormy sea. I held him as tightly as I could, because if I let go… I would fall.He was the only solid thing left in my world. My anchor. My pillar of strength. Without him, I would shatter.My mind was muddled, scattered, lost in fear, lost in the crushing weight of tomorrow. My trembling fingers reached for him, again and again, needing to feel every inch of him. But it wasn’t enough. No closeness could be enough.I wanted to be closer. So close, I would melt into him. So close, I could seep beneath his skin, flow in his bloodstream, hide within his heartbeat.Because if I had to leave him tomorrow, I didn’t want to exist as a memory. I wanted to become a part of him. A piece he could
Scarlet's POVBlood-stained, fury etched into every line of his face as eyes blazing with rage but when he saw me, curled up and naked, covered in wounds and shame, in his closet something in him shattered.His jaw clenched as he turned sharply toward the soldiers behind him.“Everyone. Out. Now,” he commanded, his voice deadly calm.Boots shuffled quickly out of the room. The door shut. Silence.Then he knelt.He reached for me, gently, as though I would break at his touch.But I recoiled, tears blurring my vision. I pushed at him, trembling. “Don’t… don’t touch me. I’m dirty…” My voice cracked. “I’m spoiled… stained. Dante, please… don’t…”“Hush,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms anyway, as if to shield me from the very air around us.I didn’t resist for long.I collapsed into him.And I cried. I cried like a child. He held me through it, against his soul, not letting go. Not once.I don’t know how long I cried. Only that he never stopped holding me.Then he carried me in his
Hector grabbed me by the throat, his grip like a vice while choking the air out of my lungs.“You dared to call that bastard?” he growled, eyes gleaming with fury. “Let me show you who really owns you.”I clawed at his hand, struggling to breathe, my other hand desperately reaching behind me. My fingers brushed against the nightstand, searching for anything—something—to save myself. Then I felt it: a small glass vial. The poison. The one Alyssa had given me. It was the one meant for Dante. She had told me to pour it directly on his heart. It would kill him.But I wasn’t going to use it on Dante.As Hector bit into my skin, sinking his teeth with vicious hunger, I wrapped my fingers tightly around the bottle. My hand shook, but I didn’t hesitate. With one sudden motion, I uncorked it and poured the poison onto his back.He let out a bloodcurdling scream. It was inhuman, raw, guttural pain ripping through him. His skin hissed where the poison touched, like acid on flesh. I had never hear
Warning: The few chapters contains sensitive content, including references to sexual assault, trauma, and emotional distress. Reader discretion is strongly advised. If you are sensitive to such topics or find them triggering, please proceed with caution or consider skipping this chapter.It seemed Alpha Dante had been helping Vespara with her preparations because he did not return all night. Vespara had already left along with many of the soldiers she came with. The house felt too quiet for its own good. I suddenly miss Dante and Vespara. Although Dante was avoiding me because he thinks I will pounce on him, which I planned to, but is on hold for now, I still miss him. It was just as the first ray of dawn broke across the sky when I heard movement outside the bedroom. My heart lifted for a moment. I thought it was Dante. I hadn’t seen him since the morning, and the idea of seeing him again gave me a fleeting sense of comfort.But when I stepped into the living room, it wasn’t Dante.I