Scarlett’s POV
Late at night, I paced in the shadows of my room as the restless energy of my wolf was stirring faintly in my chest. I could tell Red would wake up anytime now. My wolf, Red, was so worn out that she usually slept for weeks and woke up for a few minutes each time.
I had devised the perfect plan to sneak out to Alpha Dante’s ball. Every fiber of my being screamed that this night would change everything.
“Dress,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the soft rustle of the curtains. “I need a dress.”
My thoughts locked on the sparkly blue gown Alyssia had been flaunting earlier.
"I have a dress," I muttered to myself, "Now, I just need a way to steal it."
The hallway was quiet but the muffled voices of my mother and Alyssia drifted through the crack of her door. I crouched closer as my ears strained to catch their conversation.
“Mommy, did you forget about our real plan?” Alyssia’s voice was soft, too conspiratorial.
“No, sweetheart, I didn’t,” my mother replied. Her tone was indulgent. “I will speak to your daddy tomorrow about Alpha Juno.”
“When I become Alpha Juno’s Luna, I will help Daddy climb higher.” Alyssia’s voice held the kind of ambition that sent a chill down my spine.
My mother’s response was a kiss on her forehead. “You are so sensible, sweetheart. Sleep well.”
I pressed my back against the wall, my heart thundering in my chest. Alyssia, Luna of the pack? How? Alpha Juno was in his late thirties, and his fated mate died due to a pack raid two years ago. He had never marked another and it was rare for a werewolf to find a second fated mate. Those who didn’t meet theirs often settled for a chosen mate and marked them to forge a bond.
Just like me or my parents. We never met our fated mates. Hector would mark me during our wedding ceremony if it ever happened.
The pack elders had been pressuring Alpha Juno to choose a wife to secure an heir. But Alyssia? She was barely out of adolescence and yet my mother was scheming her path to the Luna's throne.
My stomach churned as my mother’s voice reached me again. “Marrying Scarlett to Hector was the first step. No one else would give him a bride. We did. We will ensure that act cements our hold on the pack.”
“Thank you, Mommy,” Alyssia replied sweetly.
My family was using me, leveraging my misery to secure their ambitions.
But what could I do?
I waited, silent and still, as the conversation faded and the soft rhythm of Alyssia’s snoring filled the room.
“Scarlett,” a small voice murmured in my mind. The soft and sleepy tone was unmistakable. My wolf.
“Red?” I whispered in my head, a bittersweet pang of guilt tightening my throat. “You’re awake?”
“Your excitement woke me,” she said, her voice tinged with weariness. “But... why do you feel so guilty?”
I hesitated. Red had been dormant, too weak to surface fully. She didn’t know the truth that I was planning to destroy us both.
“I’m just tired,” I lied softly.
Red yawned in response, her energy slipping away. “When I wake up, let’s run under the stars, okay?”
“Sleep well, Red,” I murmured, my heart aching. “I will let you run as much as you want the next time.”
A soft and contented hum echoed through my mind as Red sank back into sleep.
“I’m sorry, Red,” I whispered to the silence. “You are too weak. I can’t even let you out.”
Pushing down the guilt, I crept into Alyssia’s room. The dress hung on a hook by her vanity, its sparkle mocking me in the dim light. Quietly, I slipped it off the hanger, clutching it tightly as I backed out of the room.
The cold night air greeted me as I stepped outside. I clutched the gown closer to my chest as a surge of defiance coursed through me.
“Alpha Dante,” I whispered to the wind, “I’m coming. This ball will change my life.”
Scarlett’s POVThe full moon lit up the sky, its silvery glow shining down on the enormous estate in front of me. My heart was racing as I stepped out of the taxi, the long and flowing skirt of my stolen blue gown brushing the gravel under my feet. I stood still for a moment, staring in awe at the mansion before me.Alpha Dante’s manor was stunning and intimidating, with tall towers reaching into the night sky and ivy climbing up its dark stone walls. A warm light glowed from its windows, and I could hear the faint thrum of music and laughter spilling out.I adjusted the mask on my face and took a deep breath. The air smelled fresh and wild, like pine trees mixed with something deeper…like something untamed. My wolf stirred faintly inside me as if sensing my excitement once again.Two guards dressed in black stood there with sharp and serious eyes. I hesitated, feeling small and out of place in this grand world. My gown, my courage, even my dreams—they all felt stolen.“Name?” one of
Scarlett’s POV“Like what you see?”I turned to face him. A tall, broad man with obsidian eyes that pierced deep into me. He wore a plain black mask, such a contrast to his dark suit with velvet streaks, and was making him appear even more mysterious and dangerous.“I believe this is the first time you have seen something like this,” he said, his voice filled with amusement.I swallowed hard. “I… I have seen it before,” I replied, though my words felt weak and uncertain.He raised an eyebrow, trying to appear intrigued. “Where?” He was toying with me as if enjoying the game.“Pornography,” I blurted out, immediately regretting it.He laughed a laugh which was low and rich. A sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Cinderella…”“What?” I asked, confused.“You look like Cinderella with that gown and your hair,” He chuckled darkly. “Are you sure this is the right place for you?”My frustration bubbled to the surface. “Who are you to tell me where I belong? I’m an adult, and I know how to
Dante’s POVShe was gone.A princess waltzed into my life, igniting the dormant feelings I thought had long since died. And then, without a trace, she vanished.Not a single damn trace.I could still smell her. Her vanilla and something sweet scent clung to my sheets. A scent so intoxicating, it was almost like I could taste it and as if it was burned into my soul.But it wasn’t just her scent.Her blood stained the sheets, too.I marked her with my teeth. Her soft, delicate skin was now marred with my canines. The bite was still fresh in my mind as the pulse of her heartbeat under my teeth echoed in my head. No hallucination could feel so real."Alpha, we have searched every CCTV, every bus and train station, and there is no trace of a woman in a blue gown with red hair," Killian’s voice broke through the haze of anger clouding my mind. His words and the doubt they carried were like poison twisting in my gut. He thought I was losing my mind. They all did. I know it would not be the
Scarlet’s POVIt was the day.The day I dreaded.The day I had been waiting for.I sat before an old and intricate mirror. In it, my reflection was almost unrecognisable. The room buzzed with movement og maids, stylists, and attendants. All fussing over me as if I were the most important person in the world.How ironic.They say that when you die, people ultimately pay attention. Even those who never cared find something kind to say. Maybe that was why they were all looking at me now.But I wasn’t dead. Not yet.Their attention on me was suffocating. Every touch, every whispered word, felt like I was being shaped into something I wasn’t. Something I would never be. Something I wished to escape at any cost. Even if the cost was death. "Is she ready?" My mother’s voice cut through the noise."Yes, Mrs. Rosetti. Miss Rosetti is ready," the makeup artist said.I turned to look at my mother, standing tall in a gown of deep champagne, diamonds and pearls glistening against her beautiful sk
Dante stood motionless in the temple, surrounded by the haunting echoes of chants reverberating through the sacred halls. The air was filled with sorrow, heavy with the weight of a loss that was too great to bear. Every member of the pack stood solemnly, their heads bowed in grief. Their mourning was not just for any warrior, they had lost the heart of their pack. They had lost Liam. Liam had been more than just his Beta. He had been his brother, his confidant, his family in every way that mattered. And now he was gone, reduced to ashes because of a war Dante had fueled with his own hatred and thirst for revenge. The guilt gnawed at him, tightening its grip around his chest. Had he not been so blinded by his anger, had he made different choices, would Liam still be alive? But it was too late for regret. The damage was done, irreversible. His gaze drifted through the crowd until it settled on a frail, elderly woman with a head full of stark white hair. Her face, etched with deep li
Scarlett’s POVRed room.A haven of temptation.Cloaked in shades of crimson so deep they seemed to bleed desireHeavy red velvet drapes framed the walls.The dim glow of a crystal chandelier spilled down like liquid gold.At the center, a majestic bed stood, whispering elegance and sin.On the far wall, a gilded mirror stretched nearly floor to ceiling, reflecting two figures mingling in tantalizing heat.Everything was whispering one thing to me. Surrender.And so I did.You must be wondering who I am?Tonight, I am trying not to remember who I am.Tonight, I am just a naive virgin who entered the Alpha’s ball disguised as a noble princess, when I am just a pitiful Cinderella, just to have a taste of disobedience and sin.Tonight, I am a sinner.Why did nobody tell me that being a sinner is so pleasurable`?A moan escaped my throat as he sucked on my breasts. The breast that did not even fill his big and manly hands. He was easily six feet and five inches and built like a mountain.
Scarlett’s POVOne day ago…Death.It is the perfect revenge.The ultimate escape.A dishonorable and humiliating death.Do I deserve it? Perhaps. Does it matter? Not in the slightest. Yet, I am certain of this: I do not deserve my childhood stolen, my adulthood tarnished, and my honor shredded to nothingness.My mother has been avenging me all my life for the crime of being born. I was born on the wrong day, during the worst lunar eclipse in centuries. Was it my fault? Did I choose this fate? I did not summon the eclipse. I did not shape the stars.And still, my mere existence was cursed—a child born with a wolf so feeble, it might as well be a rabbit. A secret so shameful that even my family remains unaware of it. It was better they think I am useless and incapable of shifting than to see the pitiful truth of my rabbit-sized wolf.Since my younger sister shifted, I have been the family’s punching bag and the pack’s disgrace. I am the Beta’s daughter, the war advisor’s blood, but my
Scarlett’s POVAs I entered the house, laughter echoed from the dining room. One voice sent a shiver down my spine. I knew who it belonged to. The man I wished never to see again.Despite knowing my mother’s wrath awaited if I were late for dinner, I tried to sneak to my room, hoping to avoid him. But my attempt failed. My mother caught me as her face was stormy with anger.“Why are you late?” she snapped. “I told you this morning to return early! Hector is here to meet you. It’s the first time he has visited since your engagement, and you dare to slack off?”I opened my mouth to explain, “But Mother, I—”Slap.Her hand struck my cheek hard. Tears welled up as I looked at her. Her voice was sharp as a blade. “If I hear you say one more time that you don’t want to marry Hector, I will end your life, Scarlett! Be grateful Alpha Juno has shown mercy.”“Go to your room,” she ordered coldly. “Alyssia has lent you a dress for tonight. Make yourself presentable and entertain your fiancé. I d
Dante stood motionless in the temple, surrounded by the haunting echoes of chants reverberating through the sacred halls. The air was filled with sorrow, heavy with the weight of a loss that was too great to bear. Every member of the pack stood solemnly, their heads bowed in grief. Their mourning was not just for any warrior, they had lost the heart of their pack. They had lost Liam. Liam had been more than just his Beta. He had been his brother, his confidant, his family in every way that mattered. And now he was gone, reduced to ashes because of a war Dante had fueled with his own hatred and thirst for revenge. The guilt gnawed at him, tightening its grip around his chest. Had he not been so blinded by his anger, had he made different choices, would Liam still be alive? But it was too late for regret. The damage was done, irreversible. His gaze drifted through the crowd until it settled on a frail, elderly woman with a head full of stark white hair. Her face, etched with deep li
Scarlet’s POVIt was the day.The day I dreaded.The day I had been waiting for.I sat before an old and intricate mirror. In it, my reflection was almost unrecognisable. The room buzzed with movement og maids, stylists, and attendants. All fussing over me as if I were the most important person in the world.How ironic.They say that when you die, people ultimately pay attention. Even those who never cared find something kind to say. Maybe that was why they were all looking at me now.But I wasn’t dead. Not yet.Their attention on me was suffocating. Every touch, every whispered word, felt like I was being shaped into something I wasn’t. Something I would never be. Something I wished to escape at any cost. Even if the cost was death. "Is she ready?" My mother’s voice cut through the noise."Yes, Mrs. Rosetti. Miss Rosetti is ready," the makeup artist said.I turned to look at my mother, standing tall in a gown of deep champagne, diamonds and pearls glistening against her beautiful sk
Dante’s POVShe was gone.A princess waltzed into my life, igniting the dormant feelings I thought had long since died. And then, without a trace, she vanished.Not a single damn trace.I could still smell her. Her vanilla and something sweet scent clung to my sheets. A scent so intoxicating, it was almost like I could taste it and as if it was burned into my soul.But it wasn’t just her scent.Her blood stained the sheets, too.I marked her with my teeth. Her soft, delicate skin was now marred with my canines. The bite was still fresh in my mind as the pulse of her heartbeat under my teeth echoed in my head. No hallucination could feel so real."Alpha, we have searched every CCTV, every bus and train station, and there is no trace of a woman in a blue gown with red hair," Killian’s voice broke through the haze of anger clouding my mind. His words and the doubt they carried were like poison twisting in my gut. He thought I was losing my mind. They all did. I know it would not be the
Scarlett’s POV“Like what you see?”I turned to face him. A tall, broad man with obsidian eyes that pierced deep into me. He wore a plain black mask, such a contrast to his dark suit with velvet streaks, and was making him appear even more mysterious and dangerous.“I believe this is the first time you have seen something like this,” he said, his voice filled with amusement.I swallowed hard. “I… I have seen it before,” I replied, though my words felt weak and uncertain.He raised an eyebrow, trying to appear intrigued. “Where?” He was toying with me as if enjoying the game.“Pornography,” I blurted out, immediately regretting it.He laughed a laugh which was low and rich. A sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Cinderella…”“What?” I asked, confused.“You look like Cinderella with that gown and your hair,” He chuckled darkly. “Are you sure this is the right place for you?”My frustration bubbled to the surface. “Who are you to tell me where I belong? I’m an adult, and I know how to
Scarlett’s POVThe full moon lit up the sky, its silvery glow shining down on the enormous estate in front of me. My heart was racing as I stepped out of the taxi, the long and flowing skirt of my stolen blue gown brushing the gravel under my feet. I stood still for a moment, staring in awe at the mansion before me.Alpha Dante’s manor was stunning and intimidating, with tall towers reaching into the night sky and ivy climbing up its dark stone walls. A warm light glowed from its windows, and I could hear the faint thrum of music and laughter spilling out.I adjusted the mask on my face and took a deep breath. The air smelled fresh and wild, like pine trees mixed with something deeper…like something untamed. My wolf stirred faintly inside me as if sensing my excitement once again.Two guards dressed in black stood there with sharp and serious eyes. I hesitated, feeling small and out of place in this grand world. My gown, my courage, even my dreams—they all felt stolen.“Name?” one of
Scarlett’s POVLate at night, I paced in the shadows of my room as the restless energy of my wolf was stirring faintly in my chest. I could tell Red would wake up anytime now. My wolf, Red, was so worn out that she usually slept for weeks and woke up for a few minutes each time.I had devised the perfect plan to sneak out to Alpha Dante’s ball. Every fiber of my being screamed that this night would change everything.“Dress,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the soft rustle of the curtains. “I need a dress.”My thoughts locked on the sparkly blue gown Alyssia had been flaunting earlier."I have a dress," I muttered to myself, "Now, I just need a way to steal it."The hallway was quiet but the muffled voices of my mother and Alyssia drifted through the crack of her door. I crouched closer as my ears strained to catch their conversation.“Mommy, did you forget about our real plan?” Alyssia’s voice was soft, too conspiratorial.“No, sweetheart, I didn’t,” my mother replied. Her
Scarlett’s POVAs I entered the house, laughter echoed from the dining room. One voice sent a shiver down my spine. I knew who it belonged to. The man I wished never to see again.Despite knowing my mother’s wrath awaited if I were late for dinner, I tried to sneak to my room, hoping to avoid him. But my attempt failed. My mother caught me as her face was stormy with anger.“Why are you late?” she snapped. “I told you this morning to return early! Hector is here to meet you. It’s the first time he has visited since your engagement, and you dare to slack off?”I opened my mouth to explain, “But Mother, I—”Slap.Her hand struck my cheek hard. Tears welled up as I looked at her. Her voice was sharp as a blade. “If I hear you say one more time that you don’t want to marry Hector, I will end your life, Scarlett! Be grateful Alpha Juno has shown mercy.”“Go to your room,” she ordered coldly. “Alyssia has lent you a dress for tonight. Make yourself presentable and entertain your fiancé. I d
Scarlett’s POVOne day ago…Death.It is the perfect revenge.The ultimate escape.A dishonorable and humiliating death.Do I deserve it? Perhaps. Does it matter? Not in the slightest. Yet, I am certain of this: I do not deserve my childhood stolen, my adulthood tarnished, and my honor shredded to nothingness.My mother has been avenging me all my life for the crime of being born. I was born on the wrong day, during the worst lunar eclipse in centuries. Was it my fault? Did I choose this fate? I did not summon the eclipse. I did not shape the stars.And still, my mere existence was cursed—a child born with a wolf so feeble, it might as well be a rabbit. A secret so shameful that even my family remains unaware of it. It was better they think I am useless and incapable of shifting than to see the pitiful truth of my rabbit-sized wolf.Since my younger sister shifted, I have been the family’s punching bag and the pack’s disgrace. I am the Beta’s daughter, the war advisor’s blood, but my
Scarlett’s POVRed room.A haven of temptation.Cloaked in shades of crimson so deep they seemed to bleed desireHeavy red velvet drapes framed the walls.The dim glow of a crystal chandelier spilled down like liquid gold.At the center, a majestic bed stood, whispering elegance and sin.On the far wall, a gilded mirror stretched nearly floor to ceiling, reflecting two figures mingling in tantalizing heat.Everything was whispering one thing to me. Surrender.And so I did.You must be wondering who I am?Tonight, I am trying not to remember who I am.Tonight, I am just a naive virgin who entered the Alpha’s ball disguised as a noble princess, when I am just a pitiful Cinderella, just to have a taste of disobedience and sin.Tonight, I am a sinner.Why did nobody tell me that being a sinner is so pleasurable`?A moan escaped my throat as he sucked on my breasts. The breast that did not even fill his big and manly hands. He was easily six feet and five inches and built like a mountain.