SCARLETT’S POVThe room was very quiet. It was the kind of heavy, almost physical quiet that made it hard to breathe. I could feel Alex's anger pushing down on me; his tense vibe was all around me. His normally cool and collected face had turned into something darker and more primal, and everything in me begged me to be careful."What did you do?" Alex asked me. He ordered with a low, steady voice that had a dangerous edge to it. His hold on my wrist got tighter, and I felt a sharp pain go up my arm. I bit my lip because I didn't want him to get pleasure from seeing me cry.I kept my face blank because I was determined to act like I didn't know what he was talking about. I tried to keep my voice calm when I said, "I don't know what you mean," but the small quiver showed that I wasn't really there.Alex didn't move his focused, angry look. His grip got tighter, and he looked at her with a scary look in his eyes. His uncontrolled alpha energy grew thick and heavy around him, smothering
SCARLETT’S POV"So you're not going to listen to me," he said in a whisper, running his hand down my arm and leaving a warm mark.Being in a hurry, I looked around the room quickly to find something to hold on to while my mind tried to come up with an excuse."I-I won’t," I stutter, my voice shaking. The pens moved when Alex slammed his hand on the desk. "You're always being feisty, aren't you?"He pushed me toward the meeting table before I could say anything. He had a strong grip on me that wouldn't let go, and I felt a rush of fear and excitement. "You think you can mess with me and get away with it?"He hissed. His face was so close to mine that I could feel the heat coming from him.I gasped when his teeth dug into the soft skin of my neck. He leaned down on me out of the blue. I got a shock from the sharp sting, which sparked something inside me I didn't know what it was—a strange mix of fear and desire. I had never seen this side of him before, but there was something exciting
ALEX’S POVAs I drove to Scarlett's house, I tightened my hands because every ring of my ignored calls was making fun of me. She was very angry, almost furious. "How could you do this to me?" were her words from earlier, which were full of pain and blame. I think she was right when she said I was cruel. If I had taken her in anger and made her lose her virginity as a punishment, I would feel guilty. But I couldn't stand for her disobedience any longer. Scarlett wasn't supposed to be able to challenge me, but here I was, looking for her like a man who was crazy.It wasn't just anger, though. Something about Scarlett made me lose all the self-control I had worked on over the years. I tried to tell myself that I was just being bossy and that she needed to learn her place. But I knew in my heart that I had crossed a line. I could no longer lie to myself—Scarlett was the one who made me feel something I didn't want to feel. As part of my plan to get back at him, she was meant to be a pawn.
(Scarlett's POV)It was very quiet in the office when I got there. Even though I was really hungry, I had to skip breakfast to stay away from Alex. Because of what he did, I wasn't ready to face him. He took something from me that was mine to give away for free, and he said it was as punishment. It was even worse that he didn't feel bad about what he did and instead of saying sorry, just came home to return the file. “Scarlett, dont be stupid and fall for his games or charm,” I scolded myself. Thats what I deserve it.As I poured the hot coffee into my mug, I held on tight to the coffee pot and thought about what had happened. Why did I let it happen? I hated how easily I gave in to his touch and how my body lied to me about how strong I was.I told myself off as I shook my head. I said under my breath, "No more, Scarlett." He was wrong to think he could control me. He did not want our mate bond to be known? Okay. For now, I'd play along with it. But I wasn't going to do nothing and
(Alex's POV)Just outside the door, I felt jealous as I watched Thomas lean too close to Scarlett. His hand touched her cheek, and you could feel how nervous she was. The scene played out like a crazy nightmare, and I couldn't stop it fast enough.Scarlett was my girl.I clenched my hands together and let my wolf snarl to take charge, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had to make sure my feelings didn't get in the way. Not yet. I needed to carefully plan and execute my moves in order to finish a task. Revenge came first."Thomas," I said, and my voice cut through the air like a cold knife. "I think you should leave."As he turned, his grin trailed off for a moment, but he quickly covered it up with a shrug."Alex," he said, acting very politely even though he wasn't. "Just getting to know your gorgeous assistant.""She's not just an assistant," I said in a harsher tone than I meant to. Scarlett looked at me with wide eyes, but I couldn't tell what she was thinking.Thomas's grin got
(Scarlett's POV)The only sound in the hallway was the sound of my shoes hitting the tile floor. When I saw Thomas leave Alex's room, I stopped short. His face was red and stressed, like he had just come from a fight instead of a meeting. He barely looked at me and brushed past me without saying anything or even giving me the silly grin he always had.He didn’t ask for a phone number. Didn’t say anything silly or flirty.Something happened.I frowned and turned my head to see him leave. His shoulders were stiff, like they were carrying an unseen weight. What did Alex do to him?Suddenly, I could smell a familiar scent: a rich, woodsy smell with the clear musk of an alpha wolf. It made my neck stiffen. I knew who it was right away, without even having to look.Alex.I could feel his presence around me like a shadow. My heart was beating faster, which showed that I wasn't as calm as I wanted to be."What makes you look at him that way?" His deep voice was quiet, but it was sharp enough
Scarlett’s POVAs I walked down the hall to my office, I was still trying to cool down from all the chaos in my mind. My heart was heavy, and I think my face showed too much of how I felt. I was still tense from my fight with Alex, and every step made me think of the kiss that was still burning on my lips.Sienna was there when I walked out of the office. My twin sister, the perfect, favorite person of everyone. The way she stood and smiled while waiting outside my office made me feel even more out of place.As soon as she saw me, her eyes got narrow. "Scarlett? Is something wrong?" she asked with her head tilted. "You look like you've been crying."I tensed up and naturally ran my fingers over my face. "I'm fine." I lied, "I was just tired.Alex gave me a mountain of work to do, and it’s wearing me out."Unconvinced, Sienna arched her perfectly shaped brow. "Are you sure it's only work?You don't usually look this... stressed out." Her voice was soft, but I didn't like how it had a hint
Sienna’s POVAs soon as we walked into the restaurant, Scarlett's back straightened up. It looked like she was trying to figure out why I brought her to this restaurant with her sharp eyes. I kept a calm face and smiled in the same silly way that always threw her off. At least not yet, she didn't need to know my real plan.The air was full of talk. I heard laughter from a close table, which led me to them right away. Faces I knew from high school. Old school friends. Like they always did, most of them were dressed to impress and try to shine brighter than the others. Wonderful.Scarlet's frown got worse when she saw them too. "Wait a minute... Is this some kind of school got-together?" Her voice was tense with doubt.I pretended to be innocent by laughing softly. "No, not really." I heard that some people were hanging out here, so I thought it would be fun to join them. It's not dangerous.”Her face turned darker. "Fun? I don't believe that. I'm leaving."I grabbed her arm before she
Scarlet's POVI couldn’t bring myself to answer his calls anymore. Every time his name flashed on my phone screen, my chest tightened. The pain, the betrayal—it was too much to bear. The buzzing persisted, relentless, until I finally blocked his number. Silence replaced the noise, but it didn’t soothe the storm raging inside me.My parents begged me to take it easy. “Rest, Scarlet,” my mother pleaded, worry etched into her features. But how could I rest when my thoughts were consumed by him? By the mess he’d dragged me into?I stood in front of the mirror, pulling my hair back into a neat bun. My reflection stared back at me—pale, tired, but determined. I wouldn’t let him see how much he’d broken me. If he wanted to talk, I’d face him on my terms, not his.The office was quieter than usual when I arrived. I kept my head high, ignoring the curious stares from my colleagues. The tension in the air was palpable, but I wasn’t about to let it show.As soon as I stepped into my workspace, my
ALEX'S POVAs Scarlett left, my frustration boiled over. How could I tell her that if I publicized our relationship, her biggest enemy my father would kill her. I slammed my fist onto the kitchen counter, the sharp thud reverberating in the otherwise empty room. Scarlett’s words still echoed in my head, her anger like a dagger to my chest. Why did it always have to end in arguments with her? I clenched my jaw, running a hand through my hair, trying to push down the ache building in my chest.Just as I leaned against the counter, trying to steady my breathing, soft arms wrapped around me from behind. My heart jumped, hope briefly flickering in my chest. "Scarlett?" I murmured, turning slightly. But the scent was all wrong. It wasn’t her. It was Sienna.I froze, my body going rigid as I realized who it was. "Sienna," I said coldly, stepping forward to break her hold.Before I could fully turn around, she pressed her lips to mine. For a second, I stood there in shock, my mind struggling
Scarlett's POVMy feet moved before my brain could catch up. Instead of walking away, I found myself slipping through the side door – the one Alex always left unlocked for emergencies. My heart thundered in my chest as I crept through the familiar hallway, staying close to the shadows.Their voices drifted from the living room. I pressed myself against the wall near the doorway, out of sight but close enough to hear everything."I've missed you," Sienna's voice purred. My stomach churned at her tone.I peered around the corner, instantly wishing I hadn't. Sienna had her arms around Alex's neck, her body pressed against his. Before I could look away, she kissed him.Time seemed to freeze. I waited – prayed – for Alex to push her away. To tell her he was my mate. To show any sign that what we shared meant something.But he just stood there.Their lips remained connected, and each second felt like a knife twisting in my chest. The mate bond screamed in protest, but Alex didn't even flinc
Scarlett's POVI woke up alone in his bed, the sheets cold beside me. The memories of last night flooded back, making my cheeks burn. After a quick shower, I pulled on my clothes from yesterday, trying to gather my scattered thoughts.The scent of coffee and bacon led me downstairs where I froze at the sight before me. Alex stood at the stove, shirtless, his muscled back on full display as he cooked. Despite everything, my traitorous heart skipped a beat."I'm leaving," I announced, my voice steadier than I felt.Alex turned, confusion flickering across his handsome face. "Scarlett, I thought after last night...""You thought wrong." I wrapped my arms around myself. "What happened last night doesn't change anything. Especially not after you tried to force yourself on me yesterday."He moved toward me, but I stepped back. "Don't.""Please," he whispered, and before I could react, his arms encircled me from behind. "I'm so sorry. I'm a coward. I know I am."I felt something wet on my sh
SCARLET'S POVI woke up in an unfamiliar bed, the soft sheets tangled around my legs. Blinking against the dim light filtering through the curtains, it took a moment to realize where I was. Alex’s room. My heart raced as the events from earlier came rushing back. His anger, his grip, the way he—I shot up, clutching the sheets to my chest, panic clawing at me. Had he… done something? My hands trembled as I checked myself, my pulse thundering in my ears. To my surprise, everything seemed fine. No marks, no soreness… nothing. A wave of relief crashed over me, though it did little to calm the unease swirling in my chest.The door creaked open, and my head snapped toward it. Alex stood there, leaning casually against the frame, his expression unreadable. His eyes met mine, and something flickered in their depths—guilt? Regret? I couldn’t tell, and frankly, I didn’t care.“I need to go home,” I blurted, throwing the sheets aside and swinging my legs off the bed. My voice trembled, betrayin
ALEX’S POVThe phone felt heavy in my hand as my father's words echoed through the speaker. "So, what's happening with Scarlett, son?"My blood ran cold. I scanned the living room, trying to keep my voice steady. "Everything's going according to plan, Father. Why do you ask?""Don't play dumb with me, Alexander." His tone carried that familiar edge of steel. "I've been watching. You're getting soft.""Watching?" The words came out sharp as I moved through the house, checking windows and corners. "How exactly have you been watching?"His dark chuckle made my skin crawl. "Did you really think I'd let you handle this mission without surveillance? After what her mother did to our family?""You bugged my house?" My free hand clenched into a fist. "What happened to trust?""Trust?" He barked out a laugh. "The same trust you're showing by falling for our target?""I'm not falling for her," I snapped, but the lie tasted bitter.Silence crackled over the line. When he spoke again, his voice wa
ALEX POVThe way she was ignoring, rejecting that echoed in my ears, like a curse I couldn't escape. I gritted my teeth, my claws itching to emerge as anger bubbles in my veins. I had tried to be patient, tried to understand, but Scarlett's rejection, her refusal to even talk to me, was driving me insane.“Fine, if you are not listening me, the you didn’t left me any choice,” I growled. She shook her head, crossing her arms and then stubborn way that made my wolf growl louder. “I don't want to hear you, just drop me to my parents house,” She spat her words like daggers in my chest. Before I knew it, I snapped. My hand shot out, grabbing her wrist as I yanked her from the car.“What the hell are you doing?” She let out a startled crying, her eyes widening and shocked. I ignored her.My wolf was in control now and it wanted her, needed her, even if she hated me for it.“ Alex let me go,” She screamed, clawing at my arms as I am hoisted her into my arm.Her resistance was nothing inf
SCARLET’S POVThe hospital room had become my prison, not just physically, but mentally. Every beep of the monitors, every shuffle of nurses' feet outside my door reminded me of fear, my pain, and because of whom I suffered.I was bit relieved that Alex hadn't visited me in days. Good. That's what I wanted, wasn't it? But in the quiet hours of the night, when the pain medication couldn't numb the ache in my heart, I couldn't lie to myself. “I missed you.Why did you broke my heart?” I muttered under my breath. Yes, I missed him with an intensity that scared me. I was the one who asked him to stay away from me, and not show his face, and now here I was missing him again. My fingers absently trace the healing cuts on my arms, each one a reminder of those terrifying hours when I needed him most, when I'd been so sure he'd come for me. Because that's what true mates did, right? They felt each other's pain since when something was wrong.But he hadn't come.“How are we feeling today, Miss
Sienna’s POVThe steady beep of hospital monitors echoed through the halls as I watched my boyfriend sitting by Scarlet's bedside. Again. My stomach churned at the side of his gentle expression, the way his fingers absently trace patterns on her sheets. Even unconscious, she commanded his attention like a magnetic force. I couldn't fight.This wasn't how it was supposed to be. I was his girlfriend, yet here he was spending every free moment with her. But tonight would be different. With Scarlet safely tucked away in her hospital bed, I finally had my chance.The red silk dress hugged my curse perfectly as I waited in Alex's apartment, Bart racing when I heard his key in the lock.“Sienna,” He stopped short, the briefcase dropping from his fingers. “I wasn't expecting you.”“I thought you could use some company,” I move closer, letting my hips sway. “You've been so stressed at the hospital, let me help you relax.”His eyes flickered over my dress, but something was missing in his gaze,