Scarlett’s POVI still could not believe it—Alexander had confessed to me, all the words he said were in my head. He had looked for me, he had mourned when I left and all these while I thought he did not care. Hearing him say those words made me feel something deep in my chest, something I hadn’t felt in years: The two words that are most closely related to the concept of hope are: hope.Was I completely wrong all this time? Could he have been actually caring for me this entire time?"Why were you with her?" My voice was shaking a little as I asked. I had to hear it from him and understand it."It was a mistake," he said, his eyes piercing into mine, raw and unfiltered. "A one-time thing that wasn’t supposed to happen. Sorry, Scarlett. I was scared. I was afraid of losing you and that you would turn me down. I thought you'd say no if you knew how badly I needed you."I started feeling guilty as I thought that probably I had been hasty in passing the judgment on him. Perhaps I had misin
SCARLETT'S POVI really wanted to say no to the party invite. The last thing I needed was to go looking for a mate when I’d already found mine. I don't think I could have said no when my mom gave me that hopeful look and told me to go. None of them knew that I was already his, not even she."Okay, I'll go," I said reluctantly, forcing a smile as I looked across the table at Alexander. I got a chill from the way his eyes got darker when I said those words. He didn't say a word, but I could tell by the look in his eyes that this wasn't over.The rest of dinner was awkward, and each second felt like it went on forever. His eyes were always on me, burning into my skin. It felt like he was daring me to think about looking at someone else. I let out a sigh of relief when everyone finally got up and went to their rooms. I wanted to talk to him and see him, but he was gone.After I finished the dishes, I headed to my room, my mind buzzing with thoughts. Where did he go? Had he really left beca
Alexander’s POVI carefully listened from my hiding place in the closet. Every word Scarlett said made me think more deeply. When she talked to her brother Ryan about me, her voice was soft but full of doubt. I could tell from the way she spoke that she was interested and unsure. It made me smirk, knowing I had that effect on her.Then Ryan's voice broke through my thoughts, more insistent, almost authoritative. He told her, "Scarlett, you need to come to the office.Your job as a model is not what we need right now." Our priority is saving the pack, and you know that. You’re part of this family and this company. Now is the time to pay attention to what's important."I arched an eyebrow at his words, a slow grin spreading across my face. Wow, this was great. It was perfect for me that Scarlett came to work at the office. She was the last thing I needed to finish my plans and take control of the family and the business. She had no idea how significant she was in this situation.Scarlett
Scarlett’s POVI could feel the heat of Alexander's touch searing through my skin as Ryan's voice echoed from just outside. I gasped for air when Alexander whispered in my ear, "You wouldn't dare go out like this." His voice was possessive as he smiled smugly and fixed my clothes. "I don?t want anyone seeing what's mine, not even your brother."His words gave me a rush that I couldn't hold back, even though I knew I should. It was clear that he owned me; he was laying his claim. I didn't want to admit it, but the protective tone in his voice made me feel something, something that both thrilled and scared me. Even though he was interrupted, his message was clear: I was his in every way that counted, and my brother, sister, or even fate could not change that.I felt a mix of shame and excitement as my cheeks turned bright red. I nodded, but my body told him otherwise as I melted into his grip. What about Alexander made me so weak that I gave in to everything he asked of me? His two sid
Alex's POVWhile I waited for Scarlett, I leaned against the wall and tried to stay calm. I tried hard to stay cool even though my mind was a mess. I had to keep things in check. But my heart did a little flip when I saw her walking toward me.And then I saw who was with her.Ryan was fine, and it made sense for him to be there. But what about Javier? As soon as I saw him walking with them, my stomach turned. The neighboring pack’s Alpha’s son. My mind went straight back to what we agreed on. He had said that he wouldn't tell anyone that I helped attack Scarlett's dad. I was the one who made the bait. Seeing him so close to her made my nerves go crazy. If he ever decided to break that promise… Scarlett would hate me.The smile on Javier’s face made me sick. He walked up to me with that cocky grin, and I tried to appear calm, but I was really scared. He has the power to destroy everything."Finally, I meet the famous Alexander, Alpha of the Shadow Pack," Javier said in a smooth voice th
Scarlett’s POVAlex's lips were on mine, and they were moving so fast and hard that I couldn't breathe. We were tense, and I could tell he was still mad because his hands were moving all over my body. "I hated seeing you with Javier," he growled as his lips ran down my neck. He looked at you like he had every right to be there.Both what he said and the way he kissed me made me shiver. “He’s just an old friend,” I managed to whisper between kisses. I knew it didn't matter, though. Alex had always been possessive.When he kissed me again, it was rougher this time, and I could tell he was jealous. When my phone rang, I was in the middle of getting lost in him. As I pulled away from Alex and looked for my phone, I let out a groan.“Mom,” I muttered, glancing at the screen.Alex didn’t stop. I felt a sharp shock go through me when his lips touched the sensitive spot on my neck. Before I could respond, he left a mark, a hickey. I winced as I tried to pay attention to the call.“Scarlett,
Scarlett’s POVAlex had tied me down, it brought back vivid memories of how thrilling it was to be totally at his mercy. Never before had I felt so open, free, and alive. When he wrapped the silky cuffs around my wrists, the way his eyes lit up with hunger and love gave me chills. Just thinking about it makes my heart race.As I lay down on the velvet couch in the room, the air was thick with desire. It felt like the red walls were closing in on us, making everything feel stronger and closer. I saw Alex come up behind me. His big, strong body moved with purpose. He had a silver butt plug and a leather flogger in each hand. I felt a rush of excitement in my stomach, and the anticipation was almost too much to bear.He put the things down and never took his eyes off of me. It hurt to feel his heavy eyes on me. His finger went down my spine and sent a wave of electricity through me. I could feel my breath getting thin. I arched my back and begged him in silence to touch me more. The fami
Scarlett’s POVGoing to the door quickly made my heart race because I was still shocked by what had happened with Alex. With sweat still on my temples, I prayed that I didn't look as bad as I felt. Ryan shouldn't be it, please. Please. But as soon as I opened the door, my brother Ryan was standing there with his eyebrows raised.“What took so long you to open the door?” he questioned me.“I dozed off,” I answered him, acting like sleepy. "What's making you sweat so much?" His voice was already tense with suspicion as he looked at me. He was sitting down, and Sienna crossed her arms. She looked quickly back and forth between me and around the house.I tried to sound relaxed as I stuttered, "I'm just feeling really hot." It was way too easy for them to lie, and I could tell they were telling the truth. Ryan’s eyes narrowed as he looked around the room. “The AC’s on, Scarlett. You shouldn’t be sweating like that.”"I don't know," I said in a low voice as I pulled at my shirt collar. "P
Scarlet’s POVThe pressure was unbearable. The water surrounding me was cold, dark, and thick. I couldn’t breathe. It pressed against my chest, pulling me deeper, suffocating me. My limbs were heavy, useless, and I kicked and fought with everything I had, but it only seemed to drag me under further. I opened my mouth to scream, but all that came out was a bubble, disappearing into the murky depths. My heart pounded as panic set in. I’m going to drown.Just as I thought I could no longer take it, I felt the weight of the water shift. My body jolted, my lungs screaming for air. Desperately, I pushed against the darkness, feeling something, someone, pulling me up. Then—nothing.I gasped, my chest heaving, my eyes snapping open.I was no longer underwater.I blinked rapidly as the bright white light overhead seared into my vision, my head throbbing with confusion. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness hit me, and I collapsed back into the soft, unfamiliar bed beneath me. My mind was f
Scarlet's POVWhen I woke up, I had a terrible headache and my arms and legs hurt from being in one place for what seemed like hours. The smell of mold filled the air, and in the distance, you could just barely make out the sound of water dripping. I had my hands behind my back, and the rough rope hurt my skin. As I tried to figure out what was going on around me while blinking quickly, I realized I was in an empty building.I felt scared and my breathing got shallow as I looked around. The faces of the three guys in the room were hidden by masks. I didn't know who they were or why I was here."Who are you? What do you need from me?" Even though I tried to sound strong, my voice was shaking."Shut up if you want to stay alive," one of them growled in a cold and dangerous voice.My throat was dry, so I swallowed hard. As one of them took out a phone and called a number, they didn't bother to look at me again. It hurt when my heart hit my chest. It couldn't be good that they were callin
Scarlet’s POVThe slap came out of nowhere, and as I fell back, the sharp pain lit up my cheek. My hand went to my face right away, and I stared at Sienna in shock. My chest hurt, and each beat was louder than the last. "What the hell?" I asked Sienna, even though my voice was shaking because I was trying hard not to cry.Her ugly sneer turned into a face. "Shameless,bitch. You know exactly what this is about," she snarled, her voice full of anger.When I blinked, I was hit hard. "I don't," I replied, raising my voice. "What are you talking about?What's wrong with you?""What's wrong with me?" she asked again and again, then laughed. "Scarlet, you're the trouble!You're trying to take something that is mine, and I will not let that happen. Never, never."I felt sick to my gut when she spoke, but I still didn't understand what she meant. "What are you talking about?I didn't take anything from you!" I kept insisting, but her charge made my voice break. "Everything I have is mine and h
39 TRUTH REVEALEDScarlet’s POVAs I ran up the stairs to my house, my heart was beating fast. Alex was right behind me. Just having him there was a small relief in the middle of my fear. One thing I wasn't used to hearing from my brother was a worried tone in his voice over the phone. It made my nerves tense.I stopped moving when I opened the front door. The living room looked like something else. The cushions were cut open, and the stuffing came out like guts. The coffee table fell over, and glass pieces were all over the floor. Some frames were completely broken, and pictures were hung on the walls upside down."How the hell did this happen?" Alex said something and stepped in front of me.Ryan, my brother, came out of the kitchen with a pale face. He didn't look like he had slept in days. His shirt was rumpled and his hair was a mess. He would never normally let himself look so messy."What's going on, Ryan?" I begged, and my voice shook.He was clearly upset as he ran his hand th
Scarlet’s POVAs I ran up the stairs to my house, my heart was beating fast. Alex was right behind me. Just having him there was a small relief in the middle of my fear. One thing I wasn't used to hearing from my brother was a worried tone in his voice over the phone. It made my nerves tense.I stopped moving when I opened the front door. The living room looked like something else. The cushions were cut open, and the stuffing came out like guts. The coffee table fell over, and glass pieces were all over the floor. Some frames were completely broken, and pictures were hung on the walls upside down."Where the hell did this happen?" Alex said something and stepped in front of me.Ryan, my brother, came out of the kitchen with a pale face. He didn't look like he had slept in days. His shirt was rumpled and his hair was a mess. He would never normally let himself look so messy."What's going on, Ryan?" I begged, and my voice shook.He was clearly upset as he ran his hand through his hair.
38 PROTECTED MEScarlet's Point of ViewThe werewolves were going around us, and my heart was beating fast and steady with fear. I saw evil in their eyes, and I didn't miss the way they looked at each other in silence, like hunters getting ready to attack their prey."Scarlet," Alex's voice came through the fog of my growing fear. He stood between me and the guys and spoke in a strong, almost bossy, voice. "Don't move.Stay closer to me. I can handle this."I took a deep breath and nodded quietly. I didn't want to feel like a woman in trouble, but I was too scared to fight.How did we get here in the first place? These werewolves surrounded us in the next second as we walked back to the pack house. It felt wrong to have them there, like a storm was about to hit."Who sent you ?" Alex posed the question, his voice tense with power. "What do you want?"As he spoke, one of the guys stepped forward with a smirk on his face. His speech was smooth but full of danger as he said, "We brought
Scarlett’s pov What Sienna had said kept going through my mind. It broke my heart that Sienna had been with Alex. Her messed up hair, smudge lipstick, braless, these things only made me doubt about their relationship was more than I knew. I don't know how to explain it. I had to ask him, but the thought of it made my blood boil.I wanted to ignore it and act like it didn't hurt. It did, though. It felt like my heart was slowly being torn apart all the way through. Alex was meant to be. Even when things were hard, I had always thought that. But after hearing that and seeing how my sister looked at me when she told me, I couldn't get rid of the doubt and jealousy that was eating away at me.Was Sienna telling me truth?"Was he two timing with me?" I said something to myself. I didn't want to ask him, though. Not yet. I wasn't when I was so mad.The day went on and on, and I didn't want to go see him at work. I told myself I didn't need to see him, but I really did. I really wanted to t
SIENNA’S POVI was unable to rest. Scarlet's words kept playing over and over in my head, making it impossible for me to think clearly. She stayed with Alex all night. When I thought about her smug tone, my chest got tight. Was it a joke? A confession? Alex, did you even try to fight her?I felt like the questions were acid in my head. What made him want me to leave the car that day? Why did he choose Scarlet instead? How come she was always there, hanging out, happy, and going where she didn't belong?Being betrayed made me feel more than just angry. It made me feel suffocated with jealousy, doubt, and sadness. Alex was supposed to be mine, not just my boyfriend. My chosen Mate. But now, everything felt like a joke, and every reason was a way to break the trust we had built.I was done with the pain of not being able to sleep by the time the first rays of dawn broke through my blinds. I had to know the answers right away.My heart was racing as I drove to Alex's apartment in a nightd
SCARLETT’S POVI don't know how long I stood there and looked at Sienna, but it seemed like forever. Every word she spoke hit me like a slap in the face, and I got more and more angry as time went on. As I tried to stay calm, my hands curled into fists at my sides. It was getting harder as the minute went on.“Are you really so shameless?” I shot back in anger. I could feel Sienna's anger coming from her, like she was about to pounce on me at any moment. Her eyes were red with rage. She looked at me with a glare that said it all: her arms crossed over her chest."Oh, please stop your shit. And tell me what's going on between you and Alex?" She snapped. Her voice was full of irritation. "Why did he leave with you? Are you playing a new game?"The bile was rising in my throat. What a jerk she was. I was the one who set me up in the most embarrassing way, but she was the one who thought I needed to explain myself. It wasn't funny.I tried to stay cool by taking a deep breath, but all I