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
ALEX’S POVHer words hit me like a physical blow. Reject me? Break our mate bond? My hands clench into fists as I struggle to process what she's saying."You can't do this," I say, my voice coming out rougher than intended. The wolf inside me howls in protest, clawing at my insides with growing desperation. "The mate bond doesn't work that way, Scarlett."But looking into her eyes - those beautiful eyes that once held such warmth for me - I see only determination and exhaustion. The scent of her pain and resignation fills the air between us. This isn't how things were supposed to go. Yes, I was using her as part of my revenge plan, but somewhere along the way, everything became so complicated."I'm tired, Alex," she says, each word striking deeper than the last. "I'm tired of the games, the manipulation, the control. I want out.""No." The word tears from my throat before I can stop it. Images flash unbidden through my mind – Scarlett with another man, Scarlett smiling at someone else
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,