Chapter 3

Scarlett's Point Of View 

I took a few steps back as I stared at Alpha Zane in front of me, his hazel eyes were heated as he took a step into the cave.

His presence filled the room, waves of raw power and respect filling the room.

It was impossible, the moon goddess only gave a wolf one mate in a lifetime. Alpha Zane couldn't be my mate.

But I could feel it, the string tugging at my insides, urging me to get closer to him and lean into his warmth.

The moon goddess had a sick humor and she was now toying with my life. I bet she thought dying in the hands of my very own mate wasn't enough.

I wish I could meet with her and give her a piece of my mind.

The witch's sisters already knew about the connection and they had been waiting for Alpha Zane to arrive so I could feel it myself. Their three pairs of eyes stared at me with expectation.

“H…how?” I muttered, my voice breaking with surprise. This wasn't supposed to happen; I already had a mate, Rand, alas not a good one, but he had always been my mate. I didn't want another one, much less it was the ruthless Alpha.

Alpha Zane took another step towards me, his gaze heavy. “I don't know how it's possible, Scarlett.” He said and I nearly shivered from the sound of my name in his tongue. “But you are my mate also.”

I froze at his last word. Also? Did he already have another mate?

“You are already mated?” I asked with a whisper, dreading his response.

He nodded, “Yes, there is another woman, I am already mated to another woman.” He confessed. “She has the same mark, the same connection to me, to this pack.”

I stumbled back, my harsh bitter laugh echoing in the cave. The moon goddess really hated me.

My blood boiled at the thought. I have lost everything—my life, my face, and my unborn pup—and now this? I would not be denied again

My expression hardened as I met his gaze with defiance, my mind reeling with different thoughts.

The words of the witch sisters echo in my mind. The mark of the goddess… powers that can free the Black Blood Pack from their curse.

Yet I couldn't stop thinking of Rand and Cassie's betrayal and the need to take revenge on them burned my chest.

I didn't care about their curse. I needed to leave this place.

Zane’s eyes narrowed at me like he could sense my thoughts. “You have questions,” he stated.

I forced myself to be calm and play to his will. “Yes,” I replied. “Can I take some time to think about it?”

Zane’s expression remained calm. “It’s not a matter of what you think, Scarlett. This is very important. You bear the mark of the goddess on your wrist, a mark that is promised to save this pack. You are bound to this pack now, whether you like it or not.”

My hands clenched into fists beside me as I tried hard to remain calm. “Bound? I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

Zane's eyes were void of emotions as the heat in his gaze heightened. “The Black Blood pack didn't ask for this either. But here we are. Your destiny is to help us break the curse.”

I shook her head, my blood burning with anger “You think I care about your stupid curse? All I care about is making the people that killed me pay for what they did. They took everything from me and I want them to suffer for it.”

Zane’s gaze hardened, the air between us turning cold and hostile. “You don't have a choice, Scarlett, you are going to stay here and break the curse.” He stated with finality.

He turned away from me, facing the witch sisters, and gave them a curt nod as he left the cave. The sisters gave me one last glance as they followed him.

I stumbled upon the bed in the cave, my mind reeling with the situation I was in. I couldn't let Alpha Zane stop me, I needed to get my revenge.

I waited a few moments, donning a red robe that was hung in the cave as I planned my escape.

Once it was dark outside the cave, I rose, taking a small dagger on the shelf as I walked to the entrance of the cave. 

I scouted outside of the cave to make sure Alpha Zane didn't station a guard to keep me from escaping.

Surprisingly, the coast was clear and I was shocked for a second before I made to step out 

As I tried to leave the cave, an invisible power pushed me back in stopping me from stepping out.

I gasped in shock as I pushed my hand against the invisible hold and it resisted me.

‘Magic'. I muttered under my breath.

Alpha Zane must have ordered the sisters to place a barrier at the entrance to stop me from leaving.

I groaned in frustration, but I couldn't give up, I needed to get out of here.

I pulled out the dagger blade from the shear and tried it, but the barrier still held, stopping the blade from passing through.

I cursed under my breath as I rushed to the sister's potion shelf. I tried to find something to break the barrier, but all their jars were labeled in a foreign ancient language I couldn't understand.

I huffed, dropping the jars back and returning to the entrance as I tried to come up with an idea.

As I stood close to the barrier, I could feel a sizzle of energy within me. I turned my right hand in confusion and the crescent moon mark on my wrist was glowing.

I took a step closer to the barrier and it glowed brighter. I pushed my wrist toward the barrier, and it shone brightly, temporarily blinding me. I pushed it against the barrier and my hand passed through.

My eyes shone with excitement as I took another step, and the barrier gave way as I walked through.

Immediately, I was out; I didn't look back as I raced away from the cave. The cave was a small holding in the middle of the forest. I stood at the clearing, trying to figure out the way to the Silver Crest Pack.

My wolf howled within me as she nudged me towards the right. I didn't hesitate, running into the forest. 

The robe sprawled out behind me, the wind cold as it bit into my skin.

The forest was dark, the branches pulling against my skin as I ran as fast as I could. I needed to be as far as possible before Alpha Zane realized I was gone.

A loud howl sounded in the distance, echoing through the forest, and I shivered in fear; Alpha Zane already knew I was gone, and now he was coming for me.

I ran faster, pushing my legs to move faster, as I turned back to check if he was close.

I couldn't be locked in his pack forever, trying to break a mythical curse. I couldn't let him get to me.

I stopped for a moment, my breaths coming out in quick spurts as I doubled over with exhaustion.

I needed to keep going but my body was falling apart, my legs tired from running with so much speed.

Suddenly I heard loud growls close behind me. Too close. I started running again, my legs slow as my heart pounded in my chest.

I could hear his footsteps now as he pounded hard on the forest floor running towards me at full speed. I kept moving, refusing to give up, until he slammed into me, the force of the hit cutting off my breath as I landed on the floor, his body heavy above me.

“Let me go,” I screamed, flailing against his hold.

“Don't you understand, Scarlett? I can't let you go “ He growled, his breath heavy and fast.

“I don’t care about your pack,” I shouted “ I want my revenge. I want to see my mate and cousin suffer for what they’ve done.”

He studied me for a long moment, our gazes locked. 

“You have the mark, Scarlett; my pack needs your help; I need your help.” He whispered and for the first time since I met him, his voice was filled with raw emotions, his eyes vulnerable.

“Please,” I begged him.” I need my revenge.” 

He was deep into thought for a moment before he faced me again. “We can strike a deal, Scarlett.” He said. “You will help me break the curse on my pack, and in return, I will give you what you desire most—revenge.”

My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air between us. I didn't want to stay here, but the thought of the Alpha of the most powerful pack in the world helping me was too good to pass on.

“I accept,” I said, my voice cold and determined. “I will stay and help you break your curse. But you will keep your end of the bargain. I want them to suffer, Zane. I want them to pay.”

His lips curled into a deathly smile. “ I promise you, Scarlett. They would pay.”

My eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Then we have a deal, Alpha Zane,” I muttered, reaching out with my hand towards him. He engulfed my small hand in his, his grip strong as he shook me, a jolt of electricity running through me from his touch.