Chapter 4

Scarlett's POV

The deal was simple. Zane would help me get my revenge, and in return, I would help him break the curse. His hand held onto my hand as he took me back to his pack’s, a touch that kept sending both excitement and protection, an emotion I wasn’t ready to accept

As we walked, the anger inside me was replaced with this peace of mind I couldn't pin down. My wolf, Luisa, was restless, her excitement mixed with the grief she couldn’t let go. We will have our revenge, Luisa, I whispered inwardly, trying to offer her comfort.

I hope so, she replied, though it was still very hard to believe that Rand and Cassie could betray us, even to the point of almost killing us. But why would the goddess give us a mate again Luisa asked

I didn’t have an answer, I really wish I did but I just didn't. I hadn’t stopped wondering that myself. What cruel game was the Moon Goddess playing with me, having me mated to someone who had already belonged to another? It just wasn’t fair, not after everything I had lost.

"Do you really think I can break this curse?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I need to take you somewhere", Zane said.

"Where?" I asked because I didn't see how that answered the question I had just asked him.

Zane glanced back at me, his piercing green eyes seeming to look right through me. "To have a conversation with someone," He said.

I swallowed hard, trying not to be nervous.

We came to a stop before a wooden door. Zane knocked twice, and a soft voice answered us to enter. The door swung open, the place had the scent of herbs and incense. An elderly woman with silver hair and kind eyes sat at a table covered in strange symbols and glowing crystals. She looked familiar.

"Ah, Scarlett," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "I am Eldra, the head witch of the Black Blood Pack, remember me,"

"Yes, yes I did," I answered her, still feeling very nervous, why did Zane bring me to this woman?

"I will wait outside," Zane said and left.

"Scarlett dear, have your seat and tell me about yourself. About your past." Eldra said.

What a worse choice in conversation, not after everything I had been through. I hesitated, I took a deep breath, and began to speak.

"I was born into the Silver Crest pack,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. "My father was the alpha, and from a young age, I knew I was different. Because I was going to be the first female AIpha, my dad had no son, nor would he leave the throne to anyone, even after I got married, I was still regarded as the Alpha despite being a female,"

"I'm sure your dad would have said something about the mark you have," Eldra said, staring into my eyes, more like staring into my soul.

"My father said it was a gift from the moon goddess herself." Memories of my past began to resurface, The days spent training while other pups played. The expectation grew heavier with each passing day, till the day I became the first female alpha in our pack's history.

"I thought I had everything," I continued, my voice beginning to sound angry. "Power, respect, a mate chosen by the moon goddess herself. But it was all a lie."

I felt tears threatening to drop, but refused to let them fall. "My mate, Rand, and my cousin... they betrayed me. They tried to kill me and my unborn pup. They killed me and my pup. Thanks for saving me." I said to Eldra my head down

"You've suffered greatly, child," she said softly. "But perhaps this is the moon goddess's way of leading you to your true destiny."

I shook my head, confusion, and anger within me. "I don't want a destiny. I want revenge."

Eldra took my hands and said "This is why you have to help us. You help us break our curse, and we will give you the kind of revenge you think they deserve" Eldra said the same thing Zane had said to me. "Go now child, you need your rest, and so do I, tomorrow will be better," Eldra said as she waved me off.

I didn't know what to say, so I just stood up and left. I met Zane standing at the doorstep.

He took my hand, his touch sending the usual sensation, we walked in silence as we both said nothing to each other

We arrived at Zane's headquarters, and a woman was standing outside, as we got closer, the lady bowed.

“This is Lynx,” Zane said, releasing my hand at last. “She will be your maid.”

I didn't really care, I was exhausted, and I could think of only one thing: Rand and Cassie. I was going to make them pay for what they’d done.

Zane’s voice softened as he turned to leave. “Rest well tonight, Scarlett. We will talk tomorrow.”

I watched him go, his broad shoulders disappearing into the shadows. Only after he was gone did I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

“At your service, milady,” Lynx said, bowing slightly.

“Thank you,” I muttered, too tired to offer anything more.

She helped me prepare for bed, ran a bath, and laid out clothes. My mind was elsewhere on the child I had lost, the grief that sought vengeance. As I climbed into bed, I placed a hand on my stomach, where life had once been.

*****

Zane's POV

The night was quiet, and though my body begged for rest, my mind refused to settle. How could it? There was too much to think about, too many questions that kept testing my sanity, especially Scarlett. Why had the Moon Goddess bonded me to her when I already had Rhylie?

I stood by the window, staring out at the distant treeline, but finding no answers there. Two mates. Both were marked by the goddess. How could that be impossible I wondered. And yet, when I looked into Scarlett’s eyes, I couldn’t deny the pull between us. It was as though she had become part of my very soul

Rhylie’s soft voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Alpha?” She stood at the doorway, her expression soft with concern. “Is something wrong?”

I turned to face her, struggling to keep my frustration in check. “No,” I replied, the lie feeling heavy on my tongue.

She stepped closer. “Do you need anything? I can—”

“No,” I cut her off, more sharply than I intended. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I just need some time alone tonight, Rhylie. Go back to your chamber.”

Her face fell. She didn’t deserve my anger, but I couldn’t deal with her right now, not with everything that was happening. She nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line and left without another word.

Once she was gone, I collapsed onto the bed, the pressure of everything pressing down on me. My wolf, Dalton, stirred restlessly in the back of my mind, but I pushed him away. I couldn’t deal with him, not now.

Scarlett. The curse. My mind was in turmoil, never landing anywhere that made sense. I had spent so many years fighting this curse, so many nights tormented by the nightmares it brought. And now this, two mates. Both carried the mark of the goddess. It was almost too much to bear.

But there was something about Scarlett, something that felt… right, even though it shouldn’t. I couldn’t explain it, but being near her made the pressure of the curse feel lighter like I could breathe again. Her eyes held so much pain, but there was a strength in her, a thirst for vengeance that called to me.

Even as sleep began to claim me, I couldn’t shake the thought that she was brought into my life for a reason, one I hadn’t yet figured out. I just hoped I had the strength to find out before the curse destroyed us both.

*****

Rhylie’s POV

Something felt wrong. I felt disturbed by the Rumors that had been going around, Zane had found a new mate. A new mate? No, it couldn’t be. I was his mate, his only mate, and I wasn’t going to let that change.

I paced restlessly around my chamber, the walls closing in around me as my thoughts and heart raced. If it was true, if she was really his mate, then the bond must already be forming. I couldn’t let that happen. I had to act, and quickly. If Zane started feeling connected to her, it would ruin everything I had worked for. Everything I had planned.

And again she wasn’t just any mate. She carried the goddess mark, The Moon Goddess had no right to bind her to him, not when I was so close to achieving my goals. She wasn’t supposed to be here.

I could feel the thumping of my heart. I couldn’t allow them to grow close. Not now. Not when I had almost gotten close to my goal

Not now.