Chapter 4 - Viral

SCARLETT 

Everything that happened, still felt like a wild nightmare, one I couldn't escape.

Archer was furious. Adrian had refused my rejection. And now, my entire world was spinning out of control.

I sucked in a harsh breath, pacing the empty bathroom stall, heart slamming against my ribs. 

My hands clenched and unclenched, but the tension refused to leave my body.

Archer's voice still clung to me, like a curse,

 “Prove it. Prove you want me, not him.“

I had tried. God, I was trying. But he wasn't even giving me the chance.

My throat tightened. I blinked hard, dialing his number again.

It rang– once. Twice

Then voicemail. Again.

My chest squeezed painfully.

This wasn't like him. Archer always answered. Even when we fought. Even when he was pissed.

This…it felt different. And it scared the hell out of me.

With trembling fingers, I redialed. Desperation clawed at my nerves.

Pick up. Please… just pick up.

But he didn't.

I felt like I was losing it.

Dragging a hand through my hair, I tried to breathe past the panic crawling up my throat.

I don't know what I'll do without Archer.

My entire world was built around him. Around the certainty that he would always be there. That we had a future together.

But now–

My phone buzzed violently in my hand. I grabbed it too fast, a sliver of hope surging through me.

But it wasn't him. 

Just another message from my best friends. One of many I had ignored tonight. 

I exhaled sharply and forced my fingers to type a reply.

The message had barely been sent, before the bathroom door flew open.

Kylie and Genevieve burst in, eyes wide with relief.

“Scarlett, you almost gave us a heart attack.” Genevieve said, rushing to hug me.

I barely had time to return it, before Kylie stepped forward, 

She stared at me, eyes wide, chest rising fast, then smacked her hands to her hip.

“Okay first of all, I love you. Second- I got worried. But most of all - WHAT. THE. HELL. JUST. HAPPENED?!”

I sucked in a harsh breath. They had seen everything.

There was no escaping this.

So I squared my shoulder and let out it out slowly, 

“We're… mates…”

Silence.

Genevieve blinked, “I'm sorry– WHAT?!”

Kylie’s eyes practically popped. “Are you freaking serious?!”

I nodded, teeth sinking into my lower lip.

“You and Adrian?” Her voice shot up a pitch,

“Like Adrian? The freaking Alpha?!”

A lump formed in my throat. I nodded again.

“HOW?! WHEN?! What the actual–”

“It's… complicated.”

Genevieve gasped, slapping a hand over her mouth,

“Holy shit. That explains the kiss.”

Kylie just stared at me like her brain had glitched.

Then her eyes widened,

“Oh. my. gosh. Do you know what this means?”

She grabbed my arm, practically vibrating, “You're going to be our Luna…”

“No.” 

It came out too fast, too sharp– like a reflex.  

My chest tightened as I backed away.

“That's not going to happen.”

 “Why?” Kylie asked, suddenly softer.

I met her gaze, “You both know why.”

Their eyes flicked to each other.

“Oh.” Genevieve said quietly, “This is about Archer.”

I nodded. “He's the one I have always wanted. You know that.”

Genevieve crossed her arms, “What about Adrian?”

“Not helping, Gen,” Kylie hissed.

“What? It's a valid question!”

“I rejected him…” I cut in, before they could spiral again.

Silence.

Genevieve's jaw dropped, “Damn!”

“You're joking?!” Kylie blurted, wide-eyed.

I shrugged.

Kylie gasped. Genevieve let out a slow whistle, 

“Girl, you really said no to the alpha? That's some legendary–level badass.” 

Kylie blinked. “And he just… took it?”

I swallowed, the knot in my stomach tightening, 

“No.” I said quietly. “He didn't accept the rejection.”

“Why?” 

I shook my head, “I don't know.”

Another silence settled between us, heavier this time.

Genevieve shifted, then tilted her head with a crooked smile.

“Okay… but why does this feel like the start of some epic one-girl, two-guys love triangle?” 

“That would be a disaster” Kylie muttered, then her eyes snapped to mine.

“Wait. Does Archer know?” 

The memory hit like a slap. My chest went hollow.

“He saw it.” I whispered. “In the parking lot, he told me that he never wants to see my face ever again.”

“Oh, baby,” Kylie pulled me into a hug.

“This is so messed up”

“I don't want to lose him.” I mumbled, “Do you think Archer will forgive me?”

Kylie rubbed my back, “Archer would be insane to let you go.”

“Yeah.” Genevieve chimed in, “He’s obsessed with you, Scarlett. If you asked me…”

A sharp buzz cut her off.

Kylie glanced down at her phone– and paled.

“Scarlett,” she swallowed. “I don't think Archer is the only problem you'll be dealing with.”

My stomach dropped, “What do you mean?”

She turned the screen towards me.

One glance– and my heart stopped.

It was a video.

Of the kiss.

Already viral.

Panic slammed into me, I snatched the phone, 

“Shit, shit, shit– this is bad. This is really bad”

“I mean,” Genevieve shrugged, “It was kinda hot.”

I raked a hand through my hair, “Yeah, well, “hot” means this could ruin me and Archer for good. And let's not get started on all the trolls...”

Kylie grabbed the phone, switching it off, “Relax babe,” she said, patting my shoulder.

“We'll handle the trolls. That's not a problem.”

“Kylie– ”

“You want Archer right?”

“One Hundred percent.”

“Then we'll make it happen.”

A slow, smug clap echoed behind us.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Victoria. 

Of course.

Gossip queen. Cheer captain. Professional parasite.

She strutted in, like she owned the place, her designer perfume choking the air, her minion glued by her hip.

“Well, well, Scarlett.” She cooed, lashes fluttering. “Two brothers? How… ambitious.”

Her minion giggled like a mean doll.

Kylie sighed, “Victoria, get a life.” 

“Oh, I have one.” Her voice dropped with poison.

 “But unlike Scarlett, mine doesn't involve seducing the entire alpha bloodline.”

I looked her dead in the eye, “What's your deal, Victoria?”

She grinned wickedly, clearly unfazed, “oh just wondering who kisses better. You know, since you've tasted both.”

Genevieve scoffed, “Atleast, she got kissed by the two hottest guys, all you do is kiss ass.”

Victoria's smirk faltered. Kylie and Genevieve high-fived behind me. I couldn't help the grin tugging at my lips.

"You're a bitch.” She spat, stepping closer, 

“Remember, just because she kissed him, doesn't mean she has a chance with him.”

“And you're one with the chance?” Kylie shot back. “Please…”

Her face turned beet red.

And finally, I stepped forward, smiling sweetly.

“Do me a favour, Toria. Go fuck yourself.”

With that, I walked out, not giving a damn what pieces she tried to pick up afterwards.

The night air hit my skin like freedom, crisp and refreshing.

I stepped into the silence beyond the chaos, letting the bathroom drama fade into muffled echoes. My Uber waited at the curb, engine humming.

I should have just kept walking.

But something made me pause. 

Something in the air shifted– a chill that had nothing to do with the breeze.

Instinctively, my gaze went up.

And there he was.

Adrian.

Perched on the balcony, looking like he owned the place– arrogant and unbothered.

His eyes locked on mine, with that maddening smirk.

A smirk that said he thought this was a game that he'd already won.

He tilted his head– daring me.

So I matched his stare.

Then slowly, calmly– I raised my middle finger at him.

His smirk didn't fade. 

It deepened.

I didn't know what he was playing at or why he hadn't rejected me but– I sure as hell wasn't going to let some ancient mate bond dictate my future.

And If Adrian thought I was going to fall into line like every other girl he smirked at?

He was dead wrong.

Because I wasn't just the girl he couldn't have–

I was the one who'd rewrite the rules.