Chapter 4

Scarlett woke up later in a daze. The events from last night are still fresh in her mind.

she had hoped that everything was a dream but the man's leer was too real to be in her dreams.

She had met her mate. her body shuddered from the thought. 

she didn't want to meet her mate this way, it wasn't right. She imagined something romantic for years. something magical she could hold on to.

That man was not her mate.

It couldn't be.

her heart thudded against her chest as her mind revisited the leer on his face when he gazed down at her laying cold in the cell.

The victory glinted in her father's eyes as he exchanged his heir for power making the knife of betrayal twist deeper into her heart.

slowly, but firmly she reassured herself that she would do whatever it takes to get out of there. even if it means sucking up to her mate.

her head snapped up as she heard the familiar steps of someone approaching. she steeled her shoulders for a fight in case it gets down to it.

her father's face bore down on her, for a second she imagined she saw the regret in his eyes but it went away before she could read any meaning.

"I am sorry, it had to be like this," Marco says with a frown.

Scarlett shook her head, "no, you are not sorry." she lifted her chin in defiance.

she had nothing else to lose by standing up to him.

"Watch your tone." Her father snarled.

Scarlett scoffed at the man she had called father for years.

"or what? you will sell me? news flash, father, you have already done that." she snarled back.

her father's fangs protruded as he growled lowly. he took deep breaths as he calmed himself.

Scarlett steadied herself too, getting angry at her father won't make it go away and save herself either.

"I did this for the pack," her father said.

"So you keep saying. I don't believe you." she pointed at him.

"I don't care what you believe, I am your Alpha!" he yelled, his gold eyes flashing with his wolf at the surface. She took a step back and wrapped her hands around herself.

it seems to be the only thing that gives her comfort.

"Who is he?" her voice was barely a whisper as she asked her father.

"He is the Canine man," he answered shortly.

a feeling of disgust passed through her as she curled her lips in distaste.

"What kind of name is that?" she asked, 

"I have no idea but everyone knows him as that. it seems to work for him." 

Scarlett stared at her father through the bars that covered the cell and the laughter bubbled up her throat. she bent over clutching her chest as she laughed so hard.

the tears leaked from her eyes but she wasn't sad.

"Have you gone mad?" her father demanded, banging his fist against the bar.

She ignored him and laughed till she couldn't take it anymore.

"I am so sorry." she laughed, "it's so funny that you think anyone would believe you when you say you sold your only heir just to secure the pack. I had no idea we were under attack, father." she glared at him.

"It was a precaution..." he tried to answer but she cut him off with a scream.

"no!" she held her head. "don't tell me that, we spend days on the training field where we train, we are ranked the second best in the world and what is the greatest precaution than that, father?"

she was fully facing her father now, the fire in her eyes felt like she wanted to consume him. The hatred burned deep inside her but she forced herself to be cool.

just enough till she gets out of here.

Her father said nothing as he glared at her.

"It's out of my hands now, he will take care of you from now on. You are his responsibility now."He said.

Scarlett resisted the urge to spit at her father, his face calm as he spoke to her. 

"Leave," she whispered.

"Scarlett, don't talk to me like…"

"Leave!!!"She yelled.

Alpha Marco glared at his daughter but said nothing. When he sold her, he promised not to lay hands on her.

He shook his head just as he turned to walk away.

"If I were you, I would accept that this is your life now. No one is coming to save you." Those were his parting words as he left her in the dark.

She had hoped she imagined all that happened last night was a result of her being sleep deprived and her father didn't wish to hurt her.

Scarlett sat in the cold, dark cell, feeling hopeless and alone. She had no idea how long she had been here, but it felt like an eternity. The only light came from a small window high up on the wall and the occasional creaking of the old stone walls. Suddenly, the door to her cell swung open.

As she sat there, shivering, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. She turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It was a man.

Despite the circumstances, Scarlett couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. She knew that she was sold to him but a part of her hoped he was here to save her. 

As he came closer, her heart thudded in her chest in anticipation.

"Get up," he ordered.

Scarlett did as she was told, she held the iron bars as she peered to look at his face.

"You are my mate," she spoke up.

"Yes, little one. We are mates."He mirrored her words.

Scarlett felt the hope bloom in her chest. Her earlier doubts were washed away as she chased down the events of yesterday as her fears.

"Take me away from here, please."She whimpered.

His eyes softened as he stared at her, "we will be leaving tomorrow."He announced.

Scarlett heaved a sigh of relief, "oh thank God!"She whispered.

"What is your name?"He asked her.

"Scarlett. My name is Scarlett."She answered.

"Get some rest Scarlett," he said.

He turned to leave but she stopped him.

"Wait!"

He stopped but didn't turn around.

"What do I call you?"She asked, 

"Master," he said as the darkness swallowed him up.