Scarlett’s POVWaking up from that horrible nightmare, feeling Clay’s steady presence beside me, brought me a rare moment of peace. In the nightmare, I’d been overtaken by something dark, something cruel and vengeful, and it had destroyed everything and everyone I cared about. I hadn’t been myself—it was as if a twisted force had taken control, leaving me helpless as Lucian, Maxwell, and Clay tried to reach me, tried to save me.That darkness consumed everything, a terrifying reminder of what unchecked anger and bitterness could grow into. But how had that vision come to me just as I was beginning to let go of some of the pain? After Lucian’s words, after his release, I had felt lighter, almost ready to tell Maxwell I wasn’t leaving. And then the vision swept over me.It left me wondering if fate was warning me to let go of all my grudges. But I wasn’t sure I could. There were names etched into my memory, a list of people who’d hurt me, people who deserved justice.I knew Maxwell had
Scarlett’s POV“She’s on her way,” Lucian finally said after linking Elsa. I stayed quiet, letting the silence linger. Lucian rose and poured himself a drink, his movements careful, almost tentative.“When was the last time any of you spoke with David?” I asked, breaking the silence.Maxwell answered, “It’s been a month now. He called, asking for warriors and ammunition for the South. We’re dividing our forces, trying to send what they need.”“Against Garland?” I asked, and Maxwell nodded.“It seems your father was the one keeping the balance there,” he added, and I caught a glint of shame in his eyes. But I’d come to terms with my father’s past, thanks to Keith, and had even begun to appreciate the weight of his legacy. Still, Maxwell’s words stirred something in me.“You’ll do no such thing,” I replied firmly.Maxwell frowned, confused. “Scarlett, you can’t hold the South without warriors and weapons. Garland is ruthless. Even if you have magic, you haven’t mastered it. You’ll need
Scarlett’s POVElsa released my hand, frowning slightly as she turned to Lucian. “You said she wants to leave, and you three have decided to set her free. So… who’s going first?”For a moment, I felt a strange urge to smile, but I held back, letting the weight of the silence fill the room. Seeing them so speechless—these men who usually had so much to say—was a rarity. Elsa gave my hand a comforting pat, then stood. “Well, I’ll excuse the four of you to sort this out. Call me back when you’ve made a decision.” She said leaving an almost tangible tension in the air.The silence lingered, heavy and loaded. I looked at Lucian, but his gaze dropped, revealing the fracture in his resolve. I could feel his heart breaking, see him wrestling with the vulnerability of the moment.Elsa left, and I stood up, heading toward the door. I wasn’t ready to dive into that awkward conversation they all seemed so eager to have. Sure, I’d already decided to stay, but letting them wonder a bit longer would
Scarlett’s POVAs the air thickened between us in the heat of our passion, I could feel a strange, powerful warmth building, like a wave about to crash. His kiss deepened, capturing me in a euphoric embrace, the heat rising and my body responding to it completely.My magic began to shimmer around us, encasing us in an aura—yet this time, it wasn’t the familiar green. Instead, it glowed in shades of cyan, an intense, vibrant blue that pulsed with an energy I’d never felt before.The colour, so different and unexpected, intrigued me, making me wonder what was shifting inside me, what it meant to feel this deeply.My senses sharpened, every touch and every breath heightened. Maxwell seemed to sense the shift, too, and I felt his energy grow more intense, more primal.His lips found my skin, sending shocks of pleasure through me, and when his mouth closed over my nipple, I couldn’t hold back a soft, breathy moan. My fingers tangled in his hair as I held onto him, letting myself sink into
Scarlett’s POV“What’s going on?” I managed to ask Clay, my voice barely a whisper. We stood in the dimly lit hallway, and the look on his face made my heart skip a beat. Fear had taken root in his expression, something I rarely saw there. Worry, thick and consuming, etched lines across his forehead as he looked past me, his eyes clouded with something deeper, something dark.“Garland has finally come,” Lucian said, his tone grim, his voice heavy like a stone sinking into deep water. My heart lurched, a rush of dread curling through my stomach. I could feel the change within me—my wolf, stirred beneath the surface, her presence intensifying my anxiety. The air was charged, thick with tension and something else. Something sharper. Deadlier.Clay, Lucian, and Maxwell weren’t just standing around; they were moving with purpose, linking minds, mobilising troops, readying themselves. The truth hit me then like a cold slap. This wasn’t a skirmish or a raid like we’d faced before when those
Scarlett’s POVThe vision faded, dissolving around me like mist in the morning sun, and I was thrust back into the present. The world snapped back to life, the sounds of the battle all around me. It was as if no time had passed, as if I’d been given a glimpse of something beyond reality, something fierce and true. My skin tingled with the remnants of the vision, the message clear and powerful.I glanced at Lucian, Clay, and Maxwell, my heart racing. They were poised to shift, but the vision’s warning lingered in my mind like a lifeline. “Hold off on the shift,” I said urgently, my voice barely controlled. “Trust me on this.”Lucian’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening in that stubborn way I knew all too well. He was the fiercest of them, the most headstrong, and I could see the resistance in his eyes, the fight within him. He didn’t like being held back, especially now, when every instinct urged him forward. But I held his gaze, willing him to listen, to trust me, to believe in the vis
Scarlett’s POVI heard the fierce growls of Tiger, Neo, and Vin echoing through the battlefield, deep and resonant. With a primal roar, Lucian, Clay, and Maxwell shifted into their wolf forms.Lucian became Tiger, fierce and mighty; Clay melded into Vin, swift and relentless; and Maxwell transformed into Neo, powerful and unyielding. The change was staggering. Their wolves were far more imposing than their human forms—massive creatures with muscles rippling beneath thick coats, eyes blazing with ferocity and purpose just as I had remembered them.Around us, our warriors and the warriors Keith had sent readied themselves, some clutching weapons, others preparing to shift. I glanced at Garland, and for a fleeting moment, I caught a flash of fear in his eyes. He hadn’t expected this. He had come here certain of his victory, confident in his strength, but now he was facing something he hadn’t prepared for—a united North, brimming with both strength and magic.The wolves clashed in a stor
Scarlett’s POVMidnight roared within me, her fury rising to meet his insult. The fire of her anger coursed through me, a molten resolve that he couldn’t possibly see. Garland had no idea the storm he had just unleashed. My blood boiled at his arrogance, at the audacity to call me worthless, to think I was helpless.Lucian’s voice rang through the air, strong yet pleading, “Please, let her go. Your qualms are with us, not her.” I glanced at him—at Tiger—and caught a hint of his frustration. He looked away, his pride warring with his desire to protect me. I could see the conflict etched in his face; he wanted so desperately to be my hero, to swoop in and rescue me.But he didn’t need to.I was no damsel in distress, and Garland was about to find that out.Without hesitation, I sent a link back to my mates, my voice calm and steady, laced with the power simmering beneath my skin. “Stay back. I’ll handle this.” Midnight surged forward, her energy merging with mine, her strength filling m
Scarlett’s POVA whole year had slipped by since that fateful battle, yet its echoes lingered, shaping every aspect of our lives. The memories of that day were as vivid as ever, and the changes it brought were undeniable.Elsa had uncovered the truth—my mates gaining their magic had turned the tide of the fight. It was a revelation that filled me with gratitude.That unexpected twist had granted us not only victory but the promise of a long, peaceful life. For that, I was endlessly thankful.The south had been calling to us, and we journeyed there to put our plans into action. When we arrived, my pack welcomed me with open arms and hearts full of joy, embracing me as their alpha.Their happiness was palpable, a warmth that eased the ache of the past. They spoke of the days they had endured under David’s oppressive reign. Their tales were heavy with suffering and injustice, and I could see in their eyes the relief of finally being free.As for David, I had chosen not to end his life. I
Clay’s POVKeith exhaled slowly, his gaze distant. “I’m relieved to know that fate didn’t mess up, that it was meddling. For a while, I really believed fate had made a terrible mistake. I also thought seers didn’t wield magic,” he admitted.“Me too,” I replied. “But apparently, this group of outcasts did. They were cast out because they dabbled in dark arts. It wasn’t natural magic; it was corruption. They learned how to use the spirits for more than just insight. They twisted it for their own purposes.”Keith shook his head, his frustration evident. “I guess this is something we’ll need to look out for in the future.”I gave him a faint smile. “I guess so,” I said, though the smile faded quickly. Keith sighed and patted my shoulder.“Emerald and I will depart tomorrow,” he said reluctantly. “Please, keep me updated on Scarlett’s condition.”“I will,” I promised, understanding how hard it was for him to leave. Keith and Scarlett had shared a history, brief as it was, and while he had
Clay’s POVIt had been six days since the battle, six days since the blood-soaked fields bore witness to our desperate fight for survival. The cost had been steep—lives lost on both sides—but in the end, victory was ours.Yet it felt hollow. Scarlett’s move, the one that had turned the tide, was as miraculous as it was terrifying. Now, as she lay unconscious on the bed, her chest rising and falling faintly, I knew the price she’d paid was far greater than we had imagined.Her body was locked in a battle of its own, trying to repel the darkness that clung to her after pulling Nikolay’s corrupted spirit from his body. It wasn’t just lingering—it was gripping her tightly, refusing to let go, tethering itself to her in a way we didn’t understand.Alison had called Nikolay’s magic element “Spirit,” the same force Scarlett had avoided using until the final moments. She knew its corruptive potential and still had no choice but to wield it to end the war. Now, the price of that choice was pai
Scarlett’s POVThe corruption from Nikolay’s dark aura showed itself as faint black smoke weaving into the flames. I ignored it. My mind was clear, my goal unwavering: to win.With a snarl, I lunged at Nikolay. We collided mid-air, teeth, claws, and raw power clashing in a blur of grey and green.The battle became a blur of instincts and strategy. He was fast and strong—I had to give him that. But I was stronger.“He’s trying to steal our magic. Be careful,” Midnight warned through the link as our teeth snapped at his neck.I tried to find an opening, to bite down on his spine and end it. But he was as relentless as I was, his jaws snapping at my hind leg. Pain shot through me as he managed to push me back, but I didn’t relent.The fight was vicious. I sent waves of magic his way—fire, earth, water, and wind—but he overcame each attack with a tenacity that rivaled my own.My flames scorched his fur, leaving blackened patches that he quickly healed. His wounds knitted together almost i
Scarlett’s POVThey bore no humanity, no spark of life. Staring into those eyes was like gazing into an endless void, a darkness that seemed to claw at my very soul. He wasn’t just a man. He was a nightmare given flesh—a being that shouldn’t have existed in this world.Shivers ran down my spine as I realized the full extent of what we were up against. This wasn’t just a fight for survival—it was a fight against the unnatural, the unholy. And at this moment, I wasn’t sure if we had the strength to prevail.“Your fear smells delicious,” young Nikolay said, his voice calm, cool, and unnervingly steady. The darkness in his tone sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to let him see the full extent of my terror.“How could Father have fathered something like you,” he continued, his gaze cold and calculating, “yet cherished and protected you while I rotted in the woods with the outcast seers? Isn’t that unfair?”His eyes drifted to my neck, and his lip curled in disdain. “Three mates. Wh
Scarlett’s POVI turned my gaze to my half-brother, speaking directly to him. “He killed your father, Nikolay. The man who didn’t even know you existed. David stole that chance from you—the chance to know your father. If you can hate my mother for killing yours, then you should hate him for murdering your father and robbing you of the life you could have had. He will betray you, just as he betrayed him.”David laughed again, shaking his head. “Don’t waste your breath, Scarlett. Young Nikolay knows the truth. It was his idea to take out Nikolay Vladislav, not mine.” He looked at Nikolay with a twisted kind of pride. “He knew that if his father ever found out about him, he’d be eliminated. Nikolay doesn’t tolerate anything that looks like a threat. He knows it had to be done.”Young Nikolay’s dark, soulless eyes bore into mine with pure hatred. If there was any doubt or hesitation in him, he didn’t show it. His disdain for me was unwavering, and David’s words only seemed to fuel his res
Scarlett’s POV“I am nobody’s puppet!” young Nikolay snapped, his voice laced with arrogance and disdain. “I am the true heir of Nikolay Vladislav, a Valkin alpha in my own right. And if I desire to take what is mine, so be it!”His declaration hung in the cold air, but I wasn’t impressed. “Rule over what?” I asked sharply. “Rule over whatever David tells you to rule? Be the king of his schemes?”For a moment, his fury was silenced, his expression hardening. He might have a temper, but he wasn’t a talker—his silence was telling.“So, what do you want?” Lucian asked, his tone steady but strained.David answered for him, stepping forward with a cruel smile. “What we’re here to take,” he said, his voice dripping with malice.“The North and that bitch.” His eyes flicked to me, and the venom in his gaze was palpable. “I promised Nikolay he’d have his revenge on the daughter of the woman who murdered his mother. Hand everything over, especially her. She’s useless anyway. Other than bed-warm
Scarlett’s POVAt dawn, they came.The attack wasn’t subtle; the screams and the clash of steel against steel echoed through Redcape, shaking the earth beneath us. I had felt it before I even opened my eyes—a dark, foreboding presence that made my skin crawl.As I sat up, my heart pounded in my chest, knowing the inevitable had arrived. Fear gripped me, cold and unrelenting. Were we ready? I didn’t know, and I wasn’t sure it mattered anymore.Lucian, Clay, and Maxwell were already moving, their movements quick and deliberate as they readied themselves for battle. Their focus was sharp, but the tension in the air was palpable.“For all we know, David has no idea Scarlett has a wolf or magic,” Lucian said, his tone firm as he strapped on his gear. “Let’s keep it that way. It’ll be our element of surprise.”He turned to me, his eyes glowing with both determination and worry. “Guns and bullets for now. We need to blindside them—just like you did with Garland. That’s the only way. And, Sca
Scarlett’s POVWhen it was over, we lay tangled together, our breaths mingling in the frosty air. The sight around us was nothing short of magical.The bare trees were now lush and green, their branches swaying gently as if awakened from a long slumber.The snow that had blanketed the ground was gone, revealing a soft, rich earth beneath. Even the frozen lake shimmered with life, its edges alive with vibrant flora. It was as though our love had breathed life back into the desolate landscape.The orange hues of the setting sun painted the sky above us, casting a warm glow over the reborn clearing.My head rested on Clay’s chest, his heartbeat strong and steady beneath my ear. Each rhythm was fierce and determined, a reminder that, for now, we were alive—and we were together. This was our moment, untainted by the battles ahead.“I’ve been thinking,” Clay said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm but carried a weight of seriousness. “If it comes to the worst, we should leav