Scarlett’s POVI was in the garden meditating, trying to tame the fire element that seemed so eager to flare out of control. As a result of my focus, the wind element had been acting up, swirling unpredictably around me.Alison had been a tremendous help, guiding me as I began to understand the individual nature of each magic and how to balance them as a whole. Still, my mind felt heavy, burdened by the truths I had uncovered about my parents and the painful legacy they left behind.I knew I couldn’t dwell in this grief forever. My people needed me, and it was time to embrace the strength and determination of my parents.They had been fierce and strong, their only flaw being that they cared too much. That flaw, I decided, would become my greatest strength as I worked to finish what my mother had started eighteen years ago.Lucian’s voice suddenly broke through my thoughts, linking with me.“Come to the field. I have a gift for you,” he said, his tone carrying an edge of anticipation.
Scarlett’s POVThe guards moved quickly, stripping Stasia of her clothing, preparing her for the punishment. I turned away, unable to watch as the scene unfolded. My chest tightened, and tears pricked my eyes. When they had done this to me, it had been under the cover of night. This was different—broad daylight, under the eyes of everyone.Her sobs filled the air, harsh and pitiful, and I clenched my fists, trying to hold steady. Memories of my own punishment flooded back: the humiliation, the tears, the sense of betrayal. But I reminded myself—I was a victim. Stasia wasn’t. She had schemed, betrayed, and tried to destroy me. She deserved no sympathy, no mercy.Still, the sight was unbearable. “I want to go inside,” I said quietly, my voice barely audible. I couldn’t stand there any longer. The memory of my own punishment and the knowledge of what she had done collided in my mind, making it impossible to stay. Lucian nodded but didn’t speak, his jaw clenched as he watched her punishme
Scarlett’s POVWhen Maxwell and Clay returned after four days, I was furious with them. They hadn’t called or sent any word since the second day, leaving Lucian and me to speculate anxiously about what was going on. Elsa’s calm reassurance that everything would be fine had been the only thing keeping my worry from spiraling out of control.But now, seeing the looks on Maxwell and Clay’s faces as they walked into the living room, my frustration quickly gave way to dread. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.Maxwell entered first, his expression grim, while Clay sank onto the couch, looking worn and unsettled. I could feel the tension radiating from both of them. Their panic and worry were almost palpable.“What’s the matter?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. My magic crackled faintly in response to my growing unease. Clay avoided my gaze, clearly struggling to find the words.“I can handle it,” I pressed, trying to steady myself. “Tell me what’s going on.”Clay sighed heavily,
Clay’s POV“We had to put Scarlett on a sedative to calm her down,” Lucian said, his voice heavy with guilt as we sat in the dimly lit living room.“She was too devastated, and her magic started acting up. She burned me once without even realizing it.” He shook his head, his eyes clouded with worry.“I knew she wouldn’t take the news well. Keith Harold… Whether we like it or not, he was a part of her life. A significant part, however brief. I don’t know how we’re supposed to make this better.”The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of the situation hung over us. Scarlett, exhausted from her grief, finally slept, her magic subdued for now. But none of us could rest. There was too much at stake.Lucian broke the silence. “How did you learn about all this?” he asked Maxwell, his voice edged with worry.“I was in Rainville,” Maxwell replied. “I went there to handle affairs and found the place overflowing with refugees. That’s where I heard what happened. Refugees said they left
Scarlett’s POVTwo days passed in relative quiet, though it felt anything but calm for me. While Lucian, Maxwell, and Clay threw themselves into organising and preparing for whatever was coming, I found myself caught in a state of limbo.I tried wielding my magic on and off, hoping against hope that I might somehow connect to Keith or get some sense of him. But it was futile. There was nothing but a wall, blocking me from any kind of resolution.The instability of my elements—particularly wind and fire—only added to my frustration. The fire element was slightly more manageable now; I wasn’t burning things as frequently, which was a small relief. Alison attributed the improvement to Lucian and my mates sharing the burden of my magic, though she wasn’t entirely sure how it worked.She speculated that their abilities might manifest eventually, but there was no guarantee.In the background, conversations between Lucian and Garland seemed constant. They were strategizing, working to bring
Scarlett’s POVKeith was sitting on a couch, his posture relaxed but weary, chatting animatedly with Maxwell and Clay. His clothes were worn and bloodied, and his face carried the weight of exhaustion, but he was alive. Beside him sat a striking red-haired woman, her appearance similarly battle-worn but vibrant. I didn’t know who she was, and in that moment, it didn’t matter.Tears welled up in my eyes, and I began to question if what I was seeing was real. Was this a dream? My mind played cruel tricks on me often enough, with visions that blurred the line between reality and fantasy. What if this was just another one?“Keith?” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.His head turned toward me, and the moment his eyes met mine, everything felt real. He smiled, and I didn’t wait another second. I rushed toward him, and as he stood, I threw my arms around him, holding him tightly as tears streamed down my face.“I thought you were… they said you were…” My voice broke, unable t
Lucian’s POVI would be lying if I said I wasn’t relieved when I saw Keith with Emerald. It was an unspoken weight lifted from my shoulders. Seeing him with his second-chance mate meant Scarlett’s ties to him were finally severed in a way that felt complete.There was no lingering possibility of her returning to him, no unresolved tension to haunt us. I silently thanked fate for orchestrating this turn of events and promised myself I would never again say or do anything to push Scarlett to the point of leaving us. It was a vow I made in the quiet of my heart, one I intended to keep.I chatted with Keith that day, animated and genuinely glad to see him alive. I was grateful for his survival and for the chance his strength and experience gave us in the fight against this new Nikolay. For once, I allowed myself to feel optimistic, even if only for a moment.That night, we held a banquet in Keith and Emerald’s honour, officially welcoming them to Redcape. For one evening, we all chose to
Lucian’s POVTasha looked stunned—no, more than stunned. She looked like the ground had been ripped out from under her.“A few people sitting in the cells right now could testify to the horrors you’ve caused, Tasha,” Maxwell continued, his voice dripping with disgust.“And let’s not forget—you didn’t just manipulate the hearing to suit your selfish desires. You had the audacity to undermine our authority, disregarding our orders, and you pushed our mate to the brink of ruin. All of this—everything—is your doing!” The anger in my voice surprised even me. It spilled out, hot and unforgiving, and her face twisted into a mask of rage.Yet the other elders in the room? They sat frozen, their confusion evident, except for Timothy. He didn’t look confused—he looked complicit. Of course, he was in on this mess too.“There were testimonies—actual, valid testimonies—from pack members that could have proven Scarlett’s innocence, but you silenced them,” I said, my voice rising with each word.“Yo
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