Lucian’s POVMaxwell looked at me with a steady gaze. “Lucian, Scarlett is not Nikolay.”I scoffed, feeling my anger bubble over. “If we soften toward that bitch and accept the bond, she’ll be worse than her father. She’s the devil’s spawn, and I won’t unleash that kind of evil upon my people. Her own mother killed Nikolay’s fated mate, for goddess’ sake!”Clay shook his head, unfazed.“We promised Beta David she’d be Luna. That was the only reason he handed her over to us and forged her name on those documents. Without her wolf, she’s vulnerable—no one has rallied around her because she’s powerless. If we throw her out now, we’ll break our promise and lose the South. War will follow. Like it or not, Lucian, our hold over the South hinges on her being our Luna. If they find out otherwise, they will revolt.”“And then we’ll kill them all,” I retorted coldly.Clay’s eyes hardened. “Then we’re no different from the monster we claim to be avenging ourselves on. We’d just be new tyrants.”
Clay’s POVAs I stepped into the apartment, Scarlett immediately stood up, her movements tense and guarded. I noticed her quickly brushing her face, trying to hide the telltale signs of tears. Even though she’d never admit it, I could tell she’d been crying.She had this quiet, unbreakable strength, the kind that refused to show vulnerability, and honestly, I admired her for it. There was something deeply resilient about her, a spirit that refused to bow to anything we threw at her.“Have you eaten?” I asked gently, not wanting to push her further. She glared at me with that fierce scowl of hers, shaking her head. I couldn’t help but laugh a little. She tried so hard to antagonize us, to keep us at arm’s length, that it was almost endearing.Watching her now, it baffled me that Lucian couldn’t see through her defenses. Scarlett wasn’t just some problem to be dealt with. She was hurting and lost, her life torn apart, and the toughness was her way of coping.To reject her now, after eve
Clay’s POV“Lucian, may I speak with you in private?” I asked quietly, trying to steer him away from Scarlett’s line of fire, but he just looked at me, a storm in his eyes.“Don’t try to talk me out of this, Clay,” he bit out, keeping his voice low but edged with anger. “This bitch could never be half the woman Stasia is. I’d be giving up everything if I accepted the bond with her.”He was livid, his pain and frustration boiling over, so I linked him privately. “She’s afraid of you, Lucian.”“Good,” he replied through the link, cold and unmoved. “She’d better know her place.”Turning his glare back to Scarlett, he unleashed his anger without hesitation.“You ungrateful bitch. I buy you things you don’t deserve, and you can’t even say thank you. Instead, you sit there with that miserable scowl on your ugly face, acting like it’s your right, like it was your money that paid for it! Your father was a thief, Scarlett. He stole the South, took everything from the other Valkin Alphas and le
Scarlett’s POVLucian’s words echoed painfully in my mind, each one like a fresh wound. All this, just because I hadn’t thanked him. I refused to let him see the hurt, to let him feel the satisfaction of seeing me break.I forced the tears back, holding them in with every ounce of willpower I had. My life had turned into a nightmare, and each day with them felt worse than the last. I’d once dreamed of freedom from my father, but somehow, my life with him seemed like a mercy compared to this.An invisible tally began forming in my mind, a list of those I’d make pay if I ever got through this. Lucian’s name was at the top. He’d spat his cruelty so easily, so casually, without a single thought about what his words did to me.I’d wished—prayed—that he’d reject me and let me go, that they’d all do it, so I could finally have peace and be free of this cursed mate bond. But, of course, Clay had stopped him. I’d almost tasted freedom for a moment, and he’d stepped in, thwarting any hope of es
Scarlett’s POVOnce I heard Clay and Maxwell close their doors, I finally let my tears fall. In the quiet of the empty living room, I allowed myself to cry, letting the pain and frustration slip free in silence.Why this? After years of enduring life with my father, years of surviving his cruelty and neglect, why did fate have to tie me to people who despised me solely for my bloodline? I had expected a mate—a single person who might offer acceptance, maybe even love. Instead, I got three, and one of them was a bigger nightmare than my father himself. I was exhausted, drained from trying to maintain the strength to face each day.As night fell and the silence grew heavier, none of them returned. I reached for the blanket Clay had given me and wrapped myself tightly in it, bracing against the cold. I tried to pull warmth from memories of the South, from the days when I’d believed in some future freedom, but the chill seeped too deeply into my bones. My body continued to shiver as I lay
Lucian’s POVI knew Scarlett would try to eavesdrop, so I chose to speak to Maxwell through the mind link. Stasia had given me an ultimatum: she wouldn’t come near me unless I rejected Scarlett. Part of me wanted to do it, to sever the bond and be done with her, but another part hesitated. I hated that I felt anything for the Vladislav girl, hated that fate had tied us together. It was like some cruel joke.“She wants me to reject Scarlett first,” I linked to Maxwell, watching his reaction. He raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.“Go ahead,” he linked back. “You planned to anyway. It shouldn’t be a problem.” But I could feel the judgment in his words, subtle but there, and I grasped for an excuse.“I don’t want to risk your and Clay’s chance at magic,” I explained, though it felt thin even to me. He sighed, knowing my arguments were flimsy.“Lucian,” he linked back patiently, “as things stand, we’re unlikely to get the magic anyway. She’s tainted. If that’s your reason, don’t worry abo
Lucian’s POV“Alpha Lucian,” Stasia greeted me with warmth and respect, and I couldn’t help but smile.“You know you can just call me Lucian,” I said, and she smiled back, opening the door wider for me to enter. I handed her the flowers, and she placed them in a vase with care.Watching her, I felt a tug of familiarity, comfort, even a tinge of sentimentality. Stasia was my first, though she didn’t know it.After the reports about Scarlett’s so-called lifestyle, I’d sought out Stasia and had never truly left her side since. I could have claimed her by now, but something had always held me back, something that told me to wait.While the three of us—Clay, Maxwell, and I—were open to sharing a mate, it was clear early on that Stasia wouldn’t be that person. We’d tried once, and Clay and Maxwell regretted it immediately, feeling nothing more than a platonic loyalty toward her.Their lack of interest hadn’t stopped me from keeping her close; maybe it was my disdain for Scarlett’s bloodline
Scarlett’s POVI woke with a pounding headache, reminding me I’d overdone it with the vodka last night. The bitter cold and nerves had pushed me to drink too much, and now I was paying the price.The memory of Lucian and Maxwell’s private conversation weighed on my mind. It gnawed at me, the feeling of being shut out, especially when it concerned my life. I didn’t like being left in the dark, not when my fate was involved.After freshening up quickly, I found myself restless, my head too full of anxious thoughts to sit still. Even though the guys had lifted the chore duties, I decided to keep busy. The idleness was suffocating, and besides, I’d noticed that their staff never entered their rooms. It felt intentional, so I took it upon myself to clean up.Once I finished, I scanned their bookshelf, hoping to find something to read. Something light, with no hint of romance. The last thing I needed was a reminder of love or mates—I was living my own twisted version of that already.But no
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. In
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