Scarlett’s POVThe sensation was electric. His mouth on me was like fire, each touch, each kiss sending waves of pleasure through me. I felt myself grow bolder, the pleasure making me fearless. I sat up just enough to watch him, and the sight of him there, devouring me with a hunger that mirrored my own, sent me over the edge. My body trembled as I moaned his name, my fingers gripping the sheets.“Lucian,” I gasped, my voice barely more than a whisper, and he responded by sucking on my most sensitive spot, his tongue flicking and teasing until I felt a rush build, wave after wave of pleasure washing through me. It filled me, leaving me breathless, shaking as the sensation tore through my body.I barely had time to recover when I felt him again, relentless, as he continued, drawing me into another intense release. This time, the pleasure was so overwhelming I had to beg him to stop, my voice hoarse, pleading. Finally, he looked up, his gaze heavy-lidded, his lips glistening with my rel
Lucian’s POVLeaving Scarlett behind weighed heavily on my heart. It hurt, really hurt, but we didn’t see the need to bring her along to see Elsa, our seer. As we journeyed to Leafwall, the settlement where Elsa lived, my mind was filled with thoughts of Scarlett. Every step we took, every breath, seemed to remind me of her—the warmth we shared, the unspoken promises between us. Even though we hadn’t taken things all the way, what we’d shared felt complete, fulfilling in ways I hadn’t expected. The pleasure had been raw, different, something that lingered in my veins, and I questioned why I’d ever denied myself that happiness before.For so long, I’d held onto grudges, nursing old wounds as if they were my only companions. But they felt distant now, forgotten fragments of another time. There was no reason to keep them alive any longer.All that mattered was that Scarlett was ours, and I was ready to embrace her with everything I had. The past, with all its bitterness and pain, was fad
Lucian’s POV“So, how may I help you?” Elsa asked, her eyes warm but shadowed with curiosity and concern. Her smile was gentle, but the air around us felt thick, as though the unlit fireplace had brought more than just a chill to the room.I took a steadying breath. “There have been three recent attacks,” I began, feeling the weight of each word. “We don’t know who’s behind them or why. Should we be worried, or will this trouble pass?”Elsa’s smile faded as she sighed, her gaze dropping to the bowl on the table. “I can’t promise the spirits will reveal everything, but let’s ask them,” she said softly. “Please, wash your hands in the bowl, one at a time, so I can seek answers.”One by one, we each placed our hands in the cool water of the bowl, feeling a strange prickling sensation as we did so. When we’d finished, Elsa leaned over the bowl, her gaze sharpening, and I felt a shiver as a cold breeze drifted through the room. The bowl began to glow faintly, as if it held a hidden fire, a
Lucian’s POVElsa’s eyes met mine, contemplative, as though she was sifting through memories or secrets only she could understand. “What is her name?” she asked finally.“Scarlett Vladislav,” Clay responded, his voice steady but tense. Elsa looked at us, a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze.“Have you mated with her?” she asked, her tone as direct as ever. We each shook our heads, feeling the weight of the question settle uncomfortably around us.“Any form of intimacy that would bind you to her, something that could tighten a connection?” she continued, her eyes sharp. I felt the silent admission pass between us, each of us aware of the unspoken truth.Maxwell was the first. He’d kissed her that night at dinner, unable to resist the pull between them. Clay, too, had felt compelled to comfort her after the attack, and as for me… I’d touched her last, a touch that had sent a thrill and longing through me I’d barely understood.Elsa nodded, understanding in her eyes. “I need you
Scarlett’s POVThe day had been long and filled with responsibilities, most of which were still unfamiliar to me. Lucian had insisted that I learn how the pack house was run since, as Luna, I’d be expected to take charge one day.At first, I’d felt unsure, even a bit out of place, as though this role was a cloak too big for my shoulders. But as the day wore on, my doubts slowly began to melt away. I found myself fitting into the rhythm, feeling a strange comfort in the structure of it all. I held onto the hope that, in time, we would grow close, that love would eventually follow.Still, I couldn’t ignore the nagging worry about my wolf. I was running out of time—if I turned nineteen and she still hadn’t appeared, the reality of being wolfless would be unavoidable. A wolfless Luna, a Vladislav without a wolf; I could already imagine the murmurs, the doubts, the questioning stares. I tried to keep faith in whatever the goddess had planned for me, praying there was some hidden purpose to
Scarlett’s POVThe rest of the afternoon flew by as I helped in the kitchen, chopping, stirring, and plating. For a while, I almost forgot the weight of everything else; there was something peaceful in the rhythm of cooking, in sharing this space with Bianca. We weren’t exactly friends, but the gap between us felt a little smaller, and that was enough.After we’d finished and I’d thanked her for her help, I headed to my room, feeling a pleasant exhaustion. I took a long, hot shower, washing away the day’s tension. Crawling into bed, I let my head sink into the pillow, but just as sleep began to pull me under, I heard that strange voice again, whispering my name in the quiet darkness of my mind. My eyes snapped open, heart pounding.“Careful,” the voice whispered, soft yet urgent.I sat up, scanning the room, my pulse racing. I was alone. I’d tried convincing myself it was my wolf, the first stirrings of a bond, but the timing was wrong. Usually, wolves only spoke after a full-moon shi
Scarlett’s POVThe pain seemed to go on forever, each wave crashing into me like jagged glass, relentless and consuming. The voice was faint but insistent, like someone whispering from far away, and every time it spoke, the pain in my head sharpened, as if a dull saw was trying to slice through my skull. It was unbearable, impossible to ignore.I curled up on the floor, clutching my head tightly, every muscle trembling as I fought against the agony. I could feel hot tears streaming down my face as I whimpered, desperate for relief, praying that somehow, some way, the pain would stop. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I slipped into darkness.When I opened my eyes, I felt softness beneath me and realised I was lying in a bed—Lucian’s bed. I blinked slowly, taking in the familiar room around me, and attempted to sit up, but a fierce pounding in my head held me back. It felt like my skull was being hammered from the inside, each throb a reminder of the agony I’d just endured.“Are yo
Scarlett’s POVLucian’s smile held a warmth that melted my heart. His love was palpable, wrapping around me like a protective embrace. Just then, Clay entered, his hair still damp, dressed only in shorts. The look in his eyes told me he already knew; Lucian must have linked him to share my decision. Without hesitation, Clay rushed over, his gaze tender and filled with joy. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, his expression filled with a devotion so deep it brought tears to my eyes.“You won’t regret trusting and accepting us, Scarlett,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. “We’ll love you until the end. We’ll never betray you, and we’ll protect you with everything we have.” He paused, his gaze intense, filled with hope and a touch of vulnerability. “Promise me, Scarlett. Promise you’ll be true to us, that you’ll never break our hearts or make us doubt this. Promise your love is real.”His plea held so much longing, and I could see just how deeply he wanted to believe, to trust th
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