Lucian’s POVI moved towards Scarlett, scooping her into my arms despite the ache of doubt clawing at my mind. Whatever else was true or false, she was still my mate, and I would not let a stranger see me question her loyalty. I looked at Gregory with a hardness I didn’t even recognize in myself.“The deal is off, Merchant. It would be best for you to leave while you still have the chance,” I said, my voice barely more than a growl, thick with fury and shame. Scarlett’s sobs wracked her body as I held her, but I kept my face cold, my words clipped.“I didn’t do anything,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I swear to you…”I didn’t answer, biting down my own hurt as we stepped into the hallway. A small crowd had gathered, their eyes wide with curiosity and judgment. A deep growl escaped me, and I glared at them, the command clear: Mind your own business. Slowly, they dispersed, but the damage was done. The rumour would spread, and this would be all anyone spoke of for days, maybe wee
Scarlett’s POVI stood there in the shower, shivering, even with the warmth of the water and the steady arms of my mates around me. A cold fear settled deep within me, whispering that things would never be the same again. I hadn’t invited Gregory into my room, and I certainly hadn’t slept with him. But I knew that to everyone else, it would look like that’s exactly what happened. My heart ached with the injustice of it all—how was I supposed to prove my innocence? It felt like every accusation, every whispered doubt I’d ever faced had finally caught up to me, now looming over me like a dark shadow.Lucian gently wrapped a towel around me and dried my tears along with the water from my face. His touch was tender, but I could feel the tension in his hands, the heaviness that hung in the air as he guided me back to his bedroom. Maxwell and Clay followed close behind, their expressions mirroring my own anguish and confusion. They wanted to protect me, I could feel that, but this situation
Scarlett’s POVLucian cleared his throat, wiping his tears. “We’ll have to put you in the seclusion cell and bring you out for trial in the evening,” he said, his tone hollow. “The Elders of the North will demand to know the truth. We can’t overturn their judgment.”I frowned, confusion breaking through my sadness. “The Elders? Who are they?” I asked, feeling lost in this world that seemed to grow darker by the minute.Maxwell sighed heavily. “The North has a council of Elders,” he explained. “Even though Valkin alphas rule because of their strength, the Elders judge matters of law, family, and justice. This situation falls under their authority. They reside in Tealberg, and with the witnesses who saw what happened… they’ve likely been informed already. We have no way of hiding this from them, Scarlett.”The realization hit me with brutal clarity. My future with them was hanging by a thread, my innocence in question, and nothing seemed certain anymore. The love we’d shared, the life w
Scarlett’s POVThey led me to the center of the great hall, and I felt the weight of every gaze upon me as I stood there in chains, exposed and vulnerable. The hall was filled with people, some looking at me with judgment, others with indifference, and a few with a hint of concern. I searched for the familiar faces of my mates, hoping for some reassurance, but they were nowhere to be seen.“They have distanced themselves from you,” Tasha’s voice came from behind me, cold and final. “Until you are proven innocent, you are no longer their mate.” Her words sank like stones, and I felt a pang of despair as I realized the depths of my isolation.At the front of the hall was a raised platform with five tall chairs. Each chair was occupied by an elder, their faces lined with age and hardened by years of judgment. Tasha took her seat on the far left, and in the center sat an older man whose resemblance to Lucian was uncanny, though his eyes were far colder, filled with a harshness that unnerv
Scarlett’s POVOne by one, people from the party came forward, recounting their own twisted versions of events. Some claimed they saw me behaving “too friendly” with Gregory, while others described my state when I was carried out of the room, insinuating that I’d clearly had intentions of being with him. Each testimony struck me like a blow, my heart sinking deeper with every accusation. Their words twisted what had happened, casting shadows over innocent actions, making me out to be someone I was not.Elder Tasha leaned forward, her expression a mask of cold disdain. “Do you still claim innocence?” she demanded, her tone daring me to fight against their narrative.I drew a trembling breath and lifted my chin, refusing to let them silence me. “If I had done anything with Gregory, my mates would have felt it. They would know,” I said, my voice faltering. “Please, ask them. I didn’t have his scent on me; they would have smelled it. I swear—”The elder’s glare cut me off, his voice sharp
Scarlett’s POV“I did nothing wrong,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper, as tears streamed down my face. The words felt hollow, useless in the face of their judgment. Elder Timothy, the elder in the center, gave me a small, twisted smile that only deepened my despair.“We have damning evidence that you planned this,” he said, his tone almost mocking. “The kitchen staff you conspired with has confessed. Do you still wish to plead innocence? If you admit to your crime now, you’ll be allowed to remain with your mates, though stripped of your Luna title. If you maintain your innocence and are found guilty, you will be separated from them permanently and required to pay reparations for the insult to your bond. A seer will sever the mate connection, so they will feel no pain when they choose to move on. Only you will bear the heartache, so choose wisely.” His words were calculated, laced with a threat he knew would cut deep.A strange laugh bubbled out of me, caught somewher
Scarlett’s POVLucian’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and filled with a bitterness that cut deep. “If you wanted to leave, all you had to do was say so, Scarlett. You went too far,” he accused, and though his tone stung, I held onto the sound of his voice. Even angry, it was a connection, a reminder that he hadn’t entirely abandoned me.“I didn’t do it,” I whispered back, my voice breaking, desperation thick in my words.“Bianca has no reason to lie,” he replied, unwavering. “We trust her with our lives, Scarlett. Her family has served ours for generations. She would never betray us.” His faith in her was absolute, a foundation built over years of loyalty. I could feel the weight of his conviction, his certainty pressing against me, unmoving.“But I am a Vladislav,” I said softly, letting the truth of it hang between us. “A tyrant’s daughter.” There was silence on his end, a hesitation, and for a moment, I thought he might be listening, that maybe he was searching for a reason to bel
Scarlett’s POVTwo months of isolation, labor, and silence had chipped away at me until there was barely anything left. I knew that if I stayed, I would lose myself entirely. I had to leave, even if it meant risking everything. Three years of servitude was a sentence I couldn’t endure, not with every day slowly erasing my will to live. I’d endured enough. I had no more patience, no more hope for redemption in the eyes of the pack or my mates. I needed to break free.The only plan that came to mind was simple but dangerous: put the entire settlement to sleep. I knew where the water tank that supplied the settlement was located; it was in the woods, not heavily guarded. If I added enough Garnicia pollen and Wolfsbane to the water, everyone who drank or cooked with it would fall into a deep sleep, giving me a chance to slip away undetected. Once I reached the highway, I’d find any vehicle heading east or west, wherever I could escape this place. The plan felt reckless, but in my desperat
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