Lucian’s POVScarlett moved efficiently, serving our food with a practised ease, her face blank and unreadable. When she finished, she stood quietly, waiting. We made sure to eat every last bite, leaving nothing for her. I wanted her to break, to see her hunger force her to beg, to make her realise that her every need depended on us.“Take the plates to the kitchen and return here,” Maxwell commanded, his voice cold. She gathered the plates in silence, never once meeting our gaze, her mouth set in a hard line. It was obvious she was trying to appear tough, and I could already feel the satisfaction of knowing that her facade would soon crack. She’d learn that defiance had no place here.“You have fifteen minutes,” I added sharply as she left. She didn’t even nod, didn’t acknowledge the order. When she returned five minutes late, her eyes were swollen and red. She’d probably found some quiet corner to cry, and though she’d tried to hide it, her tear-streaked face revealed the truth.I f
Scarlett’s POVThe first week with the Alphas was nothing short of hell. Every attempt I made to escape ended the same way: someone would catch me and drag me back to the house like a misbehaving pet.I had learned their names by now—the dark-haired one was Lucian, whose anger was quick and relentless; Clay, with the silver hair, was the least abusive, the only one who showed me any small kindness; and Maxwell, the dirty-blonde, watched me with a constant, simmering disdain. Of the three, only Clay had slipped me a blanket each night as I lay on the couch, even though Lucian and Maxwell made it clear they disapproved, grumbling that I deserved no comforts.They threw the worst accusations at me, calling me a slut, a betrayer of the bond. I could only guess my father had inflicted unspeakable pain on them, but it still didn’t justify the way they treated me. When I tried to explain that I’d never seen them before, that I hadn’t rejected any bond, they dismissed my words as lies.Their
Scarlett’s POVLucian’s mocking tone cut into me. “What are you shy about? Don’t you do it naked with your lovers?” he taunted, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. I felt my face heat with shame, and I looked away, fighting back the urge to retaliate.Maxwell tossed my damp dress at me, and I hurried to pull it on. The cold fabric clung to my skin, sending a shiver down my spine, but it was better than standing there exposed under their leering stares.“Don’t you ever use any of our things again!” Maxwell snapped, his gaze dark and accusing. He took a deep breath, his nose twitching as he picked up the faint scent of the lotion. His eyes narrowed as he looked directly at me.“Did you use Clay’s lotion?” he demanded. I swallowed, feeling caught.“My skin was dry, and I…” I started, but my voice trailed off. He wasn’t interested in my reasons. They both turned and went to their rooms, leaving me standing there, cold and humiliated.Left alone, I sank to the floor, curling up to con
Scarlett’s POVAfter they’d eaten, Lucian brought me a small plate of leftovers. I accepted it without a word, knowing it was all I’d get. When Clay took out a fresh blanket for himself and went to bed, I spread the thin blanket he’d given me across the floor and lay down. The cold seeped through me almost immediately, and despite my attempts to curl up tightly, my body wouldn’t stop shivering.Sometime deep into the night, I was so numb from the cold that I didn’t register footsteps until they were close. A figure moved quietly, the faint clink of glass suggesting he’d poured himself a drink.“Are you alright?” he asked softly, but I was too frozen to respond. My body shook uncontrollably, my teeth chattering beyond my control.Then, I felt myself lifted from the floor, strong arms pulling me close. I was too weak and too cold to protest, barely able to register my discomfort as I was carried into a warmer, softer space. He laid me down on a bed and slipped under the covers, his arms
Lucian’s POVScarlett was infuriating—rude, ungrateful, and stubborn to the core. I’d gone out of my way to buy her clothes, things to make her life here bearable, and she couldn’t even manage a “thank you.” If this had been Nikolay’s household, she’d be rotting in a dungeon by now. Her defiance reminded me of her father’s cold, unyielding nature; she was truly his daughter, as spiteful and hard-hearted as he was.It sickened me to think that fate had tied us to someone like her. She was everything I’d hoped to avoid—a Valkin mate should have been someone I could cherish, someone worthy of respect and loyalty. Yet here we were, forced into this twisted bond.I needed to talk to the guys. This mate bond was already proving to be a burden, and we had to consider ending it. Scarlett wasn’t pure, she wasn’t ours, and she had given herself to others before us. To claim the magic, we’d have to be her first, and that wasn’t even a possibility. The probability of accessing the bond’s power wa
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 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