Scarlett’s POVAs I waited for the kappas to return, memories surged up, sharp and painful, like thorns piercing my skin.“Strip her and let them see what’s left of the Vladislav bloodline,” Lucian had sneered, his words laced with cruelty. I remembered standing there, stripped of dignity, pleading for death as if it were a mercy. They had denied me even that, treating me as less than human, as though I were nothing. They’d taken everything, even the will to survive, promising that I’d freeze to death in the North. The chill of that memory washed over me, but I shoved it aside. Those men were dead to me now, shadows of a past I’d buried.The kappas returned, doing as I instructed, and soon, Geoffrey’s back was exposed, bound and vulnerable. I lifted the whip, feeling its weight in my hand, feeling the anger that had festered for so long surge through me. I took a steadying breath, savouring the moment, and then I brought the whip down across his back. He screamed a high, desperate sou
Scarlett’s POVI sat there, gripping the couch tightly as I fought against the relentless pull of my mate bond. It was agonising, like being stretched between two worlds—one in which I was finally free, where I had Keith and the chance to heal, and the other, a dark place I desperately wanted to leave behind. Yet, Lucian’s bond was the strongest, tugging at me with a force I couldn’t ignore, and I felt a sinking realisation that, somehow, I was pulling on that bond too.“What is this, Midnight?” I whispered to my wolf, hoping she could explain.“Mate,” she replied, her voice distant, almost hypnotic, as though she were caught in some spell beyond her control.Forty minutes passed with me sitting still, struggling against the pull. Each minute felt like a lifetime, and finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I stood, taking a deep breath, convincing myself that a quick trip out of the room would do no harm. Keith wouldn’t be mad. This was my home too, wasn’t it? I had the right to move ab
Scarlett’s POVOnce in the lounge, I made myself comfortable on a couch, anxiously waiting. When Morgan returned with Martha, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. She looked the same, but warmer now, dressed in thick, cozy clothes with tears glistening in her eyes. I could barely hold back my own tears as I rushed to her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She held me just as fiercely.“Oh, Scarlett,” she whispered, her voice shaky, filled with a mix of relief and worry.Pulling back, I searched her face. “How have you been, Martha? Are you safe? Please tell me you haven’t gotten into trouble,” I said, hoping Lucian or the others hadn’t harmed her.She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks as she took in the warmth of the lounge. She looked back at me, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place.“The goddess has blessed you, Scarlett,” she murmured, her tone full of admiration. “You deserve all of this.” I led her to a couch, motioning for the staff to bring her ju
Scarlett’s POVCould it really be true? The three of them, here, in the mansion? I stared at Martha, disbelief tightening my chest.“They forced you to come here?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper, but Martha shook her head gently.“No, Scarlett. They didn’t force me. They begged me, pleaded with me to come, to ask for your forgiveness and bring you home. I chose to speak with you alone first while they meet with Keith. They’re desperate, Scarlett,” she explained. Her words hit me hard, and suddenly, I understood why Keith had been so tense, why he hadn’t wanted me to leave the room. He knew the effect they had on me and didn’t trust that I could keep myself steady with them so close.But the memories of the pain, the rejection, and the betrayal washed over me like a cold wave. I shook my head, bracing myself against it all.“I can’t go back, Martha. I’m sorry, but I won’t. I won’t return to that place—a place where I was treated like dirt, where no one cared about me or respected m
Scarlett’s POVI took a deep breath, steadying myself, forcing my emotions to stay buried, even though each of their faces pulled painfully at the strings around my heart. I’d known them as strong, confident, proud men—never in a thousand years would I have imagined seeing them so broken, so lost.Clay, once vibrant and full of life, was now a shadow of himself, his face hollow, eyes sunken and rimmed with dark circles. Maxwell’s haggard appearance shocked me; his shirt hung loose, and he looked so weary, so defeated. And Lucian—his unkempt beard, his gaunt frame, the helplessness in his eyes—was almost unrecognizable. It was as if each of them had been carved out, hollowed by their pain and regret.“Scarlett…” Lucian’s voice was barely a whisper, fragile and uncertain, like he was afraid his words might shatter me. I forced myself to meet his gaze, ignoring the wave of emotions stirring inside me.“What do the three of you want from me?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended. “Hav
Scarlett’s POVMy voice wavered, and I saw Clay’s face crumble further, guilt etched in every line. But I kept going, needing them to understand, once and for all.“Why would I ever go back to a place like that? A place where the weak are preyed upon and where Alphas would rather protect their pack members than their own mate? You let Bianca poison our bond. You chose her word over mine, allowed the elders to humiliate me, stood by while the pack ridiculed me. Why would I ever return to that life?”Clay nodded, his face pale and full of regret. “You don’t have to stay in Redcape, Scarlett. We… we know how toxic it was for you there. The Highlands, Tealberg—they’re different. Kinder. More accepting. We’ll go wherever you feel safe. Everyone who hurt you has faced justice, everyone except Timothy and Tasha. And they… they’re yours to deal with however you choose.”His words gave me pause.Lucian’s voice broke as he looked up at me, his eyes red and filled with a raw desperation that pul
Scarlett’s POVClay looked at me, his eyes brimming with hope. He wanted me to speak, to reassure him, to say anything that might ease his worry. But I couldn’t. I had no words left. I’d torn someone else’s heart apart just to be here, standing in front of him. And yet, I had nothing to say.Keith and I had been close, bound together by a force that was as strong as it was mysterious. His magic had connected us, made everything feel right. But now that he’d taken it back, pulled it all away, I felt… nothing.Whatever feelings I had for him seemed to vanish into thin air. Instead, all that was left was the hollow ache of betrayal from someone I thought was my mate. That pain—the one Keith’s magic had kept at bay—came crashing back like a tidal wave.His magic had shielded me, dulled the hurt until I’d almost forgotten it was there, lurking just below the surface. But now, with his magic gone, the emptiness returned in full force. It was raw, open, like an old wound that hadn’t healed.
Scarlett’s POVI felt an ache deep inside as I realized I needed to see Keith, to apologize and try to make things right with him. I wished I’d stayed upstairs, away from the tangled mess of my emotions, but Midnight, my wolf, was restless, pushing me to follow the bond I shared with my mates. Now, looking back, I regretted coming down. I felt a painful pull between two worlds, unable to deny that leaving Keith didn’t feel right—but ignoring my mates felt worse.I knew I was meant to be with my mates, if only they hadn’t broken everything we had. My heart felt torn, trapped between fate’s design and my own sense of reason. The more I thought about it, the more hopeless it all seemed. I wished I could have them all, keep Keith and my mates together in some impossible harmony. But Keith wouldn’t share—he’d made that clear. And as much as I wanted to believe otherwise, I doubted my mates would be willing to either. Our lives, split between different packs and lands, made it all impossibl
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