SCARLET'S POVHe looked plain shocked when I slapped him and his hand flew to his cheek while he stared into blank space. He looked like he couldn't believe I had slapped him, like he had been dreaming. His eyes moved slowly till they came to focus on me."Do you know what you just did?" He asked, holding onto me tighter, and I pushed him away from me catching him off guard. Brad stumbled a foot backwards looking at me like he was staring at a new person. "I asked a question." He shot at me as his expression shifted into something dangerous. "I slapped you." I replied to him defiantly, taking a step back in case he tried to do something out of the blue. At that moment, he looked so annoying to me. He was so haughty that it was hard for him to believe I had actually slapped him, and it made me wonder if he had ever been slapped all his life."You have the guts to say you slapped me and stand without cowering? Without apologizing?" He blurted out as his upper lip twitched in anger."
The mating ceremony which was to be held in the heart of the forest amidst a clearing which would have the moon shining directly on it was about to begin, and there was excitement in the air as the pack stood around the circle, waiting for Brad and Scarlett. The air was intoxicating and everyone couldn't help but feel giddy. The maids and servants were all on standby already in case they were needed. All the important wolves who were invited were all present, waiting and talking to themselves occasionally. "Garnier." The Alpha called, and a guard walked briskly to him, bowing immediately."Yes, Alpha." He answered, keeping his hands respectfully at his side."It is time. The moon is at its peak. You will get Scarlett from her room now." He told Garnier who bowed once more in acceptance of the order and walked away, calling to two more guards as he did so and they strode across the forest to get Scarlett in time for the ceremony. The Alpha smiled as he looked all around at the peopl
ELIAS' POV. HOURS AGOI returned home after seeing Scarlet off to her house, and sighed as I plopped down on my bed, thinking of the day's events over and over in my head. I really wanted Scarlet to make her choice but what could I do? I couldn't force her to make a decision she didn't want to make. I kicked off my shoes, and started taking off my clothes, prepared to rest as I felt a little tired, but as I returned to the bed after taking my clothes off, I felt a little odd.Something was off. There was just something within me that felt like something was wrong somewhere. I couldn't shake off the feeling, no matter how hard I tried. "What is it? What is this feeling?" I asked myself trying to figure out why I was suddenly restless. Then finally I likened it to a sense of foreboding. I felt I wasn't supposed to be resting, like something was wrong. The last time I felt this way, something terrible had happened. I couldn't let that happen. Then I swung my feet off the bed, and rea
VALERIE'S POV.HOURS AGOI tried calling Brad's number with the hope that he was going to pick up because I needed to confirm what Scarlet's mother had told me. I needed to know if it was true and hear from him because my head was spinning.Back at the other side of the forest, away from the Palace, I had abducted Scarlet's mother and kept her captive only for me to hear the disturbing news. How could Brad be having a mating ritual with Scarlet? There was just simply no way it could be true. Not when I was still there, hanging. My phone stayed on my ear as it rang, but no reply came, it was just the annoying female speaking on the phone, telling me Brad wasn't answering his calls.My fingers shook slightly as I clicked on Brad's number once more. There was no way I was letting it go. I had to speak with Brad. Why was he doing this to me? How could he suddenly decide to break up with me and then mate with someone else when it wasn't even long when he broke up with me? What had scarlet
SCARLET'S POV.BACK TO PRESENTI awoke to a particular sound, and I felt so weak. My head seemed to be swimming, even though I had just woken up, and then at once, I recalled what had happened. It had all been Valerie's plan. She had tricked me into thinking she was no longer interested in being enemies with me, and had fooled me by her tears. I had felt so betrayed when she had choked me with chloroform, and that was because I had decided to give her chance. A chance to check and confirm that she might actually have some good in her, but she had brought me somewhere dark. I turned my head looking all around, and as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I began to see we were in something that lpoked like a cabin, and I was correct because I could hear the sounds of insects coming from the forest.She had taken me to a cabin in the forest, and my hands were tied up. What did she plan on doing with me?She didn't plan to kill me, did she? There was no way she could actually plan to do th
ELIAS' POVI had wandered away, just walking as my intuition led me. Why was I feeling something was off? What was this weird feeling engulfing me? I kept on feeling Scarlet was in danger and i hated it because the last time I had felt that way had been earlier that day and it had been true. Scarlet had been in danger.It was probably due to the connection I felt with Scarlet, although it was weak.At some point, the feeling intensified, and I began to run. I didn’t know why but I could feel it in my chest. My heart was crying out, crying danger. My feet snapped twigs and crushed the dry, fallen leaves as I stormed across the forest, running in the direction I was being led by some unseen force.The woods were dark and the night creatures comfortably made their filled the night air with their calls to each other. The fireflies illuminated the forest with their light, making the woods a bit better.Tracking her scent wasn't that easy as it was light, due to the weak connection between
ELIAS' POV.In my arms, I carried the passed out Scarlet with a heavy heart myself. I had lost the will to run. What I had seen in the cabin had struck my heart to the very depths. An arrow of sorrow pierced my heart and it seemed like my heart was swelling and getting bigger with each step I took, ready to explode.What was even more sad and depressing was the pain that Scarlet had to go through when she awoke and asked about her mum. I feared she'd never be the same, I felt the pain and loneliness would eat deep into her heart. I felt the pain for Scarlet and there was nothing I could do about it. I trudged back through the forest lifelessly, making my way slowly and steadily to the Palace as my own tears fell without my permission. I wasn't one to cry easily but my heart burned deeply and I couldn't help it.Finally, I got to the Palace and the guards all stared at me in shock as I brought back Scarlet in my arms. I got to the great hall, and everyone was present. The elders, the
In her heart, Valerie knew she was doomed. Being a prisoner for the Lycans was nothing she ever wished for. Had she made a mistake? All she had ever wanted was to show Scarlet the grand mistake she had made by messing with her and trying to take what was hers. Why was it ending in her misery? Everything had gone as planned. Why did Elias have to ruin it? She'd have killed scarlet and her mother and trouble would have been far from her as no one would know what had truly happened.Seeing her mother on her knees was the worst. She wanted to snap at her mother and ask why she was kneeling but she couldn't do so. Her hands were tied with invisible cords.If only she had known, she'd have just poisoned scarlet. She'd have just let her die the easier way. At least she'd be dead. Inside her, Valerie felt anger, but there was nothing she could do. But still, would they just let them take her away like that? Just like that?Valerie's mother on the other hand was already in tears, on her knees
SCARLET'S POV. Egg after egg dropped, filling the space, and I couldn't help the feeling of raw panic eating me up. I had ever seen such a monster with different traits. It has pincers like scorpions and made loud noises. It buzzed like a bee, and was so solid even though it was made of ants. It was laying eggs which was really unbelievable, but what scared me was that I didn't know what would happen if the eggs happened to hatch. What creature would we see there, and how would they eat us up?I took in deep breaths, as me and Elias were pushed together. I couldn't help myself. It felt like I would suddenly scream, and go out. The eggs fell against us, and it was then I knew I couldn't help myself. “Elias!” I called out, as my hand closed over his shirt tightly. My mouth opened wide, and I fought for breath, but couldn't find it. “Scarlet, Scarlet, breathe!” Elias said, looking at me intently, as I hit my chest, trying to breathe. My eyes filled up with tears, and it felt like I w
RALPH'S POVEstelle looked at us all, enjoying the looks of shock on the faces of the men. Then she walked over to me, and bent, placing a hand on the table, and the other behind my chair. I wouldn't deny the ice in her eyes. Everything about her seemed cold, and although I hated her being that close to me, I did not budge. I stared at her right in the eye, without fear. “You must be having a hard time, right?” She spoke softly. “Well, I've had a harder time.” She said, then straightened up, without taking her eyes off me for a second. She seemed to built for revenge, and in her eyes were the echoes of pain, and cold. She took a few steps backwards, before giving a smile that didn't reach her eyes, then she turned away, walking out of the hall. The elders all looked like they had been holding their breaths, and they let it out quickly, looking at each other. “I believe we've discussed all we need to discuss.” I said, getting to my feet. Sitting around, doing nothing was something
RALPH’S POVI dressed in my room, trying hard so time wouldn't run out on me. There was a council meeting scheduled for the day, and I had to attend instead of Elias. The council elders had sent in multiple envelopes, all demanding to see Elias. ‘Where is the Alpha?’‘What is the Alpha planning on doing?’‘Is Alpha Elias aware that things are becoming even worse?’They had sent in all kinds of questions, and I understood their impatience. It was all stemming from the fear Estelle had woven into their hearts. A knock came on my door. “Come in.” I said, brushing my hair. If I didn't look my best, they would assume Elias didn't know what he was doing, and that he had just put some random person on his throne. I really hoped he and Scarlet would make it back alive, and quickly because I was in no way fit for an Alpha. A maid walked in with toast on a tray. “No, no, I'm fine. I didn't ask for breakfast.” I said, but she didn't retreat. “Before leaving, Alpha Elias gave me strict ord
SCARLET’S POVWe fell mercilessly, hitting the rough edges, getting bruises all over. I landed on the ground with my head in an awkward position, before straightening up, and looking at Elias, who was sprawled on the ground, breathing hard, as he looked up at the sky. I looked around. Apparently, we had fallen in some kind of hole. Due to taking quick hasty breaths, the dust managed to get into my nose, and I sneezed hard. We heard the strange buzzing sound, and I covered my mouth, only for another sneeze to come true. I sneezed again, and Elias scrambled to his fist to cover my mouth. I held his hand there, willing myself not to sneeze. Eventually, I let out a tiny one, and with my eyes watering, I looked around, taking Elias' hands off my mouth. Everywhere was dusty. It was probably because we had fallen through it. All the dust seemed to be settling. “What do we do now?” I whispered, giving a little cough, as I tried to swipe the dust away from settling on my face.“I think w
THIRD PERSONIt wasn't just Elias who felt the tendrils of fear squeezing his heart. Scarlet felt it too, and it felt like her chest was on fire, just from wondering what would happen. The mere terror that the clanging sound generated made her heart beat faster at every clang. It was too much for her to handle. She looked around repeatedly, and the soft wind whipped her hair into her face, which she brushed back with both hands. Already, her palms were cold and sweaty, and the anxiety was just too much. She needed the suspense to be over. “What do you think that is?” She asked Elias, still looking around, trying to guess what could be the reason for the weird sound. “I have no idea.” Elias replied, as the sound grew louder. “We should… I think we should move on.” Scarlet suggested, wanting to make a move. It was so obvious that whatever was approaching them with the weird sound wasn't single. It wasn't two, nor was it three. It was definitely a lot.“I say we wait.” Elias replied,
ELIAS’ POVI couldn't understand the fear and anxiety filling me up. It wasn't the first time Scarlet and I had been on a journey, or been faced with dangerous creatures, and people, but still there was that nervousness. That whispering voice that told me my fears were not twisting lies in my head, but trying to bore the truth into me. Something really awful could happen, and I might be unable to escape it with Scarlet by my side. Either way, I hated the feeling. The whole place spoke, and gave an aura of power, dark power, and it boasted too easily of how we could get killed. It was the main reason for my fears. The man looked at us, and even without the features on his face, I was somehow able to tell that he had a smile on. Then, I looked at Scarlet. She also seemed lost in thoughts, and it would be the best time to try to convince her, but she would despise me for it. It was better I carried out her wish, than to let my fear get the best of me. “We are willing to try. After
Scarlet and Elias couldn’t help but admit within themselves that they were overwhelmed by fear. Elias knew how dangerous the journey was, and this made him even more scared. “Well, hello.” The man spoke, in an eerie tone. “Who the hell are you?” Elias managed to question him, as they were both wary of him. “A question which actually isn’t the major concern. But I’ll tell you one thing. If you dare try to escape, because it’s only expected of you to want to run from me, you won’t be able to get to the world beyond.” “Uhn!” Elias exclaimed softly, not knowing whether to believe the man or not. “Yeah. To make things more understandable for you, I am the passage to the world beyond, which only means without me, you can’t go into the world beyond. So, now, I hope you know that it is only unwise of you to run from me. And if you have enough time to waste, you can actually run from me, and when you realize you’ve been wasting your time, you’ll come back, and definitely meet me here.” Bo
SCARLET’S POV It was dawn already, and was time for us to set out for her journey. If it was an outing, I would have been so excited about it, but then, it was a dangerous journey which we are just going on for the sake of a friend which we have taken as a family. Even from the name, the world beyond, one would have known that it isn’t a place one can take lightly. For Elias to have been so adamant on us not going there, it was evident that it wasn’t like other dangerous places that we have gotten ourselves into. “Are you certain you are ready?” Elias asked me as we headed towards the woods. “I am more than ready.” I responded to him, not wanting to sound discouraging. Even if I wanted to sound discouraging, it shouldn’t be from here when he could easily turn back and by then, whatever I do, might not make him change his mind, anymore. We didn’t have to walk too much before we got to the woods, and that only made me feel a little anxious. But then, I had to stop myself from getti
SCARLET'S POV “I know, and I feel quite bad for going down that lane, but you know we’ve got to do all it takes to ensure Ashley is back to good health. Who knows? She might be able to help us with an information. You know she was captured by Estelle. She must have seen a lot which would be very helpful for us.” “I understand. Just look for better ways to convince him regarding something than hurting yourself. Well, let me leave you to go over to meet him. I’m sure he’s so annoyed with both you, and himself. You’ve got to make him feel he isn’t making the wrong decision.” “Alright! I’m on it.” “He’s in the garden, by the way.” Ralph informed me, and I smiled lightly. “Thanks.” I appreciated him, then I stepped out of the room and walked towards the garden. On getting to the garden, I saw him standing and gazing at the sky with both hands in his pockets. I knew he was going through a lot, and had a lot of responsibilities burdening him. So, all he needed was things to go a bit eas