ScarlettI tried to move, but my limbs felt heavy, weighted down. Memories crashed over me in waves – Dickson, the confrontation, Alisha, the sudden attack from behind. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, a caged animal sensing danger.“She’s waking up,” a voice muttered nearby. Not Dickson’s. Not Alisha’s.I forced my eyes open, blinking against the harsh fluorescent light. I was in a room – no, a cell. White walls. A single metal door. No windows. The kind of place designed to hold someone against their will.My training with Peter kicked in. Stay calm. Assess. Survive.I looked around and finally located the source of the voice. A woman stood in the corner, staring at me with something that looked like pity.“Who are you?” My voice came out weak, unfamiliar. Something was wrong – I was never this powerless. My head throbbed with each heartbeat.“You don’t need to know who I am,” she replied softly. “Luna.”“Luna.” The name rolled off my tongue like poison – that cursed title. “I’
Scarlett“Ray,” I called, trying to connect with my wolf, but she only stirred.I didn’t know how long I lay there, my mind drifting in and out of consciousness as the wolfsbane poisoned my system. Hours? Days? Time lost all meaning in this windowless cell. The fluorescent lights never dimmed, creating an endless, artificial day that made it impossible to track time.Every so often, the elderly woman would return with another dose. She never spoke anymore, just administered the injection with trembling hands and sorrowful eyes. I’d stopped fighting - not because I’d given up, but because I needed to conserve what little strength remained.My wolf was still present but distant, like a faint radio signal struggling to break through static. The separation was more agonizing than the physical pain. We had always been inseparable, my wolf and I united in everything. Now, I felt empty, like a part of me was missing.Alisha’s betrayal burned worse than the wolfsbane. Five years ago, she’d be
DicksonFive Years AgoThe cell reeked of victory – her victory. I inhaled deeply, letting the rage build in my chest as I stared at the broken chains. Gone. She was gone. My fingers traced the metal bars she’d somehow managed to break, despite her weakening body.“Alpha,” Henry, my beta, approached with the caution of a man who’d seen my rage before. “We found evidence that—”“That one of my own servants helped her escape?” I turned slowly, enjoying how he flinched. “Yes, I’m aware. It must be that little maid – Alisha, the one I assigned to her.”“Should we hunt them down? We could—”“No.” I smoothed down my jacket, regaining my composure. Control was everything. “Let them run. Let them think they’ve won.”“But sir, after what she did to Vanessa…”My hand shot out, gripping his throat. “Don’t say her name.” I released him, watching him gasp for air. “My mistress’s death will be avenged, but not yet. Sometimes, Henry, the best revenge requires patience.”I walked to the window, looki
DicksonThe sound of Scarlett’s rebellion echoed in my mind as I walked down the corridor. My footsteps measured and precise. Her words – “I fucking hate you” – brought a smile to my face. Such spirit, even now. Breaking her would be even more satisfying than I’d imagined.“Alpha,” Henry approached, bowing his head. “The preparations are complete.”“And our guest?”“The warrior’s body has been... brought and displayed, as you ordered. When she’s moved to the viewing room, she won’t be able to miss it.”Perfect. I adjusted my cufflinks, imagining her reaction when she saw what remained of her precious trainer. “And Alisha?”“In the conditioning chamber, sir. She’s... resistant. Her body and brain are trying to fight off your manipulation.”I paused, turning to face him. “Resistant?” Henry wasn’t lying. The way she behaved in front of Scarlett made me realize there were still feelings.I thought she could be cold as ice when she confronted her, like I wanted. I thought she could say some
ScarlettThe guards came for me when the wolfsbane was at its peak in my system. Every movement sent fire through my veins as they dragged me from my cell, my feet barely able to support my weight. I tried to focus, to memorize the route they were taking, but the corridors blurred together in an endless maze of sterile white walls.We stopped at a large metal door. One of the guards punched in a code – my dulled senses couldn’t catch the numbers – and pushed me inside.The viewing room. My heart stopped.Peter.Or what was left of him.They’d positioned him like a grotesque artwork, suspended against the far wall. His missing hand. His gouged eye. The cavity in his chest where his heart should have been. The message was clear: this is what happens to those who dare to help you.“Beautiful, isn’t it?”Alisha’s voice. But wrong. Cold. Empty. I turned to face her, and the person I saw wasn’t the sister I’d known for five years. Her eyes were different – harder, filled with a hatred that
ScarlettThe first thing I noticed was the cold. Not the biting chill of the viewing room, but the deep, penetrating cold of the isolation cells beneath the pack house. My body ached, each breath sending shards of pain through my ribs. Alisha’s handiwork. I looked around and I realized I was in a different cell.I was in deep pain. My bones ached, but underneath the pain, something was different. Ray’s presence was stronger, more focused. The wolfsbane should have kept her subdued for hours more, yet I could feel her stirring, pushing against the chemical chains that bound her.Focus, I told myself, forcing my eyes open. The cell was pitch black, but my enhanced vision picked out details my human sight would have missed. Fresh scratches on the walls. The lingering scent of fear. Blood—not just mine.Others had been here recently.I pressed my palms against the cold concrete, testing my strength. My arms trembled but held. Whatever game Dickson was playing, he’d made his first mistake:
FinnFive years since I walked away from her, letting my pride and hatred blind me.From my position on the pack house balcony, I watched young wolves sparring on the training grounds below. Their laughter felt out of place, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within me.“You’re brooding again," David remarked with a hint of displeasure as he approached, carrying two glasses of whiskey. “Third night this week.”I accepted the offered drink without turning. “I’m not brooding.”“Right.” He leaned against the railing. “And I suppose you’re staring at nothing in particular, not thinking about your mate and how she rejected you, right?”The glass cracked in my grip. “Shut up, David. If you have nothing good to say, just keep quiet and don’t add to my anger.”David set his drink down, his usual playful demeanor slipping. “You’ve been a ghost these past months, Finn. The pack feels it. I feel it, both as your beta and as your friend. And we both know why.”“I made a promise,” I said quie
Finn"We found him." Edward’s words through the phone made my blood run cold. "But Finn... you’re not going to like this."My claws extended involuntarily, piercing the leather of my steering wheel. "Tell me.""He’s holding her in his pack. My sources confirm she’s alive, but..." Edward hesitated, something he never did. "Dickson’s planning a marking ceremony. Two days from now, during the full moon."The world stopped.My wolf howled in pure rage, the sound echoing both in my mind and through my chest. The steering wheel crumpled under my grip."What did you just say?" My voice came out distorted, barely human."He’s going to mark her in front of his entire pack. Make it official. He’s inviting representatives from other packs to witness it - to show everyone that he’s claiming his mate.""She isn’t his mate," I howled. "She is mine."The windshield cracked from the force of my anger. Marking ceremonies were sacred, meant to be a celebration of true mates finding each other. The thou
JackMy breath came in short, sharp gasps.“She is Jack’s mate.”The words echoed in my head over and over, like a cruel joke the universe had played on me. My mate. Nina.My stomach twisted violently. My hands trembled as I clutched the letter, crumpling the edges, but I couldn’t loosen my grip. My lungs burned like I was drowning, yet no matter how hard I gasped for air, I couldn’t breathe.This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real.But the truth stared back at me from the inked words on the page, clear and undeniable.I felt Alex’s eyes boring into me, his shock a tangible thing between us. He wasn’t the only one. Lucas stood frozen, his face locked in a mask of unreadable emotion.The silence was unbearable.Then Alex scoffed, a sharp, disbelieving laugh that made my skin prickle. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”I wanted to agree with him. I wanted to tear this letter apart, throw it into the fire, and erase this moment from existence.But fate had already decided for me.“Jack
JackI quickly left, leaving Alex alone with him. My heart pounded as I searched the grounds until my gaze landed on Scar, and the sight knocked the breath from my lungs. The woman before me was unrecognizable, a ghost of her former glory.The designer clothes she once wore with such pride now hung in tatters from her skeletal frame, like flags surrendered to decay. Her hair, which used to cascade in glossy waves, had become a matted mess the color of dead leaves.But it was her eyes that haunted me the most. Those eyes that once flashed with wit and confidence were now hollow caves ringed by exhaustion’s purple bruises.Her skin, sallow and lined, told stories of endless nights spent running from demons I had helped create.“Scar,” I called softly, taking a hesitant step forward. Her gaze fell on me.The raw emotion in her gaze hit me hard. Hurt, hatred, and revulsion churning together in a toxic brew.I understood every ounce of her contempt, but I prayed she might find it in her he
Jack“How can that be?” The words escaped me in a whisper. “She can’t do that.”“She can’t do what?” Mother leaned forward, concern etching her features. “Tell me, speak up, son.”I forced a smile, though my eyes caught my father’s furious gaze. “Nothing, Mother.” Then, turning to Dad, I added, “I can’t remember anything.” The lie tasted bitter. I refused to believe my mate could do something vile like that.She wasn’t capable of such things. There had to be another explanation – perhaps the maids in that wretched pack had manipulated her, handed her poison while claiming it was medicine for my wounds.I could feel my father’s heated gaze on me as it burned into my skin. I knew he saw through my deception. I knew he didn’t trust a single word I spoke. But it didn’t matter. For Nina, I would endure anything.“I understand,” he finally said, his voice heavy with judgment. “Sooner or later, you will get to know the real her.” Without another word, he strode out of the room.Mother’s gent
Jack“Where is she?” my sister leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity. “Is she from the Crescent Pack?”I frowned. I knew exactly who she was, and how she’d found her way to our pack.My stomach churned at the thought of telling my parents that the woman destined to be my mate had been sold by her own family to serve as Lucas’s mistress.Father’s brow furrowed as he studied my face. “Something troubling you, son?”I forced my lips into what I hoped was a reassuring smile. They needed to know. The Moon Goddess had chosen her for me, and that truth couldn’t be hidden forever.“You... actually know her,” I began, choosing my words carefully.Mother’s face lit up. “Really?” my mother asked, beaming with happiness. “Is she from this pack?”“No, Mum,” I muttered.“Well, don’t keep us in suspense,” she urged, practically vibrating with anticipation.I drew in a deep breath and met their eager gazes. The silence stretched between us for a heartbeat, then two, before I finally spoke.“She
Jack “How are you, son?” Father’s deep voice rumbled from where he stood, solid as always. “Are you okay?” “Yes, Father. I’m good,” I replied, offering him a smile. “Good.” That was Father - a man who could say volumes in a single word. He’d never been one for lengthy conversations. “How did I get here?” I asked. “Those bastards!” Mother’s voice turned sharp as a blade, making me flinch. “Lucas brought you here.” “If not for him,” Father’s voice grew heavy with unusual emotion, “we could have lost you. Thank goodness he was there at the right time to save you. I wonder who could be so wicked to poison you. The poison was so strong. Despite you being resistant to any poison since you were a child, this one nearly took your life. If Lucas hadn’t been there at that time...” He released a shuddering breath. “I could have lost you, son.” “What?” The word barely made it past my lips. The revelation hit me so badly, leaving me cold despite the warm room. The truth sank in li
Jack“Can you hear me?" The voice cut through the fog in my mind, clear and sharp despite my muddled thoughts. Each word sent a sharp throb through my head, a pulsing pain behind my eyes.“Jack.” Again, that familiar voice. I struggled against my heavy eyelids, trying to force them open.“Jack.” This third call finally gave me the strength to open my eyes.“Mum,” I whispered, my voice barely a thread of sound. “Mum.”“Oh my goodness!" My mother gasped, her voice turning into a scream of joy. “He’s awake! My baby is awake!” Her hurried footsteps echoed through the room as she rushed out, her sobs of relief trailing behind her.Questions swirled through my aching head. Why was I here? How did I end up in this bed? I scrunched my face, desperate to remember, but the effort only intensified the pain.“It hurts,” I cried out, the pain suddenly overwhelming. “It fucking hurts so much!”My mother rushed back in with medical staff in tow. She was at my side in an instant, her hands fluttering
This chapter contains a sex scene. Feel free to skip it.FinnI cupped her breasts in my hands, marveling at how perfectly they fit, made just for my hands. I gently squeezed and kissed her neck, feeling her body tremble with pleasure.Her breathing deepened, a sign that she was enjoying my touch. I kissed her lips softly and whispered in her ear, “I want you.”Taking her nipples between my fingers, I gave her a slight pinch, knowing she enjoyed the combination of pain and pleasure.She bit down on her lower lip, trying to stifle the moans that wanted to escape, but I couldn’t resist.I craved hearing her moans; it brought me pleasure. I tweaked her nipples, and she couldn’t help but let out a moan. I took a breath.She arched into the touch, tilting her head to the side. I kissed my way down to her neck, pinching and tugging at her rosy breasts.She whimpered and squirmed, raising her body off the bed and offering herself up to me.I trailed my tongue along her breast. The sound she
This chapter contains a sex scene. Feel free to skip it.FinnI woke up with my arms wrapped around her from behind. We had fallen asleep in this position, and it was almost morning. I was already aroused just by seeing her naked body under the sheets again.I slowly moved my hands up her sides, feeling her soft skin. Her body relaxed, and she let out a groan.My hands gently explored her body as she slept. She stirred slightly as I cupped her breasts, massaging them softly.A moan escaped her lips, and she shifted, still with her eyes closed. I turned her around slowly, teasing her nipples with my lips. Her reaction was as expected.She bit her lip as my lips touched her skin. Her legs moved against each other, lost in a dream. She must be having a wet dream. I smirked and continued to tease her.Spreading her legs, I slid my fingers down to her wet pussy. I gently massaged it and watched her face as she moaned in pleasure. Her body trembled, and her hips moved up and down as I moved
Scarlett“I don’t think I can control myself anymore, honey,” Finn uttered seductively, pulling me to his chest.“Finn...” I called in a low and shaky voice.My breathing was erratic because I also felt the same way. He was driving me crazy as well. We’d been too close so many times. Maybe it was the mating bond that kept pulling me closer to him.The towel was wrapped tightly around my waist, and his lustful eyes were looking down at it. His gaze burned through my skin. He leaned in closer, and his lips brushed against my neck. A chill ran down my spine as his desire filled the room.“I want you, honey,” he moaned as he crashed his lips straight onto mine. “I fucking want you.”I was frozen for a few seconds, but I responded quickly. My hands gripped his clothes as he deepened the kiss. He grabbed my waist, held the back of my neck, and kissed me harder.The kiss was needy, and I could feel his hardness throbbing, threatening to break free from his pants.We pulled away to catch our