23

Scarlett

My blood turned to ice in my veins. Dickson’s grip tightened around my arm, his fingers digging into my flesh like claws.

“Did you really think you could hide from me forever?” he asked, his voice a silky whisper that carried more menace than any shout. “That you could just walk away from what’s mine?”

I tried to yank my arm free, but his grip was like iron. “I’m not yours,” I spat, summoning every ounce of contempt I could muster. “I was never yours.”

His laugh was cold, devoid of any warmth. “Look at you, playing human in this pathetic little town. Running a coffee shop, training with that broken excuse for a warrior.” His eyes glinted dangerously. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out about him?”

My heart skipped a beat. Peter. How long had Dickson been watching me?

“You’ve been busy, Luna,” he continued, stepping closer until I could feel his breath on my face. “Making friends, building a life, pretending you’re free.” His free hand came up to brush my cheek, and I jerked away from his touch. “But we both know the truth, don’t we? You’ll always belong to me.”

“I’d rather die,” I hissed, feeling that same surge of power I’d experienced during training rising within me. My wolf stirred, no longer the cowering creature she’d been in his pack.

He must have sensed the change because his eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across his features before being replaced by rage. “What’s this? The little Luna finally grew some fangs?”

I met his gaze steadily, refusing to show fear despite the terror clawing at my insides. “Let. Me. Go.”

“Or what?” he sneered, but I could hear the uncertainty in his voice. He wasn’t used to this version of me – this stronger, more defiant me.

“Or I’ll show you exactly what Peter’s been teaching me.”

His grip tightened painfully, and I knew there would be bruises later. “You dare threaten me? After everything I’ve done for you?”

“Done for me?” I laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. “You mean after everything you’ve done to me? The abuse, the humiliation, the control – was that all for my benefit?”

Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. “Watch your tongue, little dirty omega. You seem to have forgotten your place.”

“My place?” The power within me surged stronger, and this time I didn’t fight it. “My place is wherever I choose it to be. And it’s not with you – not anymore.”

He moved so fast I barely had time to react, his other hand shooting out to grab my throat. But I was ready. Months of training with Peter had honed my reflexes, taught me to anticipate attacks before they came.

I used his momentum against him, just as Peter had taught me. Dickson’s grip loosened in surprise, and I twisted free, creating a distance between us.

“You’ve changed,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But do you really think your little training sessions make you strong enough to defy me? To defy your Alpha?”

“You’re not my Alpha,” I snapped, roaring dangerously. “And never will be, bastard.”

People were starting to notice us now, a few passersby slowing to watch the confrontation. Dickson noticed too, his jaw tightening as he glanced around.

“This isn’t over,” he growled, low enough that only I could hear. “You can play pretend all you want, little bitch, but we both know how this ends. I’ll be waiting.”

He turned and walked away with measured and deliberate steps, reminding me that it was his choice, not my victory. I stood rooted to the spot, trembling with adrenaline and fear, watching until he disappeared around a corner.

Only then did I let out the breath I’d been holding, my knees threatening to buckle. He’d found me. After all this time, all my precautions, he’d found me.

I needed to warn Alisha. We needed to leave, to run again, to—

No.

The thought came suddenly, stopping me in my tracks. I was tired of running. Tired of living in fear. Tired of letting him control my life even from a distance.

I straightened my shoulders, feeling the strength from my training session still coursing through my veins. I wasn’t the same weak wolf he’d known. I wasn’t his Luna anymore.

“You’re back,” Alisha said as soon as I opened the coffee shop and walked in. “What is wrong?”

I knew she could notice the way I was even if I tried to hide it.

“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing her hand.

“Welcome, ma’am.” They all greeted me, but I could only wave my hand to them.

“Is something the matter?” Alisha asked as soon as I shut the door closed.

“He found me,” I muttered. “He found out about Peter as well.”

She gasped, her mouth open as she tried to process what I had just said.

“You mean Alpha Dickson?”

“Yes, Alisha. He did. I thought it was Peter,” I muttered. “But I was wrong. It was him.”

“Why is he looking for you? Why can’t he just let go after all these years?” she yelled.

“He is here to claim me,” I replied.

“Wait.” Alisha stopped in her tracks as she faced me. “How did you escape from him?”

“Haha. I am nothing like before. I will never bow my head to anyone again.”

I sat her down and explained every detail to her.

“I won’t be able to resist him,” Alisha said.

“Why?” I could see the fear in her eyes.

She sighed. Our gazes met. “Because he is my Alpha, and I can never defy him.”

I tapped her shoulder, assuring her. “It’s time to protect you, Alisha. I won’t let him come near you.”

“Thank you, Scarlett.”

The sky had already darkened. We had served many customers that we didn’t notice time had slipped away.

“Alisha, we need to go,” I said, staring out at the city street. “It’s already late. We need to start closing.”

“Okay. Let’s do that,” she replied, keeping our pay for today hidden.

I watched as Alisha closed the shop and locked it.

“We’re good to go,” she announced with a smile.

We held each other’s hands as we walked down the street. We were only a few blocks away from our home when I suddenly felt a chill down my spine. It screamed danger.

My wolf was immediately alert, ready for what was coming. Alisha seemed to notice this too because she was just as alert as I was.

“Who?” I asked the shadowy figure standing in the darkness.

“Guess,” came the sinister voice.

“Alpha,” Alisha called, shock lacing her voice.

“You…” I felt my wolf taking over as my eyes landed on him. Alpha Dickson. “Why are you here?”

He came forward. “Do you think I could leave?” he asked with a scoff. I stood right in front of him. “You’ve grown wings, Luna. I like that.” He brushed his hand on my face. “I never knew you were this pretty.” His eyes glowed in the darkness. “What a pretty Luna I have.”

“I am not your Luna,” I howled. “What do you want?”

“Guess.”

“Alpha,” Alisha called, defending me. His eyes roamed her body before landing on her face.

“It’s you, bitch,” he growled. “It’s you who led her out.”

“Don’t you dare growl at her,” I warned with a roar.

“How dare you!” Alpha Dickson was a proud man who hated anyone who disrespected him, and my behavior right now was a sign of disrespect. “Kneel.”

“Do you think you still have power over me?” I asked, pushing him back. “How dare you command me?”

I stood tall and proud in front of him, which annoyed him more. “Really! Since you want it the hard way, then you leave me no choice.”

Without hesitation, I struck him in the face. He recoiled, hands cupping his injured cheek. When he lifted his face, his eyes were filled with rage. He lunged forward, fists clenched, ready to retaliate. His breathing was heavy and erratic, as if he was struggling to contain the anger boiling inside him.

“If I dare see you again, I will make sure you regret it,” I howled.

He spat. “You think you’re strong enough to go against me, don’t you? Then I’ll make you regret standing against me. You were once a lowly, dirty omega, and I can drag you back to that.”

My eyes snapped wide. “What do you mean?”

Before I could make sense of his words, a sudden blow hit me from behind. My vision blurred into a swirling mess as I tried to regain focus to see who had just attacked me. My heart almost stopped when I saw who had just hurt me. How was this possible?

“Why?” The desperate word escaped my lips, hanging suspended in the air for a breathless moment before darkness swept over me like a suffocating wave. My consciousness spiraled away, and I felt myself crumpling, surrendering to the overwhelming blackness that consumed me.