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
FinnThe Northern pack house loomed ahead, its dark silhouette a stain against the night sky. From my position in the surrounding forest, I could see guards patrolling the perimeter – too many to count, all heavily armed.My phone buzzed. David again.“I’m thirty minutes out with reinforcements,” he said without preamble. “Don’t do anything stupid, Alpha.”I ended the call without responding. Thirty minutes was too long. Whatever Dickson was doing to her, I wouldn’t wait to find out.The guards were disciplined, I’d give them that. Regular rotations, overlapping patrol routes. But they had one critical weakness - they weren’t expecting an Alpha to come alone. The very audacity of it would work in my favor.I closed my eyes, letting my wolf surge forward. The shift was violent, bones cracking and reforming as rage fueled our transformation. When I opened my eyes again, the world was sharper, clearer. Every scent carried a story.And there – underneath the mingled odors of wolfsbane and
ScarlettPain. That was the first thing I registered as consciousness slowly returned. Not the sharp, burning agony of wolfsbane, but a dull ache that seemed to reach into my bones. The second thing I noticed was warmth. A familiar presence wrapped around me like a shield.I forced my heavy eyelids open to find myself in an unfamiliar room, lying in a massive bed. Medical equipment beeped softly nearby, but what caught my attention was the large figure slumped in a chair beside me.Finn.He looked terrible. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and bandages wrapped around his body spoke of wounds that hadn’t yet healed; wounds he’d taken fighting for me. His hand was clasped around mine, our mate marks perfectly aligned.“You’re staring,” he murmured without opening his eyes. “Do I look cute?”“You look awful,” I managed to croak, my throat dry.A small smile tugged at his lips as he finally looked at me. Those ocean-deep blue eyes I remembered so well now filled with a mix of concern and r
ScarlettThe room fell silent after I spoke, and Finn stayed still on his knees, his expression filled with devastation. I watched as understanding dawned in his eyes – the true weight of what he’d done, the irreparable damage his rejection had caused.“Your child?” he finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper. “How? How is it possible for me to do that?”“It is," I said with a smirk. “All you need to do is go to the underworld to bring back my child.”The medical equipment beside my bed beeped steadily, marking the painful seconds that stretched between us. Through our cursed mate bond, I could feel his anguish building like a tsunami.“I—”“If you can’t do that,” I spoke, cutting him off. “Then you should have it in mind that it won’t be possible between us. After all, you made it very clear that day – I was nothing but my father’s daughter to you. A reminder of everything you’d lost.”Finn’s shoulders began to shake. For the first time since I’d known him, I watched as tear
ScarlettAfter Finn’s tearful departure, I sat alone in the hospital room, my mind reeling. The revelation of our lost child had shaken me to my core, tearing open wounds I’d long thought had scarred over.Even now, I could still feel the phantom flutter of that tiny life, the dream of a future I had dared to imagine. Finn’s devastation had been visceral, undeniable. The man who had once rejected me without a second glance was now brought low, his pride and control utterly shattered.A part of me, the part that still craved his love and acceptance, wanted to reach out, to ease his suffering. But the stronger, colder part of me - the part that had endured five years of torment and loss - recoiled at the very thought.How dare he, I thought bitterly. How dare he come here, torn apart by guilt, and demand my forgiveness? As if any amount of remorse could undo the pain he had caused me.Yet, even as I tried to harden my heart against him, I couldn’t ignore the ache in my own chest. The ma
FinnI closed Scarlett’s door behind me, my hands trembling with the effort it took not to punch through the nearest wall. Her words echoed in my mind: “I will never show my face in front of you again.”“MATE!” Storm howled inside me, the sound so anguished it made my chest physically ache. My wolf had been in constant torment since Scarlett’s return, torn between joy at having her near and agony at her rejection.I barely made it to my office before my control slipped. With a roar, I swept everything off my desk, watching as papers scattered and my laptop crashed to the floor. The sound wasn’t nearly satisfying enough to drown out the pain.“Alpha?” My Beta, David, appeared in the doorway, concern etched on his features.“Out,” I growled, my eyes blazing red. When he didn’t immediately move, I snarled, “Now!”The door clicked shut, leaving me alone with my thoughts and Storm’s increasingly frantic pacing. I could still smell her on my skin from being in her room - a blend of lavender
FinnSince my wolf couldn’t help, I didn’t hesitate. I reached for her, wrapping my arms around her trembling form.The moment our skin touched, a shock of energy jolted through me, but I held on.“Scarlett,” I murmured, pressing my forehead to hers. “Come back to me, darling.”Her body convulsed once, twice, then she went completely still.The glow in her eyes flickered.Then, she collapsed.I caught her just in time.Her body was limp, her breathing shallow. I could feel her heart pounding too fast beneath my palm.Panic gripped me. She is dying.“Shit,” I muttered, scooping her into my arms. I ignored the pain in my ribs as I sprinted toward the pack healer’s house.“Luke!” I barked the moment I burst through the doors. “Help her!”Luke, the Crescent Pack’s head healer, rushed forward immediately. He took one look at Scarlett, and his eyes darkened.“Lay her down, Alpha,” he said.I did, placing her on the cot as Luke began working immediately. His hands hovered over her, his brows
FinnThe early morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as I stood in the training grounds, watching my mate.Scarlett.She had come so far.When we first started training, she could barely hold her own against me. But now, she was a force to be reckoned with.Each strike she threw was sharper, her footwork more correct. She was pushing herself past exhaustion, beyond every limit her body screamed at her to stop at.And damn, if that didn’t make me proud.I watched her, my mate, the woman I loved, pour every ounce of herself into this fight.Her beautiful eyes shone with determination, and the sweat glistening on her skin only made her look fiercer.Oh my goddess, she is freaking hot right now.“Again,” I commanded, and she lunged at me.I sidestepped easily, my instincts kicking in before I even had to think. She was fast, but not fast enough. Not yet.“Faster, Scarlett.”She gritted her teeth, frustration clear in every fiber of her being. I could feel her an
ScarlettThe wind howled across the training grounds, carrying the scent of damp earth and sweat.My muscles screamed in protest, my breaths coming in desperate, ragged gasps, but I refused, refused, to stop.I had always been weak in the past, trapped, humiliated, cast aside. But not anymore. Never again.Finn’s voice filled the air as he shouted, “Again.”I swallowed down my exhaustion and lunged forward, aiming at him.He dodged with infuriating grace, but those deep blue eyes gleamed with something I craved more than air—approval.“Faster,” he commanded. “Faster.”I gritted my teeth and pushed harder. I threw another punch, pouring my rage and pain into it, but he easily caught my hand in his.In the blink of an eye, Finn flipped me, landing a crushing blow to my belly before throwing me to the merciless ground.A scream tore from my throat, raw and primal, as I clutched my middle.“Are you okay, love?” he asked as he hurried to my side. “Honey.”I clenched my teeth so hard I thou
ScarPain flared in my throat as I swallowed, every breath a reminder of his grip around my neck. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to keep eating.If I stopped now, he would see it as rebellion, and I wasn’t in the mood to suffer more of his wrath.Dickson watched me like a predator, his golden eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction.Pathetic.Bile rose in my throat, and I set the bowl down, my stomach twisting violently. I needed to think, to find a way out of this.Running wasn’t an option, not yet. He was too strong, and with his rogue warriors surrounding the place, I wouldn’t make it past the gates.But I wouldn’t be his captive forever.I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Satisfied?” I asked, a smirk plastered on my face.His lips curled into a sneer before he spoke. “I think I prefer you like this, obedient.”I clenched my fists. Obedient? If he only knew how badly I wanted to rip him apart.“Get some rest,” he continued, rising to his feet.“Okay.”Dickson chuckled, brus
Dickson“Scar needed a luxurious life if I wanted her to stay beside me. She would truly love me if I could make her happy.” The thought consumed me.I stood up to my feet, about to leave, when someone called for my attention, pulling me back from my swirling thoughts.“King, we saw you coming in with a woman. Who is she?” Curiosity and something darker—hunger?—laced the question.“My mate, your queen, and she is off-limits.” My voice carried a warning that silenced the room, the threat in my tone obvious.With this, I left, their whispers fading behind me like smoke.I went back into the room where she was being kept, the room we would be sharing together as a couple.My heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety, causing my hands to tremble as I walked down the corridor.I could still hear her screams as I approached. My hand was on the door handle when I quickly mind-linked my beta.“Henry, bring some food for the queen.”“Understood, sir.”I opened the door to enter, and it
Dickson“Yes,” I replied again before grabbing her shoulder, desperation making my grip tighter than intended.“Please bear with me. After all this, I promise to build you a mansion, no, a palace. But for now, please stay with me.” My voice cracked with weakness I’d never shown anyone before.“No!” she screamed, yanking my hand away with such force it staggered me. “I will never stay in a place like this.”“Scar—” I tried again, reaching for her, fear clawing at my insides.“Do not call me that!” she scowled, her eyes flashing with rage and betrayal. “You should have let me stay in my pack when you knew you had no place to call home.”She paused, tears streaming down her face as she continued, each drop taunting my soul. “You brought me here to make me suffer. How selfish of you. I hate them, but I hate you more. I fucking hate you, Dickson.”Each of her words sent a sharp pain inside me. Why was she talking like this? A cold, sickening dread spread through me. Was she regretting acce
DicksonI could still taste blood in my mouth. The sting of the former Beta’s punches throbbed in my jaw, but it was nothing compared to the satisfaction burning inside me.I had won.Not in the way I expected, my hands weren’t drenched in Lucas’s blood, and I hadn’t torn apart the wolves who had ruined my mate, but I had still won.That bastard of an Acting Alpha was humiliated.The pack he longed to rule didn’t even acknowledge him. The former Beta had dismissed him like an annoying pup.Lucas’s rage had been almost tangible, thick in the air like a storm waiting to break, but he was powerless.His pride had been stepped on by his friend’s father, and his weakness was laid bare. And that, more than anything, made my wolf purr in satisfaction.Scar’s fingers tightened slightly around my arm as we left, her touch grounding me. She was still shaking, but her eyes gleamed with something I had never seen before, revenge.She had stood her ground, unleashed her fury, and made Lucas taste
LucasHe smirked. “Really?” The contempt in his voice was unmistakable.I nodded quickly, desperation clawing at my throat. “Yes.”He turned to face Scar, a cruel amusement dancing in his eyes. “Did you hear what he said? What do you think about that, mate?”Mate! That familiar term of endearment never used for me sent waves of bitterness through my body, jealousy burning in my veins.“This is the best arrangement, Alpha Dickson,” I pressed on, fighting to keep my voice steady despite the fear threatening to consume me. “Consider it carefully. Scar doesn’t have feelings for you; her heart belongs only to me. She loves me.”“What makes you believe I could ever love you?” Scar’s voice cut through the air like ice, dripping with venom. My gaze shifted from him to her, and what I witnessed shattered something within me.Her eyes burned with revulsion, raw hatred emanating from her like heat. She despised me. No, I couldn’t accept this. A desperate hope clung to me. She must be pretending
LucasBefore I could fully process the implications, he was already outside. As I reached the door, my eyes fell upon a scene of pure horror, a sight that would change everything.My Scar.Rage consumed me as I watched Alpha Dickson caressing Scar’s hand. The tenderness in his eyes as he claimed what was rightfully mine ignited a primal fury within my chest.“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Alpha Dickson!” I thundered, channeling my Alpha tone, but he remained unmoved.My authority meant nothing to him. His eyes glimmered with joy as he gazed at Scar.“I have been waiting forever,” he murmured, his thumb tracing circles on her palm, each movement stoking my anger. “I thought the goddess had abandoned me, forgotten to grant me my better half. Yet here you are, such breathtaking beauty.”His fingers drifted to her face, utterly entranced by her. Why him? I should be the one beside Scar, not him.She is mine alone. Even in death, she could only belong to me.“Let go of her now!”