ScarlettI hurried out of David’s office, my heart racing in my chest. The mate bond pulsed with intensity, sensing Finn’s presence in the council chamber. My wolf, Ray, whimpered and clawed at my insides, desperate to turn around, to go back.“Mate,” she pleaded. “We need him.”“We need nothing,” I snarled internally, though my hand betrayed me by clutching at my chest where the bond pulsed strongest.I hadn’t come to discuss hospital bills. I’d come because I’d overheard the maids discussing the meeting, and I had asked one to take me there since I didn’t know anything about his pack. I was curious— curious about how he led his pack, how he spoke during important meetings. I had let my curiosity get the better of me.But seeing Finn had scattered my thoughts. Five years hadn’t prepared me for how he would look sitting at the head of that table, power and authority radiating from him in waves. Finn... this Finn wore his power like a second skin as I watched him speak.“You’re impress
ScarlettI stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, fingers tracing the scar that ran from my collarbone to my shoulder. Five years of carrying these marks, of letting them define me. My wolf, Ray, pressed close to my consciousness, offering silent comfort.“You need to eat,” she reminded me gently, even though she was still angry with me.I’d been avoiding the pack dining hall, taking all my meals in my room. But the doctor had been clear - if I wanted to regain my strength, I needed proper nutrition. Not just the scraps I’d force down when the maids brought trays.“We could go early,” Ray suggested. “Before the others.”Before Finn.Just thinking his name made the mate bond pulse. I pressed my hand to my chest, a gesture that had become a habit. Sometimes I wondered if I touched the bond enough, it would finally break.“It never will,” Ray said softly. “You know that.”“It should have broken when he chose revenge over us.” The words came out bitter, rehearsed. I’d said them s
ScarlettMy heart raced as David led me to Finn’s office, beating faster with each step closer. How could I face him? What if he rejected me again? All these thoughts flooded my mind as we approached his office.Ray stirred restlessly within me, equal parts trepidation and hope.“Are you sure about this?” she asked softly.I took a steadying breath. “No. But I have to try.”When we reached the front of his office, David paused outside a heavy wooden door, his expression both anxious and elated. “He’s inside. Just... take your time, okay? He’ll be happy to see you.”I nodded, swallowing down the lump in my throat. Happy might be an overstatement. Finn had learned to conceal his emotions, but I could still feel the echo of his pain through the mate bond.Slowly, I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The office was different from my father’s— all dark wood and towering bookshelves, Finn’s scent lingering in the air. And there, behind the large desk, sat Finn.He looked up as I enter
FinnHolding Scarlett was a gift I didn’t know if I deserved.My hands ran over her shoulders, her back, as if confirming she was real; that she was here, in my arms, and not some vision craved by my guilt. She felt softer now, her presence gentler yet stronger. The years apart had changed us both, but while she had transformed, I felt emptier, as if my heart had withered in her absence.Every whispered confession she made, every hesitant touch, broke through me like waves on a shore, relentless and purifying. I wanted to speak, to tell her how much I’d missed her, how every sleepless night had felt like a punishment I couldn’t escape, but the words lodged in my throat. What did I have to offer her beyond my own tattered soul?Her gentle fingers brushed my face, tracing the lines that time and regret had carved there. Her touch was so familiar yet so heartbreakingly new, and I leaned into it, desperate to remember the feeling of her warmth.“Finn," she whispered, her voice soft and fil
ScarlettAs I stood there, wrapped in Finn’s arms, a quiet sense of disbelief washed over me. Could this really be happening? After everything we had endured. The anger, the rejection, the pain - were we finally breaking free from the shadows of our past?I looked up at him, taking in the vulnerability in his eyes. Gone was the imposing, unyielding Alpha I had once feared and loved in equal measure. This was a different Finn - a man softened by regret and humbled by loss. My heart felt heavy for the burden he carried, yet he held me with such tenderness. Could I really move on from the past and accept the new future he was offering me?The last few years had built walls around my heart. Finn’s rejection and the loss of my baby had been the final blow after a lifetime of disappointments. And yet, standing here in his arms, I felt those walls begin to crumble, like stones eroded by a gentle stream.It terrified me, this loss of control, but there was a softness in me that couldn’t resis
Third povAlaric sat at his desk, meticulously reviewing reports and handling the day-to-day affairs of his pack. It was tedious work, but as Alpha, he knew it was his duty to ensure everything ran smoothly.Just as he was about to sign off on a new trading agreement, the door to his office burst open. Alaric’s head snapped up, his eyes flashing red with annoyance.“What the heck is that for?” he questioned with a growl, glaring at his beta, Dave, for the intrusion.Dave bowed his head apologetically. “Alpha, I’m sorry. But Alpha Patrick is here to see you.”Alaric rose from his chair, a sense of unease settling in his gut. “What did you just say? Alpha Patrick is here?”Dave nodded. “Yes, Alpha. He’s in the pack hall.”Alaric slammed his hand on the desk, anger radiating from him. What could that vicious, power-hungry Alpha want? Alaric had a sinking feeling it was related to the request he had recently put forth.“Let’s go,” Alaric commanded, snatching up his jacket and striding out
Alaric.My heart pounded against my chest as I approached the imposing gates of the Crescent Pack territory. The pack’s reputation for brutality preceded them, and every wolf in the surrounding territories knew to stay clear of their lands. Yet here I was, desperate enough to venture into this den of wolves known for their merciless ways.“Alpha,” my Beta, Dave, whispered beside me, “are you sure about this? The Crescent Pack... they’re not known for their hospitality.”I swallowed hard, remembering the cruel ultimatum from Alpha Patrick. My precious Nina’s fate was at stake, and finding Scarlett was our only hope. “We have no choice,” I replied grimly.As we approached the checkpoint, two guards materialized from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with predatory interest. “State your business,” one of them growled, his hand resting casually on the weapon at his hip.“I am Alpha Alaric of the Moonstone Pack,” I announced, forcing confidence into my voice. “I seek an audience with your A
AlaricThe journey back to my pack felt like walking to my own execution. Each step was heavier than the last, the weight of my failure pressing down on my shoulders like a physical burden. Dave remained silent beside me, but I could sense his unease. We both knew what awaited us at home wouldn’t be pleasant.The sun was setting when we finally reached the Moonstone Pack territory. Elena was waiting at our house, pacing the floor of our private chambers. The moment I stepped through the door, her eyes locked onto mine, searching for hope that wasn’t there.“Well?” she demanded, her voice tight with anticipation. “Where is she? Where’s Scarlett?”I couldn’t meet her gaze as I sank into the nearest chair, my body feeling decades older than it was. “She won’t come.”“What do you mean she won’t come?” Elena’s voice rose sharply. “Did you tell her what’s at stake? That worthless girl has done nothing but cause problems since the day she married Alpha Dickson.”“Elena...” I struggled to fin
A Note to My Beloved Readers Dear Incredible Readers, First and foremost, thank you. Thank you for joining me on this emotional journey with Scarlett and Alisha. Every page turn, every moment you've spent immersed in these characters' lives, means the world to me. Writing is not just about telling a story—it's about creating connections, touching hearts, and exploring the deepest corners of human emotion. Your support breathes life into these characters. Your engagement transforms words on a page into living, breathing experiences. 🌟 How You Can Support This Story 🌟 1. Drop a Review: - Your honest feedback is the greatest gift you can give an author. - Share what moved you, what surprised you, what touched your heart. - Reviews help other readers discover this story and help me grow as a writer. 2. What to Include in Your Review: - What did you love about the characters? - Were there moments that surprised or moved you? - Did the story's themes resonate with you?
ScarlettThe pack hall felt warm and inviting as Alisha stood before me. Her appearance had changed. She looked thinner, more cautious, her eyes holding a complexity I hadn’t seen before.She stood before me, a ghost from my past. Her presence was both tormenting and promising redemption. The air between us was heavy with unspoken memories and pain that words couldn’t convey.“Scarlett,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “Is that you, sister?”“Yes,” I whispered softly. Looking at how broken she was tore at my heart. It shattered me to see her in this state, and I wished I could kill Dickson over and over again.As I reached out to embrace Alisha, she stepped back, her eyes filling with a mix of pain, anger, and fear.“Don’t come near me,“ she snapped, her voice a fragile weapon.The rejection felt like a sharp knife cutting through me. I could see the memories flooding her eyes - memories of what she had done to me under Dickson’s command. The months of trauma had left
ScarlettThe packhouse cells were filled with a chilling silence as I made my way back to Rebecca’s cell. My steps were deliberate, my intentions clear and focused. Finn’s protective instincts had been subdued, but my desire for revenge was sharp and exact.I unlocked the cell door with deliberate movements. Rebecca’s screams echoed off the cold, unyielding walls of her cell, creating a symphony of anguish in my ears. She was shackled to a chair in the center of the damp room, her frail body trembling. Her once haughty demeanor had vanished, replaced by raw, unfiltered fear. It was a poetic sight to see the predator become the prey.“Scarlett,” she rasped, her voice weak from hours of crying. Her tear-streaked face tilted up to meet my gaze, her once-pristine blonde hair now tangled and matted. “Please... I’ve had enough. Let me go. I’ll do anything!”Anything.The word lingered in my mind, tickling a dark satisfaction in my chest. Anything? What a hollow promise from someone who had
ScarlettThe warmth of Crescent Pack surrounded me like a sanctuary, a place I never thought I’d find after all I had been through. Finn, my mate, was more than just a protector; he was my salvation, my hope, my everything.I smiled as I looked out from the window of the room Finn had given me, listening to the lively sounds of the pack outside. I had never felt such a strong sense of belonging. Finn’s people had embraced me warmly, showing me kindness and acceptance beyond my expectations. With Finn by my side, I felt safe and protected.I sat with Finn in the packhouse; the fire crackling softly in the background. There was a certain atmosphere that day, something I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Perhaps it was just the lingering remnants of my old trauma, still clinging to me like the persistent chill in my bones.“Finn," I began, my voice wavering. I had been grappling with this question for days, unsure of how to broach the subject. “What happened to the people from Dickson Pack who...
NinaThe room was deathly quiet, with only the steady ticking of a clock on the far wall breaking the silence. Time seemed to slow down as I knelt before Lucas, feeling the chill of the marble floor beneath me. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on us, like a looming storm ready to unleash its fury.He hadn’t spoken since Scar had been dragged away. His stillness was a different kind of torment, his silence a sharpened blade hanging over my neck. I kept my gaze fixed downward, the shadows of the room creeping toward me, threatening to consume what little strength I had left.Finally, he moved. His boots clicked against the floor as he crossed the space between us. I flinched as they came to a halt directly in front of me.“Stand,” he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.My legs were numb and trembling as I forced them to comply. Every muscle screamed in protest, but I managed to rise, keeping my head bowed under the weight of his gaze, which bore into me like a brand.“You’v
Nina“My lord,” the guard announced, snapping to attention at the door. “She has arrived.”“Come in.”He dragged me inside and shoved me aside.“Lucas,” I whispered, voice trembling. “The guard—”“Playing disobedient again, I see,” Lucas cut in, rising from the bed. His casual dismissal of the guard’s brutality felt like a knife through my heart.“I’m not... He...” The words died in my throat as I caught Lucas’s stare. Where I’d once seen lust, now only disgust remained as his eyes raked over my bloodied form.“Did you not know why you were brought here?” His howl made the windows shake. “How dare you show yourself to me like this!”The irony was a knife in my chest. Here I stood, having orchestrated Scarlett’s downfall, only to find myself reduced to the very thing I’d despised.“I... I am sorry, Lucas.”“Lucas!” he repeated. “What did you just call me?”My heart skipped a beat. “Master.”“Good.” He turned around and faced the guard. “Good job. You can go.”I was hurt, both my body a
NinaEvery breath felt like fire in my chest. I lay curled on the cold wooden floor of my room, each inhale a reminder of last night’s torture.The morning light filtering through the window seemed to mock me with its cheerfulness, while my body screamed with pain that refused to subside. My fingers traced the bruises blooming across my ribs – purple and blue landscapes of my humiliation.They’d left me here to suffer, probably hoping I’d break. The tears that leaked from my eyes weren’t just from physical agony anymore; they were tears of pure rage.Scar. Her name alone made my jaw clench, sending a fresh spike of pain through my already battered face. How could Lucas stand by and watch while she—? No. I couldn’t let myself relive it. Not yet. The memory was too raw, too fresh, like an open wound that hadn’t even begun to scab over.I tried to push myself up to a sitting position, using the wall for support. My arms trembled with the effort, muscles protesting every movement.A whimp
NinaI stare at my reflection in the cracked mirror of my tiny room in the packhouse’s servant wing. The dark circles under my eyes tell the story of another sleepless night, another night spent warming Lucas’s bed, only to be dismissed before dawn like a used tissue.I wasn’t supposed to live like this. As the daughter of the Alpha couple of Moonstone Pack, I had been raised in luxury, groomed to potentially become the future Alpha. But my parents had other plans – plans that involved securing their position by offering me as a mistress to Lucas, Alpha Patrick’s son, despite him being openly devoted to having many women.The memory of that day still burns like acid in my throat. “It’s for the good of our family,” my mother had said, not meeting my eyes. My father had simply nodded, his face a mask of political calculation. They had traded their own daughter’s future for a guarantee of keeping their Alpha and Luna positions.Now, two months later, my life is a shadow of what it once w
AlaricA week had passed since Nina left for Patrick’s pack, but her absence felt like an open wound in our household. Elena hadn’t left our chambers since watching our daughter disappear into Patrick’s car, her proud shoulders finally bowing under the weight of what she’d done.I stood in the doorway, watching my mate stare blankly out the window. She’d barely eaten, barely slept. The strong, calculating woman who had orchestrated so many schemes was gone, replaced by a hollow shell that couldn’t stop whispering our daughter’s name.“The pack meeting is in an hour,” I said softly. “They need to see their Luna.”Elena didn’t turn. “Their Luna?” Her laugh was brittle, sharp enough to cut. “Is that what I am? A Luna who sold her own daughter?”“We did what we had to do to survive.”“Did we?” She finally faced me, and I almost stepped back at the wild look in her eyes. “Tell me, Alaric, what exactly did we survive for? To rule over a pack that whispers behind our backs? To live knowing o