Scarlett“Scarlett.” My stepmother’s voice echoed. I struggled to stand on my feet. My conversation with my father last night hadn’t gone smoothly; it didn’t favor me. So he’d made sure to assign guards to monitor me all night to prevent me from running.“Scarlett.” The voice came again. This time, I was already on my feet. I opened the door.“Good morning, Luna,” I managed to greet her.“What the heck are you doing?” she asked with a scornful expression.“Nothing,” I replied weakly. “Do you need something?”“Yes,” she said, brushing past me without waiting for an invitation. She settled into the chair by the window, her movements graceful, every part of her natural appearance screaming authority. My stepmother was the Beta’s daughter from the neighboring pack—a detail she reminded me of daily.“Do you know what today means?”I shook my head. “No, Luna.”She smiled sweetly, making my skin crawl. Even when she tried to smile genuinely, it screamed “fake.” Everything about her was fake.
Scarlett. The morning light slowly filled my bedroom, casting a golden glow on the floor. I lay still for a moment, thinking about my life. Another morning, another day in this luxurious but confining place. It had been five months since I arrived, but it felt like an eternity. The gentle breeze rustled the silk curtains, bringing the sweet fragrance of blooming roses from the garden below. Such beauty in this place felt like a cruel joke. I stretched carefully, one hand instinctively moving to protect my growing belly as I sat up against the plush headboard. “You’re awake, Luna,” the maid said as soon as she walked into my room. She smiled sweetly, making me remember Amber. Alisha was the only one here who looked at me with kindness rather than contempt. “Good morning, my lady.” “Good morning, Alisha.” I managed a genuine smile for her—the only real one I’d give all day. She moved through the room with practiced grace, drawing back curtains and gathering what I’d need for the
ScarlettI was sitting on my bed, lost in my thoughts that were as heavy and dark as the clouds above. Suddenly, a gentle knock on my door brought me back to reality.“Who?”“Luna, it’s me.” Alisha’s familiar voice brought a small measure of comfort.“Come in.”She entered quietly, closing the door behind her. I could sense her unease from the way she held herself and the slight tremor in her usually steady hands.“How are you feeling, Luna?” She approached with measured steps, her eyes darting to my growing belly.“Good.” I smiled gently. “Please sit with me.”“Oh, I shouldn’t—” she started, but I cut her off gently.“Sit, Alisha. Please.” I patted the space beside me on my bed. “Just for a moment.”Alisha took a seat beside me.“Why are you here, Alisha?” I asked.“I’m here to check on you. How are you feeling?”“I’m getting better day by day,” I responded with a smile. “Thanks to you.”“I’m only doing my job,” she said, trying to cover the worries in her voice. I sensed it, but I c
ScarlettThe next day arrived with a gentle knock at my door. For a moment, my heart raced, fearing it might be Vanessa returning with more cruelty. But when the door opened, I saw Alisha’s familiar face instead.“Luna, may I come in?” she asked softly.“Yes, please,” I called out.“Good morning, Luna.”Alisha entered, carrying a tray laden with a steaming bowl of soup and various other dishes. I sat up in bed, surprised by the formal service.“Why are you bringing food to my room?” I asked, watching as she carefully set the tray on the nearby table. “I usually eat in the dining hall.”“Alpha’s orders, Luna,” Alisha explained, her voice gentle. “He wants you to remain in your chambers today. With the Northern pack delegation arriving...”I let out a bitter laugh. “Ah, of course. He doesn’t want me seen during the diplomatic visits.”“I thought you might be angry,” Alisha said carefully.“Angry?” I shook my head, a sad smile playing at my lips. “No. I’m relieved, actually. I have no des
ScarlettI turned to meet his gaze, blood still warm on my hands, Vanessa’s last breath lingering in the air between us. Something dark and satisfied curled my lips into a smile. “What do you think? She screamed so beautifully for me, didn’t she?”“You dare...” His voice trembled with barely contained fury, eyes blazing alpha-red as he stalked toward me. “You dare murder my mistress?” The words escaped him in a feral growl that would have once terrified me. I had nothing to fear. Absolutely nothing. What else was there for me? I had lost everything, and the only source of joy was gone.“Murder?” I laughed. “No, Dickson. This was justice.” My hand drifted to my empty womb, the void there aching like an open wound. “She took my baby from me. My innocent child. I simply returned the favor.”He moved with alpha speed, his hand gripping my throat tightly. I didn’t resist. Instead, I smiled, savoring the sensation of his touch on my windpipe.“Do it fast and clean,” I whispered, meeting his
ScarlettI pressed myself against the cold stone wall of my cell, feeling hatred burning through my veins. My initial rage at Vanessa had been misplaced. It was Rebecca who had orchestrated my baby’s death. The truth of it clawed at my insides, demanding vengeance.How should I kill her? Slow and excruciating, so she knows each breath she took cost me something I loved. I want her to feel the claws of regret that now scar my insides. Each moment of my child’s lost life will echo through her suffering.“I’m such a useless wolf,” Ray whimpered through our mindlink, her voice thick with shame. “If only I were strong enough to stand against the Alpha—”“It was never your fault,” I replied silently, feeling her anguish echo my own. “We were strong once. Something changed us, weakened us.”“I still don’t understand how I became an omega,” Ray murmured. “I was stronger than most betas, but now…” She hesitated. “I’m nothing. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect us. I couldn’t protect the child.”“I’v
Scarlett.The morning sun streamed through the windows of our café, casting warm shadows across the freshly polished tables. Five years. Sometimes it felt like another lifetime since I’d fled the pack, and other mornings – like today – the memories rose fresh and raw in my mind.“Your coffee’s getting cold,” Alisha called from behind the counter, her dark hair now streaked with subtle caramel highlights – another small act of rebellion we’d both embraced in the human world. She’d traded her maid’s uniform for chef’s whites, and the confidence in her bearing made her unrecognizable from the timid wolf who’d once served the pack.I smiled, watching the morning rush of humans queuing up for their breakfast pastries. Our pastries. Who would have thought a former Luna and her maid would end up owning the most popular café in downtown Portland? The irony wasn’t lost on me.“Just lost in thought,” I replied, but Alisha’s knowing look told me she understood. We both had days when the past cre
FinnI was barely sixteen when I found my mother’s body in our pack house, her throat torn out, my father kneeling beside her in a pool of blood. The evidence planted by Alpha Alaric, Scarlett’s father, was meticulous. Witness testimonies, my father’s supposed motive, even his rage were all twisted into a perfect lie that convinced some of our own pack.My father, former Alpha Marcus Foster, was executed for a crime he didn’t commit. I watched him die with his head held high, his last words to me: “Truth will prevail, son. But patience before vengeance.”I didn’t listen.At seventeen, I became the youngest alpha in our territory’s history, rebuilding a pack shattered by scandal. I changed our name from the Steel Pack to the Crescent Pack, erasing history to escape shame. Loyal ones stayed, but we were shadows of our former strength.For ten years, I restored what Alaric had destroyed. Every alliance was crafted carefully, every business deal planned meticulously. Our pack’s influence g
Alaric“Alaric, do you truly think this will work?” Elena asked, her fingers tracing lazy patterns across my chest.I couldn’t suppress a scornful laugh. How could it possibly fail when the Alpha King himself had shown such interest in Scarlett?If I had known she would turn out to be such an amazing asset, I wouldn’t have gifted her to Dickson. I would have given her directly to the King. By now, I could have been enjoying royal status.My eyes drifted to Elena, my beautiful yet simple-minded stupid Luna. Without the memory-altering potion clouding her mind, she wouldn’t be this gentle and kind.I remembered all too well her incessant complaints about Nina’s situation; her tears, her accusations, her demands that I intervene.I had no choice but to clear off her memories. The only memories left for her now were that Nina was living happily with Lucas.That was all I wanted her to know. I blocked all other news, especially the bitter truth about Nina’s suffering in their pack.That wo
LeonardoEverything changed when I grew. I got stronger. Strong enough to protect myself. Strong enough to step over their blood towards the throne.Strong enough to tear out the hearts of those who crossed me. Strong enough to eliminate anyone who threatened what was mine.I had sworn never to show weakness again. To maintain power, I needed to be merciless. The bodies of treacherous women who had approached me with hidden daggers and poisoned smiles littered my past.Throughout my life, only my mother had ever shown me genuine love. Everyone else came with agendas—assassins sent by enemies or manipulators seeking to exploit my position.“Leonardo,” a voice called, soft as silk against my consciousness. “Are you with us?”I tried to open my eyes, but they were heavy.“My king,” another voice penetrated the darkness. “Can you hear me?”With tremendous effort, I forced my eyes open. The world swam in a blur, but the voices reached me with perfect clarity.“Is he responding?” someone as
LeonardoAs darkness enveloped me, memories of my mother, Rose, flooded my mind in vivid flashes. These were not distant recollections, but raw wounds that reopened with each heartbeat.She had been my anchor, the only source of kindness in this world. She would whisper reassurances that I was deserving of love, despite my father’s constant assertions to the contrary.But now, all I could see was her bloodied body, her once-radiant life extinguished by the man who should have protected her above all others—my father, Alexander.My mother was the epitome of beauty, not just in her looks - her golden hair and piercing eyes made her the envy of all women in the kingdom - but also in the radiant glow of her spirit.She was the rightful Queen, the beloved daughter of King Hunter and Queen Mia, adored by everyone who knew her, except for the one who had promised to cherish her.My father never cared about her royal lineage. He resented her status, power, and the adoration people had for her
Leonardo“But...” I let my gaze drift around the room as if concerned about being overheard. “Don’t you think she will suspect I was behind it?”He waved his hand dismissively. “No, we won’t make it obvious. I will perfect everything. I have done this before, and I can do it again, my King. I will do anything to see you happy with the woman you love.”“Really?” I couldn’t keep the excitement from my voice.Now there was no need to reveal that I already had Scarlett imprisoned in my palace. I could use this greedy fool to eliminate her mate while keeping my own hands clean in her eyes.“Yes, my King.” His voice grew animated with bloodlust. “All I need to do is plant some treason papers in his pack. Then you can order the palace guards to search his territory. They’ll capture him and rip his head off right there...”He trailed off, his excited eyes meeting mine, seeking approval. “Then we can destroy his pack to eliminate any future problems. You just have to leave everything to me. I
LeonardoEverything is getting interesting. The look on Scarlett’s face as I departed made everything crystallize; it clicked the final piece of the puzzle that had been nagging at me for weeks.She and her father were never close—not from the start, according to my spies. And with the way things stand now, everything is working in my favour.I turned around and left with my Beta.“Where is he?” I asked, walking as fast as my legs could carry me.“In the throne palace,” Giovanni replied, struggling slightly to match my frantic pace.“Good.” We walked in tense silence, the corridor stretching before us like the path to my victory.Upon reaching the throne palace, the guards snapped to attention, their eyes lowered in deference and fear—exactly as they should be.“Here comes the King,” they announced in perfect unison.The massive doors swung open, and I stepped inside, my eyes immediately finding him.Alaric BlackstoneMy soon-to-be father-in-law.He immediately rose to his feet. I cou
Leonardo“This is interesting.”My body went into shock. I flinched violently, my blood turning to ice in my veins. That voice—I would recognize it anywhere, even in the depths of hell itself.My Scarlett.I turned around slowly, composing my features into what I hoped was a charming smile, though my heart hammered against my ribs like a war drum.“Having sex with a whore in the hallway. What a king you are.” Her words dripped with venom.“Who do we have here?” I asked with feigned innocence, desperately trying to salvage what little dignity remained. “My love.”The endearment felt hollow on my tongue as I forcefully pulled Mira’s hand away from me. Disgust radiated through me at the contact I had sought moments before.“My king,” Mira whimpered, her voice small and fearful.I turned back to her, my gaze hardening to steel. Without a single word, I made my message crystal clear: make Scarlett unhappy, and I’ll end your miserable life.Mira’s mouth snapped shut, terror blooming in her
LeonardoThe thought of her consumed me, burning through my veins like molten gold. I didn’t know what to do to make her happy—to make her mine entirely. Scarlett.Even her name tasted like fire on my tongue. She was beautiful, yes, but more than that—she was powerful, radiating a strength that called to me like nothing before. A woman truly fitted to be my queen.My chest ached watching her tears flow for another. Love? What feeble excuse. If I were in her position, I would choose power over love without hesitation.Being powerful means everyone fears you, respects you, worships you. Even those who claim not to love you have no choice but to bend the knee and pretend. Power rules over everything—it always has.“King, I don’t think you should go this far,” Giovanni’s voice cut through my thoughts, laced with an anxiety he rarely showed.I turned to face him, jaw tight with barely contained rage. My Beta—the one man who knew my mind better than anyone—was choosing now to act the fool?
Scarlett“Enough!” I roared, my voice cracking with desperate fury as I thrust myself between the two men. “Enough of all this!”I turned to face Finn, my heart splintering at the sight of his ravaged expression. “Please, Alpha, accept my rejection.”“Why?” Finn’s eyes were wet with tears. “Why did you choose to betray me?”“I didn’t,” I replied with a completed smugness that made me sick to my core. “I was blind before to see my worth, but I know better now. I know who deserves me.” I approached Leonardo with a seductive step.I ran my fingers across his chest in a possessive caress that made my skin crawl with revulsion. “Only Leonardo deserves me. I am powerful.” My eyes fixed on Finn, willing him to see through the lie even as I prayed he wouldn’t. “Beautiful, and I deserve to be the queen.”“Only I deserve to be your mate,” Leonardo muttered, seizing the opportunity to claim me before Finn’s eyes. Without warning, he captured my lips in a kiss so invasive it felt like an assault.
ScarlettI scoffed, shaking his hand off me violently. My skin crawled from his touch, as if contaminated by something vile. “As if I wanted this."“You don’t have a choice, honey,” he said with a smirk that made rage bubble in my chest. Without warning, he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against him.The possessive gesture made my stomach roil with disgust. He used his free hand to smooth my hair before pressing his lips to my forehead.“You look so beautiful,” he smirked. “You’re finally mine, honey.”“Let me go,” I uttered, my voice tight with barely controlled fury as I stretched my hand out demandingly. “Let me have the cure.”Every second in his arms felt like an eternity in hell.His gaze met mine, holding me in place. “Don’t push it.”“What else do you want?” I snapped. “Tell me.”“Nothing,” he groaned, forging an innocent face as if I was the one bullying him. He stared at me for a while before turning away.When he turned back, he held a bottle identical to the o