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
Finn“Are you sure you don’t want to know anything about her?” His voice trailed after me as I walked back into the pack house. I didn’t answer.“Alpha,” I heard his voice in my head. What kind of nagging wolf was David? Why couldn’t he just let me be? With my alpha speed, I rushed to my office.‘I think we need to listen to him,’ my wolf said.‘Storm, are you thinking of living happily with her when you know her father was the one who destroyed our once-happy home?’ I yelled. ‘Tell me.’ My anger was evident as I trembled. ‘You’re right, I should have killed her to save myself from this stress.’‘Finn, I didn’t mean it.’‘You know how hard we worked to rebuild everything from nothing. The endless training, hiding from everyone’s eyes just to get where we are today. I refuse to show weakness now.’I clenched my fists. ‘Yes, I still feel something for her, but how could I make her my Luna? How could I face her every day, looking into eyes that remind me of the murderer who slaughtered my
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!”