All Chapters of Scarlett (Second Edition): Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Scarlett’s POVLucian’s mocking tone cut into me. “What are you shy about? Don’t you do it naked with your lovers?” he taunted, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. I felt my face heat with shame, and I looked away, fighting back the urge to retaliate.Maxwell tossed my damp dress at me, and I hurried to pull it on. The cold fabric clung to my skin, sending a shiver down my spine, but it was better than standing there exposed under their leering stares.“Don’t you ever use any of our things again!” Maxwell snapped, his gaze dark and accusing. He took a deep breath, his nose twitching as he picked up the faint scent of the lotion. His eyes narrowed as he looked directly at me.“Did you use Clay’s lotion?” he demanded. I swallowed, feeling caught.“My skin was dry, and I…” I started, but my voice trailed off. He wasn’t interested in my reasons. They both turned and went to their rooms, leaving me standing there, cold and humiliated.Left alone, I sank to the floor, curling up to con

Lucian’s POVScarlett was infuriating—rude, ungrateful, and stubborn to the core. I’d gone out of my way to buy her clothes, things to make her life here bearable, and she couldn’t even manage a “thank you.” If this had been Nikolay’s household, she’d be rotting in a dungeon by now. Her defiance reminded me of her father’s cold, unyielding nature; she was truly his daughter, as spiteful and hard-hearted as he was.It sickened me to think that fate had tied us to someone like her. She was everything I’d hoped to avoid—a Valkin mate should have been someone I could cherish, someone worthy of respect and loyalty. Yet here we were, forced into this twisted bond.I needed to talk to the guys. This mate bond was already proving to be a burden, and we had to consider ending it. Scarlett wasn’t pure, she wasn’t ours, and she had given herself to others before us. To claim the magic, we’d have to be her first, and that wasn’t even a possibility. The probability of accessing the bond’s power wa

Clay’s POVAs I stepped into the apartment, Scarlett immediately stood up, her movements tense and guarded. I noticed her quickly brushing her face, trying to hide the telltale signs of tears. Even though she’d never admit it, I could tell she’d been crying.She had this quiet, unbreakable strength, the kind that refused to show vulnerability, and honestly, I admired her for it. There was something deeply resilient about her, a spirit that refused to bow to anything we threw at her.“Have you eaten?” I asked gently, not wanting to push her further. She glared at me with that fierce scowl of hers, shaking her head. I couldn’t help but laugh a little. She tried so hard to antagonize us, to keep us at arm’s length, that it was almost endearing.Watching her now, it baffled me that Lucian couldn’t see through her defenses. Scarlett wasn’t just some problem to be dealt with. She was hurting and lost, her life torn apart, and the toughness was her way of coping.To reject her now, after eve

Scarlett’s POVLucian’s words echoed painfully in my mind, each one like a fresh wound. All this, just because I hadn’t thanked him. I refused to let him see the hurt, to let him feel the satisfaction of seeing me break.I forced the tears back, holding them in with every ounce of willpower I had. My life had turned into a nightmare, and each day with them felt worse than the last. I’d once dreamed of freedom from my father, but somehow, my life with him seemed like a mercy compared to this.An invisible tally began forming in my mind, a list of those I’d make pay if I ever got through this. Lucian’s name was at the top. He’d spat his cruelty so easily, so casually, without a single thought about what his words did to me.I’d wished—prayed—that he’d reject me and let me go, that they’d all do it, so I could finally have peace and be free of this cursed mate bond. But, of course, Clay had stopped him. I’d almost tasted freedom for a moment, and he’d stepped in, thwarting any hope of es

Lucian’s POVI knew Scarlett would try to eavesdrop, so I chose to speak to Maxwell through the mind link. Stasia had given me an ultimatum: she wouldn’t come near me unless I rejected Scarlett. Part of me wanted to do it, to sever the bond and be done with her, but another part hesitated. I hated that I felt anything for the Vladislav girl, hated that fate had tied us together. It was like some cruel joke.“She wants me to reject Scarlett first,” I linked to Maxwell, watching his reaction. He raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.“Go ahead,” he linked back. “You planned to anyway. It shouldn’t be a problem.” But I could feel the judgment in his words, subtle but there, and I grasped for an excuse.“I don’t want to risk your and Clay’s chance at magic,” I explained, though it felt thin even to me. He sighed, knowing my arguments were flimsy.“Lucian,” he linked back patiently, “as things stand, we’re unlikely to get the magic anyway. She’s tainted. If that’s your reason, don’t worry abo