Chapter 37 38
Scarlett's Pov
The first rays of sunlight entered through the window of my chamber, casting rays and shadows across the stone walls. I sat up slowly, the exhaustion heavy on my body. And I still couldn't fall asleep even after countless hours. I kept thinking about the cursed tree, the man, and his words, Zane and my revenge, and his first mate.
“So that’s Zane’s first mate,” I said with a scoff, swinging my legs off the bed. I wasn’t sure what I had expected, but after our first meeting last night, I knew one thing for sure she was going to be a problem.
I pushed the thoughts of Rhylie aside and focused on more pressing matters. The witches had kept secrets from me, but I wasn’t about to let them dodge my questions this time. They had to know more about the curse, about why I was connected to it. I had to figure out how to control whatever it was that had awoken within me.
I stood and dressed quickly, my mind racing as I prepared to face the day. I had dismissed my maid because I could handle myself.
As I stepped outside, the cool morning air brushed against my skin, bringing a brief sense of calm. The sky above was a brilliant shade of blue, and for a brief second, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace before the chaos that was surely waiting for me.
I made my way toward the witches’ quarters, determined to get some answers. But before I could reach the entrance, a voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Well, well, look who’s up bright and early,” Rhylie’s voice chimed from behind me, the sickly sweet tone getting on my nerves.
I turned slowly, bracing myself for whatever games she was about to play.
There she was, looking far too polished for someone who had probably spent the night looking for a way to get on my nerves. Her long, dark hair flowed down her back, and her lips were pulled into that
annoying smile she always seemed to wear when she was about to stir trouble.
“What do you want, Rhylie?” I asked, keeping my tone flat.
Rhylie’s eyes gleamed as she looked toward me, her fake concern oozing from every word. “Oh, I just wanted to make sure you were settling in properly. I know it can be... overwhelming, being the newcomer in such a tight big pack.” She tilted her head, her smile never changing. “Especially when you don’t quite belong.”
I felt a spark of anger flare inside me, but I kept my expression neutral. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing me angry “I’m fine, thanks. And I don’t need your help.”
Rhylie’s smile widened, but there was something sharp behind her eyes. “Of course. But you should know, Scarlett, things can get... complicated here. Zane and I have a lot of history. You wouldn’t understand the bond we share.”
There it was. The power play. She was trying to get under my skin, and I wasn’t having it.
I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest. “Oh, I’m sure you have history. But let’s be clear, whatever bond you think you have with him?....hold on, I also have a bond with him, after all the goddess must have sensed that she made a mistake making you his mate because why else would she make me his mate also” I said, taking triumph in the look on her face.
Rhylie’s smile faltered for just a second, but she recovered quickly, her eyes staring at mine. “You might think you’ve won, Scarlett, but this isn’t over. Zane isn’t some prize to be won in a competition. He’s mine, and he always will be.”
I let out a soft, mocking laugh. “You know, for someone who claims not to compete, you’re defensive. What’s wrong, Rhylie? Afraid you’re losing your grip?”
Her eyes flashed with anger, but she quickly masked it with that same sickly sweetness. “You’ll see, Scarlett. Zane may be feeling the pull of the mate bond for you, but it won’t last. He’s loyal to me. You’re just a distraction.”
I smirked. “We’ll see about that. Like I said before, if I'm a distraction, I know because I'm very beautiful, and you are what? A mistake,”
Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and headed toward the witches’ quarters. I could feel her eyes burning into my back, but I didn’t care. I had bigger problems to deal with.
Zane's POV
I couldn’t get her out of my head.
Scarlett.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her fiery eyes, the way she held her ground against anyone who dared to challenge her, and the way the bond between us became stronger with every
passing day, but she was trying to deny the bond.
And yet, Rhylie’s words from last night kept nagging at me, pulling me in the opposite direction.
You’re the alpha. You can be with whoever you like.
Rhylie had been by my side for years, supporting me and standing by me through everything. I owed her so much, and yet... things felt different now. Ever since Scarlett had come into my life, nothing had been the same. I felt torn, my loyalties divided.
I sat in my chamber, staring at the map of our territory spread out before me, but my mind wasn’t on the pack. It was on Scarlett. And the curse.
She was right about one thing: the curse was bigger than any of us. The dark energy surrounding that tree had been enough to make even Dalton, my wolf, uneasy. I knew we needed to figure out what was going on, but every time I tried to focus on the curse, my thoughts kept drifting back to her.
The door to my chamber creaked open, and I looked up to see Rhylie standing there, her expression soft.
“Zane,” She said, stepping into the room. “ I was worried about you. You’ve been quiet since last night.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I’ve got a lot on my mind, Rhylie.”
She walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch warm but lacking the spark I had once felt. “I know. But I want you to know that I’m here for you. I’ve always been here for you.”
I nodded, but I couldn’t help the feeling of unease that crept in whenever she spoke like that. She had been my support for so long, but now... now I wasn’t sure what we had anymore.
“You need to be careful, Zane,” Rhylie continued, her voice low. “Scarlett... She's dangerous. I know the mate bond is pulling at you, but you can’t trust her. You don’t know what she’s after.”
I looked at her, my jaw tightening. “ I don’t think Scarlett’s the one we need to worry about, Rhylie. The curse is bigger than her or any of us.”
Rhylie’s eyes blinked slightly, but she quickly masked her frustration. “Of course, the curse is important, but you can’t ignore the fact that Scarlett has her plan. She's reckless, and she’s going to get you hurt if you’re not careful.”
I stood, stepping away from her touch. “Rhylie, I know you’re concerned, but I can take care of myself. Scarlett’s not the enemy here, and you've only known her for a day”
Rhylie’s lips tightened into a thin line, and I could see the flicker of anger in her eyes. “Just... be careful, Zane. You know where my loyalty lies. Can you say the same for her?”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I walked to the window, staring out over the pack grounds. Scarlett had her own goals, that much was clear. But the mate bond was pulling me toward her, and no matter how much Rhylie tried to convince me otherwise, I couldn’t deny it.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said quietly, though my thoughts were already elsewhere.
Rhylie's Point Of View
I clenched my fists as I left Zane’s chambers, fury boiling just beneath the surface. He was slipping away from me, and it was all because of that insufferable little Luna. Scarlett thought she could waltz into our pack and claim Zane like he was some sort of prize.
She was wrong. Dead wrong. I had spent years building my place here, weaving my magic into every corner of this pack,
ensuring that I would always be by Zane’s side. And now, because of some goddess-forsaken mate bond, everything I had worked for was at risk.
But I wasn’t going to let that happen.
Zane may be confused right now, but I would make sure he remembered where his loyalties lay. And Scarlett... Well, she was about to find out just how dangerous it was to stand in my way.
I made my way toward the witches’ quarters, my mind racing with possibilities. If the witches had answers about the curse, then maybe, just maybe, they had something I could use against Scarlett. Something that would turn the pack against her.
After all, I had waited too long for this. I wasn’t about to let some goddess choose to ruin everything I had worked for.