Chapter 156 SCOLDED

Scarlet's POV

The wind howled through the abandoned factory grounds, sending shivers down my spine. The air smelled of rust and damp concrete, the dim flickering streetlights casting eerie shadows across the cracked pavement.

I should have thought this through.

My heart pounded as I stepped forward cautiously, my breath coming out in quick, uneven bursts. My phone was clutched in my hand, but there was no signal.

Where was Alex?

I swallowed hard, scanning my surroundings. Everything felt wrong.

Too quiet. Too empty.

I took another hesitant step forward, my stomach twisting painfully. The call had been clear-if I wanted to save Alex, I had to come here.

But he wasn't here. Panic clawed at my throat. Had I been tricked?

I spun on my heel, ready to leave, when a sharp sound echoed behind me-boots scraping against gravel.

I barely had time to react before more footsteps followed, surrounding me. My blood ran cold.

Figures emerged from the shadows, their faces partially hidden under hoods and masks. There were at least five of them, their postures relaxed, arrogant.

I took a step back.

One of them let out a low chuckle. "Didn't think you'd actually fall for it, but damn, you're even stupider than I thought."

My hands curled into fists. I had walked right into a trap.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady.

Another man scoffed. "Oh, come on. You really thought your precious mate was here? That he needed you to come save him?" He laughed cruelly, shaking his head. "Pathetic."

My pulse thundered in my ears. I needed to get out of here. Now.

I shifted slightly, calculating the distance to the nearest opening. If I could just make a run for it-

"Ah, ah," one of them tsked, stepping forward. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

I froze as he pulled a blade from his pocket, twirling it between his fingers like a game.

"Look at her," another sneered. "Thinking she actually had a chance."

Anger flared in my chest, burning through my fear.

I clenched my jaw. "You think you scare me?"

The man with the knife smirked. "No. But you should be."

I swallowed, forcing myself to stay calm. If I panicked, I was done for. I had to wait for an opening.

Another man circled around me, tilting his head. "Such a shame. Pretty thing like you-wasting your time with Alex." He clicked his tongue. "Guess he's not as strong as everyone thinks if we managed to lure his little mate out here so easily."

I gritted my teeth.

They were taunting me, trying to make me break.

I wouldn't. I kept my expression blank, my fingers inching toward the small knife I had tucked into my jacket.

They didn't know who they were dealing with. They thought I was weak an helpless.

A sudden blur of movement caught my eye just as I braced myself to fight.

A dark figure moved through the group like a shadow, swift and brutal. Fists landed with sickening thuds, bodies hitting the ground in painful grunts. I barely had time to process what was happening before the last man collapsed, groaning in agony.

My breath hitched.

The person turned to me, his face partially hidden beneath the hood of his jacket. His stance was relaxed, but there was a sharpness in his gaze, a silent warning that he had been watching for a while.

Who was he?

Before I could speak, he reached out, gripping my wrist firmly but not painfully.

"Let's go," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.

I hesitated. "Who-"

"Not now." His grip tightened slightly. "It's not safe."

I swallowed hard, glancing at the fallen men before nodding. Whoever he was, he had just saved me from a situation I couldn't have won on my own.

We moved quickly, his pace fast but controlled as he guided me through a side path, avoiding the main roads. The silence between us was heavy, but I could feel his presence, solid and unwavering.

By the time we reached home, my legs felt weak, exhaustion creeping in after the adrenaline rush.

He stopped at the entrance, releasing my wrist.

"You shouldn't be so reckless," he said, watching me.

I frowned. "How did you know-"

"I've been assigned to protect you," he interrupted smoothly.

My stomach twisted. Assigned? By who?

"Alex?" I whispered, realization sinking in.

The man nodded slightly before stepping back. "Stay inside from now on." And then, without another word, he disappeared into the night.

I stared at the spot he had stood, my mind racing.

Alex had put someone on me? Why hadn't I noticed before?

Before I could make sense of it all, the sound of tires screeching outside made my heart drop.

Alex.

The front door burst open, and I barely had time to react before he was in front of me, his hands gripping my shoulders, his eyes filled with worry and anger.

"Where the hell have you been?" His jaw clenched, his entire body tense.

I opened my mouth, but he didn't give me a chance to answer.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" His expression was hard, but beneath it, I could see the fear. "You could have died, Scarlet!"

Guilt twisted in my stomach.

"I-I got a call," I admitted quietly. "They said you were in danger. I thought-"

"You thought what?" His grip tightened slightly. "That you'd go rushing into a trap alone?" He shook his head, frustration evident. "Damn it, Scarlet!"

I exhaled shakily. "I'm sorry."

He stared at me for a long moment, his chest rising and falling rapidly. I could see how much this had shaken him.

Finally, he pulled me into his arms, holding me tight.

"Don't ever do that again," he murmured against my hair. "Promise me."

I hesitated before nodding. "I promise."

The tension in his body didn't ease completely, but he pulled back slightly, searching my face as if making sure I was really here.

"I already lost too much, Scarlet. I can't lose you too."

My breath caught in my throat.

The raw emotion in his eyes was too much.

I looked away, my hands clenching at my sides. I had promised not to make him worry, but deep down, I knew things weren't over yet.

Because the moment I stepped away, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I pulled it out, my stomach dropping when I read the message.

"You should've died tonight. But don't worry, it's not over. Next time, I won't miss."

My fingers trembled as I locked the screen.