Chapter 16 Not a coincidence

Chapter 16 Not a coincidence
Scarlette’s POV
Chills ran down my spine.
I couldn’t tell why. I just froze when his eyes met mine.
Alpha Azrael didn’t say a word. No smirk. Just that look. Calm and heavy.
And somehow, that scared me more than his words ever could.
Why do I even care? I asked myself. Why should it get to me?
I broke eye contact first. Turned away. I needed air. Distance. Anything that wasn’t him.
Behind me, I felt it. His stare, heavy and undeniable.
Coward, I told myself. Walk away.
So I did.
The meeting dragged.
Engineers talking. Papers moving. Voices blending into noise. I sat there, nodding when required, signing what needed signing, but my mind wasn’t on the topic of discuss.
It was on him. Again.
On the way his eyes didn’t flinch.
Kael leaned closer. “You’re quiet.”
“I’m fine.”
I had gotten too used to those words that I didn’t need to think before saying them.
He didn’t believe me. I could feel it. But he said nothing.
The sky outside had gone dark before anyone noticed. By the time someone finally checked the time, it was already too late.
“I have to leave,” I said, standing up. “I don’t plan on sleeping over.”
Kael nodded immediately. “That’s fine. We’ll continue tomorrow.”
I picked up my folder, already moving, when Azrael stepped in front of us.
“No need to rush,” he said. Calm voice. Too calm. “There’s another meeting tomorrow morning. We’ll be appointing heads for each task. It’s better if everyone’s here early.”
“We can fix it some other time,” I replied.
Azrael shook his head, trying to convince me. “I honestly feel that tomorrow morning is the best time.”
I stared at him. Really stared.
Something twisted in my chest.
“Are you doing this intentionally?” I asked. “So we stay over again?”
The room went quiet.
Azrael didn’t look offended. Didn’t look surprised either.
“You’re reading too much into it,” he said. “I’m just trying to make sure that this is convenient for you.”
I laughed once. “Of course, always the caring one. I’ll be just fine.”
He held my gaze. “You don’t trust me?”
I hated that question.
“Does it matter?”
Kael cleared his throat. “Your Majesty…”
“Let’s go!”
No one stopped me this time.
My guards were a few steps behind. Kael walked beside me, silent.
We were almost at the exit when a young omega rushed toward me, head bowed.
“Your Majesty,” she said, breathless. “A man dropped this for you. He said it was urgent.”
My heart sank before I even touched it.
I took the envelope.
No name. Just my title. My fingers trembled as I opened it.
I wish I hadn’t.
Keep ignoring me and it might cost you something you love… your beloved.
That was it.
No signature. No scent. No clue.
“Who the fuck is this?”
Beloved.
The word echoed in my head, loud and cruel.
Who? Cyrus? Kael? My pack
Kael took the letter from me.
“Can you describe who gave you this letter?” I said to the little omega.
She shook her head. “He wore a hoody, I didn’t know who it was.”
“Let me have a look?” Alpha Azrael said, taking the envelope from Kael.
“Who the heck would try to threaten you within my pack.” He scanned the letter over and over like he was trying to get a clue.
“Whoever it is, If you think you’re so smart, then why not come out of your hiding and let’s talk face to face.”I said into the open space.
Nobody came out.
Silence answered me. That thick mocking silence
The night just stood there, calm like nothing had happened. Like no one had just threatened my life in a neat little sentence.
Cowards.
I scoffed and turned away. “We’re leaving.”
The guards moved immediately. Kael stayed close, his jaw tight. I could feel his anger rolling off him.
Azrael handed the envelope back to Kael.
“This isn’t funny,” he said. His voice was low now. Serious.
“I’ve received one before… and this one isn’t a coincidence.”
My eyes met his in a stern gaze. “You find out the culprit, else if I find whoever is messing with me myself, I won’t care if he is a member of your pack… I’ll deal with him.”
His eyes hardened. “I’ll find the culprit, there’s no need to bother yourself.”
I paused and looked at him, but without saying a word, I turned and walked to my car.
The door opened. I got in.
As the engine came alive, I looked through the window. Azrael was still there, talking to the guards, already giving orders.
The car pulled away.

The road stretched ahead, dark and quiet.
I leaned back against the seat and finally let out the breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding.
Why did I react like that in front of him?
The Gala.
My chest tightened.
I could still hear my own voice from earlier.
‘Are you doing this intentionally?’
Why did that even come out of my mouth?
I hated that he saw it. That flash of panic. That moment where I sounded like I cared.