Chapter 125: Transparent 1
Chapter 125: Transparent 1
Scarlett’s POV
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous when I heard that the elders had arrived. Not that I feared them—far from it. But the timing couldn’t have been worse.
We were just starting to make progress, and with the looming threat of war, the last thing we needed was a distraction. Even though my mates tried to calm me, offering their reassurances and soothing words, the knot in my stomach refused to loosen.
After they left to meet the elders, I found myself pacing, restless and uneasy. I was supposed to join Keith and Alison for training, but curiosity got the better of me. Something felt off, and I needed to know what was happening. So, instead of heading to the garden, I decided to sneak to the meeting hall and eavesdrop on the conversation. It wasn’t hard to mask my scent—one of the many little tricks I had picked up over time. My mates wouldn’t be able to sense me, and I intended to keep it that way.
When I reached the back of the hall, the muffled sound of raised voices reached my ears. Carefully, I positioned myself out of sight, peeking through a small gap to observe without being seen.
The meeting was indeed serious—pack members were present, their faces tense as they watched the heated argument unfold. My suspicion was confirmed: I was the topic of discussion. The fact that I hadn’t been invited only cemented it.
What shocked me, though, was the way my mates defended me. Lucian’s voice stood out above the others, cutting through the noise like a blade. He sounded utterly fed up, his tone heavy with frustration and unwavering resolve.
For a moment, a warm feeling stirred in my chest. Despite the chaos, hearing how fiercely they stood up for me made me feel… safe. Protected.
I didn’t need to listen to the rest of it—Lucian had said enough to assure me they had everything under control. Satisfied, I slipped away and headed to the garden to train with Keith and Alison.
When I arrived, the sight that greeted me brought a smile to my face. Emerald was there, seated on a blanket with a picnic basket beside her. Keith hovered protectively nearby, never straying far from her side.
It reminded me of how he used to be with me—attentive, always watching, as if I might disappear if he blinked. Keith had a way of making a woman feel like the center of his universe, and it was heartwarming to see him do the same for Emerald.
My own mates were still learning, but I couldn’t fault them for trying. They were taking giant leaps, making efforts that didn’t go unnoticed. And for now, that was enough for me.
Training with Alison proved challenging, as always. She guided me through isolating my magic and projecting it with precision, but it was easier said than done.
“Don’t let your aura touch mine,” she warned, her tone firm but patient. “Your magic has a tendency to absorb or mimic the attributes of whatever it encounters. We need to work on controlling that.”
I tried—I really did—but no matter how much effort I poured into it, the results were frustratingly inconsistent. My magic seemed to have a mind of its own, stubborn and unruly.
After a while, Alison decided we’d done enough for the day, and I left her, Emerald and Keith to enjoy the garden while I made my way back to the apartment.
When I stepped inside, the tension in the air was palpable. Lucian and Maxwell were both there, their expressions hard and their postures rigid. It was clear they had just come from a heated confrontation with the elders.
The frustration was etched into their faces, but the sight of me seemed to ease some of their tension.
I played it cool, pretending not to know what had happened.
“Over so soon?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I stepped into the room. Lucian reached for me, pulling me effortlessly onto his lap.
“We’re done with them, regardless,” he said firmly, his arms wrapping around me as he drew me into a kiss. His touch was warm and grounding, but I could feel the tension lingering beneath his composed exterior.
“How was your training?” he asked after pulling back. I recounted everything Alison had tried to teach me—her attempts to help me control my magic and the challenges I still faced.
Lucian chuckled softly, though there was an edge to it that betrayed the worry he was trying to hide. “It seems Midnight might have to rely on brute strength, like the rest of us,” he teased, though his tone was light enough to soften the sting.
I reached out, cupping his face, and kissed him gently. “I’ll be fine, Lucian,” I promised, my voice steady. “I won’t fall in battle. Just promise me you’ll do the same.”
His eyes flickered with something raw, but he nodded, his grip on me tightening slightly. I turned to Maxwell, who had been watching quietly.
“You too, Max,” I said, forcing a small smile. “I suck at goodbyes.”
Maxwell chuckled, the sound deep and reassuring. “You’re not getting rid of us that easily,” he said with confidence. “We all have too much to live for.”
His words steadied me, and for a moment, I let myself believe them. But the reprieve was short-lived. By nightfall, Garland arrived, his presence filling the air with a sense of urgency.
He brought an army with him, their readiness a stark reminder of the battle ahead. As we gathered—Garland, Keith, Emerald, Alison, Elsa, Lucian, Maxwell, and me—to discuss strategies, the weight of what was coming hit me like a tidal wave. This was real. There was no turning back now.