CHAPTER 5

SCARLETT

This wasn't the plan.

This wasn’t what we had signed up for. The agreement was simple: walk in, play the part of the supportive, perfect couple, and play it safe. The plan was merely to show the pack that I was his—a political shield to get us both through the night. But the moment Creighton’s lips crashed against mine, the plan shattered. My mind went entirely blank, and deep within my chest, my wolf howled in fierce, primitive triumph.

His grip tightened around my waist, pulling me so close our chests pressed flush against one another. Slowly, almost desperately, I moved against his lips. My hand slid up the broad expanse of his chest, my fingers fisting the fabric of his shirt as I kissed him back. I poured everything I had kept bottled up into that kiss—every ounce of anger, passion, and raw desire. It was hard, rough, and absolutely consuming.

When he finally paused and pulled away, he was breathing heavily. In his golden eyes, I saw a reflection of something entirely different. He didn't look at me like a tool or a pawn; he looked at me like I was his entire world. A slow, dark smirk tipped the corners of his lips.

Then, Creighton turned his gaze to the guests.

The grand hall had gone dead silent. All eyes stared back at us, pale, shocked, and utterly mortified.

“Welcome my future Luna,” Creighton’s voice boomed, echoing off the high stone walls. “Scarlett.”

Panic erupted through the crowd like wildfire. I shifted my gaze, looking toward the high table where the former Alpha—Creighton's father—sat. He looked pale.

“She is your Luna?” the old Alpha spoke, his voice trembling..

I held his gaze, refusing to flinch, and bowed my head slightly out of respect.

“Yes, Father,” Creighton answered, his tone unwavering..

“But she is—”

“She is what?” Creighton’s ice-cold voice sliced through the thick, tense air, instantly cutting his father off.

Before the old man could answer, a voice sneered from the crowd. “Alpha, she is not suitable.”

Creighton’s eyes narrowed, tracking the voice. “And who are you to decide who is suitable for me and who is not?”

“We know her, Alpha,” James stepped forward, chipping in as his face flushed red with jealousy. His eyes burned into mine. “Plus, she is wolfless. She is betrothed to *me*.”

“I am not,” I said, my voice deadpan.

“You liar” James stalked forward, his hand snapping out to grab my arm.

“Touch my Luna, and you die,” Creighton growled.

The command in his voice was a physical weight. James froze mid-step, his hand trembling as he slowly pulled it back.

“Alpha, I don't know what lies she has fed you, but she is deceiving you,” James hissed, trying to regain his footing. “She is wolfless. And she is my girlfriend.”

“I am not your girlfriend,” I corrected, taking a step forward. “Was. In the past. And that was before I discovered you were nothing but a piece of trash who fucks anything in a skirt.”

“How dare you!” James snarled.

“Lay your hands on me, James, and I will rip them off,” I warned.

James scoffed, letting out a loud, mocking laugh. “What game are you playing, Scarlett? What is it you want? What point do you think you have to prove by seducing the Alpha? I always knew you were a cheap slut, but today you’ve outdone yourself. What did you tell him? Which pathetic sob story did you use? Does the Alpha even know the truth? Does he know you are a powerless human?”

He turned back to Creighton, who was now holding me possessively close, his large hand resting on the small of my back.

“Alpha,” James said, bowing low in a pathetic display of feigned loyalty. “You are new here. You just arrived after years in the States, and you’ve fallen for her pretty words. But the Scarlett standing next to you isn't the childhood friend you once knew. Years have passed. She isn't innocent. She is wolfless, Alpha. She has never shifted. Not even once. She is nothing but a human with wolf blood.”

Creighton stepped fully in front of me, shielding me from James, who instinctively cowered back a step.

“Repeat that,” Creighton whispered, his voice dangerously low. “I dare you.”

“I—I... forgive him, Alpha,” an elder quickly interjected, dropping to his knees with his head lowered to the floor.

. “Alpha, I only speak the truth. As your future Royal Advisor, I must stand my ground and guide you, even if it kills me.” He glared at me over Creighton's shoulder. “She is wolfless. She was my betrothed, though after this shameful act, I wouldn't even let a rogue have her. She is an embarrassment—not only to her father, but to the entire pack. She is a shameless, worthless—”

The final word hung mid-air, entirely cut off.

A sickening crack of bone connecting with flesh ripped through the silent hall.

James staggered backward, his boots sliding across the polished floor before he collapsed in a heap, blood instantly spurting from his split lips.

“Be grateful I decided not to kill you,” Creighton said, casually adjusting his cuffs. “I would hate to spill useless blood during my welcoming ceremony.”

“Indeed,” I purred, stepping out from behind Creighton.

I walked slowly toward James as he writhed on the floor, groaning in pain. He looked up, his eyes meeting mine, still filled with a desperate, pathetic defiance.

“You can lie all you want, Scarlett,” he wheezed, wiping blood from his chin. “But you and I both know the truth. You are wolfless.”

“Am I?”

With a dark smirk, I raised my hand.

Before his eyes, the bones in my fingers cracked and shifted. Thick, midnight-white fur erupted over my skin, and five razor-sharp, obsidian claws slid out from my fingertips, gleaming under the chandelier lights.

Without warning, I swung my hand down.

My claws tore through the air, digging deep into the flesh of his face.

A horrified, blood-curdling scream tore from James's throat as he clutched his face, blood pouring through his fingers.

“You see, the Alpha might not want to spill blood tonight,” I whispered, leaning down so only he could hear me as I wiped my bloody claws on his pristine collar. “But I don't mind it at all.”

I stood up straight, turning my gaze back to the crowd. My lips curved into a cold, triumphant smirk as the heavy aura of my wolf washed over the room, commanding submission.

“Now,” I announced, my voice carrying to every corner of the silent hall. “This is the part where you fall to your knees and acknowledge me.”

They didn't hesitate.

As one, the entire room dropped. Heads lowered to the floor, chests pressed to the ground, as a synchronized, thunderous chant echoed through the hall.

“Long live the Alpha, and long live his Luna.”