Chapter 1: Hateful First Meeting

~Scarlett's POV~

It will be the best day of my life today.

I spent the entire morning submerged in laughter, watching as my Omegas dressed me into a golden silk dress, a fashion work of art that caressed me so snugly, that floral designs in pattern were inscribed onto its body. I sat as the Omegas were weaving pearls into my blonde hair, their high-pitched giggles that stayed behind like a tune.

“Oh, Lady Scarlette, Sir Simon is going to lose his mind when he sees you," one of my Maid, Mira grinned after setting the last pin in my braid.

I smiled gently and then scowled at myself in the mirror, my eyes lit up with joy looking at how beautiful I looked, and my green-gold eyes kept shining with anticipation. I bite my lips, tonight, Simon would take me as his mate. As my best friend. As my love.

Everything was going perfectly.

Until it wasn't.

A low, unnatural boom shook the air and it made the Laughter in the room stop. I frowned in confusion as my heart grasped.

I furrowed my brows, “What was that?" I breathed, eyes flicking to the door.

The Omegas all had scared faces. Then Mira hesitated, then smiled weakly at me. "I-I'll see."

Before I could say anything she disappeared behind the door. The silence lingered there, heavy and suffocating, in my chest.

Then—

A scream.

A scream of raw fear, of broken bone and torn flesh, that was what we heard and I felt my heart leap in fear.

Mira returned to the room, her face whiter than alabaster. Her lips quivered and parted, but no sound came out.

I gulped then called out in nervousness, "Mira?" I approached her.

Her eyes were dazed as she staggered and fell.

She looked at me with horror, "W…We are under an attack," she attempted to say, barely above a whisper.

My air was blocked in my throat. I felt Panicked and the room exploded. The Omegas shouted, tripping over one another as they ran to take shelter. My gut was knotted into a fist. “No. No, not today. It can't.” I muttered desperately to myself as I felt my body shook.

I turned again, shoving their screams out of my head, and sprinted.

I don't know what I thought I was going to see, but whatever it was would have been powerless to compare to what was before me.

I saw bodies.

Dead bodies of my people litter the ground everywhere. There was blood in the air. Warriors fought, swords glinting under pale moonlight, war whoops overwhelmed by screams of the dead.

My vision began to fade away, I felt short of breath.

This is not occurring. This cannot occur.

And then, when the world outside was crying, I turned to look and there he was.

Leo.

My guardian. My brother.

He stood tall Fighting amid the battle, his golden eyes burning with rage, his sword battle-fleeted with a glint of rage. But then I saw a figure emerge from the shadows.

My eyes opened in shock, I opened my mouth and tried to scream to alert him, but it felt like my voice was trapped in my throat as I watched the knife sliced into his chest.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. I instantly felt a part of me died.

I watch as my brother, Leo stumbled, his mouth wide with shock. His trembling hand extended toward the wound, red wetness on his fingers. And his golden eyes—golden eyes that I had only dreamed of our father having—met mine.

Hs muttered and it was surprising I could hear him, "S-Scarlett."

And he fell to the floor.

I watch him fall and then a noise torn from my throat.

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. My legs wouldn't budge as I ran wildly through the yard, searching for my father.

And then I saw him.

Him.

A figure over the battle, his arm wrapped around my father's neck. His Wind-blown raven-black hair streaming behind him, he was tall with his black eyes glinting with nothing but ices-hardened amusement.

My dad fought, claws tearing through the bruiser's arm, but the guy didn't even blink. He just smiled.

And then—

CRACK.

My dad's body hit the ground.

I closed my eyes and a raw, anguished scream ripped from my mouth.

My hands shook wildly as I stared wildly about dementedly, for something—someone—anything.

And then I saw him.

Simon. My friend.

His body was just feet in front of me, his throat torn open wide.

A sob constricted in my throat. “No. No. No. This isn't happening. Wake up, Moon Goddess, wake me. This is a dream.” I begged but the warm blood splattered against the ground below me screamed louder than any tale.

I clenched my teeth. My body shook, but no longer with fear but With anger.

I had lost them all. My pack! My mate! And my family!

I could sit and wait for death to claim me. Or—I could fight. It was obvious what I would choose.

There was a burning flame that blazed within me.

I turned around and dashed back in, the cries of the Omegas were ringing within my head but I didn't say anything, my hand didn't shake as I drew my sword from its scabbard, the solid feel of it warm and reassuring in my hand.

I looked at the sword and let you a cold smile, “I was not a pure child but I was the daughter of an Alpha and I wouldn't sit and wait for death, I would slay them all! That for me is the greatest belief.” I thought.

After taking my sword, I rushed out of the room and spurred back into the fight with my heart pounding like the war drum. My eyes were fixed on the man who had massacred my family.

I watched as he noticed me then he grinned at me while standing there in the ruin.

Something in me broke.

I hate him.

His eyes leaped into focus with mine, his face frozen in an expression of surprise before his face contorted into a twisted grin, crawling into position with painful slowness.

"Ahh," he said, his voice like some rich instrument."The little princess of the Furies pack.”He continued, And then—he licked his lips Slowly.

My eyes blaze in anger, and then feeling the gown was a disturbance, I snarled and ripped the hem of my dress off, baring my legs to fight.

His dark eyes grew more intense. His eyes blazed down to my flesh.

"Beastly pervert man!" I spat angrily with my fist clenched.

He laughed. "Feisty?" he gasped. "I approve."

And suddenly his eyes coldly changed when he saw me attack him.

The man sidestepped, his movement smooth, deliberate like he was provoking me which made me more angry.

I raised my hands to slap him, but he grasped my wrist and spun me around. My back slam with his chest, his woodsmoke and evil smell coiling around me.

He chuckled mischievously, "You're shivering," he gasped into my ear.

My spine crawled, but I elbowed him in the ribs. He flinched just a little. Instead, he spun me around so we stood facing each other, his fingers running along my cheek.

I slapped his hand aside. "Bastard!"

He grinned. "So beautiful, but with a devil's tongue."

I struck again. He grasped my sword with his naked hand.

I stared, shocked at what I was seeing.

And then I felt his mouth tracked across my nose, my cheek, and my lips.

I lay frozen, my lungs heaving for air.

"What—"

He held me pinned to him, his knee forcing itself between my thighs.

I thrashed, frantically trying to slam against his chest, but he would not release.

His fingertips caressed the length of my spine. "Still not going to quit?" He asked coldly which made me more angry.

“Quit?! Why would I? My people were gone!” Thinking about it, a furious roar came out of my throat, then I drew my sword an inch from his throat.

But he slipped past me too quickly.

A second and a half later I was on the ground with my leg around him, and with a hunched back over his chest as he pushed me there by effort short of its utmost strength.

"Enough," he panted, lips to my ear.

"You can't win."

I gasped a raw rasp, flames scouring my lungs. "I will kill you," I swore. "I will bring justice to my people," I said with hatred.

He laughed amused, "We'll see about that, kitty."

I was about to say something but then his fingers clicked hard against the side of my neck, and a whisper to his voice,

"Sleep."

My eyes widened in shock and before I could pass out, I heard his last words, “Gather them all! It's time to go.”

My heart was filled with horror, And then I fainted.