Chapter 3 Marking Territories

Scarlett's POV

When I woke up again, the familiar scent of disinfectant rushed into my nose. The pack's hospital—I had lost count of how many times I'd ended up here. Through the hospital window, a faint ray of sunlight streamed in, cold and distant, mirroring the state of my heart.

The sound of a chair scraping against the floor jolted me. I turned my head and saw Coby's anxious face. He looked exhausted, his golden hair messy, and his gray-blue eyes filled with unmistakable worry.

"Scarlett, you're finally awake," he let out a breath of relief and gently held my hand. "How are you feeling?"

"What happened? Why am I in the hospital?" I asked in confusion. The mark on my neck was still burning hot.

"You fainted at the packaging plant. Ruby found you and contacted me," Coby explained, his voice laced with concern.

Memories from last night came flooding back—Alexander and Faye showing up again. After I explained everything to the council, I thought they would help me. Among all supernatural species, werewolves valued the mate bond above all else. It was the very reason we had remained strong for so long.

But Alexander no longer cared about that. His pack was now second only to Nightshade. He could do whatever he wanted. I guessed the pressure finally got to me, and I collapsed.

I felt Coby's concern wrap around me like a blanket. Forcing a faint smile, I shook my head, though guilt welled up from deep inside me. "I'm sorry… for worrying you again, Coby."

His face tightened, brows furrowed. "You don't need to apologize to me. Alexander is the one who should be apologizing. No Alpha treats their mate this way—this is a betrayal of our species' most sacred vow."

I let out a soft sigh and closed my eyes for a moment. The cold faces of the council members surfaced in my mind again. "But the council won't get involved. Alpha Reno made it clear—they don't interfere with internal pack matters."

Coby clenched his jaw, fists tightening. "So we're just supposed to sit here and watch them destroy you?"

No! I suddenly thought of Kathleen's brother—Lucien.

His eyes came to me instantly: deep, intense, and always tinged with a possessive fire. "I'll reach out to the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack. Lucien."

"Nightshade Pack? You mean the Alpha of the most powerful pack in the country would support us?" Coby asked, visibly shocked.

But I remembered the one and only time we'd met, and doubt crept in. I shook my head lightly. "I'm not sure. He's never shown me any special treatment, not even as Kathleen's best friend. He's always kept his stance… unclear."

Coby fell silent, running a nervous hand through his hair. "Still, we have to try."

"Yes. Once I'm discharged, I'll contact Kathleen. She might be able to help us." I nodded with conviction.

Just as the words left my mouth, the door was suddenly pushed open. Faye strolled in uninvited, dressed in a maternity gown, one hand gently caressing her belly, a hypocritical smile plastered on her face. Coby's expression darkened instantly. He didn't even bother standing up to acknowledge her—he simply ignored her.

Faye's smile faltered for a split second, then twisted into something sharper. "Coby, are you seriously ignoring me? Don't forget who I am."

Coby scoffed coldly. "Who you are? A homewrecker with a lover's title? What kind of identity is that worth respecting?"

But Faye didn't get angry—at least not outwardly. She wore her mask well.

She smiled sweetly at him. "I only want peace, Coby. We're all part of the same pack now. Or… at least, some of us still are."

"Tell me you're fucking kidding," Coby snapped, the veins in his arm bulging. I immediately reached out to stop him. "Coby, don't get into trouble for me."

He looked at me reluctantly, then stood up with a grunt of frustration and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The room fell silent. I turned to Faye with an icy stare. "What are you doing here?"

She placed her hand on her belly again and said softly, "I came to share good news, of course. You remember I said I had stomach pain yesterday? Alexander was so worried—he said this was his only pup, so he had to be sure nothing was wrong. But the doctor just confirmed—our pup is perfectly healthy."

My fingers gripped the sheets. I didn't know why I could never conceive with Alexander. My silence only fed Faye's confidence.

She raised her voice dramatically. "Oh, Luna Scarlett, you don't need to feel guilty for not being able to bear children. I'll do it for you. After all, Alexander and I were mates once. Our pup will be strong. He'll grow to be the best heir."

Outside the room, I noticed members of the pack listening. Their expressions flickered, as if her words made a bit too much sense. I felt the weight of their eyes, and my heart sank further.

I curled my lips into a calm smile. "Faye, you're so thoughtful. Thank you for taking on such a big responsibility. But I do worry about you, you know? Not long ago, a similar situation happened in the Northern Pack. The Alpha brought back a pregnant mistress. But once the child was born, she was cast out. She had no real place—just a womb. I hope you're luckier than she was."

Faye's smile froze. Her expression shifted ever so slightly—clearly, she hadn't expected me to fight back using her own tactics. Her eyes darkened with a flicker of resentment.

Suddenly, she clutched her belly and collapsed with a cry. The door burst open. Alexander stormed in, fury written all over his face.

"Alexander… Luna… she—she used her pheromones on me… my stomach…" Faye whimpered weakly, pitifully. "I told you—I got pregnant for the good of the pack, not to take her Luna title. But she's so angry, she wants me dead…"

Alexander dropped to the floor beside her, cradling her protectively in his arms. He turned to me with a glare that could slice skin. "Scarlett, are you insane? You attacked a pregnant woman?!"

The blow to my chest felt literal. I could barely breathe. "You'd rather believe her over your own mate?"

Alexander's eyes were sharp and cold. "How can I believe you? Haven't your actions been unhinged lately? Scarlett, stop pushing me—before I lose every last bit of patience I have for you!"

He scooped Faye into his arms and stormed out, kicking the door open in rage.

Outside, the wolves' murmurs picked up again.

"I mean, we really do need pups, especially now that we're the second-ranked pack. That's going to attract more enemies…"

Alexander heard it. His spine stiffened. He turned toward me.

"Take Luna Scarlett back to the packaging plant. Until I say otherwise, she's not allowed near Faye."

With that, his Gamma, Carson, stepped forward. "Luna, please come with me."

I clenched my fists. I had to contact Lucien—fast. If I didn't, my situation would only worsen.

I yanked out the IV, ignoring the stares from the others, stood up, and followed Carson out of the room—ready to fight.