Chapter 5 Yes or No

Scarlett's POV

I waited until the sound of the door completely closing had faded before speaking.

"Hello, Alpha Lucien."

"I hear you need my help?" That voice was low and magnetic, carrying a kind of casual composure, as if nothing in the world could cause him pressure. "Let's hear it."

"Your sister should have already told you the basic situation," I responded cautiously.

"I'd rather hear it from your own mouth."

I could almost imagine him at that moment, leisurely leaning back in a high-backed chair, casually toying with some object in that languid posture, using this unhurried tone to patiently wait for me to speak first, just to hear my predicament.

But there was no time to spar with him now.

I chose to cut straight to the point: "My mate, Alexander, has completely betrayed me. He brought back his old lover, who is already pregnant, and he intends to let this outsider woman's child inherit the pack my father left behind."

I paused for a second, struggling to push the most difficult words from my dry throat: "More seriously, when I woke up this morning, I discovered I can no longer sense my wolf soul at all."

Yes, just this morning, no matter how I called out, Kara no longer responded.

God knows I hadn't planned to tell anyone this, but somehow, I had the feeling that nothing could be hidden from this man.

The phone fell into brief silence, then came a light laugh with no warmth in it: "This is the man you chose."

I knew he was referring to my refusal of the marriage alliance, insisting on marrying Alexander instead.

This was an obstacle I had anticipated before begging for his help, but I also had sufficient bargaining chips.

"Lucien, I'm the one asking for your help, so you can mock me all you want. But you should also know I have leverage—my father's complete network of allied relationships, detailed records of Alexander's unauthorized misappropriation of pack assets, and several important external treaties signed entirely in my personal name. Those partners only recognize my personal signature, not his official seal. Even if I'm formally stripped of my Luna title, these treaties remain completely legally valid. You understand better than anyone the true value and utility of these precious resources and information. As long as you help me, I can accept any conditions."

"Really?"

I was confused by this seemingly random inquiry and paused: "What?"

"I mean," his voice carried a dangerous undertone, "really any conditions?"

A man, to a woman, with such naked implication—what could I possibly not understand?

Instantly, anger flared like wildfire in my chest:

"Lucien, I'm not here to make that kind of sordid deal with you. If you're treating this serious matter as some kind of game, then please don't waste each other's time."

Deathly silence lasted exactly five seconds, oppressive enough to make me wonder if my words had been too harsh.

Then he spoke again, his tone noticeably changed, with an unexpected sincerity:

"You now, showing your claws so fearlessly, are much more formidable than that little girl in the forest depths holding a wooden practice sword all those years ago."

I chose not to respond to that obviously nostalgic remark.

"Straight answer, yes or no," I said bluntly. "Give me a clear answer. The lofty position and powerful strength you possess today absolutely required my father's generous assistance when you needed it most—we both know this debt well. And if I can successfully reclaim Alpha authority and become the first female Alpha in werewolf history, this would be nothing but beneficial for the Nightshade Pack's future territorial expansion plans."

Another silence, this one relatively shorter.

"Never mind all that. Remember to start practicing swordwork again," he said suddenly, his tone becoming casual as if mentioning some completely trivial daily matter. "The first thing I'll do after arriving is personally check your swordsmanship."

After saying this, without another word, he hung up directly.

I stared blankly at the phone screen that had gone black again, stunned for two full seconds.

Though his words were baffling, I knew he had agreed.

Alpha Lucien Nightshade, that powerful Alpha who wielded absolute influence throughout the northern regions, had really agreed to help me just that simply.

I placed my phone back on the desk and stood up, walking to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

I gazed out at the vast territory beyond—land that had once belonged to my father and should still belong to me.

Though Kara remained silent in the depths of my consciousness, I could feel a faint response, as if she too was waiting for a chance to reawaken.

This war had only just begun, and I had already found the most powerful ally.

He's right—it's time for me to take up my sword.