Chapter 5

Scarlett's Point Of View

I barely slept that night. The deal with Zane was heavily on my mind, but what I wanted more was revenge, it was stronger than the fear that I felt inside me. My thoughts kept going back to Rand and Cassie, how they had betrayed me, how they had stolen everything from me. It was impossible to let go of the rage that burned inside me.

I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, the flickering light from the window casting long shadows on the walls. The silence of the Black Blood Pack could be felt even inside the room and around me, but inside, my thoughts were anything but quiet. My hand drifted to my stomach, where my child should have been. The pain of that loss was a constant reminder of why I couldn’t let this go.

Eventually, I rose from bed and paced the room. Luisa, my wolf, stirred restlessly within me, her anger was exactly like mine. She longed for vengeance just as much as I did. I had made a deal with Zane, but I knew that nothing would truly calm the storm inside me until Rand and Cassie paid for what they had done.

Dawn broke slowly, and the sky outside my window was a deep shade of blue, definitely different from what I felt within, I hadn’t realized how much time had passed. The deal was made, and there was no going back now. Zane would help me, but the curse I had no idea how I was supposed to break it, but I will help them, in as much as I get what I wanted in return.

I couldn’t stay in this room any longer. I needed answers, and I needed to understand what the curse was all about. I couldn't trust these people yet, I needed to understand what I had gotten myself into.

The witches were already awake by the time I arrived at their chamber. The air inside was thick with the scent of herbs and magic, and I could feel the power through the walls, in the very. Celine, Seraphina, and Lunaria were seated around a low table, their expressions unreadable as they worked silently.

They barely glanced up as I entered, but I felt their attention on me all the same.

"Celine," I said, my voice steady despite the panic l inside me. "I need to know more about the curse. I need to understand exactly what we’re dealing with."

Celine raised her head, her eyes sharp and knowing. "You’ve come to the right place, Scarlett. But understand this, breaking the curse won’t be simple. You carry the mark of the goddess, but that mark comes with responsibilities and consequences you may not be prepared for."

I stepped closer, the impact of her words settling on me. "I don’t care about the consequences. I need to know how to break it."

Lunaria spoke up then, her voice soft but filled with warning. "This curse is tied to Alpha Zane, yes, but it’s older than him. Darker. It was placed upon his bloodline by a powerful witch, one whose magic is deeply rooted in the earth. To break the curse, you’ll need to tap into the same power, dark magic."

"Dark magic?" I repeated, my stomach twisting. "But I’m not a witch. I have no power like that."

Celine’s gaze didn’t move. "The mark on your wrist is more than just a sign of the goddess’s favor. It’s a connection to that power. Whether you know it or not, Scarlett, you are capable of far more than you realize. But using that power comes at a cost."

I looked down at the mark on my wrist, the crescent moon faintly glowing against my skin. This mark had changed everything and tied me to a destiny I hadn’t asked for. But I couldn’t afford to be afraid of it now. I needed it if I was going to survive this, and if I was going to get my revenge.

"What cost?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Celine’s expression softened, but her eyes remained serious. "Once you tap into that magic, there will be no going back. It will change you, Scarlett. The darkness will become part of you, just as it became part of the curse. And it will not let you go easily."

A chill ran down my spine, but I shrugged my shoulders, pushing the fear aside. "I’ll do whatever it takes."

The witches exchanged glances, and for a moment, I thought they might refuse to help me, moreover isn't this what they wanted from me? But then Celine nodded.

"Very well," she said. "But remember this, when you walk the path of dark magic, you must always be aware of the line between control and trouble. Lose control, and the darkness will consume you."

I nodded, understanding everything she said. But I couldn’t afford to be afraid. The path ahead was dangerous, but I had no other choice.

*****

Zane's POV

I stood on the balcony of my chamber, the cool morning breeze brushing against my skin as I watched the sun rise over the forest. My thoughts were a mess, mixed with the growing bond I felt with Scarlett and the curse that had plagued my pack for generations. The mark on her wrist, the mark of the goddess, was supposed to be a sign of hope, but all I felt was something not so hopeful.

Dalton, my wolf, paced restlessly inside me, sensing my unease. "She’s ours," he growled. The bond is real"

I clenched my fists, trying to push the thoughts away. The bond with Scarlett was undeniable, but so was the bond I had with Rhylie. It didn’t make sense. How could I have two mates? The moon goddess had never allowed such a thing, and yet here I was, caught between two women, both marked by the goddess.

"Only one is real," Dalton said. “You know it. You’ve always known,"

Before I could argue with him, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Rhylie approaching, her expression cold. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders in a wavy manner, but there was something in her gaze that hadn’t been there before.

"Zane," she said, her voice soft but tense. "We need to talk."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "What is it, Rhylie?"

She stepped closer, her eyes searching mine. "You’ve been distant lately. Ever since Scarlett came, you’ve changed. You’re not the same."

Her words stung, but I couldn’t deny the truth in them. Scarlett had changed everything. The bond between us was stronger than anything I had ever felt, and it was pulling me toward her in ways I couldn’t control.

"I’m still trying to figure things out," I said "This curse... it’s more complicated than we thought. Scarlett’s the key to breaking it."

Rhylie’s eyes darkened, and I saw a flicker of anger in her gaze. "Scarlett’s dangerous, Zane. You’ve seen it yourself. The power she has... it’s tied to dark magic. And you’re getting too close to her."

I stiffened at her words. "She’s not dangerous. She’s trying to help, moreover what dark magic are you talking about "

"Help?" Rhylie laughed coldly. "She’s going to destroy everything, Zane. You’re blinded by this bond you think you have with her, but it’s not real. I’m your mate, not her,”

Her words hit hard, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond. Rhylie had been by my side for so long, and I had always believed she was my mate. But now, with Scarlett in the picture, everything was different.

"I don’t know what’s real anymore," I said quietly, my voice cold. "But I can’t turn my back on Scarlett. She’s part of this now."

Rhylie’s expression hardened, and she took a step back. "You’re making a mistake, Zane. And it’s going to cost you everything.”