Chapter 4: Smart mouth

The ride back to Shadowfang pack was in complete silence.

Scarlett was still in a state of shock, unable to think clearly, unable to process what just happened.

This wasn't a wedding. She had been gifted to a monster, one who would probably kill her once they reached his pack.

Beside her, Dylan's entire attention was on the compass he held. He kept staring at it, his eyes gleaming bright gold in the glare of the afternoon sun.

He didn't spare a single glance at Scarlett. He didn't even bother to know if she was comfortable. After all, he hated the entire human race. Just because he was marrying this one didn't mean he hated her any less.

An hour later, she couldn't bear the heat anymore. She felt hot and extremely thirsty.

"Can I have some water, please?" She asked.

For a moment, Dylan completely ignored her. He pocketed the compass and looked out the window, alert to his surroundings.

"I asked for some water..."

"Will you be quiet!" He snapped. "Gosh! You humans make me sick with your endless demands."

She almost let the insult slide, but she wasn't one to remain silent in that kind of situation.

"You're the one who's marrying me." She retorted. "If you despise humans so much, why am I here?"

"I wouldn't marry you if you were the last woman on earth and I was fucking horny."

"I wouldn't marry you if it would save my life." She spat back.

He laughed suddenly, a short, emotionless bark of laughter. "Oh, you have a smart mouth, don't you? I'm going to enjoy torturing you."

"You wouldn't dare." She remarked. "My father will kill you if you dare lay your filthy hands on me."

She turned away, muttering under her breath. Talking made her throat hurt, and Dylan didn't look like he was ready to give her any water.

Then a sound caught her attention. The swish of water.

She turned in time to find him lift a small jar of water and drink from it. Her thirst suddenly intensified as she watched him.

Dylan knew exactly what he was doing. He took a long drink from the jar and lowered it.

Then he suddenly held it out to her.

Scarlett looked at him in shock, then suspicion.

"What?" He snapped. "Didn't you ask for water a moment ago?"

She looked at the jar, then back at him. She suddenly didn't trust him. He just threatened to torture her, now he was handing her his water like he cared?

Seeing her hesitation, Dylan pulled back and started to tuck the jar into his pocket.

"I'll take it." She said quickly.

He threw her a sidelong glance, his golden eyes searching her face.

"What?"

Swallowing her pride, she stiffened her spine and looked at him. "I'll take the water. Please."

After a moment's hesitation, he handed her the jar.

She accepted it with a whispered thank you, failing to notice the sneer that appeared on his lips.

Unscrewing the cork, she lifted it and took a large gulp.

A second later, her eyes widened. It wasn't water. It was wine. A strong alcoholic wine.

She sputtered and spat out the wine, coughing hard as the alcohol burned a path down her throat and chest.

Dylan laughed cruelly, enjoying the sight of her watery eyes and flushed face.

"You humans are so gullible." He chuckled. "You couldn't even smell the wine. Pathetic."

Regaining her breath, Scarlett flung the jar out the carriage and wiped her mouth. She glared at Dylan for a moment, then turned and fixed her gaze out the window.

By the time they arrived at the pack three hours later, her throat felt dry and swollen. Every swallow hurt like hell, but her pride didn't allow her to ask for water again.

She had been fooled once. Never again.

Shadowfang pack wasn't what she expected. She had expected to see a tall castle, taller than her father's.

But there were just several cottages surrounding a magnificent mansion. A thick forest surrounded the pack, just like the one back in Eryndor.

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion and Dylan stepped out.

"Get out." He commanded.

Scarlett slowly stepped down beside him. The pack members stared at her like she was an alien who had been shipped out from outer space.

There were no friendly glances, no welcoming smile. They all glared at her with pure disgust.

Dylan suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her into the mansion. His grip was painfully tight, but she didn't utter a word. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her in pain.

She thought he would take her to their bedroom and prepare her for the wedding.

Instead, he dragged her up the stairs, down a series of passages, until he got to a locked door which he opened.

The interior of the room was dark, with a single bed and a chair.

He shoved her inside, slammed the door shut and locked it.

"Nooo!" She screamed. "Let me out of here!"

She banged her fists on the door until they bled. She screamed, hurling curses and insults at him until her voice turned hoarse.

It was all in vain. He didn't let her out.

Giving up, she collapsed on the floor and cried bitterly, cursing the day she met him.

Outside, Dylan strolled back to his bedroom with his beta, Jordan, hot on his heels.

"You shouldn't treat her that way, Dylan." He said, shutting the door behind him. "Yes, she's human, but she's royalty too. She deserves better."

"I don't give a rat's ass if she's royalty." Dylan snapped. "She will remain there until I release her."

"Why are you punishing her?" Jordan asked in exasperation. "Make me understand. What crime did she commit other than being your wife?"

Dylan looked up suddenly, his eyes narrowing. "Why are you so concerned about her, Jordan? Why?"

"I just think innocent people don't deserve to be treated badly." Jordan replied.

"Keep thinking that way until one of them stabs you in the back." Dylan sneered. "Just because they're humans doesn't mean they're stupid. They can turn on you at any moment."

He grabbed a rolled up parchment and looked up. "Gather the hunters and meet me at the east side border. We're going hunting. And issue an order that no one should release the human until I return."

Jordan couldn't disobey, not when Dylan used his Alpha voice.

"Yes, Alpha." He nodded.

...

Scarlett was tired of crying. She slowly rose to her feet and moved around the dark room. She had spotted a closed window earlier before Dylan shut the door.

She found it and unlocked it. Bright light and a whoosh of cool air blew into the room, making her feel somewhat better.

But she wasn't about to dwell in her depressed state. Her emerald eyes burned with determination.

She noticed that the room was in a secluded part of the pack. If she somehow found a way to escape through the window, she could slip over the surrounding wall and escape into the forest before anyone noticed she was gone.

An idea hit her instantly.

She ripped off the sheets on the bed and tied them into small knots. Then she tied one end to the bedfoot. The other end went out the window, reaching halfway.

"It will have to do." She muttered.

Hoisting her gown, she climbed out the window, holding on to the sheets tightly. She was already halfway down before she realized this was a bad idea.

The sheets ripped suddenly, leaving her suspended in the air for a millisecond before she plunged to the ground.

She fell with a heavy thud on her left arm. The sickening crunch of broken bone sounded, followed by blinding hot pain.

She screamed, loud and shrill, and the sound alerted the guards standing a few meters away.

She was in deep trouble.