Chapter 3

Scarlett’s POV

FOUR WEEKS LATER

I stood at the base of the stairs, staring at the delicate trail of rose petals.

It should have made me smile.

But instead, I clutched my stomach, devastated.

Caleb was finally home—and he remembered today was our one-month anniversary. We were still waiting for the next full moon to officially tie the knot.

“Scarlett!” Demi called from behind, nudging my side playfully. “Look! Caleb must be home. He’s such a thoughtful man.”

I could count how many times I’d actually seen him this past month. He was always busy with Beta duties.

I missed him—terribly. But I also wasn’t sure what to do anymore.

I turned to face Demi, and when she saw the look on my face, her smile faded instantly. She reached out and cupped my cheek gently.

“What’s wrong?”

I had long accepted that she lived here now. Having someone who cared close by had felt like a blessing in disguise.

Since that awkward moment in the kitchen, she hadn’t looked at Caleb twice. Even when they passed each other in the hall, their interactions were curt—casual. I’d convinced myself it had just been my paranoia that day.

My fingers loosened around the test in my hand.

“I’m pregnant.”

Her eyes slowly dropped to the stick. Two red lines.

She stared at it for a long, quiet minute. Then a tear slipped down her cheek. Another followed.

My brows knitted in confusion. I stared at her, stunned.

“Demi… why are you crying?”

She wiped her tears with the heel of her palm, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I’m just so happy for you. After everything you’ve been through… this is the best news.”

I didn’t respond.

Instead, I looked down at the tiles beneath my feet, heart thudding with a feeling I couldn’t name.

“Don’t you think so?” Demi asked, her voice uncertain.

“What if Caleb doesn’t like that I’m pregnant? Will he leave me because I’m now a burden?” My lips quivered, and I had to purse them to hold back tears of my own.

Demi took my hands, tightening her grip on the one with the test. “You worry too much for nothing, sweetheart. Caleb… he cares for you.”

“I just don’t want to lose him.” I stared down again, and she tucked a loose strand behind my ear.

“Maybe it’s better to break the news after the wedding,” she smiled some more, and then wrapped her arms around me.

I clung to the comfort of her arms, grateful I wasn’t going through this alone.

“Just focus on showing him how much you trust him for now. Okay?”

I nodded.

Yes. I could do that.

I could show the man I loved that I trusted him with all of me—and that I was ready for this next step in our lives.

“Go on,” she said, pulling back with a gentle rub of my arms before finally letting go.

I glanced over my shoulder one last time before continuing up the stairs, following the trail of rose petals. My wolf was healed now, so I no longer needed a wheelchair, though the doctor had warned that I’d limp for the rest of my life.

The petals led me all the way to the rooftop.

Caleb was in the pool, a large tray of food floating beside him.

Even more roses were scattered around, in every shade. I had never seen so many flowers in my life. My heart softened at the sight.

“Hi.”

He swam to the edge and reached out for me, grinning from ear to ear.

“Hi.”

“Is spoiling me your hidden agenda?” I teased, narrowing my eyes playfully.

“I thought it was pretty obvious already,” he murmured, our fingers brushing lightly. “You look incredible, but I love seeing you naked even more.”

My cheeks ached from smiling. “Really? You want me walking around the house naked every day?”

“It’s morally questionable to blind everyone else in the house, Scarlett… but I’m tempted.”

I laughed, standing to shimmy out of my black, strap-handed bodycon dress, feeling the heat of his gaze trail over my skin.

I sat at the pool’s edge, dipping my legs into the water. Caleb moved between my thighs, brushing droplets off his face.

“How was your trip?” I asked, and just like that, his body went still.

“Went well,” he muttered after a short while, gripping the back of my legs. “Happy one month anniversary.”

“You were gone for a whole week. No calls. Nothing.”

He kissed the inside of my thigh quickly. “Forgive me, my love. It won’t happen again. I swear.”

I looked away, leaning back on my hands.

“How do I make it up to you?”

“Just make me happy for a long, long time. That’s all I want, Caleb.”

I shut my eyes, bathing in the crescent moonlight above.

“I’ll make you happy every day, Scar. Trust me.”

“I do.” My heart skipped a beat. I opened my eyes and sank deeper into the chilly water. “I trust you completely. In fact, to prove that I do…” I hooked my arms around his neck, remembering Demi’s words.

“I’ll tell you something no one else knows.”

Caleb raised a brow, shaking his head slightly, confused. “No… you don’t have to, not if it’s something meant to stay secret.”

“I want to. I trust you. You’re part of my life now—part of my family. And one day…” I smiled faintly. “We might lead the Fate Pack together.”

I kissed him deeply, a soft moan escaping as our mouths met, then pulled back to gaze at his handsome face.

“Our pack is nothing like you’re used to. Everything here is ancient, built around tradition,” I murmured, my fingers brushing his damp hair. “But… there’s something more. Something no one else knows.”

His jaw flexed as he listened, a small crease forming between his brows.

“My grandmother told me about it before she died. She said I must never share it unless I trusted someone with my whole heart.” My voice wavered slightly. “Caleb, I trust you.”

Caleb’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Scarlett, listen to me…” he said, his voice suddenly tight. He ran his fingers through my hair, gently caressing my cheek.

“She told me about the Crescent Seal… It’s the soul of the Fate pack. The one who holds it doesn’t just become Alpha—they become the pack itself.” I paused, drawing a breath. “It’s hidden beneath the Mating Stone, right under the old ceremonial hall in the pack house. No one outside the bloodline is supposed to know that.”

“Caleb, I believe in your love for me,” I paused, staring into his eyes. “My father may hate me now, but you’re my husband. You’re strong. And one day, you’ll wear the crown in my stead. He’ll accept you.”

That’s when Caleb pulled back abruptly. He ran a hand through his wet hair, and suddenly the air felt colder than the water around me.

“I need some time to think, Scarlett,” he muttered, avoiding my eyes. “Don’t wait up.”

He got out of the pool and walked away, leaving droplets behind him.

I stayed where I was, floating gently, arms spread in the rippling water.

Did I just say something wrong?

*

Hours later…

I went to bed really late after waiting up for him. I didn’t even realize when I drifted off—exhaustion had overtaken me after dinner. Pregnancy was already hitting me hard, even this early.

My alarm blared, pulling me from sleep.

The lights in the room were off. I stirred, trying to sit up—only to realize my arms were stretched above my head. I tried to move. My wrists… and ankles… were chained to the bed.

What the hell?

Panic slithered down my spine like ice water.

The lights snapped on.

Demi stepped into view, her face twisted in something cold and wicked. A cigarette dangled from her lips as she approached the bed.

“What… what are you doing?” I gasped, straining against the chains. “Demi, what is this?!”

“This is what you get for trying to steal my man,” she said smoothly.

“What…?” I choked out, breathless.

She laughed—loud, cruel, and unhinged. Smoke curled around her as she exhaled deliberately, filling the air with poison. I turned my head, fear for my baby clawing at my chest.

“Demi, please. That could hurt the baby—”

“Oh, don’t start with that weak act.” She rolled her eyes, smirking. “Put the pieces together, Scarlett. You’re not that stupid. Who do you really think Caleb is?”

“My husband,” I whispered, shaking.

She laughed even louder this time, a mocking cackle. “Wrong, you fool. He’s the Alpha of the Silver Pack. Your family’s sworn enemy. And I’m his Luna.”

My stomach dropped.

No. No. That couldn’t be true. His absences these past weeks—he told me it was for Ice Pack diplomacy. I had trusted him. I told him everything.

He loved me.

“As we speak,” she said, eyes gleaming with venom, “the Fate Pack is falling under his wrath. You made it so easy for us. The sweet, desperate little girl begging to be loved. You’re the reason your pack is gone now.”

Her words tore through me like blades. My chest ached. My heart shattered. Tears blurred my vision, hot and fast.

“Caleb would never do this,” I wheezed. “You’re lying.”

“Really?” She leaned in close, smirking as she flicked ash to the floor. “But it all started the day he pushed you off that cliff, Scarlett.”