Chapter 14   All Because of Moving Rooms

By now, everyone knew she had moved her quarters to the west wing of the palace, an area usually reserved for guests or those in seclusion. It looked as though Scarlett had chosen to isolate herself, punishing herself for some unknown reason.

 

Levi watched as a line of servants, including Mia, carried Scarlett’s daily belongings and supplies toward that section of the palace. He stood nearby with several young men Scarlett knew from the academy, including Damian.

 

“Why move your rooms all the way out here, Scarlett? Did Elder Marcus order you to?” Levi asked, his expression curious. “From what I know, these chambers are only used for seclusion and private prayer.”

 

“Are you going there to pray that Levi’s name is the one written on that sacred scroll? Come now, Scarlett. Everyone already knows you are going to choose him anyway. What more is there left to pray for?” one of the other men spoke up.

 

“Exactly. You should have just opened it right then and there…”

 

“No, you are wrong. She never even needed that ceremony in the first place. All she had to do was tell Elder Marcus that Levi was the only one she wanted. There was no need for all this exhausting drama.”

 

“Jason, Lucius, and you too, Blake. Last I checked, you are all future Alphas as well. Why do you speak as if Levi is the only Alpha in the entire kingdom?” Scarlett countered, stating a fact that slapped each of them right in the face.

 

Their faces paled instantly, shifting in discomfort. ‘Damn it! She is right,’ they thought almost in unison. Scarlett responded with a faint, mocking smile.

 

“You people always speak with absolute certainty about things you know nothing about. If Levi were the only future Alpha in this land, I would have skipped the ceremony entirely and appointed him directly. However…” Scarlett paused deliberately, folding her arms across her chest.

 

“There are so many packs in this kingdom, each with their own young Alphas, and many of them are worthy of my consideration. That is exactly why I need this ritual, to make things fair and just. Are you three not also Alphas from your own packs?” Scarlett sneered coldly, her gaze moving critically over the four men standing before her.

 

“That is, of course, unless you feel you are not worthy enough, or capable enough, to be chosen by the Moon Goddess for me.”

 

“The Moon Goddess chooses the man whose name is spoken within your prayers and your memories, Scarlett!” Levi interrupted, stepping closer to her to close the distance between them. He noticed the shift in attitude among his friends and moved to regain control.

 

“And you all know perfectly well whose name Scarlett calls out in her prayers! Do not even begin to entertain other ideas!” Levi growled, glaring fiercely at his three companions.

 

‘You talk as if you are absolutely certain it is yours, Levi,’ Scarlett laughed silently inside.

 

“Besides, that sacred scroll already bears a name that no one in this world can ever change,” Levi added, his face hard and tight with suppressed anger, as if they were all trying to steal what belonged to him.

 

Once again, Scarlett held back a cold smile. “You are right, Levi. In my prayers, I always speak the name that lives in my heart, the name of the man I love most dearly. I only hope that the name written there is truly the one I asked for. And I hope with all my heart that he loves me sincerely in return.”

 

Levi broke into a wide, arrogant grin. “Scarlett, come now. Do not humiliate yourself further in front of us. You do not need to rush to confess your love to me right here and now. Just be patient and wait until the day of the binding ritual, when the name is finally read aloud.”

 

Levi reached out to take hold of her arm, but Scarlett slipped away gracefully. She suppressed an amused laugh behind her lovely face, shaking her head ever so slightly.

 

“I thought I was the one who was sick and in need of healing tonics. But clearly, you are the one who needs far more medicine than I do. Your confidence has grown completely out of proportion. I am afraid even Great Healer Vale himself might not be able to cure you of it, Levi.”

 

Scarlett laughed openly and walked away down the corridor.

 

“Scarlett, you…” Levi growled in fury. He noticed his friends looked shocked by her words, and then began laughing at him.

 

“I think this is just her newest way of getting your attention, Levi. But honestly, I was surprised by how she answered. She is not nearly as foolish as she pretends to be,” Jason said, looking genuinely taken aback.

 

“That is true. I actually found myself hoping for a moment that my own name might be written on that parchment. After all, I am an Alpha too, leader of the Blackshadow Pack,” Blake chimed in. Levi simply smiled back, mocking him silently.

 

Scarlett ignored their banter and continued walking until she passed Damian. He was standing leaning casually against a pillar, not far from Levi and his group. She knew he had heard and observed everything.

 

She stopped right in front of him on purpose. She knew Levi was watching them because the conversation behind her stopped abruptly.

 

“Damian, thank you again for coming to visit me earlier,” Scarlett said softly, keeping her voice low so Levi could not overhear.

 

Damian looked at her intently. “It was nothing. I happened to have free time.”

 

“Very well then. I will be on my way.”

 

“Wait.” Damian stopped her before she could take another step away.

 

“Why have you locked yourself away in the prayer chambers? Did the Elder punish you for delaying the opening of the scroll?”

 

Damian’s question made Scarlett fall silent for a long moment. Before she could answer, Levi hurried over and stepped firmly between Scarlett and Damian.

 

“Damian, stay out of things that do not concern you. You were the very one who said there was no need to make a fuss over the delay. Why are you now pressing Scarlett for answers? Are you trying to convince her to change the name written there?”

 

Damian frowned deeply. “Change it?”

 

He let out a cold breath. “Levi, why are you so terrified that someone might change the name? Everyone knows it cannot be altered. Doing so would be the same as trying to rewrite fate itself. And tell me, why do you speak as if you know for certain that it is your name written there?”