CHAPTER 6

Scarlet’s POV

The sterile smell of the pack hospital clung to my senses, sharp and bitter, mixing with the ache in my chest that hadn’t dulled since Alpha Devon’s rejection.

My back throbbed, the cuts and bruises a cruel reminder of my place in this pack—a slave, a murderer, an outcast. But hearing Alpha Devon claim me as his after rejecting me? That was a new kind of torment.

My heart twisted, caught between confusion and the faint, traitorous pull of the mate bond that still lingered, even after his cruel words.

Alpha Luther’s eyes burned with fury as he stood between me and Devon, his broad frame radiating protectiveness.

“You don’t get to call her yours,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Not after what you did. Not after what your pack did to her.”

Devon’s forest-green eyes narrowed, his jaw tight.

“She’s still a member of the Bloodmoon pack, Luther. You don’t get to waltz in here and make demands.”

I struggled to sit up, wincing as pain shot through my body.

The thin hospital sheet slid down, exposing the tattered remains of my clothes. I clutched it to my chest, my cheeks burning with shame.

“I’m not yours,” I whispered, my voice hoarse but firm, locking eyes with Devon. “You made that clear when you rejected me.”

His gaze flickered, something unreadable passing through it—regret, maybe, or just wounded pride.

“You don’t understand, Scarlet. This isn’t about—”

“Enough!” Luther snapped, stepping closer to Devon, his fists clenched.

“You don’t get to toy with her. I’m taking her to the Silvermoon pack, where she’ll be treated like a person, not a punching bag.”

Devon’s lips curled into a sneer.

“You think you can just take what belongs to me? You’re a guest here, Luther. Don’t overstep.”

“Belongs to you?” I spat, my voice trembling with anger I hadn’t known I could muster.

“You bought me for a hundred bronze coins, Alpha Devon. You called me a murderer. A weak omega. You rejected me. I’m not your property!”

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging heavy.

Devon’s face hardened, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something softer—guilt, perhaps.

Luther turned to me, his expression softening.

“Scarlet, you don’t have to stay here. Come with me. The Silvermoon pack will protect you.”

I looked between them, my heart pounding.

Luther’s sincerity warmed me, a stark contrast to Devon’s cold rejection. But the mate bond, that cursed thread tying me to Devon, pulsed faintly, making my chest ache.

Why did it still hurt? Why did I still feel something for the man who’d shattered me?

Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Isabelle stormed in, her eyes blazing.

“What is going on here?” she demanded, her gaze darting from Devon to me, then to Luther.

Her lips twisted into a scowl when she saw me on the hospital bed.

“Why is she still causing trouble?”

“Isabelle,” Devon said sharply, stepping forward. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“Doesn’t concern me?” Her voice rose, shrill and venomous.

“She’s a slave, Devon! A murderer! And now she’s got you and your guest fighting over her like she’s some prize? This is ridiculous!”

Luther’s growl rumbled low in his chest.

“Watch your tongue, Isabelle. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer to him, her posture defiant.

“Oh, I know exactly what’s going on. You’re both making fools of yourselves over a worthless omega. She’s nothing but trouble, and I won’t stand for it!”

“Enough, Isabelle!” Devon barked, his alpha aura flaring, making the air feel heavy.

Even I felt the weight of it, my wolf whimpering in my head.

Isabelle flinched but didn’t back down, her lips pursed in a tight line.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

The pain, the accusations, the tug-of-war over my fate—it was too much.

“Stop it!” I shouted, my voice cracking as I pushed myself up, ignoring the searing pain in my back.

“All of you, just stop! I’m not a thing to be fought over! I’m a person, and I’m done being your pawn!”

The room went still again.

Luther’s eyes softened, and he took a step toward me, his voice gentle.

“Scarlet, I’m sorry. I just want to protect you.”

Devon’s gaze burned into me, intense and unreadable.

“You’re not leaving this pack, Scarlet. Not until I say so.”

My chest tightened, anger and despair warring within me.

“Why, Devon? You rejected me. You made it clear I’m nothing to you. Why do you care if I leave?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it, his jaw clenching.

For a moment, I thought he might say something real, something that would explain the storm in his eyes.

But then Isabelle spoke, her voice dripping with venom.

“Because he’s too proud to let his property go, that’s why. Isn’t that right, Devon?”

Devon’s head snapped toward her, his eyes flashing with anger.

“Isabelle, get out.”

Her mouth fell open, shock and hurt flickering across her face.

“What? You’re siding with her over me?”

“I said get out!” Devon roared, his alpha command unmistakable.

Isabelle hesitated, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

The echo lingered, heavy and final.

Luther turned to me, his voice low.

“Scarlet, you don’t have to decide now, but I meant what I said. The Silvermoon pack will welcome you. You’ll be safe there.”

I nodded weakly, my mind spinning.

The idea of leaving the Blood Moon pack, of escaping Devon’s cruelty and Isabelle’s schemes, was tempting.

But the mate bond, faint as it was, tethered me to Devon, and I hated it.

I hated him for making me feel this way, for rejecting me and still claiming me like I was his to control.

Devon stepped closer, his voice quieter now, almost strained.

“Scarlet, I… I didn’t mean for things to go this far. But you can’t leave. Not yet.”

“Why not?” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “What do you want from me, Devon?”

He didn’t answer, his gaze dropping to the floor.

The silence was deafening, and in that moment, I realized something: Devon didn’t know what he wanted. Not really.

And I wasn’t sure I could wait for him to figure it out.

Luther placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me.

“Rest, Scarlet. We’ll talk more when you’re stronger.”

As he and Devon left the room, their voices fading into heated whispers down the hall, I sank back onto the hospital bed, my body trembling.

Blair whimpered in my head, torn between the mate bond and the promise of safety with Luther.

I didn’t know what to do, but one thing was clear: I couldn’t stay in this pack, caught between Devon’s cruelty and Isabelle’s schemes.

I needed to find a way out—before it was too late.