Chapter 3

Scarlett’s Pov

The lab was quiet and empty when I arrived, exactly how I liked it.

I had converted the office into my workspace months ago and it still smelled like fresh wood and chemicals that had not yet been used to their full potential.

I pulled up my research files on the computer and got straight to work, but before I touched anything else I did something I should have done a long time ago.

I copied every single piece of research data I had, every formula and result including the failed experiments and what I learned from it, onto a separate drive.

The data was still rough, but it was mine. Every page of it came from my brain and my hands and my sleepless nights and I was not leaving a single line of it behind for Killian when I walked out of his life.

I tucked the drive into my coat pocket and went back to my notes.

I had barely settled when the door swung open.

Killian walked in with a frown already on his face, Tiffany half a step behind him, scanning the room like she was taking inventory. Killian barely glanced at me before he started yapping.

“The council has requested an update on the silver poison drug. I need your latest results and the current formula on my desk by tomorrow.” He paused and when he spoke again his voice changed into something that was supposed to sound generous. “Once the drug is ready and we get council approval, I will hold a proper Luna ceremony for you. You have my word.”

His words. I almost laughed.

Tiffany stepped forward in her funny looking outfit. “Scarlett, the council does not like to be kept waiting. Whatever personal feelings you have right now need to be set aside because this affects all of Silver Moon, the entire pack, not just you.”

I looked at both of them and looked for the best word to say to hurt their feelings.

“I cannot do it,” I said.

Killian’s frown deepened. “What do you mean you cannot?”

“Did I speak Chinese? I mean I cannot.” I stretched out the ‘cannot’ dramatically and set my pen down.

“If the two of you are in such a hurry, let Tiffany handle the research and development. She seems very invested in the outcome.” I picked up my bag and turned toward the door.

Killian moved fast, he stepped in front of me and grabbed my arm.

“Scarlett, stop. Just tell me what you need. Whatever it is, name it.”

I looked down at his hand on my arm with disgust on my face and he immediately let go. I wiped my arm slowly.

“This lab is not conducive, it’s too small,” I said. “The equipment is outdated and I cannot focus properly when I’m in here. I need a new facility, somewhere I can work without……interruption, I said, gesturing at both of them.”

“Fine,” he said immediately. “Where do you want to set it up? I will handle it.”

“I will handle it myself,” I said. “I just need the funds transferred to my account.”

“How much?”

“Fifty million.” But I need an extra ten million for labor.

The room went completely silent. Killian stared at me. Behind him Tiffany actually staggered back a step, her eyes going wide like I had just asked for the entire moon.

“Did you see a ghost honey?” I asked her pleasantly.

Her mouth opened and closed.

“Fifty,” Killian repeated.

“Fifty, but let’s not forget the extra ten for labor so we are saying sixty” I said. “If that is too much then I suppose the research stops here and you can explain that to the council yourself, goodluck.”

I turned and walked toward the door again. I counted silently. Three, two, one…..

“I will transfer it now,” Killian said.

Tiffany grabbed his arm. “Killian, fifty million is too much, she is taking advantage of you, you cannot just…..”

“Enough.” He shook her off without looking at her and pulled out his phone. “Whatever makes her comfortable. The drug is worth ten times that amount.”

My phone buzzed as the transfer came through. At the same moment a message came in from my Delta, Mira.

The Valley Wolf Pack is selling one of their properties. Thought you should know. Also, there is a seller moving rare Moongrass. It’s thirty million but it will not last long.

I read it twice and allowed myself a small smile.

Moongrass. The rarest ingredient in the entire silver poison antidote. In my previous life on this day, I had gone on my knees to Killian asking him to buy it and he had looked me in the face and told me to find cheaper alternatives. I had spent months working around it and improvising, and the formula suffered for it.

Not this time.

I replied to Mira immediately. Buy the property and secure the Moongrass. Both. I would sort the details when I arrived.

Without Moongrass and without me, Killian could search for that formula until the end of time and find nothing. Let him try.

I spent the rest of the afternoon at the Valley Pack property, walking through the space, planning exactly how to set it up. By the time I got back to the house I was in a genuinely good mood for the first time in what felt like years.

Killian was in the sitting room with Tiffany, their heads joined close together like evil twins. They pulled apart when I walked in.

“Scarlett.” Killian sat up straight. “I need to talk to you about something. The yearly Spring Gathering is in three days.” It’s an annual grand event for the wolf…..

“I know what the Spring Gathering is.”

“I was thinking of taking Tiffany this year. You are always busy in the lab and I did not think you would want to—”

“I am coming,” I said.

He blinked. “Sorry?”

“I am your Luna, Killian. Every Alpha attending that gathering will have their Luna beside them. If you walk in with a Beta’s daughter instead of me, what exactly do you think that says about Silver Moon?” I let that sit for a second. “And from what I hear, the Lycan King Dominic will be there this year. I am sure he would find it very interesting.”

Killian’s expression shifted. I watched him think it through, weigh it, and arrive at the only conclusion that served him.

“You are right,” he said. “You will come with me.”

Tiffany opened her mouth. Killian looked at her and she closed it.

“What about me, Killian?” she finally managed.

“Sit at home, Tiffany,” he said, and turned back to me.