Chapter 7 Chapter 7 A Taste of Triumph

Scarlett

When my blade touched his shoulder, his smile disappeared-and from that moment, the game began.

He lunged at me. I dodged quickly. Too quickly. The crowd erupted in cheers. His fist sliced through where I had been standing. I slammed the hilt of my sword into his ribs-hard. He growled, swung his sword low, but I leapt up, driving my elbow hard into his chin. He stumbled. Swung again-I blocked, twisted, and drove my knee into his gut. He crashed to the ground. As he tried to rise, I stepped on his chest and raised my sword.

I commanded boldly, "Yield."

And he did.

A shout rang out. The circle broke. My veins still pumped with adrenaline. My pack surrounded me, pride written across their faces. They smiled and nodded-I swallowed them all whole.

I felt even prouder when some comrades clapped me on the back, and others bowed their heads in respect.

"It's freezing," Kain muttered with a crooked grin as he stood up.

"Only cruelty gets results," I replied, wiping sweat from my brow. "Now we can finally use all the equipment. No more drawing lines in the sand. No more facing second-rate wolves."

I turned to face the others. "From today forward, every warrior, every omega, every wolf in this pack has equal right to this field. Anyone who disrespects this law-no matter your bloodline or rank-will face my punishment. Including exile."

The silence that followed was brief-then cheers erupted once more around me.

As I looked into the faces of my people, I felt, for a fleeting second, what my father must have felt standing on this very field. A leader. A guardian. A threat.

My father. The thought brought a sharp ache.

He should've been proud. If illness hadn't taken him-if grief hadn't broken him after my mother died-he would still be leading us. Strong. Unyielding.

But now, our numbers were dwindling. My unit was dying.

I couldn't let that happen.

I needed to see Lucien. Now.

Only he could speak with Damon-the northern enforcer-and convince him to dissolve this ridiculous arranged marriage. I wouldn't marry for politics.

I still had a future to fight for.

~

"Kain," I said sharply.

He was already beside me, sensing the shift in my mood. "What's the plan?"

"We need to talk. Not here." I looked around and saw a few of Alexander's allies still lingering nearby, watching us.

He nodded. "Café?"

"Perfect," I answered.

We strolled through the village, past shops and restaurants, the sunlight warming our backs-but it couldn't melt the ice in my heart.

As soon as we entered the café, I pulled Kain into a booth at the back.

I didn't want to be overheard.

"I need you to spy on Alexander's meeting with Lucien tomorrow."

Kain blinked. "Wait, what?"

"I need to meet Lucien alone. But Alexander will do everything he can to stop me-just like he did at the celebration. He'll find any way to keep me out of sight, especially around Lucien."

Kain looked conflicted, but only for a moment. "You want me to spy on the Alpha."

I nodded. "I want your eyes on him. Anything you see, you tell me. It must stay secret."

Kain shot to his feet, eyes burning with fierce excitement and rage, nearly shouting, "I've waited for this day! Our queen is finally returning!"

His voice rang so loud it seemed to shake the entire café.

He clenched his fists, locking eyes with mine with solemn intensity.

"Luna-no, my Alpha. If you permit me, I would even cut off my own head and lay it before you to prove my loyalty!"

I was shaken by his passion, tears stinging behind my eyes.

I quickly grabbed his hands and held them tightly.

"No, Kain. I don't need your sacrifice-I need you beside me in battle. I swear, this time, I will never abandon my people again."

His gaze burned with conviction as he nodded hard.

"To the death, until victory."

~

I had just gotten home when my phone rang.

Alexander. I hissed and rolled my eyes.

I stared at the screen, waiting for two rings before picking up.

"What now?"

"What the hell are you doing?" His voice was full of rage. "Showing off in front of the entire training ground? Undermining the team? Are you trying to win them over?"

I let out a cold laugh. "I'm trying to prevent a civil war. Or did you forget you're still the Alpha of this pack?"

"Don't push me, Scarlett. You've gone too far."

"No, Alexander. Letting Faye waltz in here and allowing this madness to continue-that's what's gone too far. She's forgotten your duty. I'm the daughter of an Alpha. The Alpha of the Winter Pack. I'm not putting up with this circus."

"Scarlett!" he shouted.

I laughed, mocking him, even though I knew I was provoking him to hit me. "The pack's lost faith in you. Next time the rogues attack, your little scraps of authority won't save us. Because we'll all be dead."

Silence. A long one. Then, he lowered his voice. "You still love me."

I froze.

He wasn't asking. He was stating.

"I saw the way you looked at me," he murmured. "That night. that bond, it still ties us together. You still love me."

Damn it.

He wasn't wrong. I had felt it that night.

Hadn't he ignored me? Clung to that bitch instead?

What does it matter what he felt? I wasn't going to be some quiet, obedient Luna.

"You'll always be mine," he added, voice rough like stone. "Whether you fight it or not."

My throat went dry. "You don't get to say that."

"Don't I?" His footsteps echoed suddenly. "Then tell me to leave. Right now."

I turned-and almost crashed into him.

He had been outside the whole time, listening, waiting. I started to back away.

Before I could react, his hand gripped the back of my neck, and his lips crushed into mine.

That bond-of betrayal-ignited through my veins like wildfire. I gasped. The contact burned.

I should've pulled away.

But I didn't.

I hated that I didn't.

My body remembered him. Every touch. Every whisper. Every lie.

His kiss tasted of anger and desperation. But before he could take it further, he pulled away-his eyes darker now, stormed and dazed.

"Don't forget who you belong to," he whispered.

I slapped him.

Hard.

His head jerked to the side, but he didn't retaliate. Just stared at me.

I knew his Beta was calling him through the mind-link. Something urgent was about to happen-if it hadn't already.

He cursed, stepping back. "This isn't over."

"You're damn right it's not," I hissed. "It's only just beginning."

He stormed off, every step dripping with rage.

~

I was still shaking when my phone buzzed again.

A message from Cain.

Lucien arrives tomorrow. His pack is already clearing out the old packing plant.

I stared at the words.

Lucien. Why? I thought his last message meant refusal-so why had he changed his mind?

I didn't have time to wonder.

My heart thudded wildly. I forced myself to stay calm. I needed this meeting. I needed him to hear from me-not from Alexander. Not from Faye's venomous lies. From me.

This was my only chance to save my people, reclaim my power, and end this game before it consumed us all.

I wouldn't let anyone stop me.

Not even Alexander.