Chapter 10 A Deadly Plot

Scarlet's POV

The evening air was cool, but Scarlet felt nothing but unease as she sat quietly in the garden, absentmindedly plucking at the petals of a flower. It had been another long, lonely day in the pack. No one spoke to her unless necessary, and Alpha Everett still refused to acknowledge her existence. She had accepted the isolation, but deep down, something in her ached for freedom, true freedom, not just the illusion of it.

Just as she was lost in thought, the sound of footsteps approaching made her look up. Bella.

Scarlet straightened slightly, watching as the older woman approached with a knowing smile. There was something unsettling about Bella, something that always put Scarlet on edge. But she had learned to mask her feelings well.

Bella gestured for the maid who had been tending to Scarlet to leave them. Once they were alone, she sat beside Scarlet, her smile unwavering.

"I have something important to discuss with you," Bella said, her tone smooth and deliberate.

Scarlet frowned slightly but nodded. "What is it?"

Bella leaned in, lowering her voice. "It's about Everett."

Scarlet's stomach twisted. "What about him?"

Bella studied her for a moment before sighing. "You must have realized by now that you'll never be truly accepted here. Everett doesn't want you near him, and the pack sees you as an outsider. You are nothing more than a pawn in a game you don't understand."

Scarlet remained silent. She knew this already.

Bella continued, her voice taking on a more urgent tone. "Everett needs to die."

Scarlet's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. "What?"

Bella's expression didn't waver. "You heard me, Scarlet. He needs to die. And you are the best person to make that happen."

Scarlet shook her head in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

Bella let out a quiet chuckle. "I have never been more serious. Everett only accepts things from those he trusts, and though he treats you like nothing, you are still the closest person to him in this pack. You are his wife. If anyone can slip poison into his food or drink without raising suspicion, it's you."

Scarlet stood abruptly, stepping away from Bella as if she had been burned. "You want me to poison him?"

Bella nodded. "Yes."

Scarlet's heart pounded against her chest. The very idea made her sick. She had been forced into this marriage, ignored and treated like an outcast, but even then, she couldn't imagine doing something so horrible.

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why do you want him dead?" He is your son."

Bella's face darkened. "He is not my son. He is a monster. He killed his own father just to take the position of Alpha."

Scarlet's breath caught in her throat. "That's not possible... Everett wouldn't..."

Bella slammed her hand against the table between them, making Scarlet flinch. "That's exactly what he did! You don't know him like I do. He has blood on his hands, and if he remains alive, he will only bring more destruction. He is evil, Scarlet. A man like that does not deserve to live."

Scarlet's head swirled with confusion. She knew Everett was cold, distant, and cruel in his own way, but was he truly capable of killing his own father? She had never heard such accusations before.

Still, something about this didn't sit right with her.

"I won't do it," Scarlet said firmly.

Bella's eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"

"I won't do it," Scarlet repeated.No one deserves to die like that. If Everett is truly as terrible as you say, then there are other ways to deal with him. Talking to him, reasoning with him..."

Bella let out a bitter laugh. "You are naive, Scarlet. Do you think Everett is the kind of man you can reason with? He hates you. He barely acknowledges your existence. "Do you really think he will ever listen to you?"

Scarlet clenched her fists. "I don't know, but killing him isn't the answer."

Bella's expression twisted with fury. "You foolish girl. You don't understand what's at stake. Do you think Everett will allow you to live once he sees you as a threat? If you don't take action first, he will kill you without hesitation!"

Scarlet shook her head. "I don't believe that."

Bella's voice lowered into a dangerous whisper. "Then you are signing your own death sentence."

Scarlet took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I will do anything else you ask of me, but I will not kill him."

Bella's face darkened with rage. For a moment, Scarlet thought she might strike her, but instead, Bella took a step back, exhaling sharply.

"Then be prepared," Bella hissed. "Since you refuse to listen, you will suffer the consequences. The second phase of your bondage is about to begin."

Scarlet stiffened. "What do you mean?"

Bella smirked cruelly. "You know exactly what I mean. You think Everett's hatred is the worst thing that can happen to you? Think again. If you don't obey me, I will make sure you regret it. And when Hannah hears about your disobedience, you know exactly what kind of hell awaits you."

Scarlet's stomach twisted in fear, but she didn't respond.

Bella gave her one last look of disgust before turning on her heels and storming away, leaving Scarlet standing frozen in place.

For several minutes, Scarlet didn't move. Her mind was racing, trying to process everything that had just happened.

She couldn't let this continue.

She couldn't just sit by and let Bella plot Everett's death.

Before she even fully realized what she was doing, her feet were already moving. She ran towards Everett's quarters, her heart pounding wildly. She had to tell him.

When she arrived, the guards informed her that they were at a meeting.

Scarlet groaned in frustration, pacing outside his chambers as she waited. Every passing minute felt like an eternity.

Finally, the door swung open, and Everett stepped out, looking as intimidating as ever. His gaze landed on her, and his expression darkened immediately.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded.

Scarlet took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you."

Everett scoffed. "I have no interest in anything you have to say. Leave."

Scarlet stepped closer, desperation in her eyes. "It's important, Everett. Please just listen..."

"I said leave!" Everett's voice thundered through the hallway. "I don't want you near me, and I certainly don't care about whatever nonsense you've come to spill."

Scarlet's hands trembled. "Please, Everett..."

"Enough!" He took a step forward, his glare sharp enough to cut. "You will stay far away from me, do you understand? You mean nothing to me, and I have no reason to hear anything from you."

Scarlet's throat tightened. The words stung, but she refused to back down.

She had no choice but to try again later.

As Everett turned and walked away, Scarlet stood there, feeling helpless.

She had come to warn him, but he wouldn't even give her the chance to speak.

And now, she doesn't know what to do.

Everett's POV

The meeting had been long and frustrating. The elders were rambling on about responsibilities, territory disputes, and the need for stronger alliances. Everett barely had the patience to sit through their endless concerns, but he had no choice. Being Alpha meant dealing with these issues, no matter how much they annoyed him.

He let out a sigh as he finally dismissed them, rubbing his temple as he stood up. The last thing he wanted right now was more distractions.

But the moment he stepped out of the hall, his irritation deepened.

Scarlet.

She was standing outside, waiting for him.

Everett's expression hardened instantly. He had made it clear time and time again that he wanted nothing to do with her. She was nothing but a burden forced upon him...a woman he never wanted, a reminder of the chains his position placed on him.

And yet, here she was, standing in his way.

His patience was already wearing thin, and seeing her only made it worse.

"What are you doing here?" his voice was cold, sharp like a blade.

Scarlet took a hesitant step forward, her eyes filled with something, concern, desperation. He couldn't tell.

"I need to talk to you," she said softly.

Everett clenched his jaw. "He didn't have time for this. "I didn't care what you had to say. Leave."

Scarlet didn't move. "Everett, please, it's important."

His eyes darkened, his frustration boiling over. "I said leave!" His voice echoed through the hallway, making her flinch slightly. "I don't want you near me, and I certainly don't care about whatever nonsense you've come to spill."

She looked hurt, but he ignored it.

Scarlet took a deep breath, gathering herself. "Just listen to me for one moment. Please."

Everett's hands curled into fists at his sides. He couldn't stand how she kept pushing. Why couldn't she just accept the way things were?

"I have nothing to say to you," he growled. "And I have no reason to hear anything from you."

Scarlet swallowed, clearly trying to keep herself composed. But Everett didn't care.

"You will stay far away from me," he continued, his tone like ice. "Do you understand? You mean nothing to me, and you never will."

Scarlet's lips parted slightly, her breath shaky

For a moment, she looked as though she wanted to say something else. Maybe to defend herself. Maybe to plead again.

But instead, she just stared at him, silent.

Good.

Everett turned away without another word, walking past her without looking back. He had wasted enough time already. Whatever she thought was so important, it didn't matter.

She was just another problem he didn't need.