Chapter 8 Unlikely Allies

SCARLET POV

I had been in this pack for months now, and honestly, I still felt like a stranger. It wasn't just in my head either, everyone around me acted like I didn't belong. They didn't say it outright, but their actions spoke louder than words. The glances, the whispers, the way they avoided me whenever I walked past, it was clear I wasn't welcome.

At first, it was suffocating. I felt like an outsider, like I had been thrown into a place where I wasn't wanted. But after a while, I learned to live with it. I even found a kind of peace in it. No one bothered me much, and most importantly, I finally had the freedom I had been craving for so long. I wasn't constantly under my stepmother's control, and that was something to be grateful for.

But despite this so-called freedom, there was still something that made me uneasy. Alpha Everett's warning.

"Stay away from me."

Those were his exact words. He had made it clear that he didn't want me near him, and that scared me more than I wanted to admit. How was I supposed to do what I was brought here to do if he didn't even want to see me? If we kept going like this, there was no way I would ever bear him a child.

And if that happened, how long would I be stuck here?

Though I never got to know why he just didn't want to see me and why he detested me, I have never met him before or done any bad to him.

But he just seems to hate me and that made me have a series of thoughts on why he should.

Maybe he isn't interested in the marriage and was forced to do it just like me. Maybe it's because that is just how he is, but I never thought someone would find a reason to detest anyone without even knowing them, no matter how cruel he is.

I have always had stories of him and the warm welcome he gave me when I first came almost made me have a change of mind about him, but when he changed and warned me greatly never to come near him.

I got to realize he had not changed. He is still the cruel alpha, and he will always be.

I sighed, plucking at the petals of a flower in the garden. It was one of the few places I could go without feeling completely suffocated. The only company I had was a maid who had been assigned to me. She wasn't bad, actually, she was the only person in this entire pack who didn't look at me like I was dirt beneath their feet.

I was lost in thought when I saw someone approaching.

It was a woman, one I recognized immediately. Bella, my stepmother's close friend.

I straightened up as she got closer. Even though I didn't know her well, I had always been careful around her. She was someone my stepmother used to associate with, which made me uneasy. Anyone connected to that woman couldn't possibly have good intentions.

But unlike the others in the pack, Bella wasn't looking at me with disgust. Instead, she smiled.

I was quite shocked because I was expecting her to be just as wicked as my stepmother is, but she surprised me and I have also come to believe that all powerful werewolves detest humans and will always find ways to taunt us, but instead she gave me a warm smile.

"Leave us," she said, turning to the maid.

The maid hesitated, glancing at me as if to make sure I was okay. I gave her a small nod, and she left us alone.

I know the maid also definitely knew the kind of woman she was to give me such an unsure look, but even though she wanted to stay, she dared not, so I had to quickly signal to her to leave before she lost her job because of me.

I turned back to Bella, unsure of what to expect.

"How has your stay in the pack been?" she asked, her tone light, almost friendly.

I hesitated before answering. "It's been... fine."

Though I was lying, it had been the most boring days of my life, but I could cope with it better than being in the den I called a house.

Even though Everett gave me a crazy attitude, at least he is much better off since I barely see him and when I do, I make sure to avoid him as much as I can to avoid his wrath.

She smiled again. "You don't have to be so tense. I know you're probably uncomfortable around me because I was friends with your stepmother. But I want you to know that I have no bad intentions towards you."

I blinked. That was unexpected. It's funny how someone like her who is a friend to my stepmother is not as wicked as she is. I am certain that women can never make friends with good people, but the gentle tone and warm smile she gave made me change my mind and believe she is different.

To be honest, I had been wary of her because of her connection to my stepmother. I had seen her before, back when I still lived in my old pack. She had always seemed cold and distant, never someone I could approach.

"I'm sorry," I said cautiously. "It's just that... I remember you from before. You always looked so... harsh."

Bella chuckled. "That's because I had responsibilities to handle. You were young then, but being a leader means making difficult decisions. It doesn't mean I'm like your stepmother."

That made me pause. Could she really be different? It was hard to believe but i wanted to try her out.

I had been so sure she was just another person who would look down on me, another person who would make my life miserable. But her tone was soft, her expression kind.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, still uncertain.

"Because I don't want you to feel alone here," she admitted. "I know how it feels to be treated as an outsider. And trust me, it's not easy. But if you behave well, I promise I'll make sure no one gives you trouble."

Her words made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time, relief.

I had spent so long feeling like I was constantly on guard, constantly waiting for someone to attack me. But here she was, offering me something close to kindness.

Maybe, just maybe, I didn't have to be completely alone in this place.

Still, I wasn't naive.

"I appreciate that," I said slowly. "But forgive me if I take some time to trust it."

Bella nodded, as if she understood completely. "That's fair. Just know that my door is always open if you need anything."

She turned to leave, but before she walked away, she added, "And don't let Everett's coldness get to you. He has his reasons, but that doesn't mean things won't change."

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just watched as she walked away.

I sat there for a while, thinking about what she had said. Could things really change? Could Everett's attitude toward me shift?

I wasn't sure. But for the first time since I had arrived here, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I had a chance.

Everett's POV

I had been walking through the garden, heading toward the training grounds, when I saw them.

Scarlet and Bella.

They stood together, speaking in hushed tones. The way they leaned in close, their expressions serious, made me slow my steps. Something about their conversation seemed... secretive. Suspicious.

I wasn't one to eavesdrop, but instinct told me to listen.

Then, I caught a few words.

"...it won't be easy, but we have to do it."

"If he continues like this, we'll never get what we want."

My blood ran cold.

They were talking about me.

Scarlet had been forced into my pack, and from the start, I had wanted nothing to do with her. I didn't trust her, but I had assumed she was just another pawn, someone who would do as she was told. But now?

Now, it was clear.

She wasn't just some helpless girl forced into this situation. She was working with Bella, my stepmother.

Bella had always been power-hungry, manipulative. I had tolerated her because of her position, but I had never let my guard down around her. And now, here she was, whispering with Scarlet about how to get rid of me.

Fury boiled in my veins, but I forced myself to stay calm.

I wouldn't confront them now. That would be foolish. If they were plotting against me, I needed to be smarter than them. I needed proof.

Without another word, I turned and walked away, making sure they didn't see me.