Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Hope Blossoms

I spent the whole night tumbling in bed, and thinking about how much Alexander had cost me. Speaking to Kelly lifted something off my chest. Not everything, not the crushing weight of heartbreak, betrayal, and isolation, but enough. Enough to breathe again. Enough to remember who I had been before I let love blindfold me and lead me off a cliff. It spawned hope in my chest, and I desperately clung to it.

I am still the Luna of this pack, whether Faye wanted it or not; it doesn't matter if she has Aexander wrapped around her finger, or if they both think they can erase me by imprisoning me in my quarters.

I barely got any sleep last night, and now I'm up early, even before Ruby. I sat up slowly in my bed, my thoughts spiralling out of control, and realized I'd made a mistake far greater than falling in love.

I forgot who I was.

I forgot the girl who trained longer, fought harder, and stood straighter in council meetings just to be taken seriously. I forgot the wolf who had howled under blood moons and stood defiant against older, stronger males. I forgot the woman I had been before Alexander's pretty words and burning blue eyes had melted the edges of my resolve.

I had forgotten my friends. Myself.

And Alexander? He never forgot who he was. He took everything I gave and gave back only control.

But no more. Now, I wait. Kelly had promised to speak to her brother on my behalf. Until then, I needed to keep my head low, my mouth shut, and my hands steady.

The day went too slowly for my liking. I finally got out of bed after Ruby brought me breakfast. I had no appetite for food right now; I had too many things going on in my head. She didn't speak much, only giving me the kind of look that said she understood without prying. I appreciated her more than words could ever say. My stomach churned. Eating felt like admitting I belonged here.

"Eat, Luna," Ruby said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You'll need strength. You don't win wars on an empty stomach."

I looked up at her and saw not just my maid but my sister-in-arms. I picked up the fork and forced down a bite. It tasted like ash, but I swallowed it anyway.

"I hate him," I whispered.

"I know," she said gently.

I didn't expect the sound of boots.

My spine went rigid as I heard the door open behind me, a gust of crisp morning air sweeping into the room. Then the scent of spice, cedar, and that faint undertone of something uniquely his wrapped around me like poison-laced honey.

Alexander was here.

I didn't turn around at first. My hands curled into fists. The audacity to walk in here and act like everything was fine was jarring.

"Scarlett," he said, his voice deceptively warm. I hated how my name sounded on his tongue. As if he still had the right. I hated how his voice made me feel even more.

I turned slowly, gaze narrowing, ready to meet him with cold silence. But he held a bouquet of peonies, my favorite. My breath caught in my throat. What the hell was he trying to do? I could see Ruby sneak out from the corner of my eye to give us privacy.

"I saw these and immediately thought of you," he murmured, stepping closer. "I had them brought in from the southern gardens."

I didn't take them, what use would they do to me anyway?

He walked closer to where I was seated and took the seat next to me. The intensity of his scent was invading my space; he knew it too, judging by the soft smirk on his face. He leaned in anyway, and before I could stop him, his lips brushed against mine.

The bond snapped to life between us, as powerful and overwhelming as ever. My body betrayed me, every nerve lit up, every memory of the way he used to hold me came rushing back. My lips almost moved to meet his, and memories of his betrayal were far away from my head.

Then his phone rang.

He pulled back, sighing, and checked the screen.

That's when reality punched me in the face.

Faye.

I saw her name flash in bold across the screen.

My chest tightened. I shoved the bouquet into his chest and moved back, voice cold and clear. "You have the mother of your child to worry about. Why are you here?"

His brows furrowed. "Scarlett, stop."

"You kissed me, knowing you got her pregnant. What kind of monster are you?"

"Stop being dramatic."

Dramatic?

"You've locked me up in a corner of this palace like I'm diseased. You confiscated my devices, cut me off from everyone I care about, and now you dare to call me dramatic?"

He sighed like I was a nuisance. "I didn't come here to fight. I want us to talk this out like adults."

"No, you came here to manipulate me into silence. Again."

His eyes hardened. "You're my Luna."

"Then treat me like one," I snapped. "Or better yet, strip me of the title and let me go."

He didn't respond to that. He never did.

"You think punishing me will break me," I added, stepping closer. "But you forget that I was raised in the Winter Pack. We don't break. We freeze and come back sharper."

He laughed bitterly. "This is why I didn't choose you."

There it was. The final blow, and the truth. I was just a placeholder for his true love.

I stared at him, every ounce of warmth turning to ice. "Good. Because I would never forgive a man who cheats. No matter how many times he tries to manipulate me into thinking all is fine."

His jaw clenched, the vein in his temple ticking. Then, like the coward he was, he turned to leave.

"Go on," I said mockingly. "Faye's waiting. Go comfort your little mistress."

He paused, glancing at his phone again, then walked out. He slammed the door behind himself, and I sighed. I sat still, heart hammering, lungs gasping for air. I felt like I had been in battle. I hate how much effect the bond still has on me; I won't let my guard down around him anymore.

Ruby burst in not ten seconds later, eyes wide. "There's a call for you. On the landline."

I blinked. "What?"

"The landline. Downstairs. I told them to hold. Said it was urgent."

I was already moving before she finished the sentence. The hallway blurred as I ran, bare feet slapping against polished floors. The old black phone sat in the corner of the sitting room, half hidden by velvet drapes.

I snatched it up. "Hello?"

Silence.

Then a deep, commanding voice filled the line. "Luna Scarlett."

I froze.

"Alpha Lucien speaking."

He called.