Scarlett's POV
The deal was simple. Zane would help me get my revenge, and in return, I would help him break the curse. His hand held onto mine as he took me back to his pack's grounds, a touch that kept sending both excitement and a sense of protection, an emotion I wasn't ready to accept.
As we walked, the anger inside me was replaced with a peace of mind I couldn't pin down. My wolf, Luisa, was restless, her excitement mixed with the grief she couldn't let go. We will have our revenge, Luisa, I whispered inwardly, trying to offer her comfort.
I hope so, she replied, though it was still very hard to believe that Rand and Cassie could betray us, even to the point of almost killing us. But why would the goddess give us a mate again? Luisa asked.
I didn't have an answer. I really wish I did, but I just didn't. I hadn't stopped wondering that myself. What cruel game was the Moon Goddess playing with me, having me mated to someone who had already belonged to another? It just wasn't fair, not after everything I had lost.
"Do you really think I can break this curse?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"I need to take you somewhere," Zane said.
"Where?" I asked because I didn't see how that answered the question I had just asked him.
Zane glanced back at me, his piercing green eyes seeming to look right through me. "To have a conversation with someone," he said.
I swallowed hard, trying not to be nervous.
We came to a stop before a wooden door. Zane knocked twice, and a soft voice answered, inviting us to enter. The door came open, and the place was full with the smell of leaves and harsh scented candles, An elderly woman with white hair and kind eyes sat at a table covered in strange symbols and glowing crystals. She looked familiar.
"Ah, Scarlett," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "I am Eldra, the head witch of the Black Blood Pack. Remember me?"
"Yes, yes I do," I answered her, still feeling wary. Why had Zane brought me to this woman?
"I will wait outside," Zane said and left.
"Scarlett, dear, have a seat. Tell me about yourself. About your past," Eldra said.
What a horrible choice of topic. Not after everything I had been through.
I hesitated, took a deep breath, and began to speak.
"I was born into the Silver Crest pack," I started, my voice barely above a whisper. "My father was the alpha, and from a young age, I knew I was different. Because I was going to be the first female Alpha. My dad had no son, nor would he leave the throne to anyone. Even after I got married, I was still regarded as the Alpha despite being a female."
Memories of my past began to resurface, the days spent training while other pups played. The expectation grew heavier with each passing day, till the day I became the first female alpha in our pack's history.
"I thought I had everything," I continued, my voice beginning to sound angry, "Power, respect, a mate chosen by the Moon Goddess herself. But it was all a lie."
I felt tears threatening to fall, but refused to let them. "My mate, Rand, and my cousin... they betrayed me. They tried to kill me and my unborn pup. In fact, they killed me and my pup. Thanks for saving me," I said, my head down.
"You've suffered greatly, child," she said softly. "But perhaps this is the Moon Goddess's way of leading you to your true destiny."
I shook my head, confusion and anger within me. "I don't want a destiny. I want revenge."
Eldra took my hands and said, "This is why you have to help us. You help us break our curse, and we will give you the kind of revenge you think they deserve," Eldra said, repeating the same thing Zane had said to me. "Go now, child. You need your rest, so do I. Tomorrow will be better." Eldra waved me off.
I didn't know what else I had to say, so I just stood up and left. I met Zane standing at the doorstep.
He took my hand, his touch sending the usual sensation. We walked in silence, saying nothing to each other.
We arrived at Zane's headquarters. There was a woman standing outside, and as we got closer, the lady bowed.
"This is Lynx," Zane said, releasing my hand at last. "She will be your personal maid."
I didn't really care. I was exhausted, and I could think of only one thing: Rand and Cassie. I was going to make them pay for what they'd done.
Zane's voice softened as he turned to leave. "Rest well tonight, Scarlett. We will talk tomorrow."
I watched him go, his shoulders disappearing into the night . Only after he had left did I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
"At your service, milady," Lynx said, bowing slightly.
"Thank you," I muttered, too tired to offer anything more.
She helped me prepare for bed, running a bath and bringing out my clothes. My mind was on the child I had lost, the grief that I wanted vengeance for. As I climbed into bed, I placed a hand on my stomach, where life had once been.
Zane's POV
The night was quiet, and though my body really wanted to rest, my mind refused to be focused . How could it? There was too much to think about, too many questions that kept testing my sanity, especially Scarlett. Why had the Moon Goddess bonded me to her when I already had Rhylie?
I stood by the window, staring out at the distant treeline, but finding no answers there. Two mates. Both marked by the goddess. How could that even be possible, I thought. And yet, when I looked into Scarlett's eyes, I couldn't deny the pull between us. It was as though she had become part of my very soul.
My thoughts grew darker as I remembered the curse. I had spent so many years fighting it, so many nights tormented by the nightmares it brought. And now this, two mates, both carrying the mark of the goddess. It was just too much to bear.
But there was something about Scarlett, something that felt… right, even though it shouldn't. I couldn't explain it, but being near her made the presence of the curse feel lighter, like I could breathe again. Her eyes held so much pain, but there was a strength in her, a thirst for vengeance that called to me.
Even as sleep began to finally come over me, I couldn't brush the thought that she was brought into my life for a reason, one I hadn't yet figured out. I just hoped I had the strength to find out before the curse destroyed both of us.