Zane's POV
I couldn't get her out of my head.
Scarlett.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her fiery eyes, the way she held her ground against anyone who dared to challenge her, and the way the bond between us became stronger with every passing day, but she was trying to deny the bond.
And yet, Rhylie's words from last night kept nagging at me, pulling me in the opposite direction.
You're the alpha. You can be with whoever you like.
Rhylie had been by my side for years, supporting me and standing by me through everything. I owed her so much, and yet... things felt different now. Ever since Scarlett had come into my life, nothing had been the same. I felt torn, my loyalties divided.
I sat in my chamber, staring at the map of our territory spread out before me, but my mind wasn't on the pack. It was on Scarlett. And the curse.
She was right about one thing: the curse was bigger than any of us. The dark energy surrounding that tree had been enough to make even Dalton, my wolf, uneasy. I knew we needed to figure out what was going on, but every time I tried to focus on the curse, my thoughts kept drifting back to her.
The door to my chamber creaked open, and I looked up to see Rhylie standing there, her expression soft
"Zane," she said, stepping into the room. "I was worried about you. You've been quiet since last night."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I've got a lot on my mind, Rhylie. A lot is going on."
She walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch warm but lacking the spark I had once felt. "I know. But I want you to know that I'm here for you. I've always been here for you."
I nodded, but I couldn't help the feeling of unease that crept in whenever she spoke like that. She had been my support for so long, but now... now I wasn't sure what we had anymore.
"You need to be careful, Zane," Rhylie continued, her voice low. "Scarlett... She's dangerous. I know the mate bond is pulling at you, but you can't trust her. You don't know what she's after."
I looked at her, my jaw tightening. "I don't think Scarlett's the one we need to worry about, Rhylie. The curse is bigger than her or any of us."
Rhylie's eyes blinked slightly, but she quickly masked her frustration. "Of course, the curse is important, but you can't ignore the fact that Scarlett has her plan. She's reckless, and she's going to get you hurt if you're not careful."
I stood, stepping away from her touch. "Rhylie, I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself. Scarlett's not the enemy here, and you've only known her for a day "
Rhylie's lips tightened into a thin line, and I could see the flicker of anger in her eyes. "Just... be careful, Zane. You know where my loyalty lies. Can you say the same for her?"
I didn't respond. Instead, I walked to the window, staring out over the pack grounds. Scarlett had her own goals, that much was clear. But the mate bond was pulling me toward her, and no matter how much Rhylie tried to convince me otherwise, I couldn't deny it.
"I'll keep that in mind," I said quietly, though my thoughts were already elsewhere.
I clenched my fists as I left Zane's chambers, fury boiling just beneath the surface. He was slipping away from me, and it was all because of that insufferable little Luna. Scarlett thought she could waltz into our pack and claim Zane like he was some sort of prize.
She was wrong. Dead wrong.
I had spent years building my place here, weaving my magic into every corner of this pack, ensuring that I would always be by Zane's side. And now, because of some goddess-forsaken mate bond, everything I had worked for was at risk.
But I wasn't going to let that happen.
Zane may be confused right now, but I would make sure he remembered where his loyalties lay. And Scarlett... Well, she was about to find out just how dangerous it was to stand in my way.
I made my way toward the witches' quarters, my mind racing with possibilities. If the witches had answers about the curse, then maybe, just maybe, they had something I could use against Scarlett. Something that would turn the pack against her.
After all, I had waited too long for this. I wasn't about to let some goddess chosen to ruin everything I had worked for.
Scarlett's POV
The witches' chamber were dim, the f
Red candles make shadows on the stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and something ancient, something powerful. I had come here for answers, and I wasn't leaving until I got them.
The eldest witch sat at the head of the room, her silver hair flowing over her shoulders like a veil of moonlight. Her sharp eyes followed my every movement, and the younger witches remained silent, watching with unsettling stillness.
I stood tall, swallowing the doubt building in my chest. "You've kept things from me," I said, my voice Calm "About the curse. About my connection to it. I want the truth."
The eldest witch gave a small smile, though it lacked warmth. "The truth is a heavy burden, Scarlett. Are you sure you're ready to carry it?"
" I don't have a choice," I replied, holding her gaze. " I need to know what's happening."
The witches exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming in the candlelight. The eldest witch leaned forward slightly, her voice low and powerful. "You are marked by the goddess, Scarlett. That
much is clear. But the curse oh, it is older than you. Older than this pack. Your arrival has awakened it."
I swallowed hard. "What does that mean for me? For Zane?"
The eldest witch's eyes darkened. " It means that your bond with Zane is more than just fate. It is tied to the curse. A bond that can either break the curse... or strengthen it."
I felt my heart race. This was what I feared. "And Rhylie?" I asked, my voice already filled with frustration. "She's his first mate and also has the goddess mark. Where does she fit into this?"
The witch's gaze changed, and for a moment, I noticed a younger witch shift in her seat. The eldest witch's expression remained unreadable. " Rhylie's connection to Zane is... complicated. But that is not our concern, it's up to the goddess" .
I frowned, my instincts telling me there was more to this story, but I pushed it aside for now. "Then tell me about the curse. How do I break it?"
The eldest witch sighed softly, her gaze hardening. "The curse was born from betrayal, Scarlett. Only through betrayal can it be undone"
I clenched my fists at my sides, the mention of betrayal fueling my anger.
Rand and Cassie.
Their betrayal had been what had me here.. Now, it seemed I was tied to something far greater than I could have imagined. But I wasn't going to let it consume me not without a fight, I can't die twice at the hands of my so-called mates, first now Zane
"And what is this sacrifice you keep talking about?" I demanded. "What price do I have to pay?"
The eldest witch hesitated, " Breaking the curse will require a sacrifice of your soul, Scarlett. It has already touched you and awakened something inside you. If you do not control it, it will
"
consume you.
Her words hit me hard, and I swallowed the rising fear. There was no turning back now.
"Thank you," I said tightly, turning toward the door.
" Be careful, Scarlett," the eldest witch warned. "The curse will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine."
I didn't respond. I had come here for answers, but what I had learned left me with even more questions and a growing sense of danger.