Chapter 10
Scarlett’s POV
The first week with the Alphas was nothing short of hell. Every attempt I made to escape ended the same way: someone would catch me and drag me back to the house like a
misbehaving pet.
I had learned their names by now–the dark–haired one was Lucian, whose anger was quick and relentless; Clay, with the silver hair, was the least abusive, the only one who showed me any small kindness; and Maxwell, the dirty–blonde, watched me with a constant, simmering disdain. Of the three, only Clay had slipped me a blanket each night as I lay on the couch, even though Lucian and Maxwell made it clear they disapproved, grumbling that I deserved no comforts.
They threw the worst accusations at me, calling me a slut, a betrayer of the bond. I could only guess my father had inflicted unspeakable pain on them, but it still didn’t justify the way they treated me. When I tried to explain that I’d never seen them before, that I hadn’t rejected any bond, they dismissed my words as lies.
Their refusal to believe me was a blow, but I quickly learned not to protest, especially when it came to Lucian. Lucian’s temper was as sharp as a blade, and any attempt to defend myself only made his fury worse. I stayed silent, letting them think whatever they wanted. After all, I didn’t want mates like them; I didn’t want any of this.
So I bore their punishment, their assumptions, and I stayed strong, refusing to shed a single tear in front of them. I knew it grated on Lucian, that my silence and defiance only fueled his frustration. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. They had stripped me of everything else, but my dignity was mine, and I was determined to keep it.
There was a strange, inexplicable pull that tugged at me whenever they were near, something deep and primal, but I ignored it. It was hard, each moment feeling like a battle of will, but I pushed it down, refusing to let whatever force bound us define me. They might claim fate was on their side, but I wouldn’t surrender my last shred of control. Not to them. Not ever.
I had worn the same clothes for a week, refusing to return for the others the old woman had offered me. The smell was awful, and I let it linger, hoping they’d be disgusted
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Chapter 10
enough to send me away, back to the small room I’d been in before. But to my
disappointment, they seemed unfazed, their noses immune to the stench.
As punishment, they banned me from sitting or sleeping on the couch, but the intended humiliation barely registered. I could tolerate sleeping on the floor if it meant keeping
some distance between us.
With them out on business for the day, I finally decided to do something about the
clothes. I slipped into their bathroom, where I’d secretly saved a small amount of detergent from when I’d done their laundry. I scrubbed the fabric as best as I could and
hung it by the window, hoping it would dry by nightfall.
Then, for the first time in days, I let myself enjoy a hot shower, savoring the warmth and
steam as it washed away the grime. I found a bottle of lotion and smoothed it over my skin, letting the familiar scent soothe me for a moment, a small luxury I hadn’t allowed
myself in a while.
Wrapping a towel snugly around myself, I ventured back into the living room, relieved and slightly emboldened by feeling clean, if only temporarily. I settled on the couch, deciding to rest there just for a moment. But barely ten minutes had passed before the door burst open, and Maxwell and Lucian stood there, glaring at me.
The tension hit instantly, thick and suffocating, as I met their disapproving stares.
Maxwell’s voice boomed through the room, his rage tangible as he yelled, and though fear surged within me, I held my ground, keeping my face calm. Reflexively, I rose from the couch, uncertain whether standing would help or worsen the situation.
“What is the meaning of this?” Lucian demanded, his tone colder, more calculated, sending a chill through me. Maxwell stormed back in, holding my damp clothes, his face a mask of disgust.
“Where do you think you are? Who gave you permission to do this?” Maxwell’s words cut through me, leaving me wishing Clay were there, that he might intervene and temper their anger. But he was nowhere to be seen.
Lucian took a step closer, his presence oppressive as he closed the space between us. I backed away instinctively, clutching the towel tightly around me, praying it wouldn’t betray me by slipping.
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“Are you mute?” he sneered, his eyes narrowing. I shook my head, words stumbling out as I struggled to find my voice.
“I…I washed my clothes. They smelled, and they were dirty,” I managed, my voice barely a whisper, my explanation small under the weight of his scrutiny.
Lucian’s eyes gleamed with a dark satisfaction, and before I could register his movement, he yanked the towel away, leaving me exposed. I tried to cover myself with my arms, feeling a wave of humiliation crash over me, but I refused to let the tears come.
stood, arms wrapped around my body, fighting to hold onto any shred of dignity. I hadn’t shifted yet, hadn’t developed that fearless ease with nudity that other wolves seemed to possess, and I was left feeling as vulnerable as ever.
But even as shame threatened to swallow me whole, I held my gaze steady, refusing to let
them see me break. They could strip me of my clothes, my security, but I’d be damned if I let them strip me of my pride.
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