Chapter 22
Scarlett’s POV
Lucian’s eyes flicked over me, sceptical yet intrigued. “And how do you plan to reach the West? To survive out there, penniless, without protection?” His voice carried a biting edge as if daring me to falter.
I met his gaze steadily. “I’ll walk as far as I can. Someone will show me kindness eventually.” I could see a flicker of disbelief in his eyes, a scornful smirk. “And I’ll make sure no one knows I’m a Vladislav.”
He let out a mocking laugh. “You think you’ll survive on determination alone, trudging through the cold on foot?”
“Determination is a strong force,” I replied evenly, and he stopped laughing, a glint of surprise dawning in his eyes.
“You’re serious,” he murmured, finally grasping my resolve.
Maxwell stepped in. “Of course, she’s serious, Lucian. You can feel it, can’t you?” Lucian sat heavily on the couch as if caught off guard, leaving me standing, the weight of my words settling in the air between us.
“When Clay gets here…” Lucian paused, considering. “I doubt you’d really want him to reject you as well.” There was something almost reluctant in his voice, something conflicted, and I couldn’t read his intent.
“All of you,” I confirmed, sensing the need to ease whatever strange tension was lingering in his mind. “I want all three of you to reject me.”
Lucian sighed, leaning back, his face unreadable. “We’ll think about it.”
But Maxwell didn’t hold back. “No, Lucian. I’m not ‘thinking‘ about it,” he said, his voice resolute and, for the first time, almost pained.
“She’s right, and this has gone on long enough. I feel her emotions, every ounce of hurt, anger, and determination. I’ve been holding back because we’re like brothers, because we made promises. But she’s our mate–a cruel twist of fate for all four of us, but she is.”
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Chapter 22
Maxwell’s words cut through me, raw and jagged. “I can’t reject you, Scarlett. I’d be lying if I said I wanted to think about it. I just…can’t.” My heart shattered as I looked over at him. He sat, head turned away, avoiding my gaze, shutting me out completely.
“Alpha Lucian,” I tried, my voice small, hoping to reach him gently, to make him see my
desperation.
“Leave me the fuck alone, Scarlett!” he yelled, his voice carrying a force I’d never felt from him before. The authority struck me like a blow, searing through me, sending shock waves that ripped through my body. It felt like an assault on my spirit, and I shook under the weight of it, the agony unbearable. I couldn’t hold back the sobs that wracked me, the
authority too overwhelming, too cruel.
Maxwell was by my side immediately, his arms around me, steadying me. “What the hell, Lucian!” he shouted, anger flashing in his voice. “Do you want to kill her?”
Lucian’s expression shifted, his own confusion mingling with regret as he stumbled over his words. “I…I’m sorry,” he stammered. “I was frustrated, and I…I didn’t mean to use that on you, Scarlett.” He reached out, trying to comfort me, pulling me to his chest in ar uncharacteristic show of gentleness. “I’m so sorry, Scarlett. I truly am. I crossed the line, and it wasn’t intentional. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
But his apology was like ashes in my mouth. I could barely breathe, the weight of his authority lingering in my chest. Shaking, I pulled away from them both, stumbling to the bathroom. The nausea was overwhelming, and I barely made it before I threw up, the remnants of last night’s bitterness spilling out with the pain. I leaned against the sink, clutching it as I listened to Maxwell’s voice rising in the next room.
“You’re sick, Lucian! What the hell are you doing?” Maxwell’s fury was palpable, his words
laced with disgust.
“Your plans, your actions–they’re twisted. The girl doesn’t want us anymore! We’ve pushed her too far. She’s begging for freedom, and you’re still holding on, still trying to beat her down. She’s our mate, Lucian. She’s supposed to be loved and cherished. Instead, she’s sleeping on the couch, living in hell because of us. She’d rather face the unknown than stay here. If that doesn’t tell you something, I don’t know what will.”
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