Chapter 5:Aftermath

(Scarlett's POV) The neon sign of The Silver Moon Tavern flickered as I pulled into the parking lot. Located in the neutral zone between territories, this place was frequented by wolves from different packs who wanted to conduct business—or escape their Alpha's watchful eyes for a while. Perfect for someone who had just formally rejected her fiancé and publicly humiliated him in front of his pack. I spotted Emma immediately as I walked through the entrance. Emma had her dark hair pulled back in a messy bun, her keen eyes scanning the crowd. When she caught sight of me, her expression morphed from concern to surprise. "Scarlett!" She rushed over, embracing me tightly before pulling back to examine me. "You look... completely fine?" I shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be?" Emma's eyes widened as they fixed on my beige coat. "Is that... blood?" I glanced down casually at the small red spatter on my sleeve. I hadn't even noticed it during my dramatic exit. "Huh. I guess it is." I ran my finger over the stain. "Not mine though." "Not yours?" Emma's voice rose an octave. "Then whose is it?" I gave her a small, satisfied smile. "Probably Grace's. Or Alexander's. Things got a bit physical on my way out." Emma's jaw dropped. "You physically confronted the Alpha heir and his pregnant mistress? Are you insane?" "Possibly." I couldn't help the smirk that formed on my lips. "You should have seen Alexander's face when I formally rejected him." Emma stared at me for a long moment before breaking into incredulous laughter. "I can't believe you actually did it!" Her eyes sparkled with admiration. "I thought I'd find you crying into your wine glass, but here you are looking like you just won the lottery." I ran a hand through my hair. "I feel like I did. Finally free of that arrogant ass and his scheming 'sister.'" Emma shook her head, still reeling from my surprising demeanor." I have to say, you really surprised me, my dear. You know Alexander isn't just any wolf, he's the Alpha heir eh. And Grace ...... We all know what she's capable of." The memory of Grace's orchestrated attack three years ago flashed through my mind. The searing pain of silver-tipped claws tearing through my flesh. The burning agony as poison seeped into my veins. "They don't scare me anymore," I said firmly, pushing the memories away. Emma squeezed my arm. "Good. It's about time someone stood up to them." She glanced around the busy tavern. "Let's skip the small talk and get to our table. I'm starving, and I'm guessing you could use a drink." "Make it a double," I agreed, following her through the crowded room. The Silver Moon was packed tonight, filled with wolves from various packs mingling together. A few heads turned as we passed, whispers following in our wake. News traveled fast in the wolf community. We settled into a corner booth, far enough from other patrons to have a private conversation. Emma flagged down a waitress and ordered us both whiskeys and steaks. "Medium rare for me," I specified. When our meals arrived, I found myself struggling with the tough cut of meat. My knife scraped against the plate as I attempted to slice through the overcooked steak. "This is ridiculous," I muttered, setting down my utensils in frustration. "I prefer rabbit anyway. Something I can tear into with my teeth." Emma chuckled. "I'll take you to my favorite rabbit roast next time. Sorry about this place—your message was so urgent I didn't have time to make reservations anywhere better." "It's fine." I took a long sip of whiskey, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat. "The alcohol makes up for the disappointing food." Emma leaned forward, lowering her voice. "So, what's your next move? Alexander isn't going to let this go easily." I didn't hesitate. "I'm going to officially cancel the marking ceremony. I want you to spread the word to all the packs." Emma nearly choked on her drink. "You're serious? Did the Winter Pack and Amber Pack agree to this?" I smiled coldly. "I don't need their agreement. The decision is mine." "Scarlett..." Emma's voice held a note of warning. "This isn't just about you and Alexander. This is about politics between two major packs." I shrugged, unconcerned. "Then they can find another political solution. I'm done being their bargaining chip." Emma sat back, studying me with newfound respect. "You've changed. A year ago, you wouldn't have dared defy both packs like this." She was right. For years, I had been desperately seeking approval, especially from my birth parents who had chosen Grace over me even after discovering the truth about our switched identities. "I've wasted enough time trying to be what they wanted," I said, my voice hardening. "Look where that got me—engaged to a man who cheated on me with my adopted sister, the same woman who tried to have me killed." Emma nodded slowly. "I remember when they first arranged the mating." Her words transported me back to that time. After Grace orchestrated the rogue attack that nearly killed me, there had been a brief moment when it seemed justice might prevail. Alexander had appeared to take my side, condemning Grace's actions. I had been so pathetically grateful for his support that I'd agreed when the Winter Pack suggested a mating bond between us. The alliance would strengthen both packs, they said. It would stabilize my position within the Winter Pack, they promised. What a fool I'd been. "Alexander never meant to see Grace punished," I said bitterly. "He was playing politics, making sure the arrangement went through while protecting her at the same time." Emma's expression darkened with anger. "That two-faced bastard. I never trusted him." "Well now he can have Grace with my blessing," I replied, draining my glass. "They deserve each other." Emma hesitated, then asked carefully, "Why did you go along with it for so long, Scarlett? You even participated in the preparations for the marking ceremony." The question struck deep. I couldn't tell Emma the real reason—how desperately lonely I'd been after leaving Roman and my adoptive mother. How I'd craved belonging and acceptance from my birth family, even knowing they would never truly love me as they loved Grace. Instead, I deflected. "It doesn't matter now. What matters is ending this farce completely." Emma nodded, accepting my non-answer. "What can I do to help?" "Post about Alexander and Grace's visit to the hospital on the pack forums," I said. "Make it clear they were there for a gynecological appointment, not for silver poisoning treatment." Emma's eyes lit up with mischievous determination. "Consider it done." She pulled out her phone and began typing rapidly. As an apprentice pack healer, Emma had credibility within the medical community. Combined with her popularity among younger pack members, her posts on the forums would spread like wildfire. "I'm not just posting about their hospital visit," she informed me, fingers flying across the screen. "I'm also announcing your decision to cancel the marking ceremony." I smiled approvingly. "Perfect." Within thirty minutes, Emma had created a detailed post, complete with the exact time Alexander and Grace had visited the OB/GYN. She even mentioned how they'd been discussing pregnancy symptoms with the doctor. "And... posted," she said triumphantly. Almost immediately, her phone began buzzing with notifications. "Wow, it's blowing up," Emma said, scrolling through the responses. "People are shocked—but not that surprised, if that makes sense. Apparently, there have been rumors about Alexander and Grace for months." "Of course there have been," I scoffed. "They were probably sleeping together the entire time I was planning the marking ceremony." My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to see Alexander's name flashing on the screen. I showed it to Emma, who raised her eyebrows. "That was fast." I answered, putting the phone on speaker so Emma could hear. "What do you want, Alexander?" I asked coldly. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" His voice thundered through the speaker, loud enough to make nearby patrons turn their heads. "Speaking publicly about my decision," I replied calmly. "Is there a problem?" "You had no right—" he began, but I cut him off. "I had every right. I formally rejected you as my mate. The marking ceremony is canceled." His breathing became heavy, a sure sign he was struggling to control his temper. "You're making a serious mistake, Scarlett. If you think you can humiliate me like this—" "I already have," I interrupted again. "And there's nothing you can do about it." Alexander's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "If you don't come home right now and fix this mess, I'll kick your apartment door down and trash the place myself." Emma's eyes widened at the threat, but I remained unfazed. "Try it," I challenged. "Give me one more reason to file a formal complaint against you with the Pack Council." There was a moment of stunned silence before Alexander exploded. "This isn't over, Scarlett! You think you can just walk away? I will destroy everything you care about!" I hung up without responding and turned to Emma, who looked both shocked and impressed. "Well," she said, raising her glass in a toast, "here's to burning bridges spectacularly." I clinked my glass against hers, "To new beginnings," I replied.