Chapter 4

I was dragged roughly out of the pack hospital by Carson. Pack members saw it—but not a single one dared to speak up for me. Not even those who had once belonged to my father’s pack. When we arrived at the packaging manor, I knew immediately that something had changed. The exterior was still as grand and opulent as ever, but inside, all the warmth had vanished. The maids who once welcomed me with bright smiles were nowhere to be seen—only Ruby remained, standing at the door, pale-faced, her hands clenched tightly. She looked at me with sympathy in her eyes. Alexander had made his decision clear. His authority outweighed mine. I couldn’t blame them. I blamed myself—for being so easily deceived from the beginning. Carson shoved me inside and slammed the door shut, glaring at me coldly. “Listen up, Scarlett,” his voice was laced with threat and indifference. “Alexander’s orders: you are not to step foot outside the Alpha residence. Your movements are restricted to this house. And stay away from Faye. No more trouble.” I let out a bitter laugh. “You think you have the right to give me orders?” A dark smile spread across Carson’s face. He leaned in suddenly, letting his fingers graze my lips with blatant disrespect. His tone turned mocking, almost flirtatious. “You’d better behave, Scarlett. You’re not a noble Luna anymore.” Fury exploded in me. I slapped him hard, the sound echoing through the room. “Remember your place, Carson! I’m still the Luna! Try that again and I swear you’ll regret it!” His face turned beet red, a flash of rage in his eyes. “Scarlett, I’ll be waiting for you—at the border of the pack.” He stormed out, the door slamming behind him like a gunshot. Silence fell again. I collapsed onto the bed, consumed by a storm of anger and humiliation. If they were going to degrade me like this, they might as well have thrown me in the dungeon and let me rot. Hours passed. I curled up at the edge of the bed, my numb fingers tracing the edge of a silk pillow. My little wolf, Kara, had been silent ever since the hospital. I told myself she was just resting. That she needed time—just like I did. But as evening crept in, something felt wrong. Kara? I reached inward with our mental bond. I need you. Silence. Cold. Empty. My heart pounded in panic. I tried again, diving deeper into my soul, searching desperately for any trace of her presence. Kara, please… Nothing. It was like losing a limb. No—it was worse. Like losing the last piece of myself that still believed I could survive this nightmare. Her absence echoed in my bones, and for the first time, I felt truly, utterly alone. Alexander’s betrayal hadn’t just broken my heart—it had severed the connection between my humanity and my wolf. Kara’s silence wasn’t her choice. It was a punishment from the Moon Goddess herself. Tears welled in my eyes, hot and bitter, merciless. “Don’t do that,” Ruby said softly, kneeling in front of me. Her calloused hand brushed a strand of hair from my cheek. “You’re stronger than this. I know you are.” Her touch was gentle, but her voice was firm. Steady. Confidence, when I had none left. A sob caught in my throat. “She’s gone, Ruby. Kara… she’s just… gone.” Sorrow flickered in Ruby’s eyes, but she didn’t pull back. “Then we’ll find her. Together. You’re not alone, sweetheart. Not as long as I’m breathing.” Her words struck something deep within me. The pain didn’t disappear—but it softened. Ruby’s loyalty wrapped around me like a blanket, woven from quiet trust and all the sleepless nights we’d whispered in the dark. She wasn’t just a maid. She was my friend. In a world that had betrayed me, she was my only harbor. I needed to get out. I needed a plan. If I stayed here, I’d rot into a ghost wearing a crown of memories. But not yet. Not until I held onto one last thread of hope. Not until I realized—I wasn’t completely alone. After making sure Ruby wasn’t watching, I crept to the deepest part of the wardrobe—where the maids never cleaned. There, hidden beneath a false bottom in an old keepsake box, lay my secret weapon: a black burner phone I’d stashed two years ago during a safety drill. Thank the Moon Goddess I hadn’t thrown it out. The battery was half full. The signal weak—but usable. I dialed the only number I’d memorized. The one person who would never hang up on me. “Kellie?” My voice came out raw the moment I heard the click. “Scarlett?” Her voice was confused, then alarmed. “Are you okay? Where are you calling from? This number—” “I don’t have much time,” I cut her off, pacing like a lioness trapped in a cage. “I need your help. I’m being held here. Alexander wants me gone from the pack.” “What?!” “He’s taken everything—my freedom, my title, my wolf. He brought back his true love, and she’s carrying his heir.” My voice shook. “Kara is gone, Kellie. I can’t feel her anymore.” “Oh, my goddess…” she breathed. “What do you need me to do?” “Lucien,” I said quickly. “Can you talk to your brother? He’s on the council. Maybe he can help me. Maybe there’s a way to break the bond without losing my title—” “You want to divorce Alexander?” I hesitated. But the past few days replayed in my mind like a burning reel, and I reminded myself—when a man tries to strip away your voice and everything you represent, he will never belong to you. Then I nodded. “Yes. I want out.” She was quiet for a moment, then sighed. “Alright. I’ll talk to Lucien. But Scarlett… the council is brutal. Even with his influence, this won’t be easy.” “I’m not looking for easy. I’m looking for possible.” “I’ll arrange a few things. But you’ll have to stay quiet. Alexander has ears everywhere.” “I know.” After she hung up, I sat on the floor, leaning back against the wardrobe, my gaze empty. Kellie had always been my best friend. She knew the darker parts of me—my ambition, my pride, the years I’d spent proving myself. She also knew about my silly little crush on Lucien. Lucien, with his silver eyes and untouchable aura. Always composed. Always regal. He was three years older than me, and by the time I was a scrawny teen dreaming of my first transformation, his wolf was already formidable. I remembered watching him during council visits. Every time he glanced in my direction, my heart would pound like crazy. Of course, he never truly noticed me—not the way I wished he would. But I wasn’t a little girl anymore. I was the Luna of Crescent Moon. A betrayed woman. A prisoner. A woman with nothing left. If anyone could untangle this web—it was Lucien. Ruby tapped gently on my door. “Luna, your tea…” I scrambled to hide the phone and stood up. “Leave it at the door, Ruby. I need to rest.” “Yes, Luna.” Her footsteps faded. Only when I heard the distant click of a closing door did I breathe again. I paced slowly, trying to steady my racing heart. With every step, the walls of the room seemed to close in. The chandelier above swayed slightly, but the air remained still. I closed my eyes, pulling strength from memory. My father’s voice. The scent of snow-covered forests. Kara’s first words to me during my patrols. They were all I had now. Because here, in this gilded prison disguised as a palace, I had no friends. No voice. No wolf. But I had a fire still burning deep inside me. And I would use that fire to burn Alexander’s lies to the ground.