Chapter 4:

Scarlett

I could not believe what was happening to Asher.

People said when your husband or partner started acting up, it was always a character trait they had long before you met them.

Yet, Asher... He never had any of these traits. He was perfect. He was the carefree guy in the room who made loving him so easy.

Even as the thoughts filled my head, I couldn't take out the part where his words rang out in my head.

He only wanted a child from me. He had only married me to take what belonged to his family...

"No..." I whispered, unable to believe it. Asher was too perfect for this. There had to be something else bugging him.

And if I couldn't talk to him, there was one person who could know. And that was Luciano, his beta, and my friend.

Long before Uncle Greg found me in the unknown lands, Luciano had been my friend. Back when I roamed around the streets after escaping the humans who had bought me as a maid.

Luciano was there for me. Though not to a hundred percent but he did take care of me whenever he had free time from his busy schedule. I considered him my friend and surely, he would help me.

I wiped away my tears and put on another dress, making sure to hide whatever trace of pain or worry I had with makeup. When I was done, I paused in the mirror, practicing my forced smile. But not even my eyes could reflect their usual light.

I could see the crack in my heart on the mirror and my throat tightened as Asher's cruel words replayed in my head once again.

The air became hot and I was starting to hyperventilate when I sniffled and got a hold of myself.

"You are a queen now Scarlett. You have to stay strong." I whispered over the mirror before fisting my hands and heading out in search of Luciano.

I had no idea where I could find him but I hoped to find a guard who could point me out to his quarters in the palace. Before now, we usually only met in the market space where he slipped me food or a blanket.

The memories warmed me up, adding to the confidence I had managed to summon up.

"My Queen," someone suddenly said behind me and I quickly turned to find a very striking woman -one I had never seen before until now.

She had long blonde hair and eyes that moved between silver and gray. Then a face that was too pretty for anyone to forget.

"I am Stella. I am sorry I am coming to you late... I am supposed to be your assistant." She smiled and bowed.

My eyes blinked for a few seconds as I paused, trying to make out what I was going to do with her. Surely I didn't need an assistant and the words were going to leave my lips as they were when I suddenly remembered why I was out in the first place.

"Oh, yeah... Hi." I mumbled, letting my practiced smile linger on my face. "I was going to meet up with Luciano. The beta. Do you know where his quarter is?"

She raised her head and her strange eyes flashed before she nodded subtly. "I know where it is. I will take you." She stretched her hand down in the opposite direction of where I was headed. "It is this way."

She started moving ahead of me and I followed slowly, watching the way she moved carefully like she could suddenly do something strange.

Why didn't Asher tell me about her? I thought but as soon as the idea was birthed in my head, I gave myself an answer. He couldn't tell me because he was still angry with me and my family.

Which still didn't make sense and I hoped, Luciano would be able to answer all of my questions.

"We are here, my queen."

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I saw that she had stopped in front of a door.

"Thank you," I said and took a step closer to the door but before I could knock, she knocked instead.

Then it occurred to me that she might want to stick around me like some bodyguard, so I quickly turned to her.

"Stella, right?"

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, my queen."

"Please, you don't have to stay. I need to speak to Luciano in private. Please."

"Oh that's not a problem, I will just wait in the reception." She gave me another bow and turned away from the door just as it was opening.

Luciano's face appeared before me and his tight expression softened.

"Scarlett... Or should I say, my queen," he said with a slight bow.

I waved my hand dismissively at his comment and offered him a small smile. "Oh Luciano please, call me Scarlett."

"Okay..." He replied and I could feel the awkwardness in his voice as he remained before me, not knowing what tondo.

I couldn't blame him. I could feel the awkwardness myself. Ever since Asher showed interest in me, we both developed an unspoken rule not to speak or even act like we knew each other. But the situation had changed. I was legally mated to Asher now and he was his beta, we had to talk.

My eyes made a quick sweep of the corridor and when I was sure no one was around, I returned my eyes to him.

"Can we talk... please?"

Luciano bit down on his teeth and also checked the corridors before pulling the door wide enough for me to get in, and then locked it as soon as I stepped in.

"You shouldn't be here." He mumbled and I turned around to face him, watching the emotions that moved over him. He knew.

"Why is Asher doing this to me?" I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "What is it my ancestors-" I paused as I remembered what he said they did to him and decided to rephrase my statement.

"Even if it is true that my ancestors took the lands from his, isn't there a way we can talk about this? A way we can make amends. I mean, I can give him my share of the lands, if he wants and I am certain not even Axel would have a problem with it."

But Luciano shook his head slowly and I could already feel the negative response he was about to give but I refused to accept it.

"I can convince my family. We can have a merger done. Anything... He just doesn't have to be like this. I can even give him the-"

"Scarlett," Luciano called, stopping me from the line of babbles I was spitting. "You know I will never lie to you. Before all of these even happened, you have been very dear to me... I can only tell you the truth."

His words were like the seconds of a bomb that was about to go off and destroy my life. And all I could do was wait for the seconds to tick-tock away as he spoke.

"Asher doesn't want just your shares..." He whispered. "He wants everything and he is not going to stop until he gets them."

My eyes blinked as it suddenly felt bitter in my throat. I couldn't fathom where all the hatred came from.

"Why?" I croaked as tears reached the surface of my eyes.

Luciano shook his head again and his hands held my upper arms. 

"Asher has lived with the guilt of failing his people and himself for so long... He has a twisted notion to rule everyone. It's almost like the curse of the old lycans'. Greed. A dark, need to rule over everyone... Nothing can stop him."

My legs suddenly felt like jelly as my world began to move over me like a rollercoaster. My heart was racing, and my wolf was screaming.

Asher couldn't be what Luciano just explained.

"But he loves me..." I said, looking up at Luciano. "He told me this himself. He is in love with me." -and if I was being sincere to myself, I loved him too.

"I am sorry, Scarlett. But Asher never loved you. You have always been a pawn. Something for him to play with so he could get his goal."

A gasp escaped my lips and the spinning of the world around me grew stronger. If Luciano wasn't holding onto me, I would have passed out.

He slowly let me to a seat and as I sat, my body trembled with denial.

"No," I mumbled like saying it over and over would make it better.

Asher had been the one to save my brother's marriage. He stood by Violet. He stood by me.

"No. Luciano," I whispered, raising my eyes to him. "I am sure that you are wrong. This must just be a condition."

Luciano left my side and moved to a table that was by the window. He pulled out something from it.

"The goddess wanted you to find me first... But if you hadn't come, I would have come to you." He took my hand and placed a phone in it. "As I said earlier, you are very dear to me, Scarlett. I can't lie to you. Neither can I sit and watch all of these happen to you."

Chapter 5: Scarlett

My wet eyes moved to the device he had placed in my hand and back to his face. "What is this?"

Luciano got up and released a deep sigh. "A recording device."

My heart skipped multiple beats and my eyes returned to the device again.

"I was worried about the switch in attitude he had after the ceremony back at your place. I tried to talk to him, but he refused to let me in..." He paused, turning to look at the sadness and denial that struggled over me.

"Earlier today, there was a meeting that can prove to you exactly what Asher wants to do to you and your family... It is a big risk I am taking to give you this because I am directly going against my King and Alpha. But..."

He lowered himself before me and his hands reached for my knees as our eyes locked. "You mean a lot to me and if I have to put my life at risk to give you the truth. Then I will."

My heart stopped beating and the world turned silent. Only Luciano's words rang out in my head. I knew he couldn't lie to me and for him to put his life on the line... There had to be some truth in this recording.

Slowly, my finger pressed the start button and I listened to the meeting. The tears I was already struggling to keep at bay started flowing stronger as I listened to the hate in Asher's voice as he instructed his people to take away the peace of my people.

Luciano was right. He was driven by greed and anger so deep it turned him into a monster.

Why else would he want to be with me only to have a child that could make his claim to the throne from my brother legitimately?

My heart broke into a million pieces as the recording continued playing. My thoughts swam back and forth from the part where he had confessed his love to me and the part where I had foolishly admitted to loving him too.

Even my damned wolf had recognized him as my mate.

But as the recording came to an end, my broken heart was patched up with anger. I wasn't some Lycan princess he could toy with.

I wasn't going to give him what he wanted. I refused to be the pawn in his game. We would play each other in this game.

"I can stop him," I mumbled as I handed the device back to Luciano.

Luciano's face morphed into a frown and he cocked his head to the side. "Scarlett, he is a Lycan. How can you stop him?"

"I am also a Lycan, Luciano. Don't forget that." My hands fisted and I got off his chair. "I would not sit back and watch him destroy what my father and my brother have suffered to come up with."

He also straightened up and the worry in his eyes was enough for my resolve to strengthen itself. Asher didn't deserve to rule people like Luciano.

If I was going to stop him, I had to make my rules around his. Instantly, I pulled out my phone from my pocket and dialed my brother's number.

"What are you doing?" Luciano cried out, taking the phone from me and stopping the call before he could pick up.

"what does it look like I am doing?" I hissed. "I am calling my brother and ending this madness at once. He thinks he can send rogues to attack my people and I will just stand back and do nothing?"

"No, he doesn't because he doesn't know that you heard him." Luciano looked flustered as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Look, the second you call your brother, Asher will fight back. And right now, no offense but your army isn't looking so good with the attack of Willow a few months back. They won't win the fight and what would happen to your people then?"

My fingers clasped together as I began to pace.

Luciano was right. If I called Axel and gave him the proof I had, he would attack straight and we couldn't win that attack. Asher was stronger than we were.

The realization made my heart sink and the tears returned to my eyes. "What can we do then?" I cried desperately helpless. "I can't- I can't just not do anything."

Luciano ran his fingers through his hair once again and placed his hand on his waist while he watched me.

"I have another idea."

With tears still in my eyes, I raised them to his and paused my pitiful thoughts.

"Asher can send rogues to attack but his true claim to the throne will stand when you give him an heir. If we can prevent that, then we can beat him."

My broken heart stopped as the thoughts rolled over in my head. It could work but how?

I was going to ask Luciano this when the sound of my phone ringing suddenly broke the tension in the room, bringing me out of my head as well.

"Hello," I answered as Luciano handed the phone back to me.

It was my brother. Axel, the first son of Talon Black.

"Scarlett, that was fast..." he teased. "Do you already miss us?"

The excitement in his voice brought even more tears to my eyes as I now understood even deeper what Luciano had just done. He stopped me from causing pain to my brother who thought he had done the right thing by marrying me off to a good guy.

A guy that was far from good. A power-hungry Lycan. A true monster.

"Yeah... yes, I missed you all and I was wondering how you are all doing?" I lied while struggling to keep away my sniffles.

"Scarlett, are you okay?"

Shit. He must have picked up the sadness from my voice.

Quickly, I broke into a forced laughter.

"Of course. I am very fine. I just miss you guys that's all. I will try and come over as soon as I get some free time, okay?"

"Hmm, okay and make sure to bring that mate of yours," Axel chuckled and I felt a part of me die.

How were they going to feel when the truth finally got to them?

I had to stop him before things got even worse.

"Sure. Bye Axel." I ended the call and sent a quick text to Uncle Greg to tighten security around the border villages, just to be extra safe.

Our army may have been shrunk down to a small size after the war Willow had brought to our doorstep but we were not going to stand by and let Asher win this. No way.

My eyes returned to Luciano and I remembered his offer.

"How do I stop myself from getting pregnant?"

"I will get you some pills to take regularly but it will take some time before it gets here... Just try not to meet with him and if you do meet, try to take lots of fruits with acids content. That should wash away his sperm in your body."

Once again my hands fisted and I nodded. "I will do just that... Thank you, Luciano. For everything and don't worry, I will protect you. My family will protect you."

He nodded, dropping his eyes to the floor. He probably thought my words were just that but I was an offspring of Talon Black. We don't make promises without keeping them. I was going to make sure he was safe at the end of this madness.

"I shall return now," I started heading to the door, determined to make Asher fail in his wicked plans.

"Scarlett," Luciano called and I paused.

"Huh?"

"Please stay safe. Don't act like you know anything yet. You need the element of surprise if you want to beat him."

I pursed my lips and nodded. "I will."

With that, I walked out of his quarters and headed back to mine.

As I got in, I locked the door and wrapped my hands around my chest. The whole truth crashed down over me and for a second I wanted to fall over the bed and cry my eyes out, but I fisted my hands and braced myself.

This was what Asher wanted. He lied to me and my family so he could enjoy the look of pain that his betrayal would bring. But he was wrong.

I was not going to give him that satisfaction even if it killed me, I would smile and show him how strong we were. My attitude was going to confuse him, play him the same way he was playing me until it drove him crazy enough to speak the truth.

Lightening never struck the same place twice. I was going to fight back with everything I had.

"My queen?"

I snapped my head to the door as I recognized Stella's voice. My brows furrowed but I unlocked the door and stared at her.

"I am sorry but you are not to lock your door except the king is with you," she said the second the door opened and my brows arched even further.

Chapter 6: Scarlett

"Excuse me?" I understood the part where I didn't have to go to him except, he requested for me but why did I have to keep my door unlocked?

Her strange eyes seemed to glow just before she bowed and said, "I am afraid that is just one of the rules, my queen."

Her reply only gave even more questions. "There are other rules?"

"Yes, my Queen..."

My teeth tightened as rage build from deep within, threatening to push out of me but I swallowed it back as I suddenly remembered Luciano's warnings. I had to keep acting like I was still in the dark.

I forced a smile and joined my hands together in front of me. "That's fine. I'll do as he wishes..."

Stella bowed once more and remained where she was like there was more, but I wasn't in the mood to listen to more instructions or rules made by my supposed mate and husband.

"Stella, you may leave now. I will call for you if I need you," I said, turning to the balcony. I felt her hesitation, but the echoing sounds of her legs soon filled the room as she walked out.

Finally, alone, my hands moved through my hair as the weight of my pitiful situation washed over me. As much as I wanted to hate Asher for becoming this way, a part of me still wished that all of these was a nightmare, and I could have the perfect picture I once had.

But this nightmare was not going to end until I ended it. Staying in this room and acting like a slave following his rules blindly wasn't going to cut it. I had to beat him at his game and one of the strongest lessons I learnt from my mother, was that:

"One needed the hearts of men to win a war," I whispered as my brains paused.

A slow smile curled itself over my face as I finally got a plan. I needed to win the heart of his people. If they loved me, cancelling out my people was going to be hard. At least some of them would be able to stand for me at least.

I moved back into my room and began to pace. How could I win his people over? I had been away from my family for a very long time. I didn't know what a queen or a princess could do to win people over. As my thoughts moved around, my eyes also fell on my phone, and it suddenly clicked. Aunt Emily. She could help me.

With long strides, I got to my phone and moved to the bathroom. I locked the door and turned on the shower, before going to the toilet sit where the noise from the shower wasn't as much, then I dialled her number.

She picked almost instantly. "Scarlett, are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. I just-" She didn't let me finish speaking before she interrupted me.

"Your brother mentioned that you were having cold fucking feet. Now listen to me clearly, we do not fucking backdown. You are married now, and you gave your fucking word on the alter. So be a good girl and enjoy Asher's cock-"

"Aunt Emily!" I yelled, squeezing my eyes shut and hoping the disgusting picture she just painted would disappear.

"Sorry, love, I got carried away. Did you want to talk about something else?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed as my eyes opened. "Yes, please... I need help with my people... I mean, Liam's people. How can I make them like me?"

"Scarlett, love, don't tell me those fuckers are giving you a hard time. What is Asher fucking doing about it?" She cried out and I slapped a hand to my head.

"Aunt Emily, its nothing like that. I just..." I paused, reconstructing my words. "I just got here, and they barely know me. They are not cold, they just- well they are being too careful. I want them to be free around me. I want to be like mother was to our people..."

"Ah, now I see what you mean." She breathed, finally getting serious. "Ava was an amazing person. A human but the light in all our fucked-up lives..." Her voice cracked and I could imagine her fighting her tears. My mother was her best friend, and we all knew that deep down she was probably more broken than the rest of us. The revolution took away her brother and her best friend.

"How can I be like her?" I added, hoping to end the conversation as soon as possible for both our sakes.

It took a moment for her to respond but after a few seconds, her voice came through the call. "Scarlett you are a wonderful person too. Just like your mother... I am sure you can figure it out," she paused, and I heard sniffles before she added. "But you can speak to Violet. She is pretty creative when it comes things like that."

"Oh, sure, I will call her. Thanks." I ended the call before she could say more, and I placed the phone on my chest as I took a moment to calm the ache in my heart.

My parents were gone. My younger brother was gone too. But we all believed that they would return, one day. So, when that day came, I had to make sure that there was something that they were returning to. The kingdom.

I took another deep breath and dialled, Violet's number.

"Hey, Violet," I started the second she answered.

"Scarlett, Emily just sent me a message about you wanting to impress the people, what is that about?"

I rolled my eyes at her question. Of course, Aunt Emily would be dramatic about passing on such simple information. Forcing a smile, I clutched the phone hard, "Oh, it's not like she put it but its close. What do I do to put a smile on people's faces?"

"Food," she simply said. "Everybody loves food. Prepare a meal for everyone. Maids, guards, members, anyone who is hungry. Make this a thing, once a week or twice, the people will love you."

The forced smile I had, suddenly turned natural as her idea made sense.

That night, I didn't sleep. I planned how I was going to make the cooking a success. I would make sure it became the sort of feast everyone looked forward to.

When morning eventually came, I was more than pumped to begin my plan. I took a quick shower and picked a light dress for the day. With my hair packed at the top of my head, I moved to the kitchen.

The maids and cooks all stopped what they were doing and stared at me as I approached them. I couldn't possibly blame them; I would have had the same reaction if someone barged into my work space like I just did. But I had already planned this out.

With a smile on my face, I came to stand before them and held my head high. "Good morning, I am Scarlett and today, I want to join you in the kitchen. I want to make a meal for everyone today."

If they looked shocked before, then I was wrong. For the minute the words left my mouth, blood drained out of their faces. A strong tension suddenly filled them as they stared at themselves not knowing how to respond, until one of them, I was guessing the cook or head staff, took a step forward and bowed before me.

"My queen, we are all..." he turned to his colleagues, and they urged him to go on, "We are pleased that you will want to help us but please, let us do it. If you want a certain type of food, then please, let us cook it. It is our job."

I also knew that they were going to be stubborn, but I was more than prepared. With the smile on my face not fading, I walked pass him and grabbed one of the old aprons laying on the counter, then turned to him. "I introduced myself as Scarlett. Not your queen. I want to do this. Now, you either help me or you don't. Its fine."

I moved to the counter and cleared the space I would be using. Cooking a pot of chicken wasn't so hard. I pulled out a pot in the drawer and placed it on the stove.

There were a lot of doors around me, but with the positioning and the scent coming from it, I knew that the one directly behind me was the storeroom, so I walked towards it.

"We should have chicken in the store, yes?" I asked while already heading there.

But before I could get any closer, a young boy with striking green eyes, stood there holding two packs of frozen chicken. "What else do you need, my queen?"

My wolf moved within me, and I knew it wasn't just for his bravery, there was something else about him that felt strangely familiar. Like I knew him.

My hand stretched to the wrapped chicken in his hand, but my eyes couldn't tear away from his eyes. "What's your name and who are you?"

He smiled, his eyes glinting almost like... Axel's.

"I am just a lost human boy. But you can call me Bee and I am at your service..."