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..."

Chapter 7: Scarlett

"Bee?" Confusion clouded my mind as I stared at the boy, trying to decide if this was a joke or not, but before he could reply, the cook, came to with a basket full of ingredients.

"I am Bantu, the head maid and just like Bee said, we are all at your service too."

My thoughts left the strange new boy and I smiled at Bantu. I collected the basket from him and resumed cooking. More maids joined us and together, we made the food even faster. Not just chicken soup was made, other delicacies like potato puree, baked rice and so many types of salad was done.

At the end, we had a table full of food. It was truly a feast.

They were all giggling to themselves and for a second their joy made me forget about my ordeal. I became more concerned with seeing them happy. I was still lost in their picture they were painting before me when Bantu's voice pulled me out of it.

"My queen, this is a lot. The entire palace can't eat it all. What do we do?"

I moved away from the counter and smiled at him, but before I could speak, Bee beat me to it with his bubbling spirit: "We can always pack them and store in the cooling room. I am sure no one would mind eating chicken soup and some extra rice tomorrow. The guards won't mind." He suggested but I shook my head, I had an even better plan.

"Do you think the people outside would mind eating this?" I asked as I approached the baskets and trays of food.

"No ma'am, they will be thrilled. How many queens have done this for us?" one of the maids asked and other chorused, supporting her opinion, which only added to my conviction.

I clapped my hands and beamed at all of them. "Then, we shall share this food with them. Bring plastic plates," I suddenly requested and as they were brought to the counter, I took the lead and started dishing them out into plates.

Somebody started playing music somewhere and I was sure more than half the palace could hear us. Their excitement was surprising as I knew there was always food in the store -from the look of it-yet they seemed so happy to eat this. Was it just because I joined them or was there an order for them not to eat or touch it?

Looking at them, I didn't want to ask a question that would ruin the moment, rather, I made a mental note to question them later. I packed more than half of the food and placed them in baskets, then handed them to Bee. 

"Take this to the people outside the palace. I am sure we have some of them that are hungry or just low on food. Come on."

His face lit up with excitement and some other people volunteered to help with the task.

As they were leaving, I spread my arms and turned to Bantu; "We can then eat the rest."

The kitchen erupted with roars of excitement as everyone started taking out their potions to eat. They didn't even have to thank me; I saw it in their eyes. The shock and appreciation as they ate to their fill. But all the joy came to a standstill as the door burst open.

"What is going on here?" Asher's dark voice suddenly filled the kitchen. He stepped in and I saw Luciano and Stella behind him.

A negative aura filled the entire space as everyone froze in fear not knowing what to do as Asher came towards me with fire in his eyes. But I wasn't moved. I was prepared for everything.

The room was so silent, even a pin dropped could be heard and the closer he got, my heart started racing but I refused to be intimidated. We were in public, I had already won his people's heart over, whatever he did now, was going to play against him. All I had to do was the act the victim.

As he got closer, he grabbed me roughly by the arm and pulled me towards him with rage in his eyes, he growled: "I asked you a question, Scarlett. What the hell is going on here?"

The room went even more silent, and I held back. The eviler he portrayed in front of his people, the better it was going to be for me, I thought. But the silence was suddenly broken, as Stella fell to the ground and cried out.

"My king, I told her to stay in her room, but she refused to listen to me."

As her voice echoed in the heavy bubble of negativity that had filled the kitchen and I couldn't help but turn an arched brow to her. She had her head bowed and even though I couldn't remember her telling me this, I decided to let it go. She was probably too scared to even face Asher and this wasn't her fault, so she had to lie.

"Shut up, Stella! I didn't ask for your opinion." Asher growled and I saw Stella visibly shivering under the intensity of his aura.

"Asher, can we please talk in private. You are scaring your people-" I tried to whisper to him but his hold on me tightened and I was forced to swallow back my words at the pain.

"Do not tell me what to do!" He growled, but I didn't flinch. He was only ruining his own image which was good for me.

His eyes moved over my face like fire, almost like he needed them to burn me, but I stayed strong. As if that triggered him, he dropped my hand and returned his focus to the rest of the kitchen.

"And you!" he growled, heading to the counter where Bantu stood like a lone plant in a dessert not knowing which direction to sway to. "You let her come into my kitchen. Cook for my people and give it to them! Did you for once think that it could have been poisoned?"

My brows furrowed at his petty thoughts, and I was going to defend myself when a crashing sound shook the whole kitchen.

"I do not want any of you eating what she makes! I do not even want her near this kitchen or anywhere near my people!" he hissed, kicking off the rest of the food that survived his first ambush.

I was shocked by his brutal action, but I wasn't surprised. He had lost his mind. He was becoming desperate, and it was a pity he wasn't even seeing it.

Bantu, just like Stella, suddenly fell to the ground and everyone else except Luciano and me, joined him. "Forgive me my king... It would never happen again. Please," Bantu whispered, his voice shaking with fear.

As if that little act appeased Asher, he returned his gaze to me, ignoring the maids: "And you!" he hissed as he came to me.

I didn't speak. I didn't move. I just stood there, waiting for him to reach me. And when he eventually did, he grabbed my arm again but this time, he pulled me out of the kitchen, his breath fuming like a mad wolf as he charged for my room.

He kicked the door open and threw my body roughly to the ground.

"I thought I made it clear to you that your purpose was to give me a damn child, Scarlett! What did you think you were doing outside with my people?" He snarled his finger pointing dangerously at me.

I slowly pulled myself to my feet, dusted my dress and faced him: "If I am to stay in this room until I give you a child, then it means my work here is more of a breeder and not a queen-"

"You are not my queen!" He hissed, cutting off my words before they could even leave my lips. "A child of Talon can never be my queen."

Hearing him say it again, tore my heart all over again but I stood my ground.

"Then I am afraid your evil plan would be ruined even before it even begins, Asher. Because you arranged with my family. You married me as your mate, luna and queen."

Each word I spat out made his face turn bright red and I could almost smell the lava of anger growing through him. But I didn't stop.

"For a man hungry for revenge, you are not very smart. If you insist on reducing me to nothing more than a breeder, then the news would travel faster than you think, and my brother will find out about it-"

The words were barely out of my mouth when he roughly came towards me and pushed me to the wall with all his might: "How dare you speak back to me, Scarlett? Who do you think you are?"

My back was burning but so was my heart.

"I am Lycan Princess and until my last breath I won't let you make mockery of our kind."

His eyes glowed, twisting even darker as the words left my mouth. Time froze and I saw his hand raise to hit me as he yelled my name.