‘Get out before I hurt you’. The words rang in my head over and over again while I walked into the council building unarmed and dejected just like the night before. The night that my world shattered and the ground disappeared beneath my feet. The night my husband, the alpha of my pack betrayed me.

I squeezed my loose shirt beneath my fists and bit my lips as I noticed the looks and upturned noses that I was getting as I walked the hallways of the building. I expected it to be like this but still it was unnerving. I had been summoned before the pack council that morning and that only meant two things. A query or an annulment. One of which I hoped wouldn’t happen that day.

I reached the large oak doors being guarded by two Zeta’s. Obvious when the elders of the pack were behind those doors. They eyed me for a second before they opened the doors for me to enter. Once the doors were opened, I walked into the conclave room hesitantly. I had no idea why I was called in here but my mind began to race when I saw my husband standing in the middle of the round room surrounded by the five elders of the council who sat up high in their throne-like seats. They’re eyes settled on me making me feel uneasy but I stayed put. I planted my feet into the ground close enough that I was standing in the middle of the room but a ways from Bolton so that it wouldn’t seem weird after what transpired between us.

I could feel his heated gaze on me while I glanced at the ground, not ready to face him again just as his last words to me resounded in my head. I bit my lip harder, drawing blood to somehow calm myself.

“Scarlett Gray, Luna of the blue moon pack, you have been called before the council to plead your case. What do you have to say about that?” One of the elders spoke up.

I looked up from the floor and spoke.

“I have no idea why I have been called before the council today but whatever it is, I am sure that I can clear it up.”

“Then the aggrieved will speak.” Another elder announced.

The elder that spoke to me turned to Bolton and gave him a nod to begin. Bolton glared at me for a brief moment before turning away from me.

“Thank you elders for allowing me this meeting. I called the council here to inform them of my intentions of an annulment. My marriage annulment to Scarlett.”

My head whipped around like I was in an accident. No. Not that.

“And why would you want to do such a thing?” An elder questioned, his brow raised in curiosity.

“Because as of last night, I found out that my wife has been having illicit affairs with one of the omega’s of the pack.”

My mouth dropped at the lie. Not only mine but the mouths of the elders also did the same. What the hell was going on?

“Alpha Bolton. Keep in mind that any false accusations would result in your own banishment from the pack.” One of them warned.

Bolton nodded his head and continued.

“I have that in mind, Elder Mason. I speak nothing but the truth here. I caught her myself philandering around with an omega while I was meant to be out attending pack meetings.”

My mouth flew open and I was about to deny it all when one of the elders raised their hands stopping me from speaking. In our custom a complaint was mentioned and the aggrieved had the opportunity of speaking their mind first before the accused plead their case. I closed my mouth and swallowed my tongue. I knew these customs. Hell, I had taught them to our pups since I was Luna but I couldn’t just stand by and let Bolton blatantly lie against me.

“Are you sure of what you bring before us Alpha Bolton?”

“I am. I even have a witness to confirm the story. She’s right outside if you would like to hear it from her.” Bolton answered with a small smile on his face. After some seconds of thinking about it, an elder gave a reply.

“Very well. Let the witness in.”

With the go ahead, Bolton gestured to the guard inside the room. The doors opened up and I saw Layla walk in with her head held high and fingers crossed. She moved to the middle of the room, standing in front of me before she bowed and addressed the council.

“You may speak now, child. Now speak.” An elder told her.

Layla rose up and spoke.

“Whatever Alpha Bolton must have told you here today is true. I saw Alpha Bolton going back to his pack house last night. I was alone so he decided to escort me back to my own house since he didn’t believe that I should be walking alone at night. While we walked we heard a rustle near some bushes. Alpha Bolton stopped me and went to check it out, you know, to make sure that it was safe. That was when we saw them. Luna Scarlett and a no name Omega going at it in the bushes without any dignity.” Layla said in one swift breath.

I pursed my lips, losing my mind. They just lied through their teeth. A lie that seemed all too carefully planned for this to be a spur of the moment thing. They were trying to get me thrown out of the pack for infidelity but I was not going to let that happen. I would expose them before the council.

“You stand by this testimony Beta Layla?”

“I do, elder.”

The elders turned to me, their eyes piercing my soul.

“What do you say to these accusations, Luna Scarlett?” An elder asked me.

“I didn’t do it. I didn’t have an affair with anyone.”

“Are you calling the Alpha a liar then?” A question came flying at me.

I paused to get my bearings. It was almost sacrilegious to outrightly accuse the Alpha of being untruthful but desperate times called for desperate measures. I was not going to go out like this.

“I am. In fact he is the one who had the affair. I caught him in bed with Beta Layla. They are the ones who should be punished for this, not me.” I revealed, not caring about the consequences.

“How dare you lie against me?” Bolton shouted out, his fangs showing. The hair on my arms stood up straight but I didn’t stop. I told them the whole story.

“I went home last night to tell the Alpha that I was pregnant. That I finally had the future leader of the pack in my womb but then I caught him with her and even after they had revealed their years-long affair, he chased me out of our home to favor that whore.”

Layla gasped as the word left my mouth while Bolton crossed the distance between us and grabbed me by my throat, his claws digging into my skin.

“Don’t you dare call her that.” He growled into my ear.

“You see. Do you see how he protects her instead of his own wife? Isn’t that proof enough of what they did?” I shout out to grab the attention of the elders.

Bolton lets go of me, allowing me to catch my breath. My hand goes up to my neck, massaging the sore spot.

“You carry a child Luna?” An elder questioned me.

“I do. After three years, I finally do.” I answer with a smile on my face. Disregarding what my husband and his mistress were doing to me, having a child was one of the best things that happened to me last night.

“Oh come on. Even if she is pregnant, that child cannot be mine. Scarlett and I have not been intimate in over a year now. It is not possible.” Bolton argued.

I turned to him, not surprised at this. We had been trying for so long for a child and now that I had uncovered his secret he acted like those long nights of making love were nothing.

“The child is his. Elders, I assure you.”

Bolton moved to shout out his opinion but all the elders raised their hands stopping us. They had heard enough. The room went silent and the elders shared a look, all of them silently discussing the outcome of this inquiry into our lives. After about three minutes, they turned to us with their verdict.

“We have decided. We side with Alpha Bolton. Therefore the marriage between Alpha Bolton and Luna Scarlett has been annulled from now henceforth. Luna Scarlett will be stripped of her title and be demoted to an omega to live out the rest of her days in the pack.” One of the elders declared.

My world spun. What? Did they just believe Bolton over me?

“I would like to ask that she be banished also. After what she did, I do not want her anywhere near the pack.” Bolton said, adding salt to my injury. I turned to the elders, my eyes pleading that they do not do this to me but it was all in vain as they sided with Bolton.

“So be it. Scarlett Vontell will be banished from the blue moon pack as per request of Alpha Bolton.” The elder said with finality.

I glanced at Bolton and Layla, with hatred in my eyes. The both of them smirked condescendingly at me, their plans coming to fruition. I turned back to the elders and begged. No one ever questioned their verdict but I had to try. They were wrong.

“This isn’t right. I did nothing wrong. I am wrongfully being accused.” I plead but my words must have struck a bad chord with them because the next thing I know is that I was being grabbed by strong arms and am being dragged out of the room.

“No. Please. Don’t do this.” I screamed out but it stopped nothing. As I was being taken away, the last thing I saw in that room was the conniving faces of the people who wronged me. The people who declared themselves my enemies. At that point, even though I had lost the battle, I would win the war. They would pay. I would burn them both to the ground but not before my child was cared for. After that, I would have my revenge.

Ten years have passed since I was thrown out of my own pack and onto the streets with nothing more than the clothes on my back. Ten years since I had been betrayed by the most important person in my life. I had dreaded those years but after they had passed, I was left with an angel to guide me. A purpose in my life. My child. My little Rheya.

Ever since I had been banished, my life had been through one rollercoaster to another. Whether it had to do with my depression, my unending anger, job changes, living among humans or my pregnancy pangs. All of it was hard on a single mother like me but there was one thing that never changed over the years. There had been no love interest. No one for Rheya to call her father and even though I had wanted to give her a strong father figure, I just couldn’t bring myself to go through what happened in my past once more. Hence, me being the only single woman who sat in the park to watch her child play with her friends on a cool day.

“Be careful, Rheya. Don’t hurt yourself.” I shouted out to my daughter who laughed and gave me a nod before running around the swing set with her friends like a crazed animal. I chuckled and pulled my coat tighter to my body before I felt my phone vibrate. I took it out of my pocket without looking away from my girl and answered the call.

“Hello.”

“Good day. My name is Annie January. Am I speaking with Scarlett Vontrell of Nexus holdings?” A female voice asked me over the phone.

“Uh, yes you are. Is there a problem at the company?” I questioned her. I didn’t know who was speaking to me but if the company needed me then I had to go there immediately. I was the COO after all.

“No ma’am, there isn’t. Actually, I’m not from Nexus. I’m from Knox Conglomerate. I’m calling on behalf of the CEO of the company to inform you that your partnership proposal has been approved. Mr. Lucian Knox would like to see you tomorrow since you're the representative of your company to sign the papers. Would you be available for the signing?”

I stood up, my eyes still on Rheya but my mind somewhere else. I was elated. The contract that I had been after for over a year had come to a close with a freaking signing. I had gotten what I wanted. Well, not yet since the signing was the next day but still, it was not everyday that a company like Knox Conglomerate accepted company proposals. I grinned like a schoolgirl.

“I’ll be there bright and early.” I said.

“All right. See you here at 9:00 am sharp.”

“Okay. Thank you.” I replied before I ended the call and placed my phone back in my pockets. When my CEO, Samuel Graves hears about this, he’s going to scream his head off. I laughed happily and watched Rheya. Today was a good day. Now I just had to go to Knox Conglomerate and seal the deal. Easy enough.

•••••

The next day had come around pretty quickly and by 8:45am I stood in front of Knox Conglomerate with a gleam in my eyes. Rheya was already in school so I was free to close this deal. I walked into the large building that I had been to a couple of times during the year in my black stilettos and navy blue power suit ready for anything.

I approached the receptionist desk and smiled.

“Good morning miss. How may I help you today?” The receptionist said with a chirp in her voice.

“Good morning. My name is Scarlett Vontrell. I’m here to see the CEO, Lucian Knox. I have an appointment with him.”

“Well then, I’ll call it in. Hold on please.” She replied before she grabbed the phone receiver of its holder and spoke into it. While she did I glanced around the lobby. I couldn’t help but gape at the sheer size of it. I mean I worked in one of the richest companies in the state but this place was on a whole different level. The lobby alone was massive. It took about a minute before the receptionist’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Okay miss Vontrell, you can go up to the fifth floor and someone will meet you there. Does that work for you?” She asked at the end of her instruction. I gave her a nod.

“Yes. Thank you.” I mentioned before turning and making my way to the elevator. It dinged and opened up allowing me entrance before I pressed the button for the fifth floor. I had only ever gotten to the fourth since I dealt with Knox’s subordinate so at that point I didn’t know what to expect from the man.

The elevator dinged again and its doors opened up, showing me that I was on the fifth floor. Just as I got out, I heard a familiar voice. I turned around to see a short but petite blonde standing next to me.

“Miss Vontrell. It’s Annie.” She introduced herself. Before I had the chance to speak, she gestured for me to follow her.

“Right this way please.” She said before she walked off, making me follow her.

In nine short steps we stood outside a glass door that had a gold plaque on it that read CEO Knox. I took a deep breath and made sure to smile.

“You can go in now.” Annie said as she opened the door and granted me passage inside.

I walked into the room; the door closing behind me almost immediately, to see a man sitting behind a mahogany desk, glasses on his face and his nose buried in a pile of files. Was this him?

He concentrated on his work, not noticing that I was standing across from him. I cleared my throat to get his attention. Luckily for me it worked. His head snapped up and his eyes landed on me.

“Good morning Mr. Knox. I’m Scarlett Vontrell. I’m here for Nexus holdings.” I introduced myself.

“Oh, yes come in.” He said, trying to tidy up his work area.

I take a seat opposite him and smile.

“Excuse the mess. I had some things to go through one last time.” Lucain said as he raised up the file pile from his desk and dropped them on the floor next to his desk. Did he not care that they were important documents?

“There. Now, let’s get down to business. I believe I decided to become partial partners with your company because of the proposal you left behind and the overall performance of the company you work for. Can you assure me that the company’s profit charts will not fall once I partner?” He asked me, his face stoic showing his seriousness in the question. I didn’t bother stuttering. I had practiced for this for almost a year. I was going to nail it.

“Of course. Our profit margins are already above the average line and once the consumers hear that a company like yours partners with us, there would be no limit to what we could achieve together.” I answered with a smile.

Lucian looked at me for a second and smiled.

“Sounds rehearsed.” He stated, making my smile falter and my nerves fray.

“But don’t worry. I would be more worried if it wasn’t. I did my research into you and the company and you’re right. The partnership would be good for both of us.” He added, calming me a bit. With that Lucian opened his drawer and reached in, pulling out a file when he finished rifling through it.

“Here.” He said as he handed it to me.

“Since you’re the COO and the one who brought the contract I think you should sign it.”

“But sir, the CEO is meant to…” I started but he cut me off.

“I won’t sign it unless you do. I like working with people I can trust, not their superiors.”

I gave him a smile and a nod, already bending company policy for him. I took the file and opened it. Once I read through it and made sure that it was legit, I picked out a pen from my purse and signed on the dotted lines. Lucian smiled as he took the file from me, signed it himself and then placed it back on his desk. He stretched out his arm for a handshake. One I took and also one that changed my perspective. As soon as our hands touched, my head spun.

Unexpectedly, I felt a pull towards him. One that I could not explain but I knew that I had felt a similar feeling like that before. Once, many years ago. With my ex husband. I looked up at Lucian only to see him staring at me. I knew he was a handsome man but his eyes were unnerving especially now.

“You.” He whispered as realization dawned on his face and mine. We were both werewolves and by some surprise we must have just bonded. Found our mate.

I abruptly pulled away, my face betraying the emotions I began to feel. My words stuck in my throat as he removed his glasses and continued to watch me. I stood up, trying to be as polite and quick as possible.

“If that is all Mr. Knox, I’ll take my leave.” I said before spinning around and wanting to make a beeline for the door but I was stopped when a hand held me back and shockwaves went up my arm.

“Scarlett, stop.” His now honey dripping voice reached my ears. I unconsciously shivered, the mate pull getting strong and his scent filling up the room. For some reason I hadn’t sensed him when I entered the room. I had no idea he was my kin but now that this had happened, it was hard to deny. No. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want a mate. Not now. Not ever. I told myself as I shook my head to get rid of the feeling.

I pulled my hand away from him.

“Please stop.” I spoke before he allowed me to walk out of the room without any questions.

As soon as I left the building I breathed out, feeling the weight on my chest disappear. I placed my hand on my chest and relaxed. I had never felt that way with Bolton so why the hell was my body acting up the way it did? I cleared my mind and got into my car. It didn’t matter. I had signed the document for the company. I had secured our partnership. I didn’t have any reason to be near Lucian Knox. I was free of this problem. Crisis averted. Or so I thought.

My phone rang out, snapping me out of my thoughts. I reached into my purse and took it out, answering the call immediately.

“Scarlett.” I heard the familiar voice call me by my name. It was my boss, Samuel.

“Sir.” I mentioned but before I could say a word, he spoke before me.

“I heard that you just made us partners with the Knox Conglomerate. Great job.”

“Thank you sir.” I replied but still confused as to how he could have heard about the signing when I just left the building.

“Anyway, a special request has been made. You’ll be working hand in hand with Mr. Knox. That means that you’ll have an office at his company and you'll work from there.”

My eyes widened. That can’t be true.

“But sir, I am perfectly capable of working from my own office at the company. I don’t need to move.” I argued, my fists tightening around my steering wheel and my mind in disbelief.

“It's a non-negotiable Scarlett. I don’t know what you did or how you did it but Lucian Knox asked for you personally or the contract would fall through. Do this for the company or you might not come back to a job.” My boss said with finality. I frowned but still caved in.

“I understand sir. I’ll start up whenever an office opens up.” I accepted.

“Good and again, great work Scarlett. You’ll be getting a bonus this month.” The man said before ending the call and leaving me to sit in silence. Lucian asked for me personally. I sighed and berated myself.

Good job Scarlett. He wants you to work closely with him personally. I didn’t want a man in my life and now I had one trying to get my attention. I thought he was going to be a nuisance in my life but I didn’t know just how much.