Chapter 75: I would’ve fought
Chapter 75: I would’ve fought
(Scarlett’s POV)
Hunter walked silently beside me. His sharp eyes scanned our surroundings, his protective stance as constant as his shadow. Roman’s insistence that he accompany me grated more than I cared to admit, but I wasn’t about to argue. Roman didn’t relent when it came to my safety.
The sanatorium loomed ahead like a fortress of bitterness and deceit. As we approached, voices filtered out from an open window, low and hurried. My steps faltered, motioning for Hunter to stay back.
“We must detain her,” Sarah’s voice hissed, brittle with desperation. “We have no choice now. She will help Grace, whether she wants to or not.”
I felt a sharp pang of irritation and rolled my eyes. Of course. They never quit scheming.
“But mother,” Daniel’s tone was uncertain, hesitant. “If we force her, Scarlett could-”
“Enough!” Alexander snapped, his voice barely containing his frustration. “Grace is dying! Scarlett refuses to help. We’ll keep her here until she agrees. End of discussion!”
My lips curled with icy amusement. They truly thought this would work. I stepped closer to the window and cleared my throat loud enough to catch their attention.
“Planning something you’d like me to hear?” I said, smirking at their startled faces as they whipped around in
sync.
Silence fell, thick and charged, until Sarah broke it first with trembling desperation. She rushed toward me, hands clutching the edge of the window frame.
“Scarlett, please!” Her voice shook as she gazed at me, her eyes glistening with years of repressed guilt. “We’re out of options. Grace needs you–you’re her last hope!”
I crossed my arms, leaning against the window frame like I had all the time in the world. “Now you acknowledge me as family?” I asked softly, though there was nothing kind in my tone.
Sarah flinched, her desperation giving way to a flicker of anger. “You know full well she’s suffering! Do you care nothing for your-”
“Let’s stop pretending we’re having a heartfelt reunion.” I cut her off sharply. The coldness in my voice made her step back slightly. “Don’t act like I should feel obligated to help. You’ve had years to play the maternal act and ignored every moment of it.”
Sarah’s lips quivered. I could tell she wanted to argue but couldn’t.
“You ruined our pack’s healing chains,” she accused instead. Her voice climbed in both pitch and anger. “You think cutting off the supply to our resources helps anyone but yourself? You’re acting like a vengeful child!”
“If vengeful means protecting myself from being trampled on, then yes!” I snapped. My voice rose, slicing through the air like a whip. “I dismantled those resources because you deserved it. After everything–every plot, every scheme, every betrayal–I owe you nothing!”
“You crossed a line!” Daniel was suddenly in my face, his eyes blazing with righteous fury. His voice erupted
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as he pointed a clawed finger directly at me. “Disrespecting our pack hierarchy will be your downfall, Scarlett!
“His claws extended, gleaming with malice as he stepped forward to reinforce the threat.
I didn’t move, my emerald eyes locking with his as my smirk deepened. “You forget, Daniel,” I said coldly, “I
don’t answer to your pack anymore.”
With a snarl, his claws swiped toward me. There was no hesitation in his movements, only blind rage.
Before I could lift a finger, Hunter burst into action like lightning. His precision was unmatched–one swing of his fist and Daniel’s body hurtled backward, slamming into the nearest stone wall. The impact shook the air
and left him crumpled on the ground.
A pained groan escaped Daniel, but I didn’t even flinch.
“All bark, no bite,” Hunter muttered with mild disdain as he stepped back, his stance calm as ever.
Alexander’s fury burned hot when he lunged forward next. His jealousy was almost tangible, radiating off of him as he glared at me. “You have this… this Alpha King protecting you,” he spat. His voice dripped with venom as he added, “Who is he? What is this connection?”
Hunter’s gaze shifted to me briefly, his brows lifting in silent inquiry. “Shall I deal with him too?”
I held up a hand to stop him, casting a mocking glance in Alexander’s direction. “No need.” My attention dropped pointedly to Alexander’s cast–covered arm. “I think Roman already delivered that message loud and
clear.”
Alexander bristled, fury blazing within his amber eyes as my words hit deeper wounds than his broken arm. Hunter and I turned to leave, but Alexander’s hand clamped painfully around my arm. His muscles strained beneath his fierce grip. “You’re not going anywhere,” he growled, his voice coated with desperation. “Stop!” Sarah’s plaintive cry cracked through the air, and even Alexander froze for a moment. “Please,” Scarlett,” she pleaded, her voice quaking as she braced herself against the doorframe. “Name your term Anything. I’ll accept it. Just save Grace.” Her lips trembled as she added, “We share blood.”
Blood. That word irritated me more than anything. Blood didn’t undo all the harm or neglect.
My voice was icy as I pulled my arm free. “You’d use that now? When it’s convenient for you?” I paused, letting the cutting silence deepen the wound. “Fine. You’ll hear from my assistant.”
Sarah blinked, confused. “Assistant? For wha-”
“I’m going to the United Council of Wolves,” I continued, matter–of–factly. “I’ll ensure our pack bonds are permanently severed. This ends now.”
Her face drained of color. For the first time, I saw real fear in her eyes–not concern for Grace or her pack, but fear of losing me. Of knowing she’d never control me again.
Daniel struggled to his feet, his body still unsteady from Hunter’s attack. “What… What documents?” He looked to Sarah, but her widened eyes said it all.
“This can’t be true…” she whispered, mostly to herself.
“It is,” I interjected sharply. “Consider this your last warning. Before I cut every remaining tie.”
Sarah’s lips quivered as her façade of control began to splinter. Yet Daniel ignored her, determination replacing his earlier outrage.
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“Sign it, Mother,” he hissed. Though his face was contorted in pain, his voice carried authority. “Sign it and get rid of her. She’s trouble, and Grace’s survival demands we act now.”
I tilted my head slightly, watching their whirlwind of chaos with mild amusement. This was what their desperation looked like.
Once we were far enough from the scene, we made our way toward my healing center’s office. The air around us was calm again, yet Hunter finally broke the silence. His brows furrowed as he walked beside me, his hands resting loosely at his sides.
“You’ve played the obedient daughter for three years,” he said plainly. “But now… I don’t get it. Why now? Why
this sudden shift after enduring their torment so quietly?”
I stopped mid–step, turning to face him. The weight of past decisions pressed heavily on my chest, but I met
his gaze evenly.
“I didn’t leave the Thorn Pack willingly,” I said, my tone measured but tinged with old pain. “Morrison gave me no choice. Threatened Luna Katherine’s life to force my compliance.”
Hunter’s steady composure visibly wavered at my admission, but he stayed silent, waiting for me to continue.
“After I left,” I said, my voice harder this time, “Morrison ensured his shadow followed my every move. I was watched. Monitored. Every step I took was calculated for survival, for protection.”
His jaw tightened. “Roman never told me.”
“He didn’t know everything,” I admitted quietly, my fists clenching beside me. “I stayed low, endured the treatments from Sarah, Grace, and even Alexander. All for Luna Katherine. As long as Morrison thought I was
defeated, she was safe.”
Hunter’s expression softened in understanding, though the fire behind his gaze simmered with anger. Morrison’s leash never left you then,” he murmured quietly.
“Not until I joined Roman again.” My words were cold now, hardened by the realization.
Hunter nodded slowly, his sharp gaze shifting back toward the path ahead. “That explains it.”
I turned to resume walking, but his next words gripped my attention.
“You’re not the only one who sacrificed for the Thorn Pack,” he said simply. “Just know, Scarlett… if I had known, I would’ve stood by you then. I would’ve fought.”
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