Chapter 48: Forced Submission
Chapter 48: Forced Submission
(Scarlett’s POV)
I had just sent off the last of the medical supply shipments when my phone buzzed on the counter. The screen expecting–Nathan Black.
it up with a
a name I hadn’t been
I rolled my eyes, letting it ring twice before finally answering. “Nathan” I said, my tone flat. “This better be important. I’m busy and not in the mood for
pack games”
A low growl hummed on the other end. It is important,” he snapped. His voice was sharp, edged with frustration. I’ve got Sophie here, and she’s going to apologize for her behavior at the council meeting”
I blinked, momentarily caught off guard, “Sophie? Apologize? I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at my lips. T1 believe it when I hear it.”
Nathan exhaled hard, his irritation clear. “Be ready” he barked before the muffled sounds of movement came through the line
There was the faint sound of scuffling, and then Sophie’s voice crackled through. “I apologize,” she said stiffly, the words forced and empty
I leaned against the counter, biting back a laugh. “What was that?” I asked, feigning confusion. “I didn’t quite hear you. You’re going to have to say it
clearer than that.”
Sophie hissed something under her breath, but Nathan’s growl cut her off. The sound was loud, commanding, and it even made my wolf Cora stir
with amusement
“Properly, Sophie, Nathan demanded. “This isn’t a joke, and I’m not asking again”
Her voice came through again, this time brittle and trembling under the weight of Nathan’s Alpha dominance. 1 apologize, she repeated, her resentment seeping through. For my disrespectful comments at the council meeting.”
I tited my head, letting that sink in before responding interesting. But doesn’t this feel… incomplete?” My tone was deliberately playful “Nathan, didn’t she say quite a bit more that day? Perhaps she should repeat it. Exactly as she said it.”
There was an agonizing silence before Sophie’s voice came again. This time, she stammered through the very same insults she’d tossed so freely at the gathering. Her words were shaky, dripping with reluctant obedience.
I grinned, letting her finish before I spoke. “Ah, yes. That sounds familiar now. Though, it would’ve been so much more entertaining if you still believed
the nonsense you were saying
Sophie snapped, her voice trembling with rage. “You think this is funny? Acting like you’ve won?”
Nathan’s snarl erupted again. “Enough, Sophie. Don’t make this worse for yourself.”
Her sharp intake of breath was audible. She stumbled over another apology, humiliated and silenced by Nathan’s Alpha power.
“Better,” I said coolly. “Thanks for the entertainment, Nathan. Do let me know if you need to practice this exercise with anyone else.”
Nathan groaned audibly before cutting the connection
I placed the phone back on the counter, my smirk lingering Watching Sophie flail under Nathan’s command was better than I’d imagined.
By midday, whispers of Sarah’s latest plot began to trickle in through pack gossip channels.
Claire entered my office cautiously, clutching her phone like it was about to explode. “Scarlett, you need to hear this,” she said nervously.
Frowning slightly, I motioned for her to continue
She passed me the phone. On it was an update from a Northern merchant I’d once considered an ally–or so I thought. Sarah had reportedly issued an order across all Northern territory: blacklist Scarlett’s treatment center. No supplies, no support, nothing.
I let out a dry lough, handing the phone back to Claire. “She’s seriously taking that route?‘ I asked, amused rather than annoyed. “After everything. that’s her grand move?”
Claire nodded hesitantly. “She’s trying to force you to submit,” she said softly. “To make you feel like you’ve got no choice but to help”
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Chapter 48 Forced Submission
I snorted. “Submit?” The word felt foreign on my tongue. “She’s going to learn real fast that I’m not a twenty–year–old pup anymore.
Claire hesitated, as if waiting for me to tell her what to do next.
“Come with me,” I ordered, standing abruptly.
She followed me down the hallway toward the main room, where some of my newest shipments were being organized. Workers were arranging shelves of priceless items–elairs, rame herbs, and above all, crystals that shimmered like captured sunlight.
I pointed to the display shelves near the entrance. “Set these up front and center, I instructed. “Let everyone see just how unaffected we are”
Claire nodded quickly, already signaling the workers to move.
I crossed my arms, standing back to watch. The workers carefully arranged the glowing healing crystals, their movements precise and deliberate Under the lighting, the crystals gleamed like fire, each one more breathtaking than the last.
Through my still–fading bond with Sarah, I felt the faint ripples of her shock. She must’ve already heard about this shipment–heard that I was flaunting my success right under her nose.
“Let her stew in it,” I muttered, smirking at the thought
It didn’t take long for Nathan to arrive at the clinic, Sophie in tow.
They stormed into my office without knocking, Nathan looking like a man seconds away from losing his temper entirely. Sophie, meanwhile, was the
picture of visible discomfort.
Her eyes
darted around the room, widening at the sight of my prosperous operation. The clinic was bustling with workers, shelves brimming with
rare supplies, and an air of authority so thick you’d need claws to cut through it,
“You’ve got a nerve, coming unannounced,” I said, leaning casually against my desk. “This isn’t about another apology, is it?”
“It is,” Nathan growled. He shoved Sophie forward unceremoniously. “This time, in person.”
Sophie shot him a venomous look, but he didn’t budge. She stumbled forward reluctantly, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
“…” She struggled to meet my gaze. “I want to apologize.”
“Do you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sophie flushed with barely–contained irritation. “Yes. I shouldn’t have said the things I said at the council meeting.”
Her tone was almost convincing, but I wasn’t done yet.
I leaned forward slightly, letting my voice drop. “Wasn’t there something else, Sophie? Something about Alexander?”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Alexander’s devotion to Grace” she bit out, “Yes, I said it.”
“And?” I prompted, gesturing for her to continue. “You should finish that thought.”
Her hands shook slightly as she muttered, 1 said you couldn’t compare to her”
I smirked, sitting back in my chair. “Funny how that looks now, doesn’t it? Considering Alexander’s running himself ragged trying to win favor in my
court”
Her face paled at the words, and Nathan’s low growl of approval rumbled through the room.
“Sit with that for a white,” I added. “See how it feels to be playing second every time you look in the mirror”
Sophie stumbled back, glaring at me as tears of frustration welled in her eyes.
“Enough” Nathan barked sharply, silencing her completely.
Through the band I shared with Roman, I could feel the echo of his satisfaction in my triumph–his approval for each calculated word, each reminder of the power I now held.
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As they turned to leave, Sophie couldn’t help herself. She paused by the door, looking back at me with one last burst of defiance.
“Daniel,” she started, her voice gaining strength, “will make sure you lose access to the sacred grounds. Hell-
Chapter 48 Forced Submission
Nathan out her off with a thunderous roar. “Sophiel” His yell reverberated through the room, heavy with unbearable Alpha dominance.
Sophie practically flinched out of her shoes, her words dying on the tip of her tongue.
I tilled my head, watching her carefully. “Sacred grounds?” I repeated, letting the amusement seep into my tone. Ts that supposed to scare me?”
She blinked, confused.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” I asked, stepping closer until the full weight of my wolf’s power shimmered just beneath my skin. “I don’t need you.! don’t need the Winter Pack. And I sure as hell don’t need access to your sacred grounds.”
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
“Take your threats to someone who might actually care,” I finished, my tone cold.
Her body visibly deflated, all the fight gone from her as she looked to Nathan for support. But his expression was stony, and he simply dragged her out without another word.
The moment the door clicked shut behind them, the tension in the room broke like a snapped wire
Through whispers and bonds, I could already sense Sarah’s growing desperation. The realization was finally starting to hit her–none of her manipulations worked anymore.
I smiled faintly, glancing at my shelves of precious supplies. Everything she tried was futile now. I controlled the very resources that Grace needed to survive. Their power over me was long gone.
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