Chapter 51: Scarlett’s Making a Fortune
Chapter 51: Scarlett’s Making a Fortune
(Nathan’s POV)
As we left Scarlett’s healing center, the weight of what had just transpired hung heavy between Sophie and me. The tension in the air was sharp nough to cut, made worse by the lingering humiliation stamped across Sophie’s face. She walked a step behind me, her shoulders stiff with rebelion she didn’t dare voice aloud in the moment.
Her falure to
lure to understand the gravity of her actions grated on me. Every word, every faux apology she’d stammered inside that center had dug the Blake Pack deeper into a hole we might not crawl out of
I glanced at her sharply, needing to shatter the stubborn pride I sensed simmering in her. “What were you thinking back there, Sophie? My voice came razor–sharp, low, and vibrating with barely concealed anger
She finched but regained her composure quickly, tossing her platinum hair over her shoulder. 1 was telling the truth during that council meeting. Scarlett doesn’t belong in our circles Her arrogance-”
Her words sparked my temper, and I whirled on her faster than she expected. “That ‘arrogance, as you put it, is backed by more power than you or any of the Winter Pack could ever imagine. Or did you miss that detail during your apology?”
Sophie’s blue
widened slightly, but she quickly hid her fear behind a mask of defiance. “Nathan, she’s nothing but-
“Enough” snapped, my tone hard enough to make her bite her lip. “Do you have any idea what kind of protection Scarlett has? Did you not feel the authority in the air when Romans wamar guards were nearby? Did you miss the wealth displayed so openly in her tentory? That isn’t defiance, Sophie
Her chooks flushed, though her mouth opened and closed like she wanted to argue further. She f
faltered as realization flickered in her expression. something close to disbelief taking over her features.
“She’s just the Thom Packs cast–off, she muttered weakly, more to herself than to me.
1 let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Do you really think a cast–off could build an empire like that? Establish connections to the Shadow Organization? Do you know what Scarlet represents now, Sophie? She’s untouchable, and because of your stupid antics, you’ve made yourself a target”
Sophie’s is trembled, a mix of fear and anger flashing across her face. She humiliated met She-”
“She did exactly what you deserved, I interrupted coldly, my patience at its limit. “If you step out of line with her again, consider yourself entirely on your own. I wont risk the Blake Pack dealing with the wrath of Roman or the Shadow Organization because of your selfishness.”
Before Sophie could lash out about being abandoned or shifting the blame, my phone rang. I held up a hand, silencing her mid–sputter
Hunters name appeared on the screen, and my throat tightened, I stepped aside to answer, ignoring the nervous look Sophie gave me as I accepted
Hunter’s voice came crisp and direct, carrying the same lethal energy I had felt back in Scarlett’s healing center. “Alpha Nathan, Roman wants me to pass along a message”
I held my breath unconsciously “Go on”
“You are to ensure that every member of your pack ceases all interference with Scarlett immediately Hunter said, his words sharp and cutting. “No business disruptions. No provocations. No more foolish attempts to undermine her. Roman will consider any further disrespect a personal challenge, and I don’t think I need to remind you what happens when he’s truly provoked”
A chill passed over me despite the warm sunlight filtering through the trees. “Understood,” I replied, keeping my tone as steady as possible
“Good,” Hunter said evenly “Make sure Sophie remembers this too! There was a brief pause, then his final statement carried a weight that left no room for doubt. “We want tolerate warnings having to be repeated Roman’s patience is limited. Don’t test it”
The line went dead, leaving behind a silence filled only by Sophie’s impatient fidgeting nearby I let out a controlled breath before turning back to her
“What did he say?” she asked, her curiosity barely masking her inntation
stepped closer, lowering my voice so only she could hear me if you provoke Scarlett or the Shadow Organization again, you’re finished. Let that sink in Sophie Roman doesnt issue empty threats”
Chapter 51- Scarlett’s Making a Fortune
Her defiance finally crumbled as she looked away, lips pressed tightly together. Even though she didn’t speak, the subtle tremor in her pasture told me she finally grasped the seriousness behind Hunter’s words–and mine
I grabbed her arm, ensuring she couldn’t retreat into herself to escape the reality of what awaited us if she didn’t behave. Don’t speak Scarlett’s name again unless it’s out of respect. Do you understand me?”
At first, she stayed silent, her pride keeping her chin slightly raised. But after a long pause, her voice came out in a small, resigned whisper.”
understand.”
you”
I tightened my grip for a second before releasing her. “Good. Because if you put us in danger again, Roman won’t just go through Scarlett to handle
(Sarah’s POV)
I sat beside Grace’s bed in her deteriorating chamber, watching the soft, shallow rise and fall of her breaths. The once beautiful brightness in her pale blue eyes had dimmed over the past weeks. Anguish welled up inside me, a lump forming in my throat as I reached out to smooth back her tangled silver
locks
Daniel’s voice broke the solemn quiet, though his tone held the smugness of a wolf licking imagined wounds. “Scarlett can keep playing her games. but she won’t last. Not without access to pack hunting grounds or the sacred resources. Shell cave soon enough it’s only a matter of time.”
I nodded, squeezing Grace’s hand gently as her chest tightened in another strained breath. “Scarlett will have no choice but to come crawling back on
Daniel snorted in agreement, pacing the room with a semblance of triumph glinting in his amber eyes. For all his bravado, the tension in his movements betrayed the crackling energy of suppressed rage.
Grace whimpered softly, and I turned my attention back to her, pressing a damp cloth to her burning forehead. Her condition had twisted our once untouchable position into one of desperation, but soon… soon Scarlett would have to relent. I refused to believe my ‘real daughter would survive without
- US.
The door swung open suddenly, and Sophie stormed in, her footsteps heavy. She glanced briefly at Grace’s trembling form before facing me and
Daniel with a wild mixture of indignation and fear?
I frowned. “What are you doing here, Sophie? Shouldn’t you be ensuring your mistake at the council meeting doesn’t further destroy our alliances?”
She ignored the cut of my words and launched into an explanation instead. 1 just came back from Scarlett’s precious healing center, where Nathan dragged me–not for alliances‘ but to apologize to her personally”
She spat the words
ds like venom, her eyes darting between us.“You think she’s clinging to survival? You’re delusional. That so–called center of hers isn’t
just stable, it’s an empire. She earned over 10 Billion last year! She doesn’t need sacred grounds, Sarah”
True.
Daniel stopped pacing, his posture steel–rigid as her words hit him like a sudden blow. “What are you talking about, Sophie? That can’t possibly be
“It is,” she snapped. “I saw
w it with my
with my own eyes, Nathan himself had to practically beg her forgiveness. Scarlett’s stacked with resources. The kind of resources that make our entire pack look weak in comparison.”
1 felt the color drain from my face. The tremble in Sophie’s lip wasn’t from anger. It was from truth.
Daniel growled low, his wolf bristling so forcefully that the room felt colder. “She has no right
Sophie interrupted bitterly. “She has every right when Nathan, your mother, and even Alexander underestimated her. She glanced at Grace but didn’t add more.
The weight of her words landed heavily across us both. My grip on the cooling damp cloth tightened unconsciously
Daniel’s voice wasn’t just furious now–it was stricken “Scarlett’s making a fortune, isn’t she? Tell us the truth about how much she doesn’t need us anymore, Sophie.”
And with that, the
the burn of my worst fears sliced clean through. For my fragile plan to control Scarlett, I had played myself as much as her.
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