Chapter 52: Call Me darling
Chapter 52: Call Me darling
(Scarlett’s POV)
Emma’s voice buzzed through the mindlink, her tone somewhere between outrage and amusement.
“You wouldn’t believe the uproar this has caused,” she said, barely able to keep her laughter in check. “Sarah and Daniel are scrambling like cornered pigs.
I set the herbs I was sorting onto the counter and leaned against it, a smirk already forming. “What happened now?
“Oh, you’ll love this” Emma said, her glee palpable. “They just found out how much your business made last year. Apparently, the number hit them harder than a silver dagger to the chest.
I couldn’t help but chuckle–a deep, satisfied sound. “Did they really think I was just some helpless little she–wolf playing house with a few herbs?”
“That’s not even the best part,” she added, her excitement ramping up. “They’re losing it because the money you made last year? It’s more than the total revenue generated by all the sacred resources of the Winter Pack, Can you imagine their faces when they realized all this success has nothing to do with them?”
The image alone was enough to brighten my day. “What are they doing about it?”
“Oh, the usual” Emma’s voice turned sarcastic. “Scrambling to cut off your access to hunting grounds, manipulating supply chains, and pretending their influence still means something. Daniel’s been contacting packs left and right, trying to sabotage your suppliers. It’s pathetic, honestly”
Lago.
I sighed, shaking my head slowly. “Let them try. They’re clinging to the illusion of control that slipped through their fingers years ag
Emma snorted. “Sarah’s fuming. She can’t believe you built all this without their help–or their knowledge. It’s like they’ve just discovered you’re not only out of their grasp but that you’re ascending beyond them.”
“Good.” I replied simply, my voice cool “They deserve to feel powerless, just like they made me feel all those years ago.”
‘s grin
We both fell into comfortable silence, the connection humming softly between us. But even without seeing her, I could feel Emma’s
“Oh, and one more thing” she added with mock gravitas. “Apparently, Daniel even tried to convince one pack to pull out of their agreements with your center. They told him to, and I quote, mind his own business”
That drew a laugh from me–light and genuine. “I suppose they know better than to cross me now.”
“They do,” Emma said pointedly. “But you should still stay sharp. They’re not done scheming yet.”
7 wouldn’t expect anything less.”
With a final laugh, Emma cut the link, leaving me alone in the serene silence of my center. I leaned against the counter, letting the satisfaction wash
over me.
For once, it felt good to be me.
Roman’s hand rested lightly but possessively on the small of my back as we entered the French restaurant. The air inside was rich with the aroma of buttery sauces and freshly baked bread, a sharp contrast to the crisp chill of the outside.
I glanced around, the elegant decor and murmured conversations making it clear this wasn’t just any restaurant. Roman always had a way of choosing places that screamed exclusivity and refinement.
“Roman, you know I’m perfectly happy with something simpler, I murmured, smiling up at him. “Like hotpot.”
He frowned, though the corners of his lips twitched upward “Hotpot?”
“Yeah,” I said with a playful shrug. “I was actually planning to meet Emma for some before you hijacked my lunch plans.
His frown deepened, a mixture of disbelief and concern sparking in his icy blue eyes. “Hotpot isn’t suitable for you”
I raised an eyebrow, curious. “And why not?”
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Me darling
“Too many spicy peppers,” he said, his voice laced with a surprising amount of seriousness. “It could affect your abilities.”
I bit my lip to keep a smile from breaking out. “Roman, I’m not some fragile cub you need to shield from the big, bad world.”
His lips quirked, but he didn’t relent. “You might not be a cub anymore, but you’ll always be my little wolf.”
The words, spoken so casually left a flush creeping up my neck. I hated how easily he could make my face burn–not with shame or anger but with something softer, warmer.
“Careful,” I teased, hoping to steer the conversation away from my embarrassment. “Keep talking like that, and people might start thinking I’m stil your little sister.”
He leaned closer, a rare, indulgent smile forming. Let them think whatever they want.” His hand brushed against mine under the table, the contact sending an unbidden shiver down my spine. “You’ve always been more than that to me.”
I stared at him, words caught somewhere in my throat. But the moment didn’t last long, as the waiter arrived with the menus, breaking the tension.
Even as we ordered, Roman’s protective awareness seemed to wrap around me, a quiet but ever present reminder of what we meant to each other- what we were becoming
The elevator ride down from the restaurant was a quiet one at first, the soft hum of the machinery the only sound. Roman stood beside me, his imposing presence both comforting and commanding,
The doors slid open on the next floor, revealing none other than Alexander.
The air seemed to crackle with tension as his amber eyes landed on us. More specifically, on Roman’s hand resting on my waist.
“Scarlett,” he said tersely stepping into the elevator. “And… him.” His voice dripped with disdain as he acknowledged Roman,
“Alexander,” I replied coolly refusing to let his p
presence unsettleme
His gaze shifted back to Roman, narrowing into a glare. “So, it’s true,” he said, his voice low and seething. “You traded one Alpha for another. Was that your plan all along? To sabotage our mate bond so you could crawl to someone else?”
Roman stiffened beside me, his ice–blue eyes darkening dangerously.
My jaw
clenched. “You don’t get to rewrite the narrative” I said sharply. “You broke our connection the moment you chose Grace over me.”
“Chose Grace?” he repeated, his voice rising with incredulity. His anger boiled over as he took a step closer. “You’re the one who ran. You’re the one who-”
His words were cut off as
as Roman moved, his hand leaving my waist to push Alexander back with casual, overwhelming strength. Enough” he said,
histone icy and commanding.
Alexander’s own wolf power surged in response, but it was no match, Roman’s presence dominated the confined space of the elevator, his sheer force of will pressing down like a tidal wave
“You want to talk about betrayal, Roman said, his voice venomous. “You should look in the mirror first.”
When Alexander lunged forward, his movements were reckless, driven by anger more than strategy.
Roman intercepted him with alarming ease. With one swift, calculated motion, he grabbed Alexander’s arm and twisted in sharply. A sickening *** echoed through the elevator as Alexander cried out.
I stared in muted shock, though a part of me felt no sympathy.
Roman released him, letting Alexander stumble back, cradling his broken arm. “Touch her again,” he said, his tone low and lethal, “and next time. I won’t be so gentle.”
When the doors opened on the ground floor, Roman took my hand and led me out without a second glance at Alexander.
Jason rushed forward, his face pale as he took in his Alpha’s condition. Before the doors slid shut, I turned to him. “Get him healed,” I said coldly, my voice devoid of any warmth.
In Roman’s car, the tension hadn’t entirely dissipated. He sat rigid beside me, his hand still clutching mine as if afraid to let go.
“Do you feel sorry for him?” he asked suddenly his tone dark.
Chapter 52 Call Me darling.
I blinked, startled by the question. “What?”
“Do you still sympathize with him?” Roman’s icy gaze locked onto mine, his intensity overwhelming.
I shook my head. “No, Roman. Why would-”
But before I could finish, he pulled me onto his lap, his arms wrapping around me possessively. His lips crashed against mine in a kiss that was both demanding and impossibly soft
When he finally pulled away, his lips brushed against my ear. “Good,” he murmured.
For a moment, I couldn’t speak, my breath stolen by the force of his emotions–his need, his protectiveness, his love.
But when he kissed me again, his lips traveling to my neck, leaving heated marks behind, my voice returned in a desperate whisper, Toman, this–this
isn’t-
He silenced me with another kiss, his words a low growl against my skin. “Say my name,” he demanded.
“Roman,” I gasped.
He pulled back slightly, his icy blue eyes locking onto mine. Not that one,” he said, his voice softer now but no less intense. “Call me darling.”
Chapter 53: Protective Possession
Chapter 53: Protective Possession
