Chapter 61: Marks of Possession
Chapter 61: Marks of Possession
(Scarlett’s POV)
The sunlight streaked through my bedroom window on I blinked awake, my cheek pressed into the pillow. The first thing that greeted me wasn’t prace or the leftover comfort of sleep. It was the faint ache along my neck.
I sat up slowly, rubbing my face and trying to shake off the drowsiness. When I finally faced the mirror across the room, my breath caught.
My reflection told a far more damning story than I’d expected.
Bright, unmistakable–n trail of marks scattered over my neck like scattered petals. They were deep, vivid, the kind of marks that screamed
“claimed”
I groaned and threw myself back onto the bed, covering my face with my hands. “Seriously, Roman?” I whispered to myself.
The memories crashed back like waves refusing to retreat. Roman’s ice–blue eyes, fierce and unyielding. His gripping hold on me, the drunken possessiveness that poured from every touch last night.
**Run away again, and I’ll break both of your legs, little wolf”
It was a threat, sweetened by the mix of fury and desperation in his voice. Roman, drunk or not, didn’t make empty promises. My heart twisted just
thinking about it.
Those three months of escape–where I thought I could disappear, thought I could shake off his overprotective chains–felt like a distant memory now. Natalie had hidden me well, using her Crescent wolf magic to cloak my scent. Roman searched everywhere. For three months, he was relentless. It
wasn’t until I resurfaced with my newfound strength that he finally cornered me.
And yet, even with all the growth and power I’d gained during that time, facing him last night had reminded me of something crucial. Roman was still Roman–unyielding, powerful and utterly incapable of letting me slip from his grasp.
“Great” 1 mumbled, getting up and pointing an accusing glare at the reflection in the mirror. The marks glared right back.
To make matters worse, my phone buzzed. Reluctantly, I picked it up, scanning the screen. Missed calls from strangers, but I knew exactly who was calling. Alexander. His persistence was becoming exhausting. Did he have nothing better to do?
Rolling my eyes in frustration, I tossed the phone back onto the bed.
I scanned my neck again, scowling at the purpling bruises that refused to be ignored. One hand reached absentmindedly toward the top drawer of
my dresser. Surely, I had something that could cover all this? My hand brushed over a scarf and yanked it out.
“Better than nothing,” I muttered, hurriedly tying it around my neck.
The moment I stepped into the living room, I froze. Roman’s voice carried through the air like a blade cutting through silence.
“I don’t care about his intent, Roman growled. His back was turned to me as he stood rigid by the large window, the communicator in his hand.
I crept closer, curiosity starring inside me
Desperation achieves nothing but mistakes,” he continued sharply. His control was evident, his words calm, but dangerously so.
Hunter’s voice echoed faintly through the communicator “Alexander’s growing more insistent, he reported. “He’s trying everything. Third–party mediators, diplomatic channels–he even reached out through lower–ranked alliances to mask his request. He’s pressed for the mansion. He wants it for Grace’s recovery.”
Grace’s name made my hands ball into fists. Roman simply let out a soft, humorless laugh that chilled the room.
“Grace needs it,” Hunter added, hesitant. “He’s not letting this go, Roman He’s burning resources just in the hope of a yes.”
“Good,” Roman said flatly, his tone turning icier. “Let him burn through every resource they have. When desperation clouds reason, alliances fail Perfect timing for Amber Pack’s downfall”
Hunter hesitated, “Should I make the rejection more formal this time?”
Chapter 61 Marks of Possession
Raman’s response was immediate, his voice cutting like frost. “Don’t waste too much effort. Deliver it cold and clear–no alliance. Nothing “He clenched his fist and then turned slightly, enough for me to catch the glint of determination in his sharp gaze
I stepped fully into the room, clearing my throat.
Roman didn’t turn, but his stance shifted slightly, acknowledging my presence.
“Let’s add some chaos to match the Winter Pack’s current state, Roman said into the communicator, his voice grim and final
The call disconnected, and silence filled the space. At least until Roman finally spoke, his tone lighter now. “How long were you eavesdropping, little
My heart jumped at his words, and I took one cautious step forward
“Long enough” I shot back, folding my arms across my chest.
He finally turned, his ice–blue eyes trailing over me. For a moment, his expression softened, but only briefly. His gaze stopped at my neck–or, more specifically, the scarf tied awkwardly around it.
“Scarlett “His voice curled low, soft but commanding. Lose the scarf”
I stiffened, clutching the fabric. 1 don’t have time for this. I’m heading to the healing center and-
He crossed the space between us before I could finish. His towering frame loomed as he leaned in slightly
“wasn’t suggesting,” he said with quiet firmness.
I gave him an exasperated look, pulling back and shaking my head. “Roman, please.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, his patience waning. Without warning, he swooped in and scooped me up entirely
“Roman! Put me down?” I yelped, my hands instinctively pushing against the hard wall of muscle that was his chest.
e ignored me entirely, carrying me straight to the kitchen. His grip was firm but gentle.
Hel
When he set me down on the counter, I tried to wriggle free, but his hands found the edge of the scarf. In one smooth motion, he pulled it free.
“Ridiculous,” he mustered under his breath.
His gaze roamed over the marks, his satisfaction evident in the smug twist of his lips.
I swallowed hard, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Stop staring”
He quirked a brow. Does this bother you?”
Yes. More than I’d ever admit
I looked away, grabbing the nearest plece of toast and shoving it into my mouth to avoid answering.
Roman’s lips twitched with amusement as he leaned lazily against the
the counter.
“Let me know if you need any help with your meal, he teased, his tone casual but carrying the same weight of authority he always wore.
Thankfully, the tension broke when Aiden strutted through the door like he owned the place.
“Morning” he greeted, his grin crooked as usual. His eyes zeroed in on me, his head tilting slightly
“Scarlett?” he started with a mischievous edge. “Why’s your face so red-
“Shut up, Aiden, Roman interrupted, his voice laced with immediate disapproval
Aiden blinked, clearly startled by Roman’s sharpness yet unwilling to back down too easily.
“Geez, touchy,” Aiden mumbled, though his smile didn’t waver. He moved to sit in my seat, but Roman’s voice cut through the air again. “Not there”
Aiden stopped mid–move, straightening up and looking between Homan and me in confusion
“What? Why not?” he questioned, the faintest hint of defiance in his tone
Roman’s piercing gaze locked onto him, his words slow and precise. “Because no one sits in ther seat.”
Chapter 61. Marks of Possession
The unspoken intensity in his words hung heavily Aiden raised both hands in mock surrender, clearly trying to hide how rattled he was.
“Alright, alright. Didn’t mean to step on any toes. Or seats, apparently, Aiden muttered, finding another chair on the far side of the table. The fact that
Roman’s presence completely dominated the room was obvious, even to him
I stared at Roman, my face flushed, though thankfully Aiden’s arrival had provided enough of a distraction to pull focus away from me
But Roman wasn’t finished. Not by a long shot, He watched my every move like a predator ensuring his prey wouldn’t escape.
It was possessive. Intense. Unrelenting
It was Roman
