Chapter 62: Betrayed
Chapter 62: Betrayed
(Roman’s POV)
I sat at the head of the long, dark table in the Shadow Organization’s private meeting room. The dim lighting barely illuminated the expressions of the
control people seated before me, but it didn’t matter. This wasn’t a place for warmth or friendliness. This room served one purpose
Aiden Walsh sat across from me, looking less cheerful than normal. His usual playful air was absent, replaced by a sharp seriousness that fit the
weight of the conversation.
“The Winter Pack is getting desperate, Aiden began. His voice was measured, but the tension was clear. “Sarah Winter has been contacting everyone she can think of. She’s offered access to sacred resources, rare herbs, and even ancestral documents.”
I arched a brow, tapping my fingers on the table. “How desperate are we talking, Alden? Desperation comes in many forms.”
Aiden hesitated for just a second, then placed a folder onto the table and slid it toward me. “Desperate enough to promise things even they can’t
replace. They’re practically begging at this point.”
I didn’t bother opening the folder. I wasn’t interested in details. I was interested in their suffering.
“And what did you tell them? I asked, my tone calm but laced with icy authority
Aiden cleared his throat, adjusting in his seat slightly. 1 told them I’d need to consult the necessary authorities before committing to anything”
My lips curved upward in a dark smile, “Good. All decisions go through Scarlett. No one else!
He looked at me his gaze steady but uncertain. “You want them to grovel to her. You want them to be fully at her mercy”
They need to know what it feels like to be powerless” I said coldly. “After everything they’ve done to her, this is deserved”
Aiden frowned but didn’t argue. “Sarah doesn’t seem to understand who she’s dealing with. They still believe Scarlett is someone they can
outmaneuver through negotiations
“Then it’s time to correct that miscalculation” I replied. “Every time they
y look a
at Grace fading away, I want them to remember who holds what they
need. I want them to know it was Scarlett they tossed aside, and Scarlett who now holds their fate”
He leaned forward slightly, speaking lower, though the firmness returned to his tone. “Scarlett won’t agree to help. You know that as well as I do.”
“Of course not,” I said darkly, my voice dropping. “I’m counting
a on it.
Aiden swallowed, the weight of my words sinking in. He pinched the bridge of his nose briefly, a rare show of discomfort. “Roman, this feels….
excessive. This isn’t just the downfall. Their pack could crumble under this pressure.”
“That will be their problem, I replied with cold finality
ps of tension in the air.
The room seemed to grow heavier, colder. Logan stirred beneath my skin, his power manifesting faint wisps
“You have your instructions,” I said, standing abruptly. “Send Sarah a formal message. Make it clear that Scarlett oversees all decisions for Grace’s
treatment. And remind them-”
I paused briefly, leaning forward, allowing my ice–blue eyes to lock onto Aiden’s. Temind them what happens when you betray your blood.”
Aiden nodded, though his unease lingered in the wrinkles forming on his forehead. “Understood, Roman.”
I inclined my head slightly, signaling that the comersation was over, and walked out of the room. Behind me, I heard the quiet shuffle of Aiden gathering his things, but I paid it no mind. My thoughts were already ahead, on what came next
Scarlett would never forgive them. And I would make sure she never had to
(Sarah’s POV)
I gripped the message from Aiden Walsh tightly, rereading the lines over and over until they blurred. My vision swam with disbelief, tears burning unbidden at the edges of my eyes.
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“All decisions regarding treatment must be approved by Scarlett Winters directly”
The words felt like iron chains tightening around my throat. It wasn’t enough that my daughter had severed ties with the Winter Pack. Now she was holding all the power we so desperately needed.
“This can’t be real” I whispered to myself. My voice trembled, weak against the room’s suffocating silence.
I snatched my phone from the table, my fingers shaking as I dialed Alexander’s number. He had to know something. He had to have an explanation.
He picked up quickly “Mother,” he said, his tone clipped and impatient.
“Why,” I started sharply, my voice cracking with frustration, “why does Scarlett have this much power over Aiden Walsh? One of the most renowned healers in Europe – answering to her! How is this possible?”
There was a long pause. Alexander’s sigh came through the line, heavy and resigned.
“Because she’s not who you think she is anymore,” he finally said.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I snapped. My anger flared, temporarily pushing out the fear curling through my chest.
“She’s connected, Mother,” Alexander said flatly. “More connected than anyone realizes. And she’s no longer just some outcast healer. She’s-”
He paused, as if hesitating to say the words.
I didn’t care about his hesitation. “What, Alexander? Speak plainly!”
“She has protection,” he finished slowly, deliberately. Powerful protection. And that’s why no one touches her anymore.”
Before I could respond, Daniel stormed into the room, his expression frantic.
“Mother,” he interrupted, his voice pitched with panic. “Grace is getting worse! You need to come now!”
Before I could react, Grace’s scream tore through the air, her agony rippling through the house and into my chest. Every instinct begged me to run to her, but the message in my hand rooted me in place
“Alexander,” I hissed urgently, my grip tightening on the phone, “If Scarlet is so well–protected, then explain to me how we’re supposed to fix this. Fix Grace. Fix everything!”
He didn’t answer.
“Alexander Answer me!”
But the line went dead
I stared blankly at the phone before letting it drop to the floor, joining the crumpled message in a heap.
It felt like everything was slipping away.
(Alexander’s POV)
The afternoon sun was merciless, bearing down on me like the weight of Scarlett’s rejection. I stood outside her healing center, waiting, my arms crossed over my chest as tension mounted
point
Mason snarled at the back of my mind, pacing wildly. His agitation bled into my own, pushing my patience further and further toward its breaking
Scarlett finally emerged, stepping lightly out of a black SUV. The Shadow Organization’s emblem gleamed on the door like a taunt, as if I needed another reminder of her alliance with someone stronger than me.
But what struck me more were the marks on her neck.
They were vivid, undeniable. She was marked
A surge of jealous rage roared through me, my wolf Mason snapping viciously in response
“Scarlett!” I called sharply, striding directly into her path. My voice carried the weight of my barely contained fury
She paused, turning to face me with an expression of icy calm Her green eyes flickered with irritation, made sharper by the sun’s golden light “Alexander,” she replied coolly. Ton’t you have better things to do than play watchdog outside my center?”
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Chapter 62 Betrayed
I didn’t take the bait. I was too angry for games “You betrayed our engagement,” I snarled. Each word hit like a boulder rolling off my tongue “You traded me for some mysterious Alpha? Are you that desperate to ”
rclaws moved faster than I could see
Burning, sharp pain blazed across my cheek as her nails pierced skin, leaving blood running down the side of my face
Mason howled in disbelief, surging up inside me, but Scarlett didn’t even flinch
“Betrayed?” she repeated mockingly, her voice sharper than the fierce sting on my cheek. “How could I betray something that was never real? You gave up any claim to me the moment you chose Grace over me!”
“You’re lying” I hissed, stepping closer as Mason growled possessively in my chest. 1 would never have let you go. Grace-
is irrelevant Scarlett interrupted coldly. Her voice cut like ice, her emerald eyes burning with fury. You abandoned me for her Remember that,
Alexander
1 clenched my fists, feeling Mason surge forward again. “You still haven’t answered me. Who is he?r
Her stare turned lethal
thought I made myself clear,” she said, her tone low, but dangerously calm. “Touch me again, interfere with my life again, and i’ll do worse than break your arm”
I froze her words hitting deeper than her earlier strike
This was no
was no idle threat.
She meant every word
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