Chapter 71: Power and Protection
Chapter 71: Power and Protection
(Scarlett’s POV)
The air inside the containment cell was stifling. My fingers grazed the scratches on my wrist left by the enforcers–a reminder of their rough handing. They’d tried to intimidate me with their so–called authority, but I’d seen through their act. They were nothing more than pawns, scurrying around,
hoping to impress the Council.
I leaned back, crossing my arms as my lips curled into a faint, cold smirk. Let them try Roman would come.
The silence of the cell was shattered by a sudden explosion. The heavy door tore off its hinges, landing with a deafening thud against the wall. Dust swirled in the dim light, but the figure standing in the doorway was unmistakable.
Roman Thorne.
His imposing form filled the room, his icy blue eyes practically glowing with fury. His presence sucked the air from the chamber, commanding immediate silence from the enforcers standing outside. Each and every one of them lowered their eyes, their earlier bravado evaporating as Roman stepped inside, every movement deliberate and lethal.
Behind him, Hunter followed, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room. “We’ve received word from the Council Hunter announced coldly to the enforcement leader, who was now stammering incoherent explanations. There is no evidence Scarlett used forbidden magic. Your accusations are
baseless.”
The enforcement leader swallowed hard, his gaze flickering between Roman and me. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his hands shaking as he fumbled with the keys to my restraints. My smirk widened as I leaned forward, making sure he saw the defiance in my eyes.
“Release her,” Roman’s voice cut through with dangerous authority palpable enough to make everyone in the room flinch. The leader scrambled to obey, unlocking the restraints that bound me to the chair.
As soon as I was free, I rubbed my wrists, noticing the red marks left behind. “You’re lucky these are just scratches.” I said, my tone deliberately
measured “Your men weren’t exactly gentle during questioning”
The male enforcer who’d handled me stiffened. “14 didn’1-“he stammered, his words trailing off under Roman’s deathly gaze.
Roman stepped forward, his towering presence forcing the enforcer to retreat until his back hit the wall. He said nothing, but the pure fury radiating off him was enough to make the man tremble
“Enough,” the enforcement leader croaked, desperation lacing his voice. “Scarlett has been released. She is free to go.”
“Smart decision Hunter remarked coolly, opening the door wider.
A younger enforcer made the mistake of speaking up. “But, sir–what about Grace? She said
Roman’s icy glare snapped toward the man, silencing him on the spot. “Speak one more word, Roman
you regret it
The enforcer immediately shrank back, his face pale as he stumbled into silence,
said, his voice low and chilling, “and I make
Without another glance at the cowards, Roman extended his hand to me. I took it without hesitation, letting him guide me out of the cell. His grip was firm, protective.
As we walked past the others, I couldn’t resist a final parting shot. “Better luck next time.”
In Roman’s private Ear, the tension from the cell quickly dissolved. He sat in the plush backseat, pulling me onto his lap without a word. My body instinctively relaxed against his, his familar warmth grounding me after the chaos
“You didn’t have to make such a dramatic entrance, I quipped lightly, though I couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at my lips.
His piercing blue eyes narrowed slightly as he brushed his fingers over the faint marks on my wrist. “Dramatic?” he repeated, his tone clipped. “1 watched enforcers lay their hands on you. Those idiots are lucky they’re still breathing.”
I tited my head, pretending mock innocence. “What’s wrong with a little excitement?”
1/3
Chapter 71 Pown and Protection
He wasn’t amused. “Scarlett.”
I sighed, leaning back against him. “Fine. It wasn’t pleasant, but I had it under control.”
Roman’s jaw tightened, and his hand rested possessively on my waist. 1 wamed them to stay out of your way. Grace’s accusations are baseless, but she’s playing dirty,” he murmured, his voice heavy with restraint. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fireTM
His tone sent a shiver down my spine. “Are you saying I shouldn’t have spoken to her?”
Tm saying you shouldn’t play her games,
Roman countered. “Grace thrives on manipulation, if there’s one skill she’s perfected, it’s framing you as
I stiffened slightly, meeting his intense gaze. “I only spoke to her, Roman if her fragile ego can’t handle the truth, that’s her problem, not mine.” “But her timing isn’t coincidental, Roman pressed, his fingers brushing along my collarbone absently. His gaze darkened as if piecing together a puzzle. “Scarlett, these ‘accidents‘ with Grace–they’ve happened too many times
Over the years, Grace had orchestrated countless scenarios to make me look
I bit the inside of my cheek, processing his words. He wasn’t wrong guilty or dangerous. But this time, she’d gone too far. I wouldn’t be her scapegoat anymore.
“I’m not scared of her, I said firmly
“You don’t need to be Roman replied, his lips brushing against my temple. “She’s the one who should fear you.”
(Third–Person’s POV)
Inside the Amber Pack’s therapy room, Grace lay weakly against the plush pillows, her pallor alarming despite the soft glow of the room’s enchanted lighting. A faint trace of silver poisoned veins shimmered beneath her skin.
Sarah hovered anxiously by her bedside, wringing her hands as the pack therapist, an older wolf with experienced hands, examined the startled lines on her arm. “There are faint traces of self–administered silver,” he observed cautiously “Mrs Winter, I suspect this wasn’t accidental—”
“Preposterous! Samh snapped, immediately cutting him off. Her voice was filed with raw indignation, but the strain in her eyes betrayed her desperation. This is Scarlett’s doing! I just know it
“Mrs. Winter-”
“Don’t argue with me!” she seethed, her voice quivering with emotion
On the bed, Grace’s chest rose and fell in shallow, labored breaths. “Mama” she whispered weakly, lifting a trembling hand to clutch Sarah’s. “I didn’t want.. to suspect Scarlett, but the timing. Her voice cracked as fragile tears rolled down her cheeks.
Sarah’s features twisted with motherly distress. Hush, darling,” she murmured, brushing Grace’s hair from her damp forehead. “You don’t need to say anything more. Il take care of this.”
Her declaration fueled Grace’s silent smile. Even in her weakened state, she played the perfect victim, hiding the calculating glint that flickered in her
pale blue eyes.
Marcus Winter’s voice roared through the pack bonds as Sarah frantically contacted him, detailing the “attack” on Grace’s delicate condition. Her anger was palpable as she insisted action be taken immediately.
“She’s crossed the line, Marcus! Scarlett must be banished–forever!”
Daniel, who had been listening nearby, exchanged a hesitant glance with Alexander. “Grace she’s getting worse,” he said softly.”
softly “If the Council
doesn’t act now, we’ll lose her
Despite his reservations about Scarlett, Alexander nodded slowly, feeling both conflicted and resigned.
Grace’s voice wavered from behind them. “Please, no,” she murmured faintly. 1 don’t want to alienate Scarlett further
Sarah didn’t hesitate. “That girl has alienated herself from this pack with her own spiteful heart! I won’t stand for it
Meanwhile, in Parliament, Daniel approached the assembly with an official request for Scarlett’s exile. However, when informed of her release and the mysterious intervention of a “Shadow Alpha,” his face turned crimson with frustration
Chapter 71 Power and Protection
“She cannot simply walk freer Daniel bellowed.
The head officer fumbled nervously, avoiding direct eye contact “Sir, the evidence against Scarlett is inconclusive. Moreover we cannot go against an order from the Alpha King”
Daniel’s fists clenched, his mind racing. The mysterious Alpha wasn’t just intimidating–it was deadly clear that this figure commanded control none of them could oppose
