Scarlet’s POV

Life went on for me as usual, I continued to work the shifts on the pack house and the day after the winter solstice had been a very hectic one for us maids. I missed Xander, but he'd gone on pack duties with his father to some neighbouring town and I felt utterly alone.

Mother's words continued to echo inside my head even after I had awoken and it ate deep into me. Brie had been proclaimed the alpha while I on the other hand, got more shifts to fill in for.

I was on my way to the maid mistress's quarter to begin my shift when my stepmom suddenly appeared in the hallway with her signature scowl on. She threaded the floor like the mere marbled tiles disgusted her. With shoulders high and nose raised up in the air.

“Scarlet!”

I faltered. My day could not get any more worse! I had to wake up to her face first thing in the morning, “Good....good morning mother,” I stuttered, muttering strings of incoherent words.

A frown graced her face and she clicked her tongue, “How splendid of you to save me the stress of having to come over to your room.”

“You wanted to see me?” I inquired when my brows furrowed from confusion.

“Of course! Why else would I want to come over to your room?”

I did not like where this was headed. Whenever mother had a reason for seeing me, it never ended well. Our last night's encounter hadn't been a pleasant one and I could still remember clearly how she continued to gloat and praise Brie in front of me.

“Why, mother?”

Surprisingly, she reached out for my hands, patting it softly when concern marred her face. Her expression shifting from cold and seething to friendly all of a sudden. I would have fallen for her facade if I didn't know her too well. She was one cunning, venomous serpent in the form of a human.

“I know I have been too hard on you lately, then there's the shift you have to tend to on a daily. Anyone would be exhausted, not to mention the fact that you have to see to your sister's health. I wish I could help relieve you of your burden, but sadly, there's nothing I can do.”

Snatching my hands from her instinctively, I couldn't begin to understand any of the words that she said. I didn't need her pity and it wasn't even as if she cared about me. I could feel hot and cold shivers chasing themselves down my spine when the dread of what she was about to say to me filled me.

“What exactly do you want, mother?”

She grimaced, pursing her lips when she stood in an uptight position, “I want you to give Xander to Brie. Your sister.”

I scoffed, nearly reeling backwards when her words hit me like a tidal wave, “What do you mean? Give Xander to Brie? He's not to be given! He's my mate!”

I half-yelled. This was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. When did we get here?! Giving my blood to Brie wasn't enough, now I had to let go of my mate too?!

“Well, you must. I do not care what you think he is to you, but you must give him to your sister. She needs him more than you do. What good are you to Xander anyway? She'll give Kanan to you, and you'll give him to her. Win-win situation.”

My head whipped back and my chest heaved when laughter echoed through the hallway and I realized it was from me.

"You have got to be kidding, right?” she was not. The smug grin on her face was proof of it. “You're not,“ I muttered underneath my breath.

“You know I mean every single word that I speak.”

I didn't have time to wait for whatever she had to say next. I turned on my heels and ran as fast as I could to father's study, not bothering to knock. I yanked the door open, finding father and Brie together.

“Scarlet. Would you bother to knock next time?”

My chest heaved from all the exertion and I was already beyond livid, to be bothered by his chafing tone. “What is the meaning of this? Mother suddenly wants me to give up Xander. Why? Why?! Are you in on this too?!”

He hesitated, wearing a sullen look on his face when he attempted a talk. “I understand you do not want to part with your mate–”

“–I don't! We're mated already! How can you just ask this of me?! I love Xander, he loves me too, and I'll never, ever part with him!”

My mind was fully prepared to withstand whatever was to come next. I was determined to never break my mate bond because my stepmother suddenly thought that he'll be a nice accessory for her little princess. Said princess dashed forward, her countenance falling and shoulders sagged.

“It's fine father. Please do not push Scarlet to break her mate bond, I do not wish to have her go through such pain.”

As if on cue, mother had to walk in. She dashed forward with repulsive intent, her expression beyond livid.

“Do you have to make your sister feel bad? Tell me! Is it too much to ask that you let your mate go for her? Listen to her speak Talon, she doesn't even care about the alpha and thinks us foolish.”

My father had changed since he had taken Freya as his mate and it did not stop at that. She always had a way of making him do her bidding I wondered what it was she had on him.

“Come on, Scarlet. Be sensible for once. It's not as if you'd ever really get to be with Xander.”

“What?!” I staggered backwards when his words hit me like a hard blow.

“He's more suitable for the alpha. Do not be blinded by your selfish desires to have him to yourself! He's not yours, find someone else. The Omega, Kanan would be more suited for you in ranks.”

My mind grew fuzzy, whirling when my mind struggled to make sense of whatever it is they were saying. Why did it have to be my mate?! Why not someone else's? Why did I have to always forfeit things for Brie?!