Chapter 175: Hidden Intentions
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Chapter 175: Hidden Intentions
Chapter 175: Hidden Intentions
(Lucas’s POV)
Scarlett stood in the center of the Winter Pack’s main hall, her emerald eyes shimmering with
determination. Across from her, Alpha James and Luna Victoria exchanged troubled glances,
their wolves radiating unease.
“If I’m to be Alexander’s mate,” Scarlett began, her soft voice soothing yet firm, “then it’s only
right I attend the Blood Moon Gathering. I need to learn these customs if I’m to properly hold my position in the royal alliance.”
Her reasoning was flawless, but Victoria’s maternal instincts overwhelmed her logic. She
stepped forward, her green eyes pleading. “Scarlett, dear, you’re still adjusting to pack life.
You’ve been kept away from gatherings for years… There’s a reason for that!”
Scarlett tilted her head slightly, her confusion almost childlike. “What better opportunity to
start learning than now? I’ll be safe with Lucas and Alexander by my side.”
“Scarlett.” Alpha James’s voice boomed, but there was a hint of hesitation in it. “This
gathering isn’t just a simple event. It’s where alliances are tested, political traps are laid, and
power is paraded. Are you truly ready for such a place?”
“I’m not asking to engage in politics, Father!” Scarlett protested, her voice rising with emotion.
“I’ll observe. I’ll learn. And I’ll stay close to people I trust.”
At that moment, she turned her pleading gaze to me, her wolf brushing against mine. It was a
subtle gesture, reminding me of the bond we shared as siblings. My protective instincts surged, my wolf growling softly in agreement.
“Father, please,” she added, her voice trembling now, “how can I stand beside Alexander if I
don’t even try to embrace my responsibilities?”
I could see the cracks forming in their resolve. Scarlett’s argument was persuasive, and her
vulnerable demeanor broke down their defenses.
Victoria turned to James, her voice shaking. “Maybe… maybe she has a point? She’ll stay with
Lucas. And Alexander will ensure her safety, won’t he?”
The mention of Alexander tightened something in my chest. I hadn’t forgotten the growing distance between Scarlett and me since his presence became a constant in her life. A part of
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Chapter 175: Hidden Intentions
me wondered if his protection was meant for Scarlett… or for his own secrets.
“You must return immediately after the gathering,” James growled, his voice final. His wolf loomed over the discussion, brooking no further argument. “No wandering, no unnecessary
risks. Do you understand, Scarlett?”
Her face lit up like the full moon, pure gratitude and relief shining in her eyes. “Thank you, Father! I promise I’ll stay close to Lucas.”
She rushed forward and hugged both our parents. Her excitement pulsed through the room, lightening the heavy tension somewhat.
Then, she turned to Celeste.
“Thank you for supporting me, sister,” she said warmly, her emerald eyes glistening. Scarlett
reached out, her fingers brushing Celeste’s hand in a gesture of gratitude.
I froze. Something about the interaction set my wolf on edge.
Celeste allowed the touch without flinching. No cold remarks. No sharp glares. She simply
stood there like a quiet storm ready to erupt.
When the meeting ended, I followed Celeste out into the corridor. My unease bubbled over into
barely controlled anger.
“What are you planning?” I demanded, my wolf snarling beneath the surface.
Celeste’s footsteps halted, her violet eyes meeting mine. Hers were like glass–cold,
unyielding, and full of a bitterness I couldn’t seem to reach. “Planning? Whatever do you mean,
dear brother?”
Her fake sweetness grated against every nerve in my body.
“You let Scarlett touch you,” I said, my voice sharp. “You never do that. Normally, you’d avoid her like she carries silver poison.”
“Oh?” she replied airily. “Now you notice such things? Tell me, Lucas–where was this keen
attention when Grace drugged me with wolfsbane?”
Her accusation hit like a physical blow. My wolf flinched, understanding the weight of that
truth better than I cared to admit. I had failed her then.
“That was different-” I began, but she cut me off.
“Different?” Her silver–scarred wolf flashed dangerously in her eyes. “Was it different that you
arranged for me to be taken to Kane’s quarters, knowing full well Marcus would find me
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Chapter 175: Hidden Intentions
there?”
“I didn’t know Marcus…” My throat tightened with guilt.
“You didn’t know things would go that far?” Her voice lashed at me like a whip. “You didn’t know delivering me to the wolves wouldn’t end in blood and death?”
I stepped back, my wolf bristling defensively. “Stop bringing up the past.”
Her laugh was cold, devoid of humor. “Oh, but the past shaped the present, dear brother.”
She moved closer, her gaze boring into mine. “You think by protecting Scarlett now, you erase
what you did to me? Let me remind you–you let Grace, the very wolf who helped poison me,
remain by Scarlett’s side as her loyal servant. What a wonderful family I belong to.”
“Leave her out of this,” I snarled, feeling raw anger surge through me. My wolf clawed for
dominance, unable to bear her continual accusations.
She tilted her head, her expression mocking. “Oh? Why should I? You’re so protective of her
now. But where was this protective brother when I needed him?”
I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came. Shame and anger mixed in a toxic storm of
emotions.
Her smile turned sharper. “Yes, Lucas. I encouraged Scarlett to attend the gathering. Would
you like to know why?” Her tone dropped, soaked in venom.
My heart pounded with dread. “What are you planning, Celeste?”
Her lips curved into a chilling grin, making my wolf retreat. “Watch her carefully, dear brother,”
she purred. “I wouldn’t want her ending up in Moon Shadow Prison… like I did.”
Fear knotted in my chest as her threat echoed in the silent corridor. She brushed past me, her
silver–scarred hand grazing my arm in a way that felt oddly deliberate. A twisted sense of
warning.
Without waiting for my response, she walked away, leaving me standing there, heart racing.
I didn’t waste another moment. My boots thundered against the floor as I rushed to Scarlett’s
chambers.
Throwing the doors open, I found her surrounded by jewelry boxes. Her eyes sparkled with
happiness as she examined necklace after necklace, oblivious to the tension brewing outside
her little world.
“Lucas!” she beamed, holding up two options. “Help me pick! Should I wear the sapphire
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Chapter 175: Hidden Intentions
necklace or the gold one?”
My wolf whined protectively, torn between keeping her innocence intact and dragging her far
away from this cursed gathering.
“The sapphire,” I muttered, my voice hoarse.
Her face lit up even more. “I thought so too! Alexander always says sapphires match my eyes
perfectly.”
Her mention of Alexander made my gut twist. Scarlett might talk about him with ease, but I’d
seen the way his eyes lingered on Celeste when he thought no one was looking.
“Lucas,” Scarlett said softly, pulling me from my thoughts. “What’s wrong? You seem…
distracted.”
I forced a smile, shaking my head. “Just thinking about the gathering. Stay close to me the
entire time, alright?”
She smiled brightly. “Of course! With you and Alexander there, what could possibly go wrong?”
I wanted to believe her optimism, but Celeste’s warning echoed relentlessly in my mind.
Scarlett turned back to her accessories, blissfully continuing her preparations. I watched her,
my wolf swearing under his breath to keep her safe.
Whatever Celeste had planned… I couldn’t let it happen. Not again.
Not this time. Not to Scarlett.
