I turned slowly, my heart pounding. There he stood, in the entrance to our box, looking thinner than I remembered, his eyes bloodshot and desperate.
What are you doing here?” I demanded, rising to my feet. Juno and Ruby flanked me immediately,
‘I need to talk to you, Maddox said, his voice breaking. “Please, just five minutes.
I glanced at Juno, who nodded subtly. “We’ll be right here,” she assured me.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped toward Maddox, keeping a safe distance between us.
“Five minutes,” I agreed coldly. “That’s all you get.”
Maddox’s eyes were pleading as he looked at me, and for a moment, I saw a flash of the man I’d once loved. But then I remembered Nova’s scars and my heart hardened.
“Scarlett, 1-
I didn’t let him finish. Three years of pain and rage exploded out of me as my fist connected with his jaw, followed by a slap that echoed in the corridor.
“That’s for Nova,” I hissed.
Maddox stumbled back, a hand to his face, but he didn’t retaliate. Instead, he dropped to his knees.
“I deserve that,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I deserve worse.”
“What do you want, Maddox?” I asked, crossing my arms to hide my trembling hands.
“I want you to forgive me, he said, looking up at me with tear–filled eyes. “I want you to come home.”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “Home? That place was never my home. It was my prison.”
“I was wrong,” he admitted. “So wrong. Della lied about everything. She was never pregnant. And you never threatened her with silver.”
“And you’re just figuring this out now?” I asked incredulously. “After three years?”
“I was blind,” he said, his voice breaking. “I believed what I wanted to believe.”
He flinched, unable to meet my eyes. “I hate myself for what I did to you.”
“I was your punching bag,‘ I said, my voice cold. “Your outlet for every frustration. And now you expect me to just forgive and forget?”
“Please, Scarlett,” he begged. “I’m sorry. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
“I’m not leaving Bryloch,” I said firmly. “He loves me all of me. He healed what you broke.”
‘I executed everyone who helped frame you,” Maddox said, desperation creeping into his voice. “I banished their families from the territory. I did it all to see you again.”
“You were the one who hurt me, Maddox,” I pointed out. “You were the one who believed her lies over my truth. You were the one who wrapped that silver chain around my wolf.”
Tears streamed down his face. “The pack is falling apart without you. Our food programs are failing, the security plans you created are in shambles. Half our members have left for Matthew’s territory, I can’t lose my father’s pack, Scarlett. Please.”
I sighed, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and pity. “I’m not coming back, Maddox. But I’ll draft a plan for your pack.”
1/3
Chapter 216
*Not for you, I clarified. For the pack members who are suffering because of your poor leadership.
I paused, then added, I’m getting married soon. Bryloth and I are going to start a family. I’ve moved on.
Something dark Bashed in Maddox’s eyes. “You let them take you, he accused. You wanted to be captured by Clifflands soldiers.
I took an opportunity to escape your abuse,” I corrected him. “And yes, I heard what you said to Della that night, how you wished you’d never touched me, how I disgusted you.”
His face crumpled with shame. “I didn’t mean it.”
“Yes, you did,” I said quietly. “And that’s okay. Because I’m grateful now. If you hadn’t been such a monster, I never would have found Bryloch.”
‘Della’s dying,” Maddox said suddenly. “She only has a few months left. That’s how I found out she was never pregnant. The doctors discovered it during her diagnosis.
I felt a flicker of sympathy, quickly extinguished by the memory of her cruel smile as she watched Maddox hurt me.
“If you weren’t with Bryloch, Maddox asked, “would you come back to me?”
I looked him straight in the eyes. “No. Never. I’d rather be a sex slave in Clifflands or a servant than spend another day as your Luna.”
A commotion behind me made me turn. Bryloch was storming toward us, his face twisted with rage.
He’s here, I heard him say through our link. I felt your distress.
Before I could respond, Bryloch had grabbed Maddox by the throat, lifting him off the ground and slamming him against the wall.
“You dare approach my mate?” he snarled.
‘Bryloch, Maverick, stop,‘ I pleaded, tears filling my eyes. “His mate is dying.”
Bryloch hesitated, and I felt Maverick, his wolf, responding to my plea. He dropped Maddox, who collapsed to the floor, coughing and gasping for air.
“You’re not worthy to be an Alpha, Bryloch spat, standing over Maddox’s crumpled form. “Stay away from Scarlett, or next time I won’t stop.”
Matthew appeared then, his expression a mix of concern and embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, Bryloch,” he said, glancing at me apologetically. “I didn’t know he was coming here.”
He tried to help Maddox up, but Maddox pushed his hand away, struggling to his feet on his own.
“Keep an eye on him, Matthew,” I warned. “He’s not in a good place mentally.”
Matthew nodded, understanding in his eyes as he led Maddox away.
As they disappeared down the corridor, I leaned against Bryloch, suddenly exhausted.
‘You okay?” he asked softly, his arms wrapping protectively around me.
“Yeah, I sighed. “Just… processing.”
We returned to the box, where Juno, Ruby, and Amelia were waiting with concerned expressions. Freya had returned, looking confused at th
room.
on in the
“Maddox,” I explained simply, and understanding dawned on her face.
As we settled back to watch the games, I couldn’t help but reflect on the strange twists of fate. Maddox and I had once seemed so perfect together, but his love hadn’t been pure enough, strong enough to withstand the test of a fated mate.
Now he was alone, his pack falling apart, while I had found happiness with a man who cherished me for exactly who I was,
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