Chapter 4
When Scarlet Mendoza regained consciousness, she found herself in the pack healer’s den, her arm wrapped in a cast, throbbing from the accident. The overwhelming scent of herbs and healing salves filled the air, and she realized she was alone. Fighting through the pain, she attempted to locate the restroom but instead stumbled upon Quentin Bell and Ariel Hart in the dimly lit corridor outside, their voices carrying in the stillness of the night.
Quentin held Ariel close, his towering frame casting a shadow over her as he whispered, "Ariel, Scarlet is bedridden now. I've made sure she pays for upsetting you. Next time, it won’t just be a car accident."
Ariel clung to his waist, her delicate fingers gripping his jacket as she replied, "Alpha Quentin, you shouldn’t go to such extremes for me. What if she finds out?"
Quentin’s voice was cool, his alpha tone laced with authority. "She won’t. She’s probably still out of it. Even if she suspects my father, Alpha Loyal, she’ll never guess it was me."
"Ariel," he murmured, his voice softening, "I'd do anything for you."
Scarlet stood at the doorway, her heart twisting painfully. All this because she had upset Ariel. Quentin, her mate, had orchestrated this to teach her a lesson, inflicting unbearable pain. The bond between them, once a source of warmth, now felt like a chain around her neck. Her wolf whimpered faintly in the back of her mind, but Scarlet silenced it, forcing herself to focus. She couldn’t afford to lose control now.
Back in her room, she feigned unconsciousness, waiting for Quentin to arrive before "coming to." As she opened her eyes, she found Quentin standing alertly by her side, his imposing presence filling the space. His broad shoulders and muscular frame were a stark reminder of his alpha lineage, but the concern in his eyes felt hollow.
Since they liked to pretend, Scarlet decided to play along.
Glancing at her arm encased in plaster, she forced a bitter smile. Quentin grasped her hand, his touch firm but his expression unreadable.
"Scarlet, you’re awake! How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?"
His concern struck her as disingenuous; Scarlet knew he would prefer to see her gone. Her pale face bore scars of varying depths, a testament to the brutality of the attack. "The person who hit me was Alpha Loyal," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.
She fixed her gaze on Quentin’s eyes, catching a glimpse of uncertainty. The mention of his father startled him; he hadn’t anticipated her figuring it out.
"Why is it always him causing trouble? Isn't it bad enough to harm me? Now he's after you too! Scarlet, have you upset anyone lately? Why else would you be a target?"
His words served as a reminder to Scarlet. She stared at Quentin, her heart unyielding. It was almost comical how he pretended to be uninvolved.
Ariel soon entered the room, her presence as radiant as ever. Her golden hair shimmered under the dim light, and her concern seemed genuine—if one didn’t know better. "Scarlet, are you alright? Who did this to you? I promise they'll pay!"
Scarlet chuckled, meeting Ariel’s gaze. "You don’t know who?"
Ariel’s eyes darted evasively. "How would I know? I wouldn’t hurt you..."
Quentin added, his alpha tone sharp, "Yes, Ariel is too kind-hearted to do something like this. You must have upset Alpha Loyal."
His words were so detached that Scarlet chuckled softly, unwilling to say more.
After Ariel left, Quentin tried to soothe Scarlet, his voice low and commanding. "Don’t worry, Scarlet. If we stay out of trouble from now on, these things won’t repeat."
She wanted to laugh but couldn’t bring herself to. As she prepared to leave, she called out to him. "Is there something you’re not telling me?"
Quentin hesitated, clearly thrown off. "Why would I hide anything? Don’t overthink it. Just get some rest."
Scarlet’s eyes dimmed with resignation. How much longer would he continue the charade?