The scent lingered in her memory, the scent of the stranger, the Lycan king. It was sensual and opulent. Ever since that day, it had crept into her thoughts and stayed there.

The possibility that the stranger she had slept with a month prior was the Lycan king was slim to none. The most powerful creature ever known to all Lycans?

"Your Majesty," The head of the council, Lee, bowed respectfully and said, "We weren't prepared for your early arrival."

The Lycan king gave him a disapproving look as he glanced at him. "I didn't know that I required your permission to come here." His voice was commanding and full of power as he spoke.

"My king, please pardon me," Lee lowered his head. The Lycan king addressed him like a servant despite the fact that he was the head council, revered by all, and considered the community's supreme authority in matters of governance. All it proved was that the Lycan king has more power than the head councils.

"My king, please tell us why you have come here today?" A woman stood to her feet and spoke.

"I came here to witness the rebellion that I have received reports about, but all I have encountered from this community thus far are obstacles and pointless inquiries." With a somewhat unhappy tone, he replied. "Also what was happening before I arrived?"

"This woman is accused of deceiving her mate, lying, and manipulating him into accepting her," With his long grey hair, the council member on the left spoke up and stood up.

The Lycan king turned to look at her, but his eyes quickly refocused on the council guy who was still speaking. It was impossible for him to recognize her. She had ingrained him in her memory to ensure that she wouldn't forget him so quickly. He didn't do the same for her.

Giving it another thought, she was just one of many ladies he'd had in bed, and he was the Lycan king. In addition, she had blood and grime all over her. After everything she had gone through, she couldn't even identify herself in the mirror. Still, the fact that he didn't recognize her made her heart hurt a beat.

"I see no reason why it can't wait since she wasn't a part of the revolt that led me here."

"Yes, my king, that can wait."After responding, Lee motioned for Lucky to move aside and remove Scarlett from the court.

She was led out of the court by Lucky, who approached her and grabbed her hand. She pivoted to gaze upon the Lycan king once more, the man who had repeatedly taken control of her fantasies and claimed her as his own.

She was shoved into the dungeon cell by Lucky, who then closed the bars. She called him just as he was about to depart.

"Wait! Can I have a water, please? Even if it's just a little."

Though trained to be indifferent to the lives of prisoners, Lucky, like Jack, was a guard and had demonstrated this on a few occasions. She hoped that his compassion for her would come from his heart.

He gave her a quick glance before walking away silently. Not long later, he came back holding a bottle of water, which he threw in front of her. She made a hasty grab for it, cracked it open, and sipped it voraciously. In a matter of seconds, she was done with the water and gave the man the bottle while murmuring, "Thank you." He walked away without saying anything.

She remained on the ground, reflecting on the preceding incident. It was true that the Lycan king was present; she never imagined the stranger to be the Lycan king, and how bizarre had fate been to play its hand?

It made no difference: he would condemn and despise her, just like every other member of this community. She had been hurt and wounded long enough to want that.

She rested her head against the wall, eyes weak, and fell asleep in spite of her heavy heart.

Scarlett was unaware of how long she had slept, but when she heard voices outside the cell, her eyes opened. There were two voices; one sounded like Jack and the other like a well-known female voice.

Leah.

Curious about her evil sister's intentions and her reason for conversing with the dungeon guard, Scarlett straightened herself on the floor.

"I need updates regarding her."

"She is still asleep," Jack responded.

"You ought to have killed her as we had previously intended," She chastised him, her voice conveying her annoyance.

"I've already said it: I have no idea how she managed to withstand the blow of the baton. With the silver anklets wrapped around her ankles, I knew she would not survive when I felt her skull break and saw her bleeding out. I have no idea how she survived such a severe blood loss."

"As I previously mentioned, she's a cockroach and will be difficult to kill, so before you leave this time, make sure she passes away in your hands," Leah gave the order.

Startled by what she had just heard, Scarlett grabbed her lips and gasped. Not only had Leah attacked her before, but she also harbored murderous intentions.

"I will do just that."

"You will only receive your payment when you have accomplished what I want."

As soon as Scarlett heard footsteps getting closer to her cage, she withdrew into the shadows. She knew that Leah was coming after her, so although she wanted to die, she didn't want to die that way.

"I think she's awake." When Jack arrived at the jail and noticed her retraction, he said. Leah moved in closer to observe her.

"Why are you treating me this way? How have I ever wronged you?" She asked, still broken, crying so hard and almost choking on her words.

"Are you still so dumb after all this time? You really wish you were me but you can never be. There can only be one Cynfael daughter and that's me." Leah crossed her arms across her chest and spoke. "Also, consider this a favor I'm doing for you. This death, at least, will be less embarrassing than the ones the council has already scheduled."

Jack took hold of her leg and pulled her across the floor to face him. He climbed on top of her and encircled her neck with his hands, suffocating her breathing.

She tried desperately to breathe but failed terribly, and after everything, she lacked the strength to fend him off. Her lungs started to fail, and her eyes rolled to the back of her skull. Life was being drained out of her, and she could feel her end was near.

"What is happening here?" Jack was shocked when he heard a voice asking from behind Leah. He let go of her neck and stood up.

In the same instant, Scarlett cleared her throat and started coughing.

Jack made his way over to the dungeon's exit. "What are you doing here, and who the hell are you?" He yelled, adopting an authoritative tone.

"The most trusted advisor and second in command to our dear King. I am Beta Sven Autumn and I am here on the orders of the Lycan King."

When Sven introduced himself, Jack trembled in his seat and started to get scared. "I apologize, sir," He lowered his head.

"Now can I get an answer?" Sven spoke, his voice growing ominous. "What is going on in here?"

"The-the-the prisoner was suffocating, and I had to try and resuscitate her," Sven remained silent as he stammered through his lies, realizing they weren't compelling enough.

"What does the Lycan King command?"

"He has demanded the presence of the prisoner," He answered.

"Why?" With a tone of bewilderment, Leah enquired.

When Sven did finally acknowledge her, he said, "I see no reason why you should concern yourself with that information, except you want to ask the king directly." Then he said to Jack. "Lift the prisoner to her feet and bring her to me."

"Of course, sir." Jack nodded moved in her direction. He lifted Scarlett's frail body off the ground.

"Remove the silver anklets from her body." He ordered Jack.

Jack's eyes grew wide at his instruction. "Sir, she is a prisoner who has broken the law. The council ordered her to wear it around her ankles at all times until the trial was over."

"I am using the Lycan king's authority to invalidate that decision right now. Werewolves who are considered threats and hazards to the realm have their powers suppressed by wearing a silver anklet as you know. This young woman can't possibly attack me, much less the Lycan king, as you can see. Remove it right away."

Jack said nothing more as he reached into his pocket, took out the silver anklet's key, and opened it to reveal Scarlett's ankles. She felt her power returning instantly, and now, unlike a minute ago, she could support herself.

Jack gave her to Sven, who escorted her straight out of the dungeon. She wondered what was in store for her as he led her along. Was she instantly recognized by the Lycan king? Or was this just going to be another chapter in the never-ending abuse cycle?

It seemed that the latter was the case. Right now, all she wanted was to get away.

Scarlett realized that evening had arrived as soon as they left. As she was in the dungeon, she didn't realize this.

When they emerged into the street from the council court, Scarlett took a deep breath and just immediately, the town bell rang.

They spotted people running toward them right away—at least two hundred people.

"Don't leave my side." Just as the racing crowd was getting closer, Sven gave her the order and stood in front of her.

"The group of rebels are approaching! Run!" exclaimed one man. "They are afflicted with the plague." Sven was pushed aside as the man kept running.

Scarlett nearly passed out as the people ran towards their direction and threw her to the ground. She looked up as her vision cleared, but Sven wasn't there.

Where could he have gone? Has he abandoned her? It wouldn't be good for her to remain on the ground if the rebel group was truly approaching. She had to grab this, as it was likely her only chance to escape. She got up and quickly started sprinting for any place of safety with the others.