Page 87 of The Wolf

Brine had finally won—had reclaimed his home from the woman he had so dearly hated all his life—so why did it feel like he had lost everything?

FORTY-FIVE

SCARLET

“Get out of my sight.”

Tears stung Scarlet’s eyes as she fled the manor. The hallways blurred by and her ears buzzed. She stumbled and leaned against the nearest pillar as she cried.

She couldn’t believe how easily Brine had believed Scarlet was working against him. That she would get pregnant and use their child against him.

A child.

Scarlet clutched at the stone as she heaved, bile spattering the hardwood.

She never wanted this. How was she supposed to care for a wee one when she couldn’t even protect herself or those she loved?

The clash of steel against steel made her straighten. She wiped at her mouth with the back of her arm and began running in the direction of the cottage. Now was not the time for self-pity. Nowhere was safe now.

She needed to get out.

For herself and her child.

The scent of acrid smoke stung her nose, and it drove her to keep moving. Something was burning. Screams and growls cut through the night. It was all out war.

Get your things and run.

Her grandmother was dead, the man she loved loathed the very sight of her, and he was going to take over Arwen’s empire on behalf of the Dark Court. Scarlet wanted to be as far away from Betraz as she could before she could get sucked back in.

She’d never be a pawn again.

She burst into the garden and sprinted toward their cottage only to stop in her tracks as she spotted some of Texel’s men staking out the place. Her heart picked up pace and she backed away.

She didn’t need her possessions. They were just things. If she traveled smartly, Scarlet could make it to Mill’s ferry and he’d help her from there.

With that plan in mind, Scarlet crept away from the manor proper, keeping to the thickest parts of the estate. As she reached the perimeter of the grounds, she untied her red cloak and let it flutter to the ground. The air was chilly, but she didn’t care. Never again would she wear such chains. She’d freeze before she’d put the bloody cloak back on.

Now she could finally be free.

“And just where do you think you are going, Red?” a sly voice said.

Tarros.

Scarlet clutched at her stomach and wanted to retch when he stepped out from behind a tree just past the perimeter line. He’d been lying in wait for her.

He chuckled and blocked Scarlet’s path, a cruel smile twisting his face. “Going somewhere, my sweet?”

“Away. Leave now before you get hurt,” she threatened.

“Someone has gotten a bee under her bonnet. That’s no way to speak to your superior.”

She gritted her teeth and glared at Tarros. “How did you know I’d be here?”

“News travels fast,” he said, making his way toward Scarlet slowly. She stood her ground, unsure what to do. If it had been only herself she would have attacked but now… she had to protect the babe. “So I figured, where would little Red go if her stepmother was no longer around to keep her tethered here? And then it hit me, of course. She would flee like the terrified rabbit she is. But I’m sorry to tell you, Red, that your journey ends here.”

“That’s not my name,” Scarlet bit out, shoulders shaking as her hand found the dagger hanging from her waist. Even with his mangled legs, Tarros was still a full foot taller than her, and twice as broad. She’d have to strike carefully. He could rip her apart if he got her pinned down.

He’d almost done it before, and now there was no dragon to save her.

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