Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Scarlett’s POV

I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, the afternoon light spilling lazily through the window. I could feel the weight of the silence pressing down on me, filling the space where my thoughts drifted aimlessly.

There wasn’t much to do here, and though the library tugged at my curiosity, I wasn’t eager to run into anyone, especially the

women from the harem. They resented me, and I couldn’t entirely blame them.

Their lives had been thrown into chaos because of Keith’s decision. It was a bold move on his part, one I didn’t understand. I had no

love to offer him; I’d made that clear. And Keith didn’t strike me as someone with a surplus of patience.

The truth was, I didn’t know what my future looked like here or if I even had one. The North, the South, the East…none of them held a place for me. If things didn’t work here, there was nowhere else to turn. I felt the gnawing truth of it in my bones. If I failed

to make it work with Keith, I was as good as dead. And that wasn’t an option.

I glanced down at myself–a simple T–shirt and lace panties, comfortable and nondescript. The shirt was new, but it still stirred a painful ache in my chest. In the past, I’d wear my mates‘ shirts to wrap myself in their scent, to feel surrounded by their presence. That part of my life was locked away now, shut tight and never to be revisited. I’d made peace with it, or so I told myself.

A knock at the door broke through my thoughts, and I rose, crossing the room to open it. Standing there, casual yet composed, was

faint smile on his lips. Alpha Keith. He wore an unbuttoned white shirt and khaki shorts, his expression warm,

a

“May I?” he asked, his tone almost gentle, and I stepped aside to let him in.

I closed the door behind him, feeling the weight of his gaze as he looked at me.

“You look nice,” he said, his voice soft but confident. I managed a polite “thank you” though his kindness barely grazed the surface of my defenses. Still, I played along, nodding as if it meant something.

He stepped closer, his eyes tracing my face. “I won’t hurt you, Annika,” he said, and there was a steadiness in his voice that made ve him, even if my heart remained wary. “Your mates… they were jerks, but I am not them. I’m willing to wait. But

won’t change my mind about you.”

d out, brushing

nothing else

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2 fingers gently along my cheek. His touch was warm, and his gaze settled on me with an

quite

a small comfort that I wash

green eyes… they’re beautiful,” he murmured, his own neon–blue eyes glinting with

For a moment, I felt a strange kinship, a flicker of something shared between us.

in having eyes like this, something otherworldly about us both.

Bo wolt be continued, a note of determination in his voice, “my Delta, Brian, will train you in combat. I want you to be hi deind yourself, Annika, whether or not your wolf ever awakens. My mate should never be helpless.”

The wind struck me like a blow. Mate. It was a word I’d once cherished, a word that had held promise and salty. But now, it felt heavy, almost suffocating, tangled up with memories Ed rather forget. The more sound of it made me flinch, and Keith noticed.

10:41 Wed, Jun 10 MAA·

Chapter 116

He paused, his hand falling away as he searched my expression, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. “I know it’s not easy for you,” he said gently. “But I hope, in time, you’ll let me prove that I can be different. That I can be what you need.”

His words lingered, and for a moment, I felt a small warmth, like a spark flickering in the darkness. Maybe I could believe him.

Maybe, despite everything, I could start again. But for now, I simply nodded, holding back the emotions that clawed at the surface,

hiding behind the walls I’d built to keep myself safe.

He moved to the bed and patted the space beside him, inviting me to sit. There was a softness in his gaze that made me uneasy yet

curious. I sat down, keeping a guarded distance, but he turned to me, his expression serious.

“I know you’re hiding something, Annika,” he said, his voice quiet yet firm. “I want to know who you really are. A want you to know that whatever you share with me will stay between us.”

Comments

Michele Gremillion

さん

2 Comments

I’m not sure I trust Keith, I think he knows Scarlett is special and wants to use her to gain the power he thinks she has.

7 days ago

3