Chapter 18
May 21, 2025
The air smelled of ash and despair.
Ace slid off her horse, her boots hitting the dirt with a dull thud. She looked around, her heart hammering against her ribs as she took in the ruins of the place she once called home. Half of the house was burnt down, the once-proud walls now charred skeletons of what they used to be.
Her throat tightened. Where are they?
Rowan and Kane dismounted behind her, silent as they surveyed the destruction.
A man walked past, his eyes wary as he glanced at the newcomers. Ace stepped forward quickly, blocking his path. “Where is Luna Scarlett?”
The man flinched at the sound of her voice, his eyes darting toward Rowan and Kane before settling back on her. “Who wants to know?”
Ace’s jaw tightened. “Just tell me where she is.”
He hesitated for a moment before finally nodding toward a small cottage on the far side of the ruined village. “She’s there.”
Ace didn’t wait to hear more. She took off running.
Her breath came fast as she neared the cottage. She barely had time to compose herself before a small figure came bursting out of the door.
“Ace!”
The voice was high-pitched and full of disbelief.
Ace barely had time to register the sound before Elara came flying toward her, arms outstretched. Ace caught her sister just in time, nearly stumbling as Elara buried her face into her chest.
“You’re here! You’re really here!” Elara sobbed.
Ace held her tightly, running her fingers through her little sister’s tangled hair. “I’m here, Elara. I’m here.”
Then, suddenly, Elara was yanked away.
Ace looked up in time to see her mother’s face—frail, sunken, and full of terror.
Scarlett’s eyes widened in horror. “No! You can’t take her! Please!”
Ace’s stomach dropped. “Mother, no! We’re not here to take Elara!”
Scarlett clutched Elara tightly, her thin fingers digging into her daughter’s arms. “You took my husband! You destroyed our home! And now you’ve come for her?” Her wild gaze flickered to Rowan. “Monster!”
Rowan’s face remained unreadable, but Ace felt him stiffen beside her.
“Mother, please,” Ace pleaded, dropping to her knees. “I swear, we’re not here for Elara. They freed me. No one is taking her away.”
Scarlett’s lips trembled, but her grip on Elara loosened just a fraction.
Ace used the moment to step closer. “I know you don’t trust him. I know you hate him. But please, listen to me.”
Scarlett’s eyes hardened. “Listen to him? The man who slaughtered my mate? Burned my home? Stole my daughter?”
Rowan exhaled, stepping forward. “I didn’t come here to fight.”
Scarlett recoiled, pulling Elara behind her. “Stay away from us!”
Kane, standing off to the side, let out a low whistle. “Told you this was a bad idea,” he muttered to Rowan.
Rowan shot him a glare before turning back to Scarlett. “I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I know I don’t deserve it. But I do need your help.”
Scarlett laughed—a cold, bitter sound. “My help? After everything you’ve done? Why in the name of the Moon Goddess would I ever help you?”
Rowan hesitated. He turned to Ace, a silent plea in his eyes.
Ace swallowed hard, knowing what he wanted. She turned back to her mother, gripping her hands. “Mother… please.”
Scarlett shook her head. “No.”
Ace’s heart pounded. Then I have no choice.
She took a deep breath. “Fine. If you won’t tell me the truth, then I’ll give you one more reason to reconsider.”
Scarlett frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Ace stepped back, her expression unreadable. “If you don’t tell me what I want to know… Alpha Rowan will take me back into his custody.”
Scarlett’s body went rigid. “What?”
Ace took another step back, crossing her arms. “You heard me. I’ll go with him. I won’t fight it this time.”
Scarlett’s breathing grew erratic. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Ace lifted her chin defiantly. “Try me.”
Scarlett’s hands shook. “Why would he want you?”
Ace’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Because, Mother… he found out.”
Scarlett’s face twisted in confusion. “Found out what?”
Ace inhaled sharply before saying the words that would change everything.
“He knows I’m a woman.”
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