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Fury explodes through me, and I hiss a breath, my anger powerful enough to turn my vision red. My mom is out of her goddamn mind. She can’t do this.
“I’m not going back. I’ll call her. She’s just trying to mess with me. She’s probably upset that we went to my dads.” I stand up and hold my hand out to Adrian. “Can I please use the burner phone? I don’t want her having access to me without my permission.”
“Scarlett, amore. Let us deal with this. You don’t need that kind of stress, especially if you’re pregnant.” Ezra scoots to the end of the couch, reaching to grab me.
I dodge out of his way. “That’s exactly why I need to do this. I need to call her out on her bullshit. We can send it to Pack Carlisle. They shouldn’t care about who I end up with as long as I pop out babies. That’s their whole thing. Me and my glorious, supposedly fertile uterus. They don’t care how it’s done as long as it’s done. It’s why we’ve been pampered our whole lives.”
Jonah growls deep in his throat. “Those fuckers. They don’t have that sort of right. That mentality is why things are the way they are.”
“Which is why we need to fight. We need to change things.” Adrian stands up, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out his phone, handing it to me. “Be careful with your reactions, Scarlett. It’s what she wants. She will try to use anything she can against us.”
My heart pounds, threatening to explode through my ribcage. Mom always has a way of poking at my emotions, leaving me feeling out of control, but I can do the same to her. I’m my mother’s daughter, after all. She has emotionally manipulated me all my life, so much that I recognize it. I can fight it. Mostly, I can use it against her.
I stroll away from the table, needing to move around. My nerves tense my muscles, and I stretch and bounce on my feet. Only Adrian comes to me, the others giving me space. I lick my lips and shake out my hands. This shouldn’t be so hard. I know what I must do. I shouldn’t be so intimidated by the woman who clearly cares about only herself.
“Like we said, we can handle it, Lettie,” Dominic says, his voice deeper than usual.
“I know, but I don’t want you to. I can do this.” I summon my bravery and tap in Mom’s number, turning on the speakerphone for everyone to hear. Ezra pulls out his phone and starts recording to capture the entire conversation.
The line rings and rings until Mom finally connects as if she was waiting for the last possible second.
“Mrs. Steele speaking,” she says, her voice sweet.
No hello. No who’s this. Just her announcing she’s on the other end.
I clear my throat, my palms sweating, making the phone slippery. “Mom—”
“Oh, Scarlett. It’s nice of you to have finally reached out to me. I thought I was going to have to travel all the way there. It would’ve been such an inconvenience, considering that those bad alphas are keeping us apart. I’ve been informed that you’re no longer staying at the Clearwater Manor. Where are they keeping you?” Mom’s voice turns from sweet to sharp, her anger remaining in check.
Adrian touches my shoulder. “Take a breath and don’t react. Tell her that you are not interested in leaving. Tell her you could be pregnant and that you’re happy. Nice and calm,” he whispers, his soft breath tickling my ear.
“Scarlett? Is everything okay? Are you in trouble?” Mom continues speaking, not missing a beat. “Do I need to call the Clearwater authorities?”
My whole body trembles with my anger. “No, that isn’t necessary. There were some safety concerns about the manor, and we thought it was best to stay somewhere else until it was properly handled. My alphas are taking excellent care of me. I don’t know if you know, but I went into heat.”
Dead silence greets me, and I check the phone to make sure Mom didn’t hang up on me.
“The proper people at the university know our situation and have been more supportive than we expected. I’ve been offered a job upon graduation, and our wedding date is set. We’re all very happy. Just another week, and we will be able to find out if I’m pregnant.” My mouth trembles as I try to remain calm. All I want to do is confront her about Pack Carlisle’s summons.
Again, Mom doesn’t say anything. I hear her intake a low breath, though.
“I hope you’re as excited as I am. I’m so grateful you ensured that I stay with the Harts and the exceptional Pack Clearwater. My alphas have a chance to take leadership soon. Aren’t you proud of me?” I know I shouldn’t push her, but I can’t stop the pettiness from coursing through me. I want to rub it in that my life will be better than hers. My alphas are more powerful, and I will not be considered worthy based on my fertility.
“Oh, Scarlett. Has Pack Hart not told you?” Mom groans with her words, faking concern. “It has been agreed upon by Pack Carlisle that they’re unfit to be the alphas of you. I have arranged a far superior and more fitting pack. It’s still within the Clearwater Territory, so you won’t have to be concerned about moving. But I do need you to pack your things. You’ll be coming home until everything is official.”
My boiling blood cools, and I clutch the phone in my fingers. If I were any stronger, I’d probably break it into pieces.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Pack my things? I don’t understand. I could be pregnant—”
Mom scoffs. “Even if you are, things will be fine. The pack I have chosen for you doesn’t care that you’re clearly used. They would be happy to care for someone else’s child. That’s how incredible they are. I’m sure the Harts wouldn’t do such a thing. They were probably especially happy that you were the perfect omega. Untouched and desperate.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? I’m not leaving. I have my perfect pack. And so you know, I wasn’t untouched. You’re out of your damn mind if you think that I was going to remain a virgin. Don’t twist things to make them seem wrong. I’m an adult. I’m not your precious little omega who you can trade around for more money. Back off or you will regret it.” My shoulders shake with my deep breathing, my anxiety through the roof. How dare she think she could do this.
“Don’t you threaten me, Scarlett. I’m your mother. I know what’s best for you. You’re obviously not worthy of calling yourself an adult. You’re a spoiled brat who can’t see the bigger picture. You won’t have as many children with the Harts. You’ll be a disappointment to everyone and then alone. Do what is expected. You will be taken care of. Pack Miller has ensured it. They offered so much more than expected. You need to accept this gift and move on with your life.” Mom smacks something, the sound reverberating through my bones. “Now pack your things. You will be coming home even if I have to drag you here kicking and screaming.”
Her words stun me, and I can’t stop thinking about the pack she said she arranged a new proposal with. Pack Miller. That can’t be possible. It’s a common pack name, but a part of me dies inside of just the name alone.
“Did you say Pack Miller?” I ask, my voice cracking.
