Chapter 5: Difficult

Scarlett’s POV

I opened the door wider, allowing the old woman to step inside. Her gaze was kind yet filled with something I couldn’t quite place—maybe sympathy or pity.

“How are you, Scarlett?” she asked softly. Her question felt strange, almost absurd. How could she even ask? My entire life had been uprooted, torn apart by betrayals and losses I couldn’t begin to process. So I said nothing, keeping my silence, though the pain was surely visible on my face.

She handed me a small box. “Here are some clothes,” she said. “They belonged to my daughter. She’s gone now, so you can have them.” Her voice was calm but tinged with sorrow. I tried to refuse, feeling unworthy of such a personal gift, but she wouldn’t allow it.

“Please,” she insisted, her eyes softening. “Personally, I think it’s cruel to make a young girl like you pay for her father’s sins. Please, let me help you.” Her words held a quiet strength, and I realised she knew something of my situation. I nodded, grateful but still silent.

She held out a basket. “There’s bread and soup, tea in the flask, and fresh water in the bottle,” she explained. “You can start work in my herbal shop tomorrow, once you’re more settled. I can’t pay you, but I’ll make sure you’re fed and clothed.” Her offer was simple, but it felt like a lifeline in the vast, dark ocean I was drowning in. With nowhere else to turn, I nodded, accepting her kindness without a word.

When she left, I sat down with the food, feeling a strange warmth in the pit of my stomach. The tea was soothing, a comfort I hadn’t felt in what seemed like ages. I hadn’t even thought to ask the woman’s name, but it didn’t matter in that moment. Her quiet kindness was the first light I’d seen in days.

After finishing the food, I lay down, exhaustion finally overtaking me. The ache in my heart, the sting of betrayal—they were all still there, but I couldn’t dwell on them anymore. If the Alphas had taken everything, if they’d claimed my inheritance as their own, then there was no escape for me. My only option was to survive here, in this cold, unforgiving place, and somehow endure.

The woman arrived early in the morning, gently nudging me awake to take me to her shop. As we walked through the chilly morning air, I caught sight of the Alphas returning. My heart pounded, but I kept my head held high, looking straight ahead as though they were invisible. I had no intention of acknowledging their presence.

When we reached her shop, I was struck by its simplicity. It was small, filled with a mix of potted plants, dried herbs, and earthy aromas that filled the air. She showed me around, explaining the plants and herbs she used, though it became clear to me she didn’t actually need help.

This was a place she knew intimately, and every movement she made showed her ease here. I realized she’d only offered me the position as a gesture, a way to keep me sheltered and safe. Her quiet generosity tugged at something inside me, and I felt a small sense of peace.

Before we could settle into any work, however, a young boy appeared in the doorway. He looked barely thirteen, his skin a rich brown and his hair woolly and soft, framing his striking blue eyes. He was an unusual sight here, but his expression was calm, his voice polite as he told me I was being summoned. I glanced at the woman, and she gave me an encouraging nod to go, her quiet smile steadying me.

Following the boy, I found myself led to an apartment in the Packhouse. It was unlike the one I’d been dragged into on my arrival. This place was grander, with a larger, open layout.

The parlor and dining area sprawled in a shared space, and three closed doors lined one side of the room, suggesting private quarters. It became clear that these Alphas shared this place, each with their own domain.

Standing there, I fought back a wave of anxiety. Why had they called me here? A shiver ran through me at the thought of the marriage they had orchestrated, of any intention they might have to consummate it. The very idea made my skin crawl. They would have to kill me before I’d let any of them touch me.

The boy gave me a brief, innocent smile before he turned and left, leaving me alone in that quiet, intimidating space.