Axel||
After the tense meeting with Valerie, I retreated to my chamber, the weight of the day pressing heavily on my shoulders.
The moment I closed the door behind me, Scarlett erupted into a rage, her voice echoing off the stone walls.
"Why do you favor her over me?" she demanded, her eyes blazing with fury. "Why does that slave seem so important to you?"
I watched her calmly, taking in her anger and frustration. Scarlett's emotions were a storm, but I knew better than to meet it with my own.
It was my fault for granting her power. Even if we needed her, I was starting to regret it. We should have presented Phoenix as our mate as my brothers wanted and get on with the consequences.
But that was too late to undo now.
"Calm down, Scarlett," I said evenly. "There's more to this than y
