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Tristan was equally afraid of Ashley and the old Alpha’s return. Back then, the warriors had confirmed that the old Alpha was dead, but before they could return the body to the pack for a befitting burial, it was nowhere to be found.

The warriors had initially lied, claiming that they forgot and had not paid attention to Scarlet’s instructions, and cremated the body.

Tristan saw through them, demanding to see the ashes at the exact location where the cremation was done before they confessed.

However, no one thought that the old Alpha would survive those injuries. He had been confirmed dead. Should he return, Tristan had no doubt that he, Scarlet, and all the warriors involved would be put to death.

Lunas and some betas were honored with a burial instead of cremation under the belief that they might return as a different person.

Tristan had initially planned to leave the pack, but the finances were not even enough for the pack, so how would he be able to get the large sum he needed to start afresh in the human world?

He could only hope that the old Alpha would die for real. If that happened, Ashley would not be a problem for him as it would be her word against his.

As for the old Alpha, nobody would doubt anything he says. Looking back, Tristan realized how he had made a rushed decision in ordering Valerie’s execution.

Instead, he should have killed the man he set her up with, and there would be no way for her to prove her innocence.

That Kyle confessed everything to Alpha Denzel, bringing out the truth of the matter. Tristan never felt like an Alpha after that, even when he walked the pack or gave orders.

Even the pack members now looked at him differently, no longer according him with the needed respect. After all, he could not even cater to their needs like Valerie and her father did before.

Valerie was too smart for him. Dead or alive, she proved worthy to be the Luna. Even in her absence, the wealth of the pack was still locked away from undeserving hands.

"The only solution is to escape and leave the packs before the return of your father." That was the conclusion Tristan derived from all the problems headed their way.

However, Scarlet felt at a loss. The bond she felt with Ludwig was amazing. What she had with Tristan could not be compared to it.

She regretted not waiting for her mate but was happy that Ludwig was considering talking about their future together.

"And leave my mate?" Scarlet could not accept it. "Look, if my dad was alive, then he would have been here. Injured or not, it’s too late for his return."

That is it. Scarlet wanted to convince herself that her father died, and that was the only way for her to have peace and sanity. The thought of him gave her fearful shivers.

Her father loved her dearly, and she had even been the last person to stab him in the heart with a dagger. The recollection of it caused panic to hit her in the chest.

She could not endure the look in her father’s eyes when he asked her, "why Scarlet? Aside from loving you, I never offended you in any way."

The Alpha, her father, was dying by then, and she could not watch anymore, as she was filled with guilt. He loved her, and that was his crime. If he didn’t, she would not have succeeded in luring him out of the pack.

"Ashley only came to scare me," Scarlet said seriously, convincing herself that there was no need to hide. The guilt from earlier disappeared at once.

"Okay. If you say so. Now what about me? Aren’t you my Luna?" Tristan asked once more, as he sat beside her.

He did not need her affection, only needing to know if she ever cared or to know what she planned to do with the title.

"I don’t want to be the Luna of this pack anymore. It has nothing to offer."

Scarlet was serious with her words. She could not blend in and found it hard to please her subjects, so why should she care about the title?

Tristan could not even make them like her because of how he equally lost their respect.

"You are rejecting your pack where you were born and raised, for someone you don’t even know?" Tristan was speechless. Scarlet did not even have any form of remorse on her face, as she lifted herself and sauntered towards the giant vanity mirror, admiring herself.

"Ludwig is my mate," she declared, her gaze on her image, and she tried to perceive what would happen when she met Ludwig again.

The last time, they even kissed and were about to mate and mark each other before Tristan arrived and ruined the moment for them.

"Well, the letter invited us both," Tristan reminded her, her expression darkened slightly, as she did not want to be seen with Tristan.

"You can drop me there, but we should not be seen close together. I don’t want your bad luck to affect me."

Tristan shook his head with a bitter smile. "Scarlet, I don’t blame you for this. I believe this is my punishment for what I did to Valerie and your father."

Scarlet could not be bothered and began to arrange her hair neatly in front of the vanity mirror.

"Call the pack and begin your search for a new Luna. I, Scarlet, am no longer the Luna of this pack," she declared, staring at Tristan’s reflection in the mirror.

"No need to call the pack. You were never even seen as a Luna. Excuse me," Tristan said and left the depressing atmosphere.

Scarlet was rather excited, eager to leave for the Black Fur Pack.