Chapter 83

Lucian’s POV

016

I woke up with a splitting headache, the pain so intense it seemed to throb with my every heartbeat. As I groaned, the memories of the night before came rushing back, and a terrible realisation struck me had to have been wolfsbane if our drinks.

That was the only reason why we would all wake up like this, heads pounding and memories foggy. Shaking off the pain as best as I could, I nudged Clay and Maxwell awake. They stirred, groggy and confused, but eventually managed to sit up, their faces mirroring my own discomfort.

Needing relief, I headed to my room for painkillers, but as soon as I entered, something felt off. The room was empty, the bed undisturbed. Scarlett’s scent, usually lingering softly in the air, was absent. My stomach twisted. Had she not slept here last night? Anxiety prickled at the edges of my mind as I left my room and checked both Clay’s and Maxwell’s rooms, hoping she’d simply ended up there. But she wasn’t there either. A cold dread began to creep in.

“Where is Scarlett?” Clay’s voice was tight with concern as he looked at me, and I felt my chest tighten, unable to respond.

“I believe we were drugged last night,” I managed, barely able to keep the panic from my voice. “We need to find her-now.” Fear clawed at me, and I rushed out, desperately searching for any trace of her. It was then that I caught her scent in the hallway, faint but distinct. My heart pounded as I followed it, each step faster than the last, until it led me to her old room. I hadn’t fixed the lock on the door yet, so I pushed it open and stepped inside.