Julie nodded. This woman was nothing but trouble. Her nose was bent out of joint because Coal was no longer sleeping with her. Scarlet reeked of jealousy. It was why she had lied to them in the first place. Why she had caused shit like she had. “Look, I know that you and Coal used to be lovers. He’s not interested anymore, please get over it. I’m not interested in anything you have to say. I know you’ll twist things, distort them and add a good dose of negativity. You’re obviously trying to cause trouble. Break us up, well that’s not going to happen.” Julie tried to close the door but Scarlet put a hand out and prevented her from being able to do it.

Damn these shifters and their superior strength.

“I’m here because Coal is lying to you. He did the same to me.”

“Enough. Go away.” Julie felt like putting her hands over her ears and humming a tune. This woman was poison. She gave the door a shove.

Scarlet didn’t budge. “Did he tell you that he had asked me to mate him? That he requested this not even three weeks ago.”

All the air seemed to leave her, all of her energy along with it. She sagged against the door instead of pushing it. That couldn’t be true. It couldn’t. Coal would’ve told her.

“I can see that you don’t believe me but it’s true. Go and ask him for yourself. The reason he’s never been on a stag-run is because he can’t stand humans. He thinks that you’re all beneath him. Like deer or hares.”

Thumper.

No! She was lying. “Stop!” There was no real energy behind her appeal. Julie had to force herself to stand tall. “You talk the biggest load of bullshit.”

“It’s true!” Scarlet blurted. Her eyes were wide. “I am angry. I’m very upset. Do I want to hurt that prick? Yes, I do.” Her voice quivered. “Coal asked me to mate him and I agreed. He didn’t fight for us. The king declined permission for us to mate and ordered Coal to take part in the hunt.”

It felt like she couldn’t breathe. Like everything was closing in on her.

“He was ordered to win you and then woo you. To mate you at all cost and despite his feelings, or lack of feelings, for you. Blaze wants you pregnant by the end of your heat”—Scarlet sniffed the air and looked pointedly at Julie’s belly—“or you’re gone. They will send you back.”

No.

Please no.

Her throat felt like it was closing. A small voice inside her told her that it was true. Scarlet wasn’t lying.

Scarlet touched her arm. “I’m sorry this happened to you.”