A Girl Among Beasts
Passion Exclusive
Romance
17K
Description
Disguised as a man, Ace Ravelwood spent her entire life proving her strength in a world where only the ruthless survive. When she sacrifices herself to protect her family, she is taken captive by Alpha Rowan and thrown into his brutal gladiator pits. Forced to prove her worth, Ace outmatches every opponent, impressing Rowan with her cunning, skill, and fearless defiance. Intrigued by the warrior who refuses to break, Rowan finds himself drawn to Ace in ways he can't explain-an attraction that unsettles him, yet he can't seem to resist. As the battles grow more dangerous, so does the risk of Ace's true identity being exposed. In a world where deception means death, she must decide-keep playing the role of an unyielding warrior or risk everything for freedom. But if Rowan discovers the truth, will he see her as a traitor... or something far more dangerous to his heart?
Chapter 1
May 15, 2025
20 YEARS AGO
A piercing scream echoed through the dimly lit chamber, blending with the howling wind outside. Luna Scarlett gritted her teeth, her entire body trembling as another wave of agony ripped through her. Sweat clung to her flushed skin, soaking the sheets beneath her.
"Just one more push, Luna! One strong push!" the midwife urged, her voice steady but laced with urgency.
Scarlett sucked in a deep breath, gripping the sides of the bed as she summoned every last ounce of strength she had left.
With a final, desperate cry, she bore down, the pain splitting her in two. And then, all at once, it stopped.
A shrill cry filled the air.
Scarlett's heart pounded wildly. Her limbs trembled as she lifted her head, eyes wide and searching for the baby. The midwife held the tiny bundle, wrapped in a soft white cloth, her hands slightly shaking.
The crying infant squirmed, its little fists curled tightly.
Scarlett swallowed hard. Something was wrong.
The midwife hadn't spoken. She hadn't uttered the words Scarlett was desperately waiting for.
"Is it a boy?" she rasped, her throat raw.
The midwife's mouth opened, but no words came out. Her eyes darted toward the door as if waiting for someone—perhaps hoping someone else would bear the weight of delivering the truth.
Scarlett's pulse pounded in her ears. "Tell me!" she demanded, her voice breaking.
Just then, the door burst open. Alpha Cedric Ravelwood strode in, his imposing figure filling the room. His sharp blue eyes swept over Scarlett first, concern flashing across his rugged features. But then he heard the wailing baby and turned to the midwife, his expression softening with excitement.
"I’ve heard, our heir has arrived!" His voice was filled with pride as he stepped closer, his arms already reaching out.
The midwife hesitated.
Alpha Cedric’s brow furrowed. "What’s wrong?"
Scarlett watched, her breath held hostage in her chest, as the midwife reluctantly placed the baby into Cedric’s waiting arms. He gazed down at the infant, his lips parting in awe—until realization struck.
His face darkened.
A heavy silence fell over the room, thick with tension.
Cedric's hands tightened around the baby. His head snapped up, his gaze locking onto the midwife with a dangerous intensity. "What happened?" His voice was low, deadly. "Why isn’t this a boy?"
Scarlett choked on a sob, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. She had dreaded this moment. She had feared it beyond anything else in the world.
For centuries, the Ravelwood Pack had been ruled by a strict tradition: the firstborn child of every Alpha was always a son. It had never been different. Not once. The son inherited the pack, trained from birth to be the next leader.
A daughter had never been born as an Alpha’s first child. Until now.
"This... this isn't possible," Cedric muttered, his grip tightening on the baby. His eyes darted between Scarlett and the midwife, demanding answers neither of them could give.
The midwife, trembling, finally found her voice. "Alpha, the child is healthy. Strong. Just as a son would be—"
"Do you take me for a fool?" Cedric snapped. His voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade.
Scarlett’s sobs grew louder. She clutched at her husband's arm desperately. "Cedric, please," she begged. "She’s still our child!"
His jaw clenched. His breathing was unsteady. "A girl, Scarlett. A girl."
She knew what that meant. They both did. If the truth got out, the council elders would demand the child be cast aside. The pack would never accept a female heir. Some might even call for the child’s death to prevent dishonor to the Alpha bloodline.
Scarlett’s stomach twisted violently at the thought.
No. She wouldn’t let them take her baby.
"Nobody has to know," Cedric said suddenly, his voice eerily calm.
Scarlett stilled. "What?"
He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "No one needs to know that she was born a girl."
The midwife gasped. "Alpha, are you suggesting—"
Cedric cut her a sharp look. "This child is my heir. And my heir is a son."
Scarlett's breath caught in her throat. Was he serious?
The midwife hesitated. "But... Alpha—"
"Do you want to be the one to announce to the entire pack that their Alpha has failed to produce a rightful heir?" Cedric challenged, his tone deadly.
The midwife’s face paled. She quickly shook her head.
Scarlett’s chest heaved, her mind reeling. "How do you expect us to keep this secret? Someone will find out, Cedric! What if—"
"Are you going to tell them?" he cut her off, his piercing eyes boring into her.
She swallowed hard. Of course, she wouldn’t. But fear still gnawed at her insides.
Cedric turned to the midwife, stepping forward until he loomed over her. "Swear it," he commanded. "Swear that this secret dies in this room."
The midwife dropped her gaze and nodded rapidly. "I swear it, Alpha."
He watched her for a long moment before giving a single nod of approval. Then, he slowly turned back to Scarlett and the tiny infant in his arms.
Despite everything, despite the fury and disappointment that had flooded his veins mere moments ago, something shifted in his gaze.
He reached down, brushing his fingers gently over the baby’s soft cheek. The infant stirred, letting out a small, contented sigh.
Cedric exhaled slowly. "She will live the life of a man," he declared, his voice laced with finality. "She is my son. And her name is Ace Ravelwood."
Scarlett blinked at him, stunned.
Ace.
A strong name. A name fit for a leader, a warrior—an Alpha.
Despite the storm raging in her heart, a flicker of relief spread through her.Scarlett wasn’t going to let their daughter be taken away. She wasn’t going to let her die. But at what cost?
She stared at the fragile life in her husband's arms, wondering what kind of future awaited her child—a daughter forced to be a son.
Would Ace ever forgive them?
Would she ever understand why they had to lie?
Scarlett didn’t have the answers.
All she knew was that she would protect her daughter at any cost.
Even if it meant living a lie for the rest of their lives.
A Girl Among Beasts
20 Chapters
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