Page 17

Scarlett

I get back to the training ground feeling Elijah’s eyes on me, but he doesn’t question me, not that he could with so many people around. I do wonder if he’ll ask me later.

I get back to training. It’s nice to be back training with others. It really pushes you. We spend another hour doing gruelling training.

Liam is an entirely different person when he’s in training mode. He really knows his stuff, pushing us all to our limits. Pointing out what we need to work on. Elijah is brutal too; commanding, firm and doesn’t sympathise with anyone as he handed it to us.

Watching him makes my chest swell with pride and my stomach flutter in admiration. He’s not in his using flirting or playful mode. I’m seeing him as the alpha he is. He truly is an excellent one.

We have just finished and I’m staring up at the sun when Angela comes over to me as I lay flat on my back on one of the mats. Both of us are soaked with sweat.

“So, we need to go shopping,” she says, bending over me with her hands on her knees, blocking out the sun.

“Why?” I groan as I sit up.

“Umm, maybe for the Blood Moon Mating Ball?” Angela replies, as if this is the most obvious thing. I sigh; I’m not sure it is something I am looking forward to. Elijah’s adamance that we could be mates makes me hopeful, but I know even if he chooses me, knowing that I’m not “meant for him” will still hurt.

“I’ll order something online, there’s so many amazing stores that have nice dresses and you don’t need to waste time going in-store.” Yeah, I love online shopping although Angela is the opposite of me.

“Umm, how about no. No! This is the Blood Moon! We are going shopping. End of story.”

“Seriously? I don’t want to, hun,” I groan. I can think of many things that would be more fun than going shopping, like spending time getting pounded by a sexy alpha.

I flush a little, glad I’m all hot and sweaty so she won’t notice.

“I’m just sure someone I know would luuuurve to see you in a sexy dress,” she adds slyly, raising her eyebrows at me suggestively.

“I don’t think he’d care. Besides, I didn’t say I won’t get a dress. I said I don’t want to go shopping,” I whine, then frown at how I sound. “I don’t like shopping,” I hiss.

She just crosses her arms, huffing. “Want me to go get Elijah?”

“Get me for what?” Elijah says from behind, his vest top damp with sweat, making my eyes run over him, taking in every dip and curve of his sexy body. I know he kept his shirt on to cover the scratch marks that I covered his back with, but I’m glad; I don’t need all the she-wolves checking out my man. He smirks, seeing my gaze trail over him as I smile back.

Yeah, my man . He’s really mine.

That still feels surreal.

His eyes roam over me appreciatively, making my heart flutter.

“Scarlett isn’t interested in dressing up for the Mating Ball,” Angela states, giving me a dirty look.

“I didn’t say that. I said I can shop online,” I correct her pointedly.

“Only losers shop online. Like, I’m getting a designer gown.” Keira’s nasally voice comes, making Elijah wince. He quickly steps aside as she pushes forward in her tiny bra and shorts.

I’m certain she shops online a lot. When the deliveries are brought into town, she always has a lot.

“Then get your designer gown. I’m not stopping you, am I? I’m just not interested,” I retort.

“Why are you even going? Like, aren’t you marked already?” Keira questions. I feel Elijah’s aura as his eyes flash, but I swiftly step forward and place a hand on his chest, trying to ignore the way he feels under my fingertips.

“That’s none of your business. Now get the hell out of my face,” I reply coldly.

“Yeah, like, whatever. Alpha, will you be going to the ball?” Keira asks hopefully. She knows she isn’t his mate, but probably just wants to cling to him like the skank she is.

“Of course he’s going to go. We need him to find our Luna,” Aaron says as he and Monica come over. Elijah glances at him, a slight tick to his jaw.

“I’ve already chosen my Luna, but yeah, I will be going to this party,” he replies icily. Aaron’s eyebrow shoots up in curiosity.

“Oh yeah? Since when? Alright… I think me and my boy need a chat. You girls should go shopping together,” he suggests.

Clearly wanting to get rid of all of us, something Monica obviously realises as she crosses her arms.

“I’m not going to the ball, remember?” she reminds him with a pout. Aaron smirks.

“Take my card, baby. Buy whatever you want, have fun.”

Smooth ass.

Angela and I exchange looks as we both stare at Keira. Neither of us wants to go shopping with her.

“Wait, I really don’t think this is a good idea-” I begin, but Elijah cuts me off.

“I think it’s a great idea. Don’t girls like shopping together?” he asks almost mockingly.

“No! Not with all girls,” Angela almost growls. Monica lets out a nervous giggle.

“Keira, aren’t your friends going shopping?” she asks, clearly noticing how annoyed Angela and I are. Keira glares at her.

“Well, yeah, and it’s clear we have more taste than you lot. So let’s see what you bitches grab from the outlet pile!” she snaps, clearly unhappy that she isn’t wanted.

“You ladies might have more fun together-”

“No thank you, Aaron,” Angela cuts in, giving him a poisonous sweet glare. Keira stomps her foot before she storms off.

“Aaron, seriously?” I ask, giving him a frown once Keira is gone.

“Hey, I was only trying to help…” Aaron says, before glancing at Elijah, clearly mind-linking him.

“Okay, how about this? Go shopping, meet me and the boys at the Flaming Grill at seven when you’re done?” Elijah suggests as Liam comes over, finally finishing giving the final few warriors a few pointers.

“Yes!” Angela agrees as I process what he just said. I shake my head, holding up my hand.

“Whoa, whoa, wait. Seven? Are we shopping until seven?” I ask, my eyes widening with horror. I don’t mind shopping, in fact I love shopping, but online. Only online! I’d rather stay home and read a book!

“We all know girls take forever,” Aaron says, earning a frown from Monica.

“We don’t, babe. You men are just as bad.”

“Are we though?” Aaron counters cockily.

“Okay, I am going to agree. Seven is perfect. So what boys are we meeting later?” Angela asks curiously.

“Just Liam, me and Aaron,” Elijah says, walking over to where he dropped his phone before training. He picks it up and slides his card out, holding it out to me. My eyes fly open, feeling all eyes on me. “I’ll text you the pin,” he says smoothly, making my stomach flutter, but I also feel very watched.

“Alright! Let’s go!” Angela says smoothly, hooking arms with me and Monica and dragging us away.

“We need to shower first! Hun, chill, it’s just shopping,” I grumble, making Angela pout at me unhappily, having forgotten about our sweaty state.

“Fine, babe, I get it. Meet back at the packhouse in 30 minutes!” she shouts. Monica and I nod before we separate, heading in our own directions. This is going to be more exhausting than training. I just know it.

Thirty-five minutes later, Elijah and I meet up with the rest. I look pretty flushed, but only Angela realises what probably happened. But when he looked so smouldering all through training, I couldn’t say no.

The girls leave in Angela’s car and the boys in Elijah’s. Both head in different directions, with us heading to Birmingham, as the city centre is a lot larger than the one in Stratford-upon-Avon.

“So, any colour in mind?” Monica asks when we enter one of the larger stores.

“I am going for red!” Angela exclaims, flicking her long hair. “I am going for hot and sexy!”

She’s been planning this for years.

“What about you Scarlett?” Monica asks me.

“I have no colour in mind, but I’ll know when I like something,” I say as my eyes skim the racks.

“Okay, perfect, and you’re going for long, right?” Monica asks. I’m about to reply, then realise she’s rubbing the front of her neck, swallowing hard.

“You okay?” I ask, concerned.

“I just feel really nauseous,” Monica replies, making both Angela and I stare at her. “What? I just…” Her face pales when she realises what we are thinking.

“No chance you’re pregnant?” Angela asks in a hushed whisper, although no one is paying attention to us.

“We don’t use protection. I don’t think I’m late. Damn, maybe?” She runs her fingers through her hair nervously.

“I think we should pop to a chemist before shopping,” I suggest. Monica just stares at me as Angela nods.

“Okay, let’s go to Boots! They have pregnancy tests!” she says, once again dragging us out of the shop.

“It might not be anything,” Monica says, her heart thudding with nerves. I smile at her.

“I’m sure your baby would be so flipping cute, though,” I say. Just imagining myself in Monica’s position makes me feel nervous and excited. Monica smiles.

“You think so?” she asks, trying to calm her nerves and smiling nervously.

“I know so,” I say as we step through the entrance to Boots, with Angela leading the way to the correct aisle.

“Okay, let me go and grab a test! You’re using protection, aren’t you, Scarlett? I mean, I know wolves can’t get pregnant unless they’re marked, but you’re both alphas. Maybe it’s different. I mean, it’s never been heard of before, so-” Angela freezes as she looks at me, her heart thudding as she realises she just slipped up.

My heart thumps as I glance at Monica, who is now staring at Angela with curiosity.

Please, for the sake of the Goddess, do not click.

She slowly looks at me, then back at Angela, as if trying to comprehend what was said. And I see understanding slowly begin to dawn upon her. For a few painstakingly slow seconds, time seems to slow before her eyes widen impossibly large. She gasps and covers her mouth.

“Oh. My. Fucking. Goddess.” I simply turn to Angela, giving my friend a death glare. Now I have some serious explaining to do to a very stunned, possibly pregnant Monica.