Page 18

Elijah

W e ended up just going for a drive with no destination in mind.

I don’t really know how to begin; I know Liam has a thing for Scarlett, but I don’t really know how deep it goes. I’m not sure, but I need to tell them because I am serious about her and he’ll just have to deal with that.

We are only ten minutes in when Aaron looks at me, no longer able to stay quiet. “So, spill. Who’s the lucky lady?” he asks curiously. I fiddle with the radio stations until I am satisfied with one; I know I’m buying time.

“Wait, so she isn’t your mate? Aren’t you going to find her?” Liam asks, confused.

“I’ve chosen my Luna and I’m not planning on accepting my fated mate,” I say with complete confidence that even they know I’m serious.

“So, who is she? Is she a part of our pack?” Aaron asks impatiently. “Come on man, you can’t have fun and not share who the lucky woman getting nailed by you is.”

I cock a brow. “Chill, let’s stop here and get some fresh air,” I say, pulling up to the side of an open road. There are fields to both sides with no one in sight.

“You’re buying time. I’m a little worried,” Liam says, ruffling his hair as we get out, a sharp wind blowing around us.

Yeah, maybe.

“Well, don’t let your shit hit the fan when I tell you,” I say, looking at my two best friends. Since we were little, these two have been through everything with me. We trained, grew, fought and studied together.

“Okay, shoot,” Aaron says, glancing at Liam before they both turn back to me as I lean against my car, crossing my arms.

Here goes nothing.

“It’s Scarlett.”

Their reactions are polar opposites. Liam looks as if he has just been hit with a sledgehammer, his face paling before he looks away, a frown crossing his face, whilst Aaron’s eyes fly open as he stares at me completely stunned.

My gaze flicks to Liam, who I can see is struggling to stay calm. His face is like a screen as he struggles with several emotions. His is the reaction that is making my stomach twist. He takes a deep, calming breath, his eyes flickering as his wolf surfaces. Anger and hurt. Those are the two most prominent emotions I can see in those eyes.

He’s hurt and betrayed. To an extent, I kinda fucking knew he cared, even if I denied it. Deep down I knew, it’s never been a secret, but he’s never been vocal either and it wouldn’t have made a difference because she’s mine.

No one speaks.

Aaron is still trying to comprehend my words, running his fingers through his hair repeatedly. He tries to form a sentence but only succeeds in spluttering and stopping until he kicks the ground and turns to me.

“What the hell, man? How could you not tell me that?” he asks, finally managing a coherent sentence.

“I just didn’t think it was the right time,” I answer, leaning back against my car, arms crossed as I watch Liam.

“She’s… well, you two could be mates. What if you’re not? I mean, I get that you said you’re making her your Luna, but what about your parents?” Aaron asks with uncertainty.

“I don’t care about what they think. I love her, and she loves me,” I reply, not missing how Liam’s heart rate spikes. The coppery smell of blood fills our noses, drawing mine and Aaron’s eyes to the source. Liam’s claws are out, cutting into his shaky hands.

Aaron tenses, his expression becoming serious as he looks from me to Liam.

“Fuck. Liam…” Aaron begins, concern etched in his voice. Liam turns away, and I feel a tinge of guilt. I never thought it’d come to this.

“You know what hurts the most? That she was the one woman I thought I would never have to compete with you for, but heck, seems I was wrong again. You really are the Alpha. You get anyone you want, right?” he asks, his voice hoarse. The pain palpable in his tone.

He’s fucking hurt.

“I didn’t realise you were so serious about her, but no, to start with, I didn’t think we’d fall in love. You two know I don’t believe in love or the mate bond-”

“Then what if your mate comes before you and you want her? Then what about Scarlett?” Liam snaps, now turning to face me.

“I know for a fact I won’t falter over a mate. If anything, I think it is Scarlett,” I say, now frowning.

“And if she happens to be mine?” Liam asks angrily. I simply smirk, although those words feel like a fucking punch in the gut. That would… fucking kill me.

“Then my Kitten can choose between us,” I say arrogantly, confident in Scarlett’s choice. Liam frowns, a flash of jealousy crossing his face.

“So, if I were to be her mate and she chooses me, you won’t have an issue?” he asks coldly.

“Who knows? But let’s put it this way, I’m confident in our love and there is no force on this fucking planet or in the heavens that can tear us apart,” I reply, my voice strong and confident.

Liam frowns, stepping back before taking a deep breath and punching my car with all his strength. The crunch of metal is loud on the quiet road.

“What the fuck?” I growl, not expecting that and neither was Aaron as I stare at the huge dent in my fucking red car. Liam simply smirks, a look I have rarely seen on his face.

“Well, I can’t fucking break my Alpha’s nose, can I? The next best thing is his precious car,” he replies triumphantly as he watches my eyes flash between cerulean and cobalt as I try to control my anger and not break my friend’s nose. Aaron whistles, looking at the damage.

“Shit, Liam…” he mutters, stepping back as I lunge at Liam, knocking him to the ground.

“Yeah, you could have fucking hit me. I’d prefer it!” I snarl. I would have felt better, too.

“Exactly! I knew you would. The car hurt more, right?” Liam growls back as he rolls over, pushing me to the ground. I’m not phased at all as he punches me across the jaw. Liam is one of the best fighters in the pack, and if anyone can put up a fight against me, it’s him. Although I am stronger, Liam is damn good.

“Scarlett never fucking liked you, heck I don’t even think she fucking knows you like her!” I growl, slamming Liam to the ground, his shoulder banging into the car. Creating another fucking dent.

“She’s your fucking sister!”

“Stepsister, you fucking asshole! Not that I fucking care even if we were related by blood!”

Those words make Liam freeze in shock, giving me the exact reaction I am looking for. And it gives me the chance to elbow him sharply in the head. He isn’t expecting that and I take the chance to get to my feet, glaring at him. “Fuck.” I look at my dirt-covered clothes and then glare at my car. In the scuffle, we damaged it further.

The roof is dented, but what makes me even angrier is that the door is dented too. If the window hadn’t been rolled down, it would have been smashed too. I glare at Liam, who simply glares back with equal anger. Although I’m pissed, I don’t use my alpha abilities to make Liam submit, even though I’m fucking tempted.

Aaron smirks. “Now, now boys, let’s not fight over a girl,” Aaron says, earning a death glare from both of us. Liam gets to his feet. He is in worse shape than me. His nose is bloody and so is his lip, although it is healing up. I am just a mess with no visible bruises on me.

“I hate you for this Elijah,” Liam mutters. I look at him, my eyes returning to their usual dazzling blue.

“And I don’t blame you for that,” I reply, looking at the damaged car that still pisses me off. “But be ready for it. I don’t care who the fuck her mate is. She’s mine.” Liam frowns. The possessiveness in my voice is clear, and no one, and I mean no one, will stand in my way.

I wrench my car door open, gritting my teeth when the metal grates, but the door refuses to open more than six inches. If I pull it any more, it will break. Liam grins, walking around to the other side and getting into the back of the car.

“Careful there, Elijah. You don’t want it to fall apart completely now, do you?”

“Fuck,” I hiss venomously.

“Slide in from that side?” Aaron suggests nervously, feeling my anger growing, but even then, I can see he’s finding this amusing.

“You’re fucking fixing this shit,” I growl, walking around to the passenger side. I glare at the smirk on Liam’s face as I struggle to get my long limbs into the tight sports car. Once I am in my seat, I turn and punch Liam in the face.

“Dipshit.”