Page 34

Scarlett

A fter dealing with stupid Fiona, I reach Grandma Amelia’s cottage and knock on the door that stands slightly ajar. The smell of her tea brewing fills my nose, the mix of cinnamon and cardamom mixed pleasantly with it.

“Come on in now, you don’t expect me to come to the door to welcome you in graciously because you’re the Luna, now do you?” Grandma Amelia’s voice comes, making me smile and I push the door open, stepping inside.

“Of course not, I would never expect that of you,” I reply, amused. Looking around, I see the table is already set with cherry tarts, angel slices and coconut cake, all homemade and smelling divine.

“Good!” Grandma Amelia snorts as she turns the pan off and pours the tea into two mugs. “You got here just on time.”

“I sure did, besides your baking is the best welcome possible for any luna,” I chip in slyly, making Grandma Amelia frown at me as she brings the tea over to the table.

“Oh, don’t let it get to your head. I baked these for me. Now, unless you want me to give you a good beating, sit that ass down and tell me everything,” she says, making me smile.

“Okay, if you say so. I’ll pretend that you did.” I pick up a tart and take a bite. “Goddess, these are magical!”

“Why, thank you. Now no dallying, I want all the details minus the nasty bits,” Grandma Amelia says, her gaze flickering to my neck and I don’t miss the small smile that sneaks onto her lips.

She might not show it but she’s happy for me. I smile as I begin to tell Grandma Amelia about the full events of the day of the Blood Moon. Thirty minutes later, Grandma Amelia sits back, smiling.

“That’s good. They set aside their obnoxious egos. That father and son are too prideful for their own damn good.”

“I agree, they have a lot more similarities than either will ever admit,” I reply.

She nods. “Agreed! Now, I am glad that that mark is gone for good, but I do still think you’re too good for that fool! However, I think he is improving a little.” She smiles as she places her empty mug down. I nod.

“He’s improved a lot. I really do love him,” I confess, smiling softly.

“I’m sure you do!” Grandma Amelia says. Her smile fades as she looks at me seriously. “You are leaving tomorrow?”

“Yeah…” I say, the mood shifting drastically as we fall silent.

“You were blessed by the Moon Goddess, given as a gift to our kind. Sadly, it was used against you in the evilest way and, worse, at the hands of the man who was meant to be your father. I know it will be hard to face him, but I also know you are strong enough to do so. You are an alpha, Scarlett, and although that man deserves a painful death, don’t do anything that you will regret later.”

I look at her. Grandma Amelia has always been a woman full of words of wisdom and, although I want to tear my father to shreds or torture him the way he had me, I know what I truly need to do is find closure. I will be the one to end his life, but I will also remember what Grandma Amelia is saying. I nod.

“I understand, Grandma,” I say quietly. She smiles at me and gives a small nod of approval.

“I’m glad. You are a blessing, child. Always remember that.” I let her words sink in. I don’t know why the Goddess blessed me as an alpha, but I will never take it for granted. Sure, I’ve often resented Selene, but she is also the one to bless me with Elijah as my mate. I will be an alpha that will make my pack, my family, and my mate proud. Picking up a slice of coconut cake, I smile contently. Something about such a simple conversation with Grandma Amelia puts me at ease. Telling her about everything that has happened is pleasant. I always enjoy our moments together.

After my visit to Grandma Amelia’s, I stop at the small snack shop we have on pack grounds to grab some treats for later and make my way to Angela’s home. She’s been quieter since our return and I know what she’s like. She won’t ever admit it, but she’s going through a lot. She’s been a lot quieter on text too, a big warning flag when it comes to Angela.

Ringing the doorbell, I wait until it’s opened by her father. Although we are best friends, I prefer it when Angela comes to mine. Something about the atmosphere around Angela’s home makes me a little uneasy.

However, today the tension as I’m allowed in is obvious. I wonder why.

“She’s in her room,” Mr Jacobs grunts before he walks off to the lounge. I nod before quietly, yet quickly, hurrying upstairs to Angela’s room.

“So have you told your parents yet?” I ask Angela. It’s a short while later and I’m sprawled across her bed, lying on my tummy.

She shakes her head. “No… although I know some of our pack members know, I think yours and Elijah’s news was enough to squash mine out, and I’m relieved,” she mutters.

I look over at her sympathetically. “You will have to sooner or later.”

She nods, but it’s clear she doesn’t want to talk about it, and instead shows me what she purchased in the recent sales.

We continue chatting before Mrs Jacobs comes upstairs to call us down for dinner.

“Oh, thank you, Mrs Jacobs, I already have eaten,” I say politely.

“You are the Luna of our pack, well soon to be, you are always welcome, besides it’s dinner time.”

I smile. That last part makes me a little uncomfortable. Of course, if I come here during dinner time, they will tell me to eat. I help myself to stir-fried noodles just as Haru returns home.

His gaze sweeps over Angela and me before he takes his seat opposite Angela.

“Busy day?” Mr Jacobs asks.

“The usual,” he replies curtly.

Seriously, the dude is so grumpy…

“Is the food to your liking?” Mrs Jacobs asks, and I realise I’m swirling it around my plate.

“Oh yeah, thank you.”

We fall silent again and dinner is indeed a sordid affair. Mr Jacobs is focused on his food, a deep frown on his face. Mrs Jacobs makes sure his cup is never empty. Haru sits across from us, an arrogant expression on his face every time Angela or I exchange a word, like we are annoying or something. The dude needs to get laid. He’s a grumpy asshole.

Once dinner is over, we offer to clean up, but Mrs Jacobs shakes her head. “I am not having the future Luna in my kitchen. You may go to Angela’s room.”

“Thank you,” I say, knowing better than to argue with her. We excuse ourselves from the table, trying not to say anything until we are back in the safety of her room.

“Dinner at yours is so gloomy,” I whisper.

Angela giggles. “Trust me, if I didn’t look so much like Mom, I’d think I’m adopted.”

I stifle a snicker as she begins to skim through the DVDs to choose which to watch and I grab the bag of snacks I had purchased on the way here.

“Okay, so, Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast?” Angela asks, holding up both DVDs of the live-action movies.

“Aladdin,” I say, leaning against the headboard as I take out the drinks.

“Aladdin it is!” Angela puts the movie on before she walks over and drops onto the bed next to me. The movie starts and both of us dig into the snacks. “I love the songs in here.”

“My favourite is Prince Ali,” I agree. “There’s just something about traditional songs.”

“Oh yeah, you loved singing that one,” Angela says, amused, as she opens a packet of crisps, her eyes on the movie. I nod as we fall into a pleasant silence. Speaking occasionally, but for the most part, we enjoy the quiet. I see Angela’s phone screen light up, the name ‘Cassandra’ flashing on the screen.

I look over at Angela. “So, Cassandra… what is she like?”

Her smile fades, and she looks at the packet in her hand.

“Confident, beautiful, funny... and she’s always known she was a lesbian,” she sighs.

“And is that what scares you? That you’re inexperienced with women?” I ask. Angela sighs.

“I don’t know, maybe? Or it’s just a shock when I’ve always dated men.”

“I don’t think that’s a good enough reason, hun,” I say, looking at my friend as I open the bottle of Coca-Cola and take a sip.

“I know,” Angela says, dropping back and staring at the ceiling. “I’m just scared that I’ll accept her and then I’ll realise later on I don’t want her.”

That wasn’t the vibe I felt when we last discussed this.

“I don’t think that will happen, but why not go on a trip away together? Just the two of you. Maybe Scotland? I don’t think you putting distance between you two and thinking of all the ‘what ifs’ is wise,” I say. “You won’t really know until you try. Just think of the two of you. Forget the damn world.” Angela pouts, picks up a chocolate bar, and throws it at me.

“You’re annoying! Don’t play Luna!”

“Well, I am going to be your Luna, so listen to me!” I counter, amused as I duck under the onslaught of things being thrown at me.

She smiles at that and plops down on her pillows, staring at the ceiling. I lie down next to Angela and look at the ceiling, the movie long forgotten.

“Do you think she’ll be okay with me, with all my doubts? My past with men and everything?” Angela asks. I turn my head, looking at my friend.

“I’m sure she will. She knows this is all new to you and I’m sure she will respect that and take it slow. I’m sure if you ever miss a dick, she could use a strap-on,” I suggest with a smirk. Angela blushes, smacking my arm.

“Hey, don’t put an image of her like that in my head!” She glares at me while I raise an eyebrow.

“I only mentioned a strap-on. You’re the one who’s imagining things!” I retort, laughing as I sit up, grabbing my drink again. Angela smiles softly.

“I think you’re right, if I don’t give this – us a chance, I won’t ever know…” she whispers. I nod.

“Exactly, and come on, we both can appreciate Cassandra is one sexy woman,” I tease, Angela sulks.

“Don’t check my mate out!” She picks up one of her cushions and smacks me with it, her eyes narrowed with a glint of possessiveness, which is enough proof for me that she is attracted to her.

“Well, you checked mine out countless times!” I shoot back. Both of us laugh and tease one another until we’re interrupted by a knock on the door.

It opens, and Haru stands there looking unimpressed. “Alpha Elijah is at the door for you,” he says to me.

“Oh, ok.” I didn’t realise he was going to get me. I glance at the time, it is late and I know he had spent the evening with his boys.

I miss him, and I quickly get up, wanting to be back in his arms.

“Well, time to go. Thanks for today,” I say to Angela.

She shakes her head as she stands. “No, thank you for coming over, I enjoyed myself.”

I’m glad I did, I’ll always be here for her.