Page 43

Scarlett

T he following day came quickly and it felt odd that just yesterday Zidane was killed. Breakfast is over before I even realise it and everyone is told to gather at the training grounds. It’s the largest place for a gathering in the pack.

Elijah and I are the first ones here. I look around at the hard ground, the stains that are clearly blood and the stands and props around one side bring back memories that are hard to think about. Just being here leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and I want to get this over with quickly so we can get out of here.

“Hey… relax, Kitten, I’m here.” Elijah’s soothing words reassure me. He rubs my arms comfortingly and I close my eyes, leaning into him and sigh.

“They will be here soon, and I don’t know if they’ll be willing…” I trail off.

“Willing for what? Care to share your plan?” he asks quietly. I open my eyes, realising he hasn’t once asked me what I want to do or pressured me into combining packs. In my emotional state last night, I forgot to even discuss it with him. Once I had returned, I didn’t want to talk.

“Sorry, things have been crazy. I forgot to even ask you,” I begin as he wraps his arms around me and I tilt my head up to look into those gorgeous, cerulean eyes before I continue.

“I want to ask the pack if they are willing to combine with yours… if that’s okay, of course. Zidane had businesses that are mine and Indigo’s now. If we sell this land, the mansion, the cars, and other assets, we can construct more houses in Blood Moon. There are a lot of empty lands that we can buy near our pack grounds. I am sure many would love to move to a new location for a fresh start. And those who don’t, we can give them a choice to help them settle in another pack wherever they want to go. I’m sure our allied packs will be ok with that.”

I search his eyes, wondering what he’s thinking, but what I see makes my breath hitch. Strong, intense emotions cloud his now cobalt blue eyes as he looks down at me.

Relief and approval, that’s what I sense from him.

“Hell yeah, that’s fucking perfect,” he says softly, hugging me tighter. I close my eyes, relieved. I can hear his thumping heart and know he has been scared I’d want to be there for my pack. But whatever I decided, he didn’t want to influence my idea, and so he’s been waiting for me to decide.

As an alpha, he loves control, but for me, he keeps himself in check, allowing me to make my own decisions, even when it’s not always easy for him to stand by and watch me risk my life. But that is one of the things I love about him. He hears me, and he listens.

“I love you, handsome.” He bends down, our lips meeting in a kiss, sending rivets of pleasure rushing through us both, sizzling sparks of pleasure dance along my skin and a soft moan leaves me as my pussy clenches, wanting him so badly.

The sound of footsteps makes us part and Elijah grips my hips, pulling me against his front as he cuts back the growl that rumbles in the back of his throat. Extremely low.

“Stay close,” he growls with a smirk. I bite my lip. He’s only going to distract me.

“Then you better behave,” I order with a mock glare.

“I’ll try,” his cocky reply comes as the first of the pack members begin to enter the training grounds. I can smell the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty radiating from them. I feel my gut twist with guilt at the way they are watching us – watching me with fear in their eyes.

These people needed help long ago. I only wish I was able to do something sooner. They will live with the trauma as I do. Goddess knows how many people they lost, and how many loved ones suffered at the hands of Zidane.

I smile at a few children who are keeping their heads lowered. The only ones who dare to look up at me are the omega children I ran into on my last visit. Their eyes are wide as they look at me curiously, despite their mothers holding onto them tightly.

I wave at them and motion them over. I don’t miss the fear in their mothers’ eyes, although they instantly let the kids go, as if stopping them would anger me.

The boy and girl come over, and the boy looks up at Elijah.

“Hi, mister!” he greets.

“Hey, kid.”

“You are awesome! What’s your name again?” the boy asks Elijah thoughtfully.

“Thanks, I’m Elijah, Alpha Elijah. And yours? I didn’t get your name last time,” Elijah asks.

“Jayce,” he answers. “And this is Phoebe.”

“Nice name, I like it,” Elijah says, as Phoebe looks at me.

“Are you our new Alpha?” she asks curiously.

“Yes, I am. And I will make sure no one can hurt you anymore, okay?” I say, bending down so I’m level with them. The two children exchange looks.

“I told Mom she’s cool,” Jayce whispers to the girl. He doesn’t seem to know those around him can hear him.

“And she’s a girl alpha,” Phoebe nods with excitement. “Thank you, Alpha Scarlett.”

I smirk. “No need to thank me. That’s what a real alpha does. Protects their people. Well, I’ll let you two go back to your mothers and I’ll get this meeting started,” I say, standing up straight.

I see a few members of the Blood Moon Pack standing around the side. Staying back to give the members of the Desert Storm Pack space.

Taking a deep breath, I look across the malnourished, bruised, injured, scared people of this pack and begin.

“Thank you for showing up. I know things haven’t been the best around here, far from it. This place has been hell under his reign, but not anymore. It will not continue like that! This pack has lost nearly a third of its number over the last few days. Yes, we fought some of this pack’s members, but it was to protect ourselves and this pack. I know some of you lost mates, brothers, fathers – but it was unavoidable. And I am sorry for that.” I slip my hands into the back pockets of my pants.

I glance at Elijah, whose eyes are fixed on me before I continue.

“This place has nothing but dark memories for me. I cannot take care of my pack when simply being here makes me sick to my stomach. So I have a proposition for you all.”

A murmur rushes through the crowd.

“Is she abandoning us?”

“Will she not be our Alpha?”

“What does she mean?”

I turn to Elijah before looking at the crowd. “You may know that my mate is an alpha who has a pack not far from Birmingham. So I have decided, with his complete approval, to combine our packs. And that would mean everyone would need to move down south.”

Another ripple of unease rushes through the grounds as the wind blows.

I hear it through the pack-link, which is open, so those who have not made it can hear me through my open mind-link that reaches out to all of them, aside from those below eighteen and the injured. They are the only ones who don’t know what is happening, and I hope someone around them is filling them in.

“I won’t force anyone to join if they don’t wish to, instead you can move to a neighbouring pack as long as they are one of our allied packs. That is the only way I can be sure that you are safe. We will help get you all settled wherever you want to go. But if you’re interested in joining our pack, the Blood Moon Pack, then let me know. I can tell you exactly what we plan to do, how to settle you all in, as well as how the pack is run. You won’t be just going there with nothing; you will get a home, a way to rebuild and start fresh. The Blood Moon Pack is incredible and we would be lucky to have you.”

I look around at them. Some are interested, others excited, but there’s hesitation too, as if it all is just too good to be true. I smile softly, hoping they can see the understanding in my eyes.

“I was hurt, along with my mother and sister, when we lived in this pack. When my mother managed to escape to protect us, it was the Blood Moon Pack who took us in, despite knowing the risks it could bring to them. They are a pack that is half the size of this one, but they have a huge heart. And despite the size, we are strong,” I explain, now looking across the groups.

“If you want to come, or want to know more, please ask. If anyone has any questions or doubts or just wants to discuss it further, come to me or Alpha Elijah, or even the Blood Moon warriors who helped defeat the tyranny of Zidane Malone! Let’s take back our lives and grow,” I finish, glancing at Elijah who looks… proud as he gazes down at me, his eyes simmering with approval. I blush lightly as he gives me the thumbs up.

The crowd buzzes as they talk and I wait patiently, letting them discuss their options freely. When a few faces begin to turn towards me, I know they have questions.

“Well, while you guys think about it, I’ll tell you a little about our pack. Aaron, the projector,” Elijah says, seeing no one speak up.

I look behind me, surprised to see Aaron has a setup ready to be wheeled out, and I’m shocked. But I am glad he thought of this idea, watching as he begins telling the group about how the pack is run, training, and how even omegas can learn too if they want. He explains how omegas are paid for their work and are treated with respect.

That part shocks so many, and all the omegas who hover in the back look shocked.

He continues, telling them how the pack is diverse, and everyone is respected for who they are. The slideshow shows the packhouse, the rest of the land, the mansion, the playing area, the small shops and the small restaurant that is on pack grounds.

I can see the change in many faces, the excitement that is now building within them as they think of a world where they are free.

Smart idea. I didn’t know you had that planned. Did you know what I’d choose?

He smirks, although he doesn’t turn to me. No, but I’m a fast thinker and I thought it might help when you began your speech. He winks at me, making me smile.

Thanks.

And I mean it. I admire Elijah, he is a natural at this, and he will make an impressive Alpha.

He goes on to explain about schooling and how all the kids attend regardless of rank, the rules we expect to be followed and how everyone works and lives independent lives to an extent. Not being bound to completely live under the rules and at the beck and call of the Alpha. Once he is done, he looks at me as I watch him with a small smile on my face, feeling proud of the man he has become.

I’m truly impressed, Alpha Westwood, I praise through the mind-link.

After everything I’ve shown you I’m capable of, you’re impressed by this? Surely there must be something else that impresses you more? Like my dick maybe? he replies, smirking cockily. I roll my eyes.

You will always be a cocky jerk, I reply back through the mind-link, trying not to melt under that sexy gaze as he licks his lips. His piercing glints when it catches the light, sending a jolt of pleasure to my core.

A cocky jerk you want to fuck right now.

Arrogance is in your blood it seems.

Is it arrogance when I know I’m this impressive?

I roll my eyes, hiding my amusement before turning to the people.

“Does anyone have any questions?”

“The Alpha explained it well, but I do have one.” I nod and they continue timidly. “Why are you being so good to us, Alpha Scarlett?”

I frown sadly, wondering if anyone in this pack has been free from abuse.

“Because you are part of my pack, my family and I care for you all. From this day on, no one I care about suffers,” I say firmly, my eyes locking with the man, my Alpha aura surrounding me. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. “You are my responsibility and I will always be there for you.”

Applause breaks out and a murmur of whispers crosses the crowd. I can hear a few through the link telling me they want to join and will follow all the rules. It seems we are going to be dealing with a lot of fearful wolves for a while, but I know the Blood Moon Pack and Elijah will be there every step of the way to help and guide them.