Page 6

Elijah

I keep running, not knowing how long I have been out here. The guilt, regret and pain I feel are overwhelming. I hate myself for not being there for her and the control I have over my wolf slipped.

I keep the mind-link open, and Aaron has kept me updated. Despite the pain that is running through me, I made it clear that I will be the one to deal with this, not my father.

I’ve only just managed to rein back my wolf, and I slow down, breathing hard. The dirt beneath my feet is dry, the air warm, and I feel suffocated. I walk to the nearby stream to drink some water, my heart thundering, when suddenly I freeze realising what I have done.

Fuck!

I promised myself never to leave her, and I had. Right now, when she needs me the most I’m not fucking there. Doesn’t matter that she doesn’t want me anywhere near her, I have to be there, even if it’s out of sight.

How am I so fucking selfish? I turn around quickly, breaking into a run. I head towards home. I have wasted enough time out here; I just hope it’s not too late.

I reach the edge of the woods when I see Indigo running up the small hill at an incredibly dangerous speed.

Where the fuck is she going? With what happened to Red, she needs to be careful.

I stop, my growl making her pause. With no wolf yet, she can’t mind-link, but she understands I am commanding her to stop. I trot off behind a tree, not too far off, shifting back. I search in the tree until I find one of the stashes of pants, pulling on a pair before stepping out from behind it.

Before I can even speak, Indigo runs over, her eyes glittering, her face flushed with rage.

“How could you?! How could you just leave her?! At the time she needs you the most!” she screams tearfully, smacking my chest. “Something bad happened to her, but you weren’t even there then! You should have been there to protect her!”

I say nothing, although I feel it. Every single word hits me hard, but she’s speaking the painful truth, one that I can’t ignore. Each punch feels like it’s straight to the heart.

“I know…” I say quietly, trying to keep myself together. “I know, and I fucking failed her. Trust me, I wish I could go back in time and be there for her. Fuck, I’m sorry.”

She suddenly freezes, stopping her pounding on my chest, and looks up at me. And for a second, I feel as if she can truly sense how I feel because she suddenly steps back.

“I…” She hangs her head.

“I’m going to her now. I know I’m late, and she probably doesn’t want to see me, but I need to be there; I will be there for her, I promise you, Pixie. I love her, and I won’t ever stop loving her.” She looks into my eyes as if searching for something before she steps back, and we both walk swiftly down the hill in complete silence towards the Alpha mansion once again.

The moment we step inside I hear the voices stop talking in the kitchen, and Dad steps out of the kitchen, looking tense as he looks at me.

“Elijah… you shouldn’t be here, you know that,” Dad says, glancing worriedly towards the stairs.

I look at him. Scarlett’s intoxicating scent is stirring my wolf. Although it is faint, I can smell it. It summons me, and I can feel my wolf becoming feral, the hunger for her growing. He wants me to go to her and so do I, but regardless of the fact we want her, we both care for her.

“I can control myself,” I say quietly. “I need to see her.”

“I don’t think that’s wise,” Dad answers swiftly, his Alpha voice firm.

I’m not fucking doing this.

I don’t reply, stepping past him when he growls, grabbing my arm. “Elijah, I’m warning you!”

“And I’m warning you,” I snarl, my eyes flashing dangerously.

Jessica and Amelia step out of the kitchen as Dad and I stare each other down.

“She’s in heat. She doesn’t need you to harass her, Elijah! She’s been through enough!” Dad growls, his patience snapping. “Stop being stubborn! This isn’t about you!”

“I know! I know she’s been through enough, but like you said, she’s in heat,” I say quietly. The arrogance and anger are gone from my tone as I simply look at him.

I can’t fight right now; I just need to be with her. She needs me, even if she shuts me out. I need her to know that I’m there for her and I always will be.

I lower my walls, allowing Dad to see how I feel, the pain, the worry, the concern. He needs to know. And for the first time in my life, I put aside my pride and ask him for something.

“She needs me, Dad. So please, just let me go to her.”

“Elijah… I know you’re concerned for her, but you can’t help her right now. You’re unmated,” Dad says, his anger dissipating. He places his hands on my shoulders, and for a moment, it seems as if he’s almost proud of something. I’m not even fucking sure.

We’ve not seen eye to eye for a while.

“Dad, try to understand. I need to be there.”

“And I said you can’t. She’s in heat.”

Blue eyes meet blue eyes, but I don’t have the will to fight anymore or hide it anymore.

“And that is why I need to be by her side. I love her, Dad. She needs me there,” I say quietly.

Jessica gasps and I hear a small sound, ‘Mhmm’ from Amelia, but my eyes stay on Dad. I’m not sure it’s hit because he looks a tad confused. He sighs, looking at me sympathetically.

“And I am happy to hear that, son, but you can’t go, your wolf…” He trails off as if just then realising what I just said. I see his expression change from confusion to realisation to shock. “You…”

“Let him go, Jackson. Scarlett does need him,” Amelia says firmly. Dad turns to her, and I’m sure he’s stunned that she doesn’t seem bothered. Had Scarlett told her?

“I…”

“I’m on the boy’s side, let him go,” she says firmly, and I take the chance to push past Dad and run up the stairs.

I don’t care about the consequences, not right now.

Scarlett

I writhe in the bath. My nails dig into my arms as I rock myself, throbbing pain shooting through my body. Tears sting my eyes, and I don’t know what hurts more, the pain from the heat or the pain in my heart.

Maybe death can take it all away? The thought slithers into my mind like a poisonous whisper. What do I have left to live for?

No one needs me and I need no one.

But the thought only stays for a moment before I frown. Even if I don’t need anyone, there is an entire pack that needs their Alpha, and I have Zidane to deal with. Yeah, it’s not my time to go yet. I will deal with him just the way I dealt with Hank. I made them a promise. I have to be strong enough to get through this and follow up on that promise.

And I will.

I hear footsteps, and then my bedroom door shuts. My heart hammers when a scent that I began to associate as my safe space enters the bathroom.

Elijah.

I don’t turn towards him, my entire body tense. My wolf wants to go to him, for him to take this pain away.

His heart is racing, and I can feel his eyes on me. He rushes to my side. “Red, you’re hurting yourself.”

I glance at him, but his eyes are fixed on my arms where my nails are digging into them. He reaches out to me, but I move back, shaking my head.

“Stay away from me.” I look away from him and I hear him sigh. He drops to his knees by the tub, but I refuse to look at him.

“I know you hate me right now, but I promise I won’t do anything. Just let me hold you, you will feel better,” he says softly, reaching to caress my cheek.

“No!” I snap, smacking it away. “Your wolf is already trying to take control. Just leave me alone, Elijah!” I snarl as I glance at him. His eyes keep flickering from cerulean blue to cobalt.

“I won’t. I promised myself no matter what, I can’t do that. I can’t leave you. I would never betray your trust, Red. Trust me, just one more time,” Elijah says quietly.

When I don’t reply, he stands up and walks across to the door to his own bedroom. I close my eyes, trying to fight the tears. Yes, I want to be left alone, but it still hurts seeing his back retreat. He sure gave up fast.

I’m frustrated. I don’t know what to do. I can’t think straight through this pain. I hear him moving around in his room, another spasm of pain shooting through me. My core throbs, making me groan in pain.

I gasp when someone touches my hair and I realise he’s back. I glance at him for a second, hating that his touch soothes me, sending pleasurable sparks through me. It doesn’t repulse me like Hank’s touch did.

Hank… just the thought of what he had been about to do makes me sick all over again. I pull away from Elijah’s touch, noticing he is only wearing boxers.

That is not helping. My gaze runs over him involuntarily, taking in every ridge and ripple of his god-like body, making my core throb, wanting him. But the image of him hugging Fiona enters my mind, and I look away, hurt consuming me.

Elijah stands up and gets into the large tub.

“What are you doing?” I ask, hating how vulnerable I sound.

“I’m going to hold you. Only sex will take away the pain completely, but my touch can at least take the edge of the pain away,” he says softly as he firmly takes my elbows and pulls me across the tub and into his arms.

I want to fight, but the moment his arms wrap around me I feel a soothing tingle go through me. Everywhere his skin touches mine, it feels cooler.

“Lose the shirt,” he says softly. I feel him throb and tense.

“No.” This is all too much, the pain, the love, the confusion. I look up at him, noticing how he’s looking at me.

“It will help. Let me try to ease your pain, Red,” he says, reaching for my shirt, which is partially torn, probably from my encounter with Hank. Just the thought makes anger bubble to the surface.

I don’t say anything, allowing him to gently unbutton it. Taking it off, he tosses it to the floor before wrapping his arms around me tightly, stroking my back. He kisses my neck once, sending cooling tingles through me, and against what my mind is saying, I tilt my head to give him better access to that area.

I sigh softly as he kisses me there repeatedly, soothingly, and relaxingly. It feels beyond good, and although my body wants more, I am not going to give in to it.

Neither of us speaks. He simply holds me, his hands caressing my skin, placing soft kisses on the top of my head.

I can sense him fighting himself, but he’s keeping himself in check. I wriggle against his manhood, trying to find a position that isn’t so close. Yet a part of me wants him, to give in to him and allow him to do whatever he needs to in order to take this pain away. But I won’t allow it.

He caresses my inner thighs, causing a soft moan to escape me, and I glare at him.

“Don’t!” I snap.

“I won’t take advantage of you,” he assures me softly. I see the flash of emotions in his eyes, knowing he can see the anger and hurt in my own before I look away. “I’m sorry, Red,” he whispers after a moment. “I know it won’t turn back time or change what happened, so I won’t say it again. Instead, I’ll show you that I will be the man you need.”

I don’t look back at him, his words ringing in my ears, tears trickling down my cheeks; I feel frustrated, broken, and hurt.

It is too late for that, much too late. If he can’t choose between me and Fiona, then I will choose for him. I have a plan in mind, and I will carry it through.