Taste of Rage

Elijah

T he sun has barely risen, but I need to get up because training starts soon. Although I just got back yesterday, it doesn't mean I am going to slack off from my duties. As soon-to-be Alpha, I'm the one who needs to set the example for my people.

I get up, walking over to the bathroom with my morning wood straining against my sweatpants. I smirk remembering the door slamming shut last night. Seems she caught me jerking off. Now that's something I'll enjoy teasing her about.

Entering the bathroom, I pause, my eyes flashing. Her scent lingers and once again it makes me throb. Smirking, I walk over to the hamper, removing my pants when I reach into the basket and push aside her top until I find what I'm looking for.

A sexy tiny thong. I hold it up, my smirk growing. Now this is sexy, but I'm certain it'll look ten fucking times better when it's on that ass. I hold it in front of me, my nostrils flaring at the scent that lingers before I drop it in the hamper and turn my back.

Fucking focus man. I'm really going to go through her dirty laundry? Yeah, and I don't mind doing it again.

I wash my face and brush my teeth swiftly before returning to my room. I pull on some pants and trainers when Liam mind-links me.

Are you joining us for training today?

Obviously, do you think I'll really sit this out? Let's see what you all got, I reply cockily.

He chuckles. I'm looking forward to it. It really is good to have you home, El.

Yeah, agreed. I'll see you soon, I reply, glad to be back.

The pack is running smoothly and I'm itching to start running this place, to take over and let Dad retire, it's all as I expected. Almost… There's one thing I wasn't expecting, and that is to be attracted to her.

The realisation last night that hit me like a fucking snowstorm made it clear I am into her, even though I shouldn't be. Heading downstairs, I enter the kitchen, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge to take with me when I see Indigo standing there in the middle of the kitchen, her eyes dropping.

How does one stay standing when they're half asleep? No idea, but this Pixie sure is managing. She yawns sleepily, rubbing her eyes. She's dressed for training in sweatpants and an oversized tank top.

"Good to see you're not slacking," I remark, tossing her the water bottle and taking another. She catches it clumsily at the last moment and blinks.

"You know Mama and Dad won't let me slack," she grumbles, staring down at the bottle before she rubs her eyes. I did need sleep…

I glance over at her, amused. Although she is awake, she is clearly not fully there, yawning once again.

"Too bad I have no sympathy. You got to stay at the top of your game, Pixie."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." She yawns and I smirk, I missed this kid.

"And where's Red? She's the competitive type. I don't see her being late," I ask, last night flashing in my mind once again. Fuck, she's constantly in my head and my thoughts are just getting more explicit.

My question seems to wake her up as she shuffles on her feet avoiding my gaze uneasily.

What is this about?

"Well, she doesn't really train with us… Dad's given her permission to train solo though, so yeah um, she won't be joining us," she mumbles, and I frown.

I did not expect that from Scarlett. She always loved to train and is one of the best warriors in the pack. Well, she was when I last saw her two years ago; it would be a shame if that's changed.

"We're a pack, we fight together and we train together. Who does she think-" I stride towards the door when Indigo grabs my arm.

"Don't, Elijah… For once, I think Scarlett deserves to do this how she wants," she says, looking up at me and I don't miss the flicker of sadness and pain in her eyes.

What am I missing? It's not like Indigo to defend Scarlett and that only makes a flare of worry rush through me. A surge of possessiveness and the urge to protect Scarlett rushes through me. There's got to be a reason behind this, and I need to know it.

"What is it? Tell me now," I ask warningly, my voice almost a growl. Indigo flinches, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Sorry, Pixie, but I need to know."

She looks uncomfortable before she looks towards the door and sighs heavily. "I-it's not really my place to say but when the others saw her wolf form, she faced a lot of bullying, especially from our age group. And then, one day, things got way out of hand," she whispers, her voice barely audible.

Anger rips through me, my eyes blazing, and I can feel my own heart thudding in my chest.

"What did they do and who?" I ask, my Alpha aura pressing down on her like a blanket. Indigo steps back, fear filling her. Although she knows I would never hurt her, her wolf still knows I am an alpha and fear settles in her.

Her heart is racing. "It isn't my place to say. I wasn't even there but I heard stuff. If you want to know, you're going to have to ask Scarlett yourself. Even Mama and Dad don't know the full story. So please don't ask me to answer," she blurts out in a panic.

I nod curtly. "Fine, I'll do just that. You head out, I won't be joining today. Let Liam know that. Is Scarlett upstairs or out?" I ask.

She pales at my words, twisting the hem of her shirt in her fingers. "She's gone," Indigo replies, looking at me worriedly. "Please don't mention me."

"I won't," I promise as I head to the door and pause without turning back. "Thanks, Pixie."

I leave her standing there, pulling open the front door.

I need to find Scarlett immediately.

Ten minutes later there's still no sign of her when I run into Haru Jacobs. His sister Angela is Scarlett's best friend, there's a ten-year difference between them but unlike his obnoxious sister, he keeps himself to himself.

"Alpha Elijah, it's good to see you're home. Welcome back."

"Thanks, Haru." Looking at him, it's clear he just got back from patrol. According to pack data, he is one of our warriors. "Have you, by any chance, seen Scarlett around?"

He jerks his head towards the forest. "She's down west. She…" he seems to change what he wants to say and simply lowers his head before excusing himself.

I don't have time to waste here. Breaking into a run, I turn west, keeping alert for her scent.

Five minutes later, I finally find her just outside of the pack borders near the river. She is using the nearest tree as a punching bag. Splinters of wood are breaking away with every hit. The stain of blood on the tree shows she has not gone easy. Her hands are wrapped up but I can see they are now torn at the knuckles, the bandages covered in blood.

She looks as smoking hot as ever, if not more. Sweat trickles down her bare stomach, and her choppy hair is tied in a messy bun on the top of her head with a lot of loose strands framing her face, a few sticking to her face and neck as she continues relentlessly, not noticing me.

For a few moments, I just stand there watching her, her stance is good, her punches are perfect, and she looks sexy as hell with the sun shining down on her.

How the fuck is she single?

Is this entire fucking pack blind?

The sexy grunts as she uses all her force snap me back to reality. I stop looking at that ass and try focusing on her neck upwards – something that is damn hard.

"Is it wise to be training outside of pack borders? Especially with the lingering threats," I ask, making her pause. She turns sharply and wipes her forehead as she steps away from the tree. She's dressed in black yoga pants and a patterned sky-blue sports bra that she has squeezed into; she is showing off a lot of cleavage and is almost too big for that top – almost.

Damn, what are those things made out of? Because I'd love to get up close to figure it out. So many women seem to disappear in sports bras and here she is showing off her delicious twins with cleavage any girl would kill for. And any man would kill to get a taste of.

She suddenly speaks and I glance up at her. "Aren't you supposed to be at the pack training grounds with everyone else?"

"I asked you a question first, Red." I look her square in the eye, but she looks away quickly, blushing.

Seems like someone is remembering last night.

"I want to know why the strongest she-wolf in the pack is missing from training," I add, crossing my arms. As much as I want to tease her about that, it's a dangerous path that I'm treading.

The truth is I don't fucking trust myself. Last night had been a clear eye-opener to exactly what I think of her and that I'm unable to control my thoughts or my fucking actions.

Right now, out here, secluded, her dripping with sweat is not going to help me in any fucking way and I don't know what I might end up doing if I allow myself to go down that train of thought.

"I prefer to train alone," she simply says, turning her back on me. As she bends down picking a fresh bandage to wrap over her hands, my gaze falls to her ass.

Well, fuckkk.

I look away clenching my jaw as I try to focus on the task at hand again, adjusting my pants. Fuck, Red.

"Alpha's orders, Red. We're a pack. We train together," I warn her, but that only makes her turn and frown coldly at me.

"You're not Alpha yet. Dad gave me permission to do this – he's the Alpha," she tells me, quietly, her obstinate tone making my wolf stir, his anger rising.

I close the gap between us, grabbing her by the elbow and spinning her around before pushing her up against the very tree she was attacking. My cerulean blue eyes now darkening to a cobalt blue. Her heart thuds as my wolf surfaces, letting her know she's angered him.

We are an alpha wolf, and to be disrespected is not something we can tolerate.

"I'm still an alpha whether I head this pack or not and when I give an order you obey it!" I growl. Her intoxicating scent fills my senses and the urge to bury my nose in her neck almost overtakes me as I refuse to look at her rising and falling breasts.

"Then stop trying to get in my way. I have my reasons, Elijah. Now let go of me!" she snaps, clearly not scared.

"I don't have to, not until you listen."

"I hate how you males are so egotistical and think we should fucking obey everything you say!" Her own eyes flash silver, both of our wolves staring the other down.

Her aura surges forward, and it shocks me that she is able to hold her own against me.

Even when I was gone for my training, I had come across many alphas, and I had been one of the strongest. Seeing a she-wolf hold her ground is intriguing, and more so for how long.

Even an alpha's mate does not hold this much power over an alpha. Is it because she's most likely an alpha too? It's got to be.

There's a part of me that wants to see how long she'll be able to hold that up against me, wanting to see what it takes to break her arrogance and fall down before me, but at the same time, it's a fucking turn on having her hold her own against me. I could punish her for being a brat.

"I want to know your reasons," I growl, lowering my face so I am staring her dead in the eyes.

Taking her wrists, I pin them forcefully against the tree next to her head, a move that gets her heartbeat racing and a move that only makes me admire how enticing she looks right now.

Both of us are breathing heavily, our chests now pressed against one another's. Too close.

I don't miss how she presses her thighs together, or the flick of her tongue along her lip.

Is this turning you on, Red?

A question I don't dare ask. The heat that radiates off our bodies is only making the air around us thicken.

She looks away, "OK, fine! Let go of me and I'll tell you!" She struggles to free herself, brushing up against my dick and I blink, stepping back quickly, not realising how close I had been standing to her.

"I'm waiting," I say quietly, crossing my arms.

She rubs her neck, rolling her shoulders. "On one condition. You will do and say nothing," she challenges, and I glare at her.

"Don't push me, Red," I warn. My wolf growls in my head. "You know I can punish you for disobedience.

She casts me another scathing glare. "Do you want to know or not?" she snarls.

"Fine! Tell me and I'll say nothing!" I snarl, slamming my hand into the tree behind her, splintering a good part of it before turning to her.

She glares at me but then looks away, her anger dissipating.

"After I shifted, some of the guys saw that my wolf form was bigger than theirs, and they began to tease me. It was fine. I can take a shit load of bullying," she starts, walking over to a spot clear of chipped wood splinters, and crouches down, playing with a few blades of grass. "They got a little out of hand, starting to throw physical jabs that maybe I was born a male and hence why my wolf is huge. That only pissed me off because they were being fucking homophobic bastards. Trust me there are some losers here."

She scoffs as she takes a moment before continuing. "It shouldn't even matter to them. Our pack is diverse, and every member is equal. That's always been the rule, right? We're all equal, and deserve respect?"

Where is this going?

She shreds the blade of grass, not looking up at me as she continues. "But yeah, anyway, I did tell Dad about that considering that kind of behaviour is strictly forbidden. Well, things did get better for a bit… until there was a party."

I don't like where this is going, and it's almost like she's struggling to get to the main point.

"Then what happened, Red?" I ask quietly.

She looks down at the blade of grass she's freshly plucked. "Well, some of them had drank way more than they should have and some of us decided to go for a run. I refused, I bet you can guess why, until they kept taunting and gaslighting me that I was probably too scared I'd lose the race and so I went. I shouldn't have, but I guess my pride got in the way."

Yeah, I don't like where this is going. Not at all.

"We shifted and ran off into the woods, away from the party. We split into two groups and I didn't realise I was the only female and I ended up with six of the biggest jerks."

"Fuck," I mutter, trying to remain calm despite the growing unrest within me.

"Yeah well, only the thing is, they had planned it from the start. When we were a good distance away, they pinned my wolf down and said they wanted to see what my genitalia was in wolf form. Was I a female or male?" Scarlett stops, her gorgeous eyes flicking up to mine and I see a vulnerability in her eyes I have never seen before. "I was helpless, not strong enough to take on all six of them."

My jaw is clenched in anger as the fire of rage courses through every fibre of my being. The glimmer of fear in her eyes as she's lost in those thoughts for a moment makes me want to kill. Kill them all.

I am disgusted at the fact I have such vile packmates. The very thought of her being treated like that awakens something tenfold more dangerous within me, and my wolf sees red, my heart thumping incessantly.

"They looked, laughed, and through the mind-link, which they made sure I was included in, they joked that they should test if I really felt like a woman should."

No.

"I was able to fight them off. I wish I had sooner, but it was six against one and I just wasn't strong enough."

A silence that is more painful than anything I've experienced fills the air, her words hanging like a heavy weight above me.

"So, there you have it. And so that is why I'd rather avoid them and avoid being anywhere near them," she finishes, standing up like she hadn't just told me what she just had. "I can take care of myself." There's a defiance in her eyes, proof of her strength and I don't care how strong she is, I want to protect her from the world.

"Names," a rugged animalistic snarl rips from my lips. Her eyes widen and it's almost as if she's just realised how fucking enraged I am, her heart skipping a beat.

"You agreed to no names-"

"That is not something I can let pass!" I shout, my canines elongating. Her heart thuds as she takes a step forward bravely.

"Elijah, listen to me-"

"NAMES!" I thunder.

She walks over to me, her heart thumping loudly as she bravely cups my face. The feel of her fingers is like a soothing tingle, but it's not enough to calm the rage within me.

"Elijah, calm down. This happened two months ago. I'm ok and I'm fine training alone. Don't stress over it," she says, her voice softer than I've ever heard it, her fingers grazing against my stubble.

I could fucking get used to this…

I look down at her, my dark cobalt blue eyes flickering back to cerulean. As much as I want to respect her wish and honour my word, I can't. They need to be punished. They will be punished.

I place my hands on her hips, loving the way she feels in my hands. She is the right amount of thickness and meat. My eyes snap back to hers. My chest heaving as I glare down at her.

I need answers.

Her soft pink lips, void of their usual red, look so appetising right now. But this pent-up anger is consuming me, wanting answers now.

"I'm not playing, Red. I am so damn pissed off and I need answers. Give me the names or you'll be dealing with this pent-up anger."

"No."

"Names, Red. Now. Or, by the Moon Goddess, I will kiss you senseless," I growl, looking into her large, soft green eyes that seem to calm me down despite how fucking angry I feel.

Shock is clear in her now even larger eyes. She pouts, letting out a little ‘hmph'.

"Then you're going to have to kiss me because I'm not telling," she retorts stubbornly, clearly thinking that I don't mean it. Glaring at me, she removes her hands from my face and tries to push me away.

I growl, refusing to budge, my eyes darkening as I lean in closer.

"As I said, this burning rage needs an outlet and you just asked for it, Red," I breathe huskily, and before she can even comprehend what is happening, my lips crash against hers, setting off an explosion of pleasure within me.