Under the Moonlight

Elijah

T he smell of the barbeque cooking in the garden wafts through the small cabin as I pull on a fresh T-shirt. We had gotten back an hour or so ago from the hike, showered, and now we are all ravenous. Well, I definitely am.

I fix my top, pulling it completely down, my mind wandering back to that moment in the sunset. For a second, I was caught up by how breathtaking she looked until I saw beyond that.

She was standing there a little further away, alone, and I realised that she always has been. Always a little apart.

Even when I had looked away, I hadn't been able to get that image of her appearing so lonely out of my head.

I'm trying to think back on if she was always like this. Was she always so… lonely? The answer is yeah, she was. I just never noticed it. I created a bond with Indigo, or she somehow just pushed herself into my life unapologetically and we clicked so naturally.

Thinking back, I found Scarlett standoffish and quiet, but now I wonder if it was just the fact she didn't know how to insert herself into a conversation.

Guilt ripples through me and I sigh, walking over to the window. Seeing the glow of the barbeque to the side, Indigo is helping make the mocktails and Scarlett is quietly setting up the mat and placing the buns, salad, and dishes onto it.

Quietly.

She is always there, always doing something, just silently. Even now, Indigo is speaking loudly, always the light of the room. I smile slightly, but I still can't shake off that guilt.

"Elijah!" Dad calls, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. This man treats me like I'm a damn pup.

"I'll be right there!" I shout as I pull out my phone, frowning slightly. Rafael still hasn't replied…

After a moment's hesitation, I call him, wondering if maybe he just hadn't had a chance to check his phone.

He picks up on the fourth ring just when I'm about to cut the call.

"What a nice surprise. To what do I owe such a pleasure? I'm sure you don't miss me already, do you?" Rafael's voice comes.

"No, but I was wondering why you didn't reply. I get you're busy, but that busy? Is everything ok?" I ask. I know Raf better than that.

There's a slight pause, one I almost wouldn't have picked up on if I didn't know him.

"Oh yeah, all good, I was just a little-"

"Raf. I fucking know you better than that. Don't try to lie to me."

He's silent for a second before he chuckles. "I got into a little fight with my brother. He might have done more damage than he meant to."

I cock a brow, scoffing. "Yeah, right. Raf, you're one of the fucking strongest alphas I know. Stop being a wuss. He ain't a fucking baby. Put him in his fucking place if you need to and stop letting him fuck you up like that," I growl.

He chuckles. "Are you getting angry for me? But no, seriously, I'm good. So how come you called?"

"I sent you a text earlier. Check it out when your beat ass is able to," I answer, still not getting how a fucking kid could beat a fucking alpha who has his wolf already. Raf is too fucking good to him.

"Yes, boss," Rafael chuckles, once again sounding weaker than normal.

What exactly is wrong with him?

Shaking my head, I hang up, toss my phone onto the sofa, and head outside, where Dad is fiddling with the radio.

"Do not put on country music," I warn as I pick up the tray of snacks and carry it over to the mat. Dad mumbles something which I don't catch and then country music is blaring loudly, making me groan internally.

Scarlett looks up in surprise when I place the tray down. The surprise soon turns to curiosity, then suspicion, as if anything I do means I have ulterior motives.

"Just helping, Red." I wink at her, which only makes her frown.

Fuck, she's cute.

I push the thought away as I stand up and walk over to where Jessica is cooking the meat and also trying to brush some marinade onto the uncooked fillets.

"I got this," I say, taking the tong from her and flipping the strips over.

"Thank you." She smiles at me, and I nod in return as she returns to prepping the next round.

I take off the meat and chicken that's cooked and Jessica puts the next batch on.

"Ok, let's eat these while they're hot," she says as she takes the large platter from me. "Come on, Elijah."

I follow her to the mat where Indigo is already sitting down. Jessica sits beside her and Dad takes the seat on Jessica's other side. Once again, I notice Scarlett sitting a little back.

"Scooch over, Red," I say, sitting right next to her, making her frown as she's forced to move closer to Dad, and I motion for Indigo to move closer too. Yeah the circle is smaller now, but at least no one's left out… or forgotten.

"You're such an oaf," Scarlett mutters, glaring at me when my knee brushes her leg.

I smirk. "A sexy one."

"Whatever." She frowns as Dad chuckles, smiling at her.

"Let's dig in before it gets cold," he says.

"Yes, I am starved. All that walking was boring," Indigo remarks.

"It was fun," Scarlett adds her input. "And peaceful."

"Yes, because you're boring, and I'm… well, lazy." She smirks as everyone laughs.

"That you can be, Pixie. But you did good and didn't complain too much," I say, giving her a grin.

"That's because she had you carry her half the time," Scarlett points out, making Jessica smile.

"It's all good. It's good for Elijah's conditioning, we can never stop training," Dad adds as he puts some lamb chops on his plate.

"We all need to build resilience and stamina," Scarlett adds, making Indigo stick her tongue out at her.

"Don't be jelly, Scar. I think even Elijah would get tired if he had to carry you."

"I don't need him to carry me, thank you very much," Scarlett counters as she stacks her burger bun with salad, two chicken fillets and mayo.

"And I wouldn't get tired. That's saying I'm pretty weak. Plus come on, Pixie, she's tiny," I reason. Indigo looks at me suspiciously before she shakes her head.

"You got soft at camp. I thought alpha training made you stronger and tougher."

"And it is meant to make one reflect on what it means to be an alpha. And being kind and taking care of one's pack is part of that," Dad adds. "I am glad to see you have matured, Elijah."

"Dad, I'm twenty-one, not sixteen. Stop complimenting me on random shit," I remark.

Daddy's boy, Scarlett remarks through the mind-link as she bites into her huge burger.

Damn, that mouth sure can take a lot. Focus on your food, Red. We wouldn't want you choking, I remark, but the moment the words are said, I realise how that can be taken.

Her eyes meet mine and I remain impassive, although the explicit image of her on her knees with my cock down-

Fuck.

I turn away, making my own burger swiftly and taking a big bite as Dad discusses what he has planned for tomorrow.

I look around and can't help but enjoy the moment, the music, the smell of food and nature… It kinda feels cosy.

It's much later in the night and I am looking through what Rafael had sent over; it's some information on ‘Zidane Malone'. He is powerful, but extremely low-key and keeps to himself. His pack isn't too far from Raf's either. Aside from that, there isn't much else known about his pack.

We had played some board games before everyone retreated for the night, but I'm still awake, scrolling through the information, hoping something useful might show up. I'm glad Rafael didn't ask me why I am looking into it, but I also know I could count on him.

I'm looking at the rough borders of Zidane's pack when I hear the sound of splashing from outside. Frowning, I sit up, my ears perked. Everyone should have been asleep by now. Who is outside?

Quietly, I get up and walk towards the window, my eyes glimmering as I look outside. The moon is shining down and the sky is pretty clear tonight, but I can't see the pool from here. I make my way to the front door and step outside. The sound of strokes in the water tells me someone is swimming in the pool.

Walking around the side of the cabin, I stop when I see the redhead in the water. It's a little chilly, but that doesn't seem to bother her.

My eyes flash as they rake over her ass in a black thong, and when she turns at the end of the pool, I realise her bra is only partially opaque.

I want to keep watching her… wishing she would never notice me. But when she tenses, looking around, I know she senses she's not alone. I step into the shadows, blending in as I lower my heart rate, not wanting her to realise where I am.

I glance back at her to see she's swimming again, long powerful strokes. She's a good swimmer.

She reaches the end of the pool and breaks the surface of the water, gasping for air as she flips her wet hair back.

My eyes trail over her and I can see her nipples have hardened, her narrow waist and curvy hips accentuated by those tiny panties. She gets out of the pool, turning her back on me, and I'm treated with an even better view of her ass as she bends down.

I throb in my pants, the urge to pull out my dick and wank off almost taking over. She picks up a towel as she dries her hair, but all I can focus on is that ass that swallows up the tiny piece of fabric.

Biting my lip, I try not to focus on her when I hear her chuckle.

If I didn't know better, I would think you're perving… Her voice is full of mockery as I curse.

So, she knew I was here.

I have no idea what the fuck you're on about, I deny as I quietly make my way inside and quickly drop onto the sofa as I hear her hurried footsteps.

How did she even get out there? My question is answered when her and Indigo's bedroom door opens, and I realise she must have used the window.

She has a gown on now, her wet hair sticking to her face, although that just makes me want to yank her close. I place my hands behind my head as I cock a brow.

"Can I help?" I ask mockingly.

She narrows her eyes, glancing at the front door. "You were outside right now, weren't you?" she whispers.

I look at her cluelessly, feigning innocence. "Me? Now why would I be outside?" I smirk when her gaze dips to my pants, where I'm already semi-hard. Call me shameless, but I really don't care.

She looks away and I tilt my head back. "If you sensed me out there, was the extra show for me?" I ask quietly, not missing the skip of her heartbeat. "I'm a man, Red. And yeah, a sexy body does turn me on. So turn around and head to bed like a good girl or stay. You can enjoy the show, I wouldn't mind."

Her eyes widen as I reach for my pants, untying the string. Her heart thuds, her cheeks flushing as she spins around and heads inside her room, shutting the door a little louder than she probably meant to. The sound echoes in the quiet house.

You are an ass, her voice comes through the mind-link.

I smirk but don't reply as I wrap my hand around my cock.

I wasn't messing with her. I close my eyes envisioning her in my mind once more.

Yeah, I'm about to get off to the thought of my stepsister.

Again.