A Welcoming Home Party

Scarlett

I t is the evening of the welcoming home party for Elijah. Our trip had been good… but at the same time, I feel that whatever this thing between Elijah and me is, it is becoming more dangerous. And I know if we're caught, I'll be the one who will get blamed for it.

After all, he's the future Alpha. He can do no wrong, and me? I'm the root cause of all problems. The one who shouldn't be here… right?

I refuse to believe that is my worth, but everyone else in this family will side with Elijah over me. I look in the mirror and smile.

A smile.

It's an interesting thing. It sure can hide a lot…

I slam the bathroom door shut, frustration rippling through me, and sigh heavily. But how can I hate him when he's done nothing to make me hate him? Sure, in the past he's teased and mocked me, but hate is a strong word.

I drop onto my bed and close my eyes. Tonight is going to be so difficult and there's no way I can avoid the party since it's taking place in the mansion gardens.

Mama has spent the day baking another welcoming home cake for Elijah, which is big enough for everyone to enjoy. As for Indigo, she's been all hyper about tonight too, helping the other pack members with the décor. She had chosen the entire theme for her precious brother. Our brother.

Urgh, no.

Elijah has thankfully spent the afternoon with his friends, which I'm grateful for since Angela will be here soon. And if Elijah is around she will be extra loud, hoping he hears her, and I really want to finish getting ready without her screaming down my ear.

On that note, I should get ready.

I sigh, remembering what Elijah had said. We will need to leave soon. That is lingering on my mind like a heavy weight, but also being completely alone with him… is it safe? I mean, do I trust myself around him?

Shaking my head, I get up.

I'm almost ready when the door bangs open and none other than Angela steps inside.

She is a beauty, her mother is Japanese and her father is English, but she got the best of both worlds, with silky long black waist-length hair, large chocolate brown eyes and light olive skin. She's wearing a green skater dress that accentuates her gorgeous body and strappy gold heels.

"So, how do I look? Think I can get Elijah?" she asks, making my stomach twist. She's been into Elijah for as long as I remember, but although he's fucked pretty much all the girls in the pack, he never paid any attention to her. I never really thought about it, but now I wonder why?

"Well, he seems to kiss and fuck anything with a vagina. So yeah, I'm sure you can," I say in a clipped tone, turning my attention back to the mirror and continuing to apply my red lipstick.

"What? Are you saying I'm not pretty enough otherwise? And that me having a vagina is all that matters to him?" Angela complains as she stomps over to the bed and drops onto it dramatically as if her life is over. "Scarlett!"

I smirk slightly. "That isn't what I meant. I'm just saying he's a fuck boy, and you're hot; he won't be able to resist you," I reassure her with a roll of the eyes.

"Ouch! Fuck boy is kinda harsh, don't you think? I mean, he's just doing the pack females a favour by letting us have a taste of how amazing our Alpha is in bed. That's the way an alpha should take care of his pack, and he takes good care of all those women," she sighs and I shudder at those words.

"Now I feel repulsed. That is not the job of an alpha," I scoff.

"I see you two are still not on the best of terms," Angela remarks as she takes out her gloss and reapplies a layer to her already glossy lips. "You know, maybe you could try to be nice to him. Maybe then he might see me as more than just your friend."

"Wait, what?" I turn in my chair and she shrugs.

"What? Why else am I the only hot girl he hasn't fucked? I mean, he's even banged some that are kinda questionable."

I snicker at that. "He's an asshole," I say, standing up and looking at my body in the mirror.

I'm wearing leather pants that emphasise my curves and a long-sleeved black lace, high-necked top, which is tucked into my pants and reveals my black strapless bra. A little "extra "revealing, but why not? I look good.

On my feet, I'm wearing 5-inch black heels; the only colour on me is my vivid hair, lips, and red nails. I put on some dangly earrings and do a small twirl for Angela.

"So, out of ten?" I ask. Angela raises an eyebrow.

"Eight! You look like you're about to go castrate someone with those vicious nails, and too much black for my liking. Are you sure you're not a vampire?"

"I'm sure vampires don't exist," I reply, satisfied. An eight from Angela means I look good.

"Now come on, this ten needs to wow a certain alpha." Angela motions to herself.

I laugh at that. "You have really been desperate to see him since his return, haven't you?"

"Obviously, he's been the only thing to look forward to!" she pouts.

I can't help but love her vivacious energy.

"Ok, let's go find your alpha," I say, feeling a pang inside. I squash it like I always have done.

We both leave the room and I lock the door behind me, not wanting anyone to come into my room. Parties get crazy and sometimes couples, especially mated ones, go to random rooms for quickies. And I do not want random people fucking in my room.

We step out into the garden, where music is blaring loudly. A dance floor has been set up to one side and fairy lights and lanterns are scattered around the garden. A long buffet table is on the left and there's a bar on the right.

There are a few tables set out, where some of the elder wolves are sitting and chatting. I smile, seeing Grandma Amelia sitting and talking to her friends and I go over. I have to greet my favourite person first! Besides, she's sure to tell Elijah off and I am going to enjoy that.

I turn to tell Angela that I'm going over to Grandma, only to realise she's disappeared. Shaking my head, I hurry over to the elderly women.

"Grandma Amy!" I yell, flinging my arms around her from behind. She gasps before she tries to hide her smile and frowns at me as she pats my arm.

"What have I told you about trying to break my back with those knockers of yours?" she asks with a huff, making me look down at her, amused. The other two grandmas laugh and I grin.

"Oh, come on Grandma Amy, they aren't that heavy," I say before I crouch down next to her and gaze up into her warm eyes. I wish we had been allowed to take her on our family trip. I wish I could fix the rift between her and Dad.

"Well ok, if that's what you want to hear, but stop looking at me like I'm dying. I'm still very much alive," she says briskly.

I nod, "I know. I wouldn't let you leave me like that," I say standing up.

"And I hope you haven't forgotten the promise you made me. That invite is pending."

"Don't worry, I will hold to it," I say.

Shame you're not still squatting, I think more than half the male population was enjoying the view of that ass, Elijah's voice comes into my head.

I spin around, my heart skipping a beat, but I try to play it off.

I bet you were one of them, right? I reply via the mind-link mockingly. I frown at him as Grandma Amelia's frown also deepens.

"Ah, look who we have here, the good-for-nothing's son," she grumbles.

Elijah smirks. "What's got your granny knickers in a twist?" he asks her, making me suppress a smile as the three elderly she-wolves gasp.

"Shameless rat!" Grandma Amelia huffs. "I always knew Jackson would never have a decent, respectable child. I knew it, I tell you!"

Elijah simply smirks as he brushes past me, his arm knocking into my breasts, sending a tingle through me. His intoxicating scent makes me lightheaded and I take a step back, hoping no one notices.

Was it normal or am I the only one who feels like there's more to everything? One look around and I realise all the single she-wolves are dressed to the nines and are wearing the tiniest dresses they could without revealing their asses. All for the cerulean-eyed hunk that now stands beside me, his ripped muscles on display.

He licks his lips, the light glinting off that sexy tongue piercing.

"Why so angry Grandma? Actually, I'm sure Red here must have annoyed you, right?" Elijah asks, although I'm sure he must have heard our conversation, even over the shrieking of his fangirls.

"Of course not, she's nothing like you or your old man," Grandma Amelia carries on. Mine and Elijah's eyes meet and I smirk at him smugly.

"You can't be everyone's favourite, now can you?" I reply.

He smirks, his gaze raking over me. I'm sure you're a lot of people's favourite, he says through the mind-link just as Angela hurries over. I wonder where she disappeared to, but before I can ask she waves at Elijah.

"Alpha Elijah! Welcome home, you look amazing," she greets, batting her lashes at him. Grandma Amy and I both roll our eyes at the exaggerated move and Elijah almost chuckles, glancing at us before he clears his throat and looks at the woman before him.

"Angela," he says, giving her a small nod. Angela bites her lip whilst twirling a strand of her hair, gazing up at him flirtatiously and I sigh inwardly. Why do all girls become ditzy airheads around him? Angela is so much more than this. I swear this girl is badass, yet put Elijah before her and she becomes a twittering mess. Not to mention she forgets me entirely.

I look over at Elijah. He looks incredibly good in a black button-down shirt with a few buttons open and his sleeves rolled up. A necklace hangs around his neck, drawing attention to his chest that peeks out. He's wearing grey jeans and black Timberlands, which only makes him look even hotter.

Or do I feel jealous that, unlike every other she-wolf here, I can't flirt with him?

My gaze dips to his lips and I suddenly remember the kiss from the other day, my heart skips a beat and I look away quickly, my heart hammering.

"Wanna dance?" Angela asks him bravely. She told me she practiced this all day and I hope for her sake he says yes, even if something inside me didn't like it.

"I don't really want-"

"If he's dancing with anyone, then it's going to have to be someone prettier, like me," an annoying nasally voice interrupts.

I know exactly who it is before I even turn around. Keira Jeoffrey, the pack slut to be precise. With her bleached blond hair, extra-long acrylics, botox-filled face, heavy false lashes, and breasts that are slightly bigger than mine thanks to her three boob jobs, she is the life-sized Barbie from hell.

She's dressed in the tiniest hot pink dress one could find and with her garish make-up clashing with her fake tan, she looks like a hot mess.

I kinda wonder how he even slept with her in the past. But then again, she has gotten worse over the years…

I am sure I will be having nightmares tonight.

Even Elijah is staring, he looks over at Aaron, before looking back at her and I wonder if he somehow didn't recognise her.

"Keira?" he asks in disbelief.

"The one and only." She bats her fake lashes at him.

"How could you not recognise that beautiful voice?" I ask sarcastically, making Angela snicker.

"It's probably because I look so much hotter now. Right, Alpha?" she coos.

"Um…" Elijah trails off. I smirk, seeing him at a loss for words. Unlike Keira, who thinks he is impressed, I know the truth. Even Angela doesn't seem to realise Elijah is less than impressed as she admires him.

"Alpha?" I say sweetly. "You really should dance with Chuckie's sister- I mean, Keira."

"Hell no…" Elijah says, his gorgeous eyes still a little wide. He smirks at me, realising I'm clearly enjoying the scene and cocks a brow.

Oh, he's up to something. Before I can respond, he slings an arm around my shoulders and smiles at the girls. "Forgive me ladies, but I think I'm going to dance with my… sister. We have a lot to catch up on. Wouldn't you agree, Red?"

My heart is hammering, my eyes wide. His proximity and what he has just said have shocked me, leaving me mute. Not bothering to wait for my reply, Elijah simply smirks. Taking hold of my wrist, he pulls me towards the dance floor, leaving the other two she-wolves speechless.