A Game

Elijah

I t's much later, and the elders and those with young pups have retreated for the night. As well as, of course, most of the mated wolves; it doesn't take a genius to know why. Some unmated wolves have left together too, and those in their early teens have gone as well, mostly due to pressure from parents.

Scarlett has stayed to herself as Angela was way too drunk and left with her brother. But Scarlett doesn't seem phased, enjoying the food and drink. A few times, some of the girls tried to give her some shit.

Mainly Chucky's long-lost sister and her twittering group of plastics. But I have to admit I love how Scarlett didn't hold back putting them in their places with her cutting replies. I love how she gives zero fucks what anyone thinks of her. Damn, she's one feisty female.

A couple of boys asked her to dance, but she refused, something that made me feel satisfied, even though it shouldn't. "I'll be right back." I look away from the sexy redhead, trying not to imagine her in that sexy red lingerie again as Liam stands up.

"And where are you going?" Aaron asks.

"I thought I'd ask Scarlett for a dance. She's been alone for most of the evening," Liam says, concern in his voice.

Yeah, he's probably worried, but even then, it annoys me. "Good luck with that. She's not accepted anyone's offer to dance."

"Well, if she disagrees, call her over here. Let's play spin the bottle!" Monica says as she cuddles into Aaron's arm.

Liam chuckles. "I will be sure to do that."

"And she will disagree." I smirk as I pick up the bottle that is almost empty, watching Liam cross the garden and approach Scarlett. I'm unable to look away as he gets her attention.

"Hey, Scarlett," he says, tilting his head to look at her without touching her or getting into her personal space.

I smirk, ready for Scarlett to tell him to shove his ‘Hey, Scarlett' where the sun doesn't shine. But when Scarlett turns, she's not wearing the contemptuous expression she's given to all the other guys all evening. Instead, she smirks slightly at him.

That smirk that only curls at the right corner of her pouty lips; a devilishly sexy one that says I know exactly what you're doing. That smirk I find fucking hot.

I frown slightly, gulping down the contents of the bottle, listening to their exchange.

"You're brave for asking after I'm sure you saw that I said no to everyone else?" she asks him, cocking a brow.

He runs his fingers through his hair and I cock a brow. If I didn't know Liam better, I'd think he's flirting. I mean, he's always been good to her, but it wasn't anything serious, right? But I have been away for a few years…

"I hear I'm a fast runner. If things go downhill and you want to strangle me, I'll take my chances."

She smiles at that, rolling her eyes. "You're cute. Ok, one dance! I need to stretch my legs, anyway."

My eyes widen slightly in surprise. So she fucking agreed? Irritation floods through me as I toss the bottle onto the table.

"Guys, join us for a game after y'all finished dancing!" Monica calls.

"Wow, Liam. Our man got her to agree," Aaron whistles. Don't get all pissed man. I mean, I get she's your sister, but you know the best man in this pack is Liam. He's a fucking saint. And he's liked her for ages.

Sister. I'm getting fucking fed up with hearing that one…

Yeah, but she isn't one to pay him any attention.

Well na, not really. If he asks her, she refuses, but they're closer than they were a few summers ago, Aaron's reply only makes my blood boil a little fucking more.

I look away as Liam leads her onto the dance floor, and they begin dancing. "So shall we play or what?" I ask coldly.

"Let's wait, but we could call more people. Fiona, Hank! Do you guys want to join us for a game of Spin the Bottle?" Monica asks as she plays with her braided hair.

Aaron kisses her shoulder. She's a pretty woman, with deep melanin skin and a booty that Aaron can't get enough of – believe me, I have to fucking hear about it. But jokes aside, they're good for one another. I've seen how he cherishes her and somehow her presence in his life has matured his ass up.

Fiona is about to take the seat beside me when I almost stop her and tell her it's Liam's. Still then, seeing the way Scarlett was smiling at him with her hand on his chest, I decide against it.

I don't fucking care where she sits. Hank sits on her other side as he smiles at us.

"This should be fun. I don't think we played this since last summer maybe?" he glances at Monica, who smiles as she nods.

"Yup, sounds about right, and there's more of us now."

Trying not to pay attention to Scarlett laughing at something Liam says, I glance at Hank, who also seems to be watching the couple. He glances at me quickly and I wonder if he saw me watching or something.

I fucking hope not.

We've never been close. We never really clicked, but he ain't bad and he's never had an issue with the fact I was banging his sister. A plus point in my book. Speaking of Fiona, she's been watching me throughout the evening. I did say don't get attached; that's her loss.

I find myself stealing a glance at Liam as he spins Scarlett out, his hand on her waist for a second, respecting her boundaries. That's the fucking difference between us. I push those boundaries and I will continue to do so.

"Are you two done? We're waiting!" I call as I put the bottle down.

"Are you sure you want her here? Your table will just get that much tighter. You know, with her fat ass. But I can replace her!" Keira's whine penetrates my ear as Aaron flinches.

"We're werewolves? Like, can you whisper?"

"I'm not talking to you but Alpha Elijah here, ok! So stop interrupting, gosh!"

I tilt my head, looking up at her. "Hmm, so let me get this straight. Her ass is the issue here, yet your fake ass is totally not an issue? Go away, Keira, you're annoying me," I say icily, my irritation towards the dancing couple rising.

Keira looks offended before she mutters something incoherent and stomps off.

"You really do have a fan club," Hank smirks as the song ends and I glance back to see Liam give Scarlett a kiss on her hand.

"Thank you for being an incredible dance partner." He winks at her and I almost growl, clenching my fist.

That's fucking lame.

"I'll go first," I say irritably as I grab the bottle and spin it, a bit too fucking hard. It spins fast and I can sense Aaron watching me.

"I'm gonna pass," I hear Scarlett say and I glance up at her.

"Why? It's just a game, Red."

"I don't really want to play, that's why," she retorts.

"It'll be fun, Scarlett," Monica adds, and Fiona places a hand on my arm.

"Don't force her."

I shrug her hand off, not missing Scarlett's frown. "Last chance, Red. You sure you don't want to join?"

I look into those soft sage green eyes. Just for a bit? I ask through the mind-link, and for a second neither of us looks away before she shakes her head.

"Fine, whatever." She sits down next to Monica, who smiles at her and tells her she looks great.

Yeah, she fucking does and I can see her cleavage through that lace enticing me.

I look away as Aaron snickers. "So, you must have really missed me at training camp, huh?"

"What?" I cock a brow, only to realise the bottle is facing him.

"I'll go grab us some drinks," Fiona says, smiling as she leaves the table. I glance at her, thinking, was she really just going to act like all's fucking good?

"Alright, since I know everything about you, what do you like about Monica's personality? Emphasis on the personality part," I add pointedly.

"Well, everything. But if I got to choose, it's her genuine nature towards everyone. She ain't fake. I like my girl real, and she's real in every damn way." He wraps his arms around her and kisses her full-on, making me smirk as the other boys hoot.

"Our Beta couple is damn perfect together," Hank says, putting two fingers in his mouth as he whistles loudly. Aaron moves back and Monica smiles shyly.

"You sure you two don't want to leave?" I ask mockingly.

"No! Aaron, babe, it's your turn, boo. Spin the bottle," Monica says quickly. He spins the bottle and it lands on Scarlett.

"Ah, I have a good one. So out of us guys here, who would you Marry, Kiss or Kill?" Aaron smirks.

"That's a dumb one," I remark.

"No, I think it's good," Monica disagrees as everyone looks at Scarlett, who smirks.

"Well, I definitely know who I'll marry, and kill. I'd marry Liam, kill Hank and since Elijah is my stepbrother, I'd kiss you," she says, looking at Aaron who gives her a grin and a thumbs up as he cuddles Monica and reassures her it is just a rhetorical question.

Really? Me being your stepbrother didn't seem to bother you when you kissed me back, I remark.

She cocks a brow. Wow. Really, Elijah? Are you butt hurt over me not saying that I'd be ok to kiss my stepbrother? Which I wouldn't be.

Sounds like that latter part was an afterthought. Are you jealous, Red?

She scoffs in my head. Jealous of what? Your precious doll that didn't do it for you, or is it you that has an issue I danced with Liam?

I don't reply as Hank speaks. "Killing me was harsh, don't you think?" he chuckles, but I do think he's offended, making Scarlett stand up, her eyes suddenly cold.

"You're pathetic," she replies venomously, smacking the bottle, surprising us all before she storms off back to the bar.

"Oh no, is she ok?" Fiona asks and I look away clenching my jaw, knowing it's because of our exchange.

"It was just a joke, but maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I'll be back," Hank says as he gets up and walks over to Scarlett, leaving me still feeling fucking irritated.