Scolded

Scarlett

T hat night I barely sleep, consumed by what had happened and how it had awakened something even deeper inside of me. I don't know how he will be when we come face-to-face. Will he pretend it never happened? Will he act like it was nothing? Or worse, will he mock me?

In the morning I train alone, and this time Elijah does not disturb me and I'm grateful for it. After training, I return home. No matter how gruelling the training was, I am unable to remove the thoughts that plague my mind.

I step into the bathroom and close my eyes when I'm hit with Elijah's scent, making a flashback of how he pleasured me last night rush through me once again. The steamy bathroom is a clear sign he is back from training too.

Sighing inwardly, I put on some lingerie before getting dressed in a pair of jeans and an oversized off-shoulder white top that clings to my breasts. I pair it with white flats, my hair open, and my lips painted nude. With a coating of eyeliner and mascara, I am ready.

I take my sweet time heading downstairs, feeling a little nervous knowing that he is down there and no matter how much I deny it, I am nervous. Yet even then, the memories only make my core clench. I can't say it was a drunken mistake, or a decision made with rage because if I had to do it over, I'd do it again.

Entering the kitchen, I see the bleak sunlight seeping through the windows, casting a dull glow over the white kitchen cabinets. The delicious smell of the full English breakfast Mama is finishing up envelops my senses.

Indigo is setting the table, yawning away and I frown, pondering on her strange visit down by the lake yesterday. What was that even about? I plan to get to the bottom of it.

I glance at the two men who are sitting at the table. Dad is looking through some papers while Elijah is on his phone looking as smouldering as he usually does. He glances up when I enter and I quickly look away, refusing to meet his gaze.

"Morning everyone," I say, walking over to the table, and ruffling my hair casually.

"Good morning, dear," Dad says, giving me a small smile. I smile back and walk over, giving him a kiss on the forehead, sensing Elijah's burning blue gaze on me. I still refuse to look at him, trying to calm my heart which has sped up a little.

Indigo places the juice down, groaning. "You can get the food, Scar. Please, I'm dying here!" she grumbles, sitting down with a yelp. "Ow, ow, ow! Oh… ouch. It's not fair, Elijah tortured us all!"

"I think this is the first time you've complained about Elijah. I am shocked. That is indeed different!" Dad chuckles.

"I'm glad he's making you put the effort in, and you must have needed it if one session has worn you out this much." Mama smiles as we carry the two platters containing toast, bacon rashers, sausages, eggs, hash browns, roasted mushrooms, and tomatoes to the table.

"I think everyone needed a little push," Elijah says as he pours himself freshly squeezed orange juice. "But Liam's done a good job."

"That's a little brutal considering last night was a party, don't you think?" Indigo grumbles.

Elijah smirks. "Come on, Pixie. I know it was rough, but the enemy won't be asking if you're up for an attack."

She has a point, but so does he. The only seat left at the table is beside Elijah, since Mama takes the one next to Dad.

I hesitate for a moment before I slide into the seat, trying not to pay any attention to him from the side of my eyes and instead begin helping myself to some food, making sure that I don't brush against him. I can already feel the heat from his body, and he doesn't seem to be making an effort to keep his distance, showing off his sexy muscled arms.

"Who said to drink so much, then?" Mama scolds Indigo.

"You knew…?" Indigo asks, surprised, then grins as she begins helping herself to food. "Well, I was celebrating my brother's return."

"Well, you did well even if you have a hangover, Pixie. I'll make a fine warrior out of you yet." Elijah smirks as he parts his legs and I quickly move mine a little further away.

What is he doing? I glance at him suspiciously but he's not looking my way, but that sexy smirk speaks loud enough.

He's doing it on purpose. He leans over, the back of his hand brushing mine as he grabs the bowl of baked beans, making a tingle of pleasure ripple through me.

My heart skips a beat before I look away quickly. I cross my legs to avoid his knee touching me, remembering how I had straddled him last night, how we kissed…

I swallow, my stomach knotting as his arm brushes against mine again.

Goddess…

"So, would either of you care to explain what happened last night?" Dad asks seriously, now staring at us. I freeze, my eyes widening as a sliver of fear rushes through me as Elijah simply raises an eyebrow questioningly.

"You clearly know what we are going on about from that look on your face, Scarlett. So, tell us what happened with Hank," Mama adds.

Relief floods through me, and I feel a little at ease.

"Oh… nothing. It was no big deal. He was overly drunk and pushed my boundaries, so I lost my temper. It's fine, it was diffused before it got worse," I say, pushing my bacon around my plate and glancing at Elijah, who is frowning.

Mama sighs, placing her fork down and ruffling her black hair agitatedly.

"Scarlett, how many times do I need to tell you that you cannot lose your temper like that? It's disrespectful!"

I clench my jaw, remaining silent.

"Scarlett, are you listening to me?! You belong to the Alpha's family, you can't treat your pack members like that. Your brother will become Alpha soon. You aren't making things easier for him either," she continues, making my gaze snap to Elijah, last night returning to my mind once again.

Brother…

He isn't my brother, and I can't even stomach that word after what happened last night. I look away, my heart thumping with guilt – guilt that I had done something so taboo and also guilt because of the fact I had enjoyed it so much.

Through my haze, Mama slams her hand on the table. "Scarlett! Are you listening?! Why do you always have to make things so much more difficult than they are?"

"Jessica, I don't think-" Elijah begins. Instantly I reach over, squeezing his thigh, silencing him. He tenses, and I shake my head ever so slightly.

Don't. Please don't get involved. I can handle this myself.

"I don't think Scar went to look for trouble. I mean, we all know she's a loner. If something happened, I bet Hank-"

"Enough, Indigo! Do not speak when elders are speaking," Mama cuts her off.

I look at Indigo, who pulls a face, mumbling something under her breath, and I can't help but smile slightly.

Thanks, Indy.

"Wipe that smirk off your face! Goddess, Scarlett, are you finding this funny?!" Mama snaps and Dad places his hand on top of hers.

"Scarlett, I know Hank is very headstrong, but he is Elijah's Delta and will take over soon enough. I need you to stay cordial with them all. They are your future leaders," Dad intervenes gently.

I nod. If only they knew how calm I am trying to be around Hank. Doing my best to try to handle stuff by myself, because I don't want to cause more issues for them. I am remaining quiet – not wanting to hassle them.

I know if I make a big deal about what those boys had done, it will only cause unrest and trouble within the pack. I can defend myself, but it took my mother years to become as confident as she is now. My biological father spent years breaking her and it has taken Dad even longer to heal her. I don't want to fuck that up.

One person's silence for the betterment of everyone else is fair, right? Even if it's hard… I'll try.

The topic changes to lighter topics, but I refuse to contribute, keeping silent as I try not to fall into that dark corner of my mind that is full of rage and anger.

"There's some business I need to attend to out of town and I was thinking it would be good for Scarlett to join me, to learn about pack relations and stuff. And stay out of trouble," Elijah says lightly, making me look at him sharply, only to see him smirking in amusement.

You want to go visit your old pack, don't you? Pay your father a visit to settle things, remember? he asks me through the mind-link. But I'm less worried about confronting my father and more about the fact that it means me and Elijah would be alone. I'm not sure that's wise…

Seeing that I didn't reply, Mama's nods. "That sounds like an excellent idea," she says in approval. Dad looks at me as if trying to see if I'm ok with it, and I give a simple nod.

"Perfect. How long are you leaving for and where exactly are you going?" Dad asks.

"Not too far, towards Manchester. It's regarding some talks with an ally who has a pack up that side. I met the Alpha at training and we became good friends," Elijah says.

"Is that the orphan boy?" Dad asks. "Ros… something?"

Elijah frowns slightly. "He's a man, Dad, and a strong and excellent alpha. He's been a father to his brother for years and has raised his father's company to new limits. I swear, one day the world will know of the Rossi Empire. He is an ally everyone would want on their side."

He's passionate about his friend, that's for sure.

"Well, that sounds extremely promising. All the allies we can get are welcome," Dad says, "There is growing unrest when it comes to rogues over the last few months and the more allies we have, the better."

"When do we leave? I need to let the salon know that I'm taking days off," I ask Elijah, trying not to remember how his lips felt against mine.

He licks his lips, distracting me. But before he can reply, Mama speaks with a sigh. "I don't understand why you are even working there."

"Mama, please. Can we not do this right now?" I plead. Dad places a hand over hers and Mama simply shakes her head but doesn't say anything else.

"We'll leave around five."

"Wait, what? Today!" I stare at him as he picks up a bottle and cocks a brow.

"Yes, Red, today. Why wait? Make sure you pack enough for a week or so," he answers before chugging down some orange juice, and I try not to stare at his throat.

I nod, trying not to think about the fact I'll be on the road alone for an entire week with Elijah. With no one to know what we're doing… No matter how much I try to squash those thoughts, I can feel pleasure pool in my lower regions just considering the possibilities. I desperately push the thoughts away before everyone at the table smells my arousal.

"A road trip!? Not fair! Can I come?" Indigo asks, pouting.

"You still have a few weeks of school left," Dad reminds her with a smile, his blue eyes twinkling. "So, I think that's a no."

"Yes, it most definitely is a no."

"Life is so sucky," Indigo says with a glum expression.

"Next time, kiddo," Elijah promises, giving her a smirk before he looks at me.

Are you ready for it, Red?

Facing my bio dad? Sure, I answer. Ready for you? No. His charm consumes me, and I know that if he tries something, I won't want to resist…

Once breakfast is over, I head into town to the salon, working my hours for the day and booking my leave on the pretence that a family member has passed away. I'm relieved that I don't see Brayden there, knowing he'd have lots to say.

I return home around 2pm, deciding to stop at Grandma Amelia's cottage in the woods, hoping she's home. I promised her dinner soon but I'm going to have to extend it to a later date.

I look at the box of freshly baked biscuits from a bakery in town that I bought as an offering, wishing I had gotten something else, too. I understand Grandma Amelia well and although she hides it well, I know she is looking forward to this dinner. Looking at the biscuits I hesitate, maybe I should grab something else too, but before I can regret it, or go grab something else, the door is opened.

"Afternoon, Grandma Amy!" I say, flashing a small smile.

"Good afternoon, dearie, I wasn't expecting you," Grandma Amelia says, stepping aside and allowing me in. She is dressed in a knee-length skirt and a black blouse, and her brown eyes flit to the biscuits before she observes my face properly. "You're cancelling on me, aren't you?" I look at her guiltily, I guess she put two-and-two together without my help.

I sigh and nod apologetically. "Yes, I have to go out of town with Elijah for pack business, but I promise once I'm back I will make it up to you," I say, watching her before she nods.

"That is quite alright, things pop up all the time. So that's fair enough, I will wait for your return. Now sit down and I'll make you a cuppa. I can't eat all those biscuits by myself," Grandma Amelia says as I smile.

I walk over to the table looking at the walls that are covered in old photos and many oil paintings of sceneries that I know her son made.

"Do you need me to do anything whilst you're making the tea?" I ask. Grandma Amelia looks at me with a devious smirk.

"Well, since you asked, I need to have some coriander picked from the garden. Make sure you don't pull the roots up, just cut the stem," she warns, and I pout.

"You're giving me that job because you know I hate gardening."

"Yes, exactly! Now off you go!" she says.

I sigh, taking a knife and exiting through the back door. I return after ten minutes with neatly cut coriander. "Hmm, I guess these will do," Grandma Amelia says as she inspects them, just in case even one was uprooted, I was careful not to. I've learned if you try to hide a mistake Grandma Amy will find out. She likes things in a certain way.

She motions for me to sit at the wooden circular table that only has two chairs. Two mugs of fresh steaming tea and a freshly baked cake now sit on the table and the box of biscuits is open.

"I do love your tea," I say. Grandma Amelia always boils her milk in the cooker, adding the tea bags and cardamom to the silver pot. A tea she learned how to make from a friend.

"Well now, drink up before it gets cold," she says, watching me with a small smile on her lips.