Dining with the Enemy

Scarlett

I 'm shocked.

It feels like a tidal wave has hit me with full force, emanating from Elijah in waves.

Although my mind is screaming at me to put some distance between us and Zidane, my instincts are telling me to remain put.

I know from the calmness within me that my wolf feels safe with him too.

I turn my attention back to the monster before me. Zidane Malone – Alpha of the Desert Storm Pack. The cold-hearted beast who is meant to be my father. He's right here.

His cold eyes look away from Elijah although neither rein in their power despite it affecting those around them.

"Scarlett…" his chillingly calm voice makes me shudder internally. "It's been years. Won't you greet your father?" he asks as our eyes meet. The murderous glint in them and the chilling tone in his voice screams danger. We should leave, but instead we are entering his lair.

"I don't see anyone around worthy of being called my father. Let's cut to the chase, why did you send your men to track me down?" I ask, my voice cold. But compared to my father's, it sounds like a welcoming melody, nowhere near as callous and evil as his.

"You're the future heir of this pack. Of course, I would come to search for you." He steps closer and Elijah growls in warning.

"You wanted me dead, don't give me that bullshit. Cut to it, Zidane," I spit, not caring for respect. The other wolves visibly pale upon seeing my blatant disrespect of their Alpha.

Zidane says nothing for a second, observing me intently as if there's something more that he wants to say.

"That is your misunderstanding. Let's talk over lunch," he says coldly.

"I wouldn't eat anything served by you," I spit back. "If we're going to talk, it's going to be right here."

Zidane frowns, his eyes turning a dark forest green as a threatening growl comes from his throat. "Do not push me, you little wench! I'm the Alpha here. This is my land and if I wanted you dead you would be dead already," he hisses.

"We came here of our own accord, so don't fucking mess around and just tell us what you want with her. You're clearly healthy and young enough to run your pack for many years. I don't see a guy like you considering an heir, you only care for ruling as long as possible, right? So, tell me, what do you really want?" Elijah speaks, his power clear in his tone. Zidane's dark eyes flash as he glares at him with rage and hatred.

"This is between her and me, stay out of it."

"He's my Alpha; he has every right to speak," I shoot back. Zidane growls.

"I'm your Alpha!" he thunders, stepping towards me, his claws and canines elongated. I smirk bitterly. He is still the psychotic maniac he has always been, simply hiding behind a mask. One of the men steps forward, he seems familiar, but I can't place him.

"Scarlett, I understand you do not wish to be here, however, please listen to the Alpha. He only wishes to talk," he says. His voice is calm, but I don't miss the plea in his eyes. Zidane's eyes flash as he turns.

"Never. Interrupt. Me!" he snarls, advancing on the man who had spoken. The man bows his head as if he knows what is to come. Zidane raises his hand but I step forward.

"Fine! We'll come," I say, stopping Zidane in his tracks. A cold smirk crosses his face as he looks me over and then glances at Elijah. Without another word, he begins walking off the way he had come. The six wolves wait for me and Elijah to begin walking before enclosing us in a semicircle. Elijah's power makes them feel uncomfortable.

The man's fucking crazy, says Elijah through the link.

You haven't seen anything yet. I mind-link back, heaving a sigh. This is going to be a long day, and we will have to stay alert. I don't trust Zidane, not even a little bit. I know his true colours and people like him don't change.

Half an hour later, Elijah and I are sitting around a large dining table with Zidane and his Beta, Cade. We are in the very mansion that I once lived in, a place that was supposed to be my home, but it was more of a nightmare.

Things haven't changed too much. I can see the renovations and the upgrades to the exterior as we enter but it is still the same hellhole I grew up in. The same marble floor on which my head was smashed countless times, the same heavy doors that trapped out all of my screams for help.

The luxurious modern interior is a beautiful mask covering the brutality and horrors that were committed in its very halls and they seem to continue to be committed.

The omegas that serve lunch are underfed and clear marks cover their bodies from frequent beatings. It disgusts me. In our pack, omegas, who are naturally the weakest of wolves, are still treated with respect.

Yes, they work for the higher-ranked wolves doing the chores and tending to their own fields of crops and produce, but they are paid for their services, involved in all pack events, and treated with dignity and kindness. The meal hasn't even begun but it's clear things have gotten worse here. Where Mama used to treat them with kindness, despite my father's manic ways, they are now seemingly treated worse than slaves and the fear in their eyes is obvious.

"Thank you," I say to the young woman who places my plate down. Her eyes meet mine, her dull grey eyes full of pain and hope. She seems familiar too, but once again I cannot put a name to the face. I have buried every memory I have of this place, and I feel a bit guilty for forgetting even those who are innocent. Did we abandon them?

"Get out!" Zidane hisses, throwing his steak knife at her. My heart skips a beat as Elijah is barely out of his seat when I catch it between two fingers, my eyes flashing as I glare at Zidane. The sharp blade cuts into my skin but it's only a nick. The young she-wolf scurries from the room in fear.

"If you want me to listen, you will not abuse anyone in my presence," I hiss, placing the knife down with trembling fingers as Elijah watches me, a glint of worry in his eyes. My heart is thundering as I try to calm my emotions. No, I'm not scared; I'm fuming.

"This is my pack, wench," Zidane says, his murderous eyes set on me. Cade watches the exchange, curiosity in his eyes.

"I didn't say it wasn't," I shoot back. Elijah places a hand on my thigh, stroking it gently, trying to calm me. I am doing my best to remain calm, but it is extremely difficult.

"What did you want to see her for? We're dining, so tell us," Elijah says as Zidane begins helping himself to some steak and potatoes. The rest of us follow suit; the food came from the same platter, so I guess it's trustworthy enough, although Elijah sniffs it before eating.

"This is between us," Zidane spits before turning to me. "Like I said, you are my heir. I think you should at least get to know your pack. One day this will be yours; that is all I want. I sent this useless piece of trash to get you, but clearly he wasn't able to bring you back." Zidane glares at Cade.

"I apologise for my uselessness, Alpha," Cade says, bowing his head.

There's a lot more going on here than I was expecting, Elijah mind-links me.

I know, I reply. This is my birthright, a pack that is being abused right in front of me. Is it not my duty to protect them? With the growing guilt beginning to gnaw at me, I'm unable to eat, simply picking at my food. It's tense at the table, with only Zidane seeming to enjoy his meal. When we finish, I look up at him.

"If you want me to get to know your pack, then I will stay for a short time, but I have no interest in being your heir," I say, making Elijah look at me sharply. Zidane smirks coldly.

"We'll discuss that later. Cade, show them to their rooms. You will stay as my guests," he says, his eyes glinting coldly. He stands and leaves the room suddenly. Elijah looks at me, probably wondering what I want to do.

We'll talk later, I mind-link. Elijah gives a curt nod. Cade stands up, glancing around.

"I'll show you to your rooms. I appreciate you coming here, but you shouldn't have," he murmurs, and I frown.

"You're the one who showed up and told me he was looking for me," I remind him as Elijah and I fall in step with him.

"Yeah… I didn't know the reason then," he mutters. What does he mean by that?

What reason do you think he means? I ask Elijah through the mind-link.

I'm not sure but we'll find out when we get him alone. Right now, who knows if we're being observed or not, Elijah replies.

I agree with Elijah's reply; I don't trust this place.

"Did you not pass on my message that I told you to forward to your Alpha?" Elijah asks Cade.

"No or your pack would have been dead by now," Cade replies quietly. Elijah glares at him.

"Don't underestimate us; I gave you a message you should have passed on," he answers coldly.

Cade sighs and shakes his head, but he doesn't say anything more. "Care to share the reason he wants me here?" I ask. Cade looks down at me, his eyes trailing over me and I sense Elijah's irritation.

"I can't… you can stay in this room, Scarlett and the Alpha can have the room next-"

"We'll share," Elijah says, making me blush, his hand snaking around my waist possessively. Cade raises an eyebrow.

"You two… are you together?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Elijah growls, making my heart skip a beat. My core throbbing when he pulls me against him, and I feel his manhood press against my stomach. "She's mine." The possessive tone in his voice making me light-headed.

"Right…" Cade says, almost as if he doesn't believe it, but he looks away, Elijah's aura too much to stand against.

"Thanks for showing us to our room. Mind showing us around the pack later? I did say I'll stay around to get to know the pack," I say, not missing the tension between the males.

"Sure. It's good to see you again, Scarlett," Cade says, looking into my green eyes. "I hope you decide to stay."

I can't say the same about seeing him again, as for staying, yeah that's not happening.

"Hm…" I say. Being back here has thrown my brain into turmoil and I do not feel at ease. "How come you're the Beta already?"

Cade frowns.

"My father's dead," he answers curtly, his clipped tone emphasising he does not want to talk anymore.

But I still push. "You won't tell me what happened to him?"

"No," he answers and Elijah nods.

"Sure, don't share if you don't want to," he says. Still holding me, he guides me into the room and shuts the door in Cade's face, turning the key in the lock. He exhales slowly before he turns and runs a hand through his hair.

"We really didn't think this thr-" I cut him off as I pull him down claiming his mouth in a passionate kiss. My heart is pounding, my mind a mess, but one thing is clear – I am relieved to have him by my side.

He lifts me by the ass pushing me up against the wall, his body moulding against mine, deepening the kiss. Our tongues fight for control, our hearts pounding and our hands hungry for more as we crave one another's touch.

I tug at his hair, kissing him roughly. I can feel the cut that I made on his lip still there, his hot breath making my core throb and the way his lips dominate mine drives me crazy.

His hands slip under my top and grab my breasts, making my pussy throb. He twists my hardened nipples, the scent of my arousal filling the air. His hard-on strains against his pants. My hands are fumbling with his shirt when he suddenly tenses and lets go of my breasts. He takes hold of my wrists gently yet firmly, concern clear in his eyes as he searches mine.

A ripple of hurt rushes through me, making my eyes flash.

"Let go of me," I order quietly but just as I'm about to pull away, he presses his forehead to mine.

"Hey… listen to me."

"What, no longer want me?" I ask coldly.

"You know it's not that, Red."

I try to pull away when he wraps his arms around me tightly.

"Let go of me, Elijah!"

"Not until you listen to me," he pushes, forcing me to look into those incredible cerulean eyes; eyes that hold far more emotions than I am expecting to see in them.

"You know I want you, Kitten, but not like this. I don't want to take advantage of the situation," he murmurs huskily, about to claim my lips in a kiss once more but his words soothe me. He smirks faintly as he speaks again "So, don't be mad alright?"