The Pain of Betrayal

Scarlett

P ain engulfs me, sending sharp shooting pains through my chest. Feeling suffocated, my hand goes to my throat, trying to breathe as I stagger back, my eyes falling to the hardened bulge in his pants.

Hurt like never before rushes through me. How could he? So, he simply thought he'd have fun while I was worried sick that he wasn't answering the mind-link?

I struggle to contain my emotions. The pain and hurt I feel from seeing Elijah in such a position makes my heart squeeze painfully. I run through the halls blindly, my heart thundering violently. Why did I even agree to this relationship thing with him, knowing I have feelings for him to begin with?

For him it is different. It is obvious I will never be enough for him. He has always been a player, having countless women, so how was I stupid enough to believe that one woman could satisfy him? That I could satisfy him?

I enter the room we had been given, slamming the door behind me and walk to the mirror. I stare at my reflection. I am pretty, but there are plenty of pretty women around. Maybe I am not enough for him ? Maybe I'm just not good enough?

Wait, stop.

Looking at myself, I'm disgusted at my train of thought. Since when did a man's opinion make me doubt my self-worth?

I punch the mirror, shattering it to pieces, the glass cutting into my knuckles.

I am not a fucking toy to satisfy men, to let myself drown in self-pity over whether I am good enough. To hell with that, I am good enough. I will not let one man's action define my self-value.

The only reason he probably even wants me is because I am a woman he cannot have. As his stepsister, I am automatically off-limits. Maybe it is that idea of attaining something that is forbidden that made him want me.

Goddess! How pathetic am I? You're a fool, Scarlett.

I can even feel my wolf's pain. I frown . Since when has my wolf gotten attached to him? Don't wolves only care when they meet their mates? Well, whatever the reason, I am disappointed in myself for hurting my wolf as well, who seems to have grown some kind of attachment to him. Is it because he protected us?

I take a deep breath, reining in my emotions. I'm a pro at hiding my pain and feelings. This will only be another knife wound in a pool of endless pain. Closing my eyes, I clench my bleeding fist, welcoming the physical pain. It is easier to bear than the one that is hacking at my chest.

No man will break me. Not now. Not ever.

I walk to the bathroom to rinse the glass and blood from my fist. My eyes sting a little, but I refuse to allow myself to cry. I am not weak.

I turn the tap on, placing my hand under the running water. My vision blurs a little as the red runs into pink, but I remain strong, blinking furiously. Even when I hear the bedroom door burst open, I simply look in the mirror, my face set in its usual expression, knowing he'll come in here soon. I hear him swear before he runs into the bathroom, his eyes filled with worry and concern.

Worried he lost his latest precious little plaything , I think with contempt. I raise an eyebrow.

"Already done?" I ask casually, as Elijah observes me carefully. "That was pretty fast. Wasn't there three women to please?"

"It wasn't what it looked like. Scarlett, Zidane set me up-"

"Elijah, it's ok. Chill," I interrupt as I turn away from the sink, looking at my hand. There are still a few shards of glass I need to pick out before it heals, or it'll be harder.

"Scarlett, please… Let me explain," Elijah pleads, stepping closer to me. I look into his eyes. The pain I am trying to bury still remains, I'm still hurting, but I refuse to let it show in my eyes.

"Fine, you can explain whilst I get these shards out," I say casually. I do not want to hear his excuses. He always has one ready.

It makes me wonder if he lied about what happened between him and Fiona in the office yesterday. I'm not too sure anymore.

"Red…"

"Explain. I didn't say you can't." I can hear his heart thudding in his chest, and I wish I could look him in the eye, but right now I just feel disgusted and betrayed.

I walk past him, my eyes flickering to the tent in his pants and scoff bitterly. What a dick. Walking to the bed I sit down, focusing on the few open wounds, trying to find a shard of glass.

"Red, look at me." He's in front of me in an instant, reaching for my hand when I pull away suddenly. "Let me look at it."

"Ew, no, not sure where your hands have been. I'm okay," I say, knowing I sound harsh but don't care.

"Red…" he tries again, his voice holding a hint of hurt. He cups my face, forcing me to look at him. "I didn't touch them."

"It's okay. Like I said, maybe it is for the best that it happened now before we took it further. I think we should end the stupid deal we made, anyway. I'm no longer interested." I say harshly. I can't believe that he was forced into that, he's a goddamn alpha.

"Hear me out, please," he pleads.

I look up at him, clenching my jaw before I nod. "Go for it, not that I care. I'm so done," I answer.

It doesn't mean I'll believe him.

Elijah

Her words slice me like a silver knife to the chest. Why does it hurt so much?

Her casual attitude hurts. Does she really not care? Had I imagined the hurt and betrayal in her eyes when she saw me?

"I was set up. I was trying to get them off me." I hate the words that make me sound so helpless leave my lips. "Please don't shut me out, Red. I…" I trail off, my heart thudding when I realise what I almost said.

I feel stunned as I stare into those sage green eyes, the unspoken words ring loud in my head. Fuck, I was going to- fuck, don't think about it.

Her eyes are still callous and I wish I could let her feel what I feel right now. I can feel the anguish of my wolf within me, too. He, too, wants her understanding.

I let go of her face. Her green eyes which can be so expressive are now as empty as glass. She looks away, picking out the shards from her hand, and I gently place a hand on her knee. "He's trying to separate us," I try again, my voice holding a touch of urgency.

I hate that I sound so useless. When had I, a fucking alpha, become this pathetic state of a man? And worse, I don't care. I don't care that I have to swallow my pride. For her I will, but I just wish she realised that I didn't want them next to me.

"He hasn't succeeded, though. We're here being civil and we will see this through," she says lightly. "There, all done."

She raises her hand, watching the tiny cuts begin to heal, giving me a small smirk; one I'm far too familiar with and one I now understand.

"Don't shut me out, Red," I beg softly, my husky voice a whispered plea. The pain in my chest is getting worse. I have never felt fear before, but now I am terrified I am losing her before I even found her. "Please, Red."

I am on my knees by the bed, wishing she gave me a chance, but she doesn't want to listen. She is closing up, and that is messing with my head.

The drugs I had inhaled are clearing up, despite my erection that refuses to go down thanks to whatever they injected me with, although I am in no mood for sex. It's a dark reminder of what they had tried to do.

"I'm not shutting you out. Chill, Elijah. So, here's the plan-" I cut her off, cupping her face, and claim her lips in a soft passionate kiss, but she doesn't kiss me back.

If I cannot get through to her by words, then I will show her physically. I want her to understand how I feel about her, and how she makes me feel. That she is the only one I want.

The fresh, sweet taste of her mouth is perfect. My lips caress hers sensually, trying to express my worry, concern, and regret through this burning kiss. To show her only she matters to me.

Her heart is racing, and she seems to have frozen up in shock, but the moment she seems to gather herself, she pushes me away roughly.

Anger flares up inside of her, her eyes blazing silver and to my shock, she backhands me hard across the face. My head brutally snapping to the side, my eyes flashing with anger and hurt.

I look into her simmering eyes, the pain from her refusal outweighing the pain of her slap.

When I did nothing wrong.

"I. Said. The. Deal. Is. Off. Don't ever try to fucking kiss me again," she hisses venomously. "You are my future Alpha, so I will try to respect you as long as you do not cross the line. Am I clear?"

Pain crushes me and I don't speak, that all too familiar sadness washing over me as I realise it did not work. It was not enough.

My feelings are not enough, are they? Does she really not feel anything for me? Is this it?

A knock on the door interrupts us and I stand up to get it, my heart thundering in my chest as I try to appear in control, especially since I want to kill all these bastards here.

They had played enough fucking games with me. Thanks to them, Scarlett has burned the fragile bridges of trust between us, and they will pay.