Mates, Love & Problems

Elijah

" E l, as much as you want to throttle me right now, take a look at her," Rafael remarks quietly, making me turn my gaze on Scarlett thinking he's simply trying to distract me until I see her face. My stomach twists at how pale she is.

"Fuck, Red, you okay?" I murmur, cupping her face. She blinks as if in a daze.

"Yeah… I just don't get it. How did his marking me cut my tie to the pack so easily? Yes, it would form a link to him but…" she trails off and I frown.

"He's an alpha. When an alpha marks his – someone, their pack ties are broken by default. Don't worry, we'll get back home and dad can re-initiate you," I explain, changing my sentence mid-way and running my fingers through her silky locks.

"I'll, uh, go get some hot drinks," Rafael offers, swiftly leaving the room. Scarlett closes her eyes, resting her head in her hands.

"I messed up so bad," she whispers. "What will Mama think when she finds out?"

"The good thing is, he broke the bond between them. I know it is in the worst way possible, but once your mate marks you, it'll be gone." The very words feel bitter on my tongue. She looks up at me, hurt flashing in her eyes.

"You're confusing me, Elijah. If my mate marks me then, that's it… we're over. Nothing can remove that mark from my neck," she whispers. "You said you wanted me forever; now you want my fated to mark me? I thought you said you never wanted to let me go? Or was that just in the moment?" I feel a sharp stab of pain at the anger and hate in her eyes as she glares at me accusingly.

"No, I meant it, but maybe… maybe we are mates," I say softly. A hope that I wish could be true now more than ever. She glares at me as she pushes my hand off her.

"Just stop with the stupid games, Elijah. Don't make this more complicated than it already is. One second, you're saying you're serious about me, then you're like yeah, your mate needs to mark you. I'm tired of all of this, Elijah. Just, please go, I want to sleep," she says coldly. She's tired, and she's hurting. I have to remember that even if her words sting.

I fucking love her and I promised myself I will be here for her until the day I fucking die.

"I'm not leaving you, Red, we'll work something out. I fucking promise you. Just stop trying to shut me out." My eyes flash with emotions that I can't put into words. We need to do this together, not apart. She doesn't say anything, simply looking away.

"Fine. Whatever." She lies down on the pillow and turns her back to me. I sigh softly, wishing I was enough to reassure her. I gently pull the sheet over her curvaceous body and place a soft kiss on her neck, not caring about the heat that radiates off her ugly mark.

"Don't," she murmurs, her heart racing. I lift my head looking down at her. She's staring ahead, but even her thick lashes don't disguise the glitter of tears in her eyes.

"Does it hurt when I kiss you there?" I ask gently, caressing her arm. She closes her eyes.

"No… it's actually soothing, but just don't," she murmurs. "It's disgusting and it's ugly to look at, and even worse to touch."

"As long as it's not hurting you, then I won't stop," I answer as I lie down beside her.

She keeps her eyes shut even when I gently slip an arm under her head, the other going around her waist pulling her against me, my lips placing soft, soothing kisses over the mark.

It angers me that I can smell her scent changing as a slightly different scent merges with hers. His. It is subtle as the bond is not complete, and I will never allow it to be, but it's there.

What did he even fucking think would happen? That marking her would somehow give him more strength? More power? Does he think that she will bend to his will?

It doesn't change anything, though. I will end him, even if it is the very last thing I fucking do.

She doesn't really know how to react or to respond. Apart from her whispered confession when we had made love, she's keeping me at a distance, but it's fine. Because when she is ready, I will be waiting.

My lips never leave her neck as I continue to kiss her softly over the burning mark. Hoping it continues to soothe her. Soon her breathing becomes steadier, heavier as she drifts off into a peaceful slumber.

I look over her shoulder, seeing the tear stains on the pillow that she's shed silently.

How much have you suffered because of him?

I gaze at her neck. The marks I left when we made love are all gone. I frown slightly, wondering how deeply Zidane truly abused her. I know Scarlett enough to know that she would hide more than she'd ever let on.

My wolf is still restless, wanting me to go back to the Desert Storm Pack and shred the fucking bastard to pieces. I don't fucking care what happens to me in the process, as long as the fucking monster is sent to the burning pits of hell where he belongs.

There's a light knock on the door and I place one final kiss on her neck. "Enter," I say quietly. The door opens and Rafael enters holding a tray of mugs containing what smells like hot chocolate.

"She's asleep?" he asks.

"Yeah," I answer, shifting my weight so I am leaning against the headboard slightly.

"Maybe it's for the best. She's been through hell. Look, I know you have a lot going on and I'm not judging. I just want to say I'm here whenever you need anything," he offers, taking a seat on one of the chairs after passing me a mug and taking one for himself. I sigh.

"Thanks, man. I owe you a lot. I do need to head out, but it'd be great if we could sign that peace treaty before I leave, as that's what Dad thinks I'm here for. Although he is going to learn the truth anyway."

I am not looking forward to the drama that I know is going to inevitably go down.

Rafael smirks. "Sure thing. I've got the paperwork ready. Are you going to tell your dad about this entire mark thing?"

"Gonna have to, my stepmother's mark vanished," I say, feeling a little resentful, although I know it isn't Jessica's fault. But in a way, I wish she had done more for her daughters.

Rafael nods. "I know it's not going to be easy for you. I mean, stepsiblings? But I've known you for years and you've never treated a girl as good as you treat her. You only show your charm to get into a woman's pants," he says, looking at me, a smirk crossing his lips. "Unless, of course, she is just a booty call. You got others on the side?" A low growl escapes me, my eyes flashing dark cobalt.

"She isn't a fucking booty call."

"My point exactly," Rafael says, gulping down the rest of his hot drink. "I think you two could be mates, though. Regardless of what her messed up dad's done, you'll make it through it. There are less than two months until the Blood Moon. I'm sure it'll bring good news for you both.

I really hope it does. For once I am praying for a mate, for her to be my mate. Not because I will leave her if she isn't, but because I want to remove that mark for her. To claim her as my own.

"What about you, haven't met your mate yet? Didn't your pack elders force you to attend every Blood Moon gathering since you turned eighteen?"

"Yeah, and until this last one, none bore fruition."

"Wait, so you have?"

"Yeah, I have," Rafael admits, sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.

"Oh yeah? So why aren't you marked then? Don't tell me she doesn't want your sorry ass."

"Actually, she does, but it's complicated."

"How exactly? I mean, it can't be more complicated than my situation," I remark humourlessly.

He smirks. "Well, it seems a mission right now, too. But she's sexy as fuck, the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid eyes on, but her family has certain conservative views. According to them, we need to get married before we can mate," he grumbles, and a cocky smirk crosses my face.

"Shame, seems like your in-laws-to-be have already got you under their thumb," I say arrogantly. Rafael sighs.

"Yeah, soon-to-be. I need to prove I'm worthy of her first, but it's worth it if it means I get my princess in the end," he says dreamily.

"So, what does she look like?" I ask, wondering who has been paired with my Italian friend. "My bets are on a dark-haired beauty with large eyes."

He chuckles. "Yep, large grey eyes, gorgeous thick lashes, and she has these plump kissable lips, thick black hair… I'm assuming anyway, she wore a head covering, but she's gorgeous," he says, making my smirk only grow.

"So basically, you've not seen much. Damn, you got to wait, huh?" I tease.

"I don't mind waiting, she'll be worth it," Rafael says, although his displeased pout says otherwise. "Well, get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

"Sure thing. Thanks for the drink. If you fail as Alpha and decide to pass the title to Alejandro, at least you can become a barista. You make a neat hot chocolate." Rafael gives me a frown.

"Yeah, trust me, Alejandro would love that," he says.

"Speaking of, how's he doing?" I ask.

Something flashes in his eyes, and he looks over at me.

"He's alright… he's doing alright… we're going to be alright."

He's telling himself. Not me.

I don't know what exactly his brother's issue is, but Rafael has been put through the wringer thanks to that little shit. I just hope he realises it someday. But somehow, it's also something Rafael never opens up about. Although I know he considers me his friend, he still has his secrets, especially when it comes to his little brother.

"You know, Rafael, you can talk to me too. I don't know what's going on with Alejandro, but you know I'm here, right? Sometimes a problem shared is a problem solved."

He smiles and nods. "Yeah, I know. Everything is good. He just has some anger issues, but we're going to deal with it."

"Yeah, I get it. Hopefully, before he hits eighteen, he fixes up."

"Yeah, I hope so. We have three years and he's a work in progress," he chuckles before hanging his head. "You know, Elijah… do you miss her? Your mom."

"Ah." I nod, for a second wondering who he meant. "Yeah, I do."

He nods. "I miss mine too. Sometimes I wish she was here. She was the calm of this pack. The one who kept Dad in check; she was the one there for me and Alejandro."

Remembering Mom I take a deep breath. "Yeah, I don't think anyone can ever replace a mother. And we only realise that when it's too late. Well, me anyway. That's why, in the future, when I have my own pups, I will expect them to always respect their mother."

But to get her pregnant, we would need to mark one another… I push the thought away as I gaze down at Scarlett.

"I'm with you on that. Well, I'll let you get some rest."

"Yeah. Thanks, Raf."

"Anytime," he says before he leaves the room and I settle down, placing a few kisses on Scarlett's neck. Sighing, I close my eyes, thinking tomorrow is going to be a long day.