The Calm before the Storm

Scarlett

I had woken early. The throbbing in my neck was painful and was resulting in a headache. I close my eyes for a moment, enjoying the arms of the man behind me wrapped around me tightly.

His words, his touch, and everything about him are making me want to break down in his arms and trust him with everything. But I am so afraid of letting my walls down.

How does someone as arrogant as Elijah become this caring, loving person? One that I am falling deeply in love with. The very thought of love makes my heart pound in my ears. I know I do, but to accept it is something else.

I feel tears trickle onto my pillow, his touch so tender, so loving. I am terrified of losing him, but I don't deserve him.

The Moon Goddess probably hates me, anyway. There is no way I will be blessed with such an amazing mate. I will not keep my hopes up. I feel my wolf whimper at the very thought, but this is life. I don't get what I want.

I slip out of bed and, taking some clothes from the suitcase that someone has brought in at some point, I head to the bathroom. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I realise how ghastly I look. My skin looks grey, and the mark looks disgusting. That bastard.

Oh, how I want to kill him. I remember the pain I felt when he bit me, it had been so intense I didn't even realise the spot he had marked me on because it felt like the entire surrounding area was on fire.

I wash my face and hands. As I scrub my neck, I know that I'm being delusional. There's no way I can wash it off, but I still try, unable to stop. I scratch at my neck, my heart thundering as my vision blurs with tears of anger and frustration as I claw at my neck. I keep at it until the soap slips from my hand and I close my eyes, hanging my head.

Why, why me?

Why are you testing me so fucking much? I stare at the ceiling, wishing the Goddess had an answer.

I hear Elijah stirring as he calls me and quickly wash away the blood from my neck and swiftly get dressed in an off-shoulder grey jersey dress that falls to mid-thigh, with knee-high heeled black boots and a red shawl around my neck. I need to keep this monstrosity of a mark covered until we break the news to Mama and Dad.

Taking one final look in the mirror, I step out of the bathroom, promising myself that I will stay strong.

Breakfast passes quickly , one that we have in the packhouse. Elijah had joked that we weren't royal enough to be invited to the Rossi Mansion, which, seeing from afar, did look like a palace built for an emperor or something. But Rafael had laughed it off, saying it was more comfortable here.

I wonder how he lives in that palace-like place with just his brother. He must be lonely.

They were occupied with the treaty paperwork over breakfast, which worked for me since I just wanted to be left alone. I am dreading what's coming, but at the same time I'm preparing for what I plan to do.

The men shake hands and hug before Elijah says we should head out. We leave the packhouse together, the wind blowing sharply around us.

"Well, it was nice having you. I just hope that next time it's a more pleasant visit. Maybe when I bring my Luna home," Rafael says with a smile.

"I will definitely be there," Elijah says, glancing at me. I force a smile before genuinely thanking Rafael.

"Thank you. You put your own men at risk for us. I appreciate it."

"No need to thank me. It was nice meeting you. Elijah here has always been protective of you and never wanted to share anything about you with me. It makes sense now." He winks at me, making Elijah smirk.

"I don't trust hormonal men," he counters.

"And you aren't one?" Rafael asks just as a young man who I instantly realise is Rafael's brother approaches with Elijah's car keys. The Rossi gene is definitely strong.

He's tall, nearly six feet and although he's still young and a lot leaner than his brother, I can see the muscles under his clothes. They have the same tan skin and dark hair, but their eyes… they're different. Completely different. Where Rafael's are playful and warm, Alejandro's are cold, dangerous and dark.

His black hair is slicked back, showing off his pierced ears. He's wearing several necklaces around his neck. His neck and arms are tattooed and, from what I can see, so is his neck, fully, which surprises me, as usually werewolves will leave the place where a mate would mark us empty.

"Done staring? The tank's full," he says, his cold eyes flitting from me to Elijah, his low voice sounding rough as he tosses the keys to Elijah.

"So, this is the devil," Elijah remarks, looking at the boy. Alejandro raises a black brow.

"Even the devil's a fucking angel compared to me." He gives us both a cold glare and walks off after a glance at his brother.

Elijah scoffs. "You definitely have your hands full."

I watch as Alejandro walks off. He pauses as if sensing me watching him and turns his head sharply. A strand of his black hair falls into his eyes, which are rimmed with very thick lashes, but even then, they look no less dangerous. There's a burning cold rage that makes my blood run cold; a darkness that makes me step back. And for a chilling fraction of a second, I think I see his eyes change colour, but that can't be possible. He is only fifteen. He doesn't have his wolf yet.

Elijah places his hand on my back, and I blink, shaking my head. It must have been a trick of the light. This mark on my neck must be making me delusional.

"You ok, Red?"

I nod up at Elijah, but when I turn back, the boy is gone.

"Don't mind him, he's just a moody teen," Rafael says apologetically.

It sure must be rough looking after a brother like that. I shake my head and sigh.

"Well, I sure feel sorry for his mate, and I thought Elijah here was a handful," I say, making Rafael chuckle.

"I am a handful," Elijah remarks, flashing me a smirk that tells me he means something far dirtier.

"I'm sure she'll handle him well. After all, mates are made to complete us, right?" Rafael says and I nod.

"That's true…" I murmur.

The topic of mates is becoming a burden to me. I am terrified of finding mine. Elijah's words from last night echo in my mind. Maybe we are mates? Although I doubt it and I don't want to hope. It's hard.

We bid farewell to Rafael, thanking him for everything before we leave the Black Storm Pack and head home, ready to face the music.

The journey home has been quiet, but not too bad, as Elijah isn't pushing me to talk. He has been able to make me smile a few times, and I appreciate that although he can tell I am stressed and restless, he is still being so damn patient with me.

I keep touching my neck and whenever he asks me if the pain is getting worse, I simply shake my head. He still placed a few kisses on my neck whenever he got the chance, and although I do not admit it, I appreciate his efforts.

Every possible scenario is replaying in my mind and I honestly don't know what to think, not knowing what direction this will go in. I'm preparing for the worst, but honestly all the scenarios are pretty much as depressing as the other and I'm already stressed before we even get to the pack territory.

For the first time, I wish the journey didn't have to end, and that I didn't have to return home. Reality sets in as we arrive home, casting away any hope that there may be a chance for me and Elijah.

There isn't. There can't be. We're stepsiblings.

We pull up outside of the mansion, my heart sinking further, and when he switches the engine off, he turns to me.

"Ready?"

I nod. "Yeah, just watch yourself and be careful. They can't know about us," I murmur as I unbuckle my belt.

"Red, listen." I glance up to see he's frowning.

"I'm not discussing this. I'm sorry. It's not up for debate," I counter firmly.

"Scarlett, I'm serious about you-"

"We're not doing this right now… please. I don't need any more negativity or stress around here than I already get, and I'm about to get a shitload more of it," I state.

He clenches his jaw before he exhales. "Fine," he agrees reluctantly. "For now."

I'll take that. He's stubborn, but right now we need to deal with the crap we are already in. I adjust my shawl, making sure my neck is fully covered and step out of the car.

I've barely shut the car door when the mansion doors are thrown open and Mama rushes out. She runs straight to me, flinging her arms around me and almost knocks me straight into the car behind me.

"Scarlett! Oh, thank Goddess you're okay. I was so scared, I've been feeling so restless. Are you really okay? By the Goddess, I was terrified!" she exclaims, checking my hands and face with worry clear in her eyes.

My breath hitches. This is just the way she used to be when I was a child. The simple move makes my eyes fill with tears.

If only Mama knew my father has once again hurt me, and this time I can't hide it from her.

That's when my gaze falls to Mama's neck, my stomach flipping when I realise that a new mark has replaced Zidane's.

Jackson's.