Heaven’s Missing An Angel

Scarlett

I stare at the door that shut after Indigo; her questions were… strange. Maybe it isn't so strange because she doesn't really share much with me.

Odd…

Shaking my head, I get to work. Once I have the chicken and veg in the oven, I decide to go find Mama since she had wanted to talk to me earlier before everything became a shitshow.

I pull open the kitchen door just as Mama is about to open it. Her eyes widen in surprise as we both jump, not expecting it. She laughs slightly.

"Sorry, I thought I'd come to ask if you need me to make anything," Mama says. Her eyes are bloodshot, and she still looks pretty upset.

"Oh, I'm good, I was actually coming to talk to you," I say, I'm not a person who can talk about things easily, so this isn't going to be easy. "Tea?"

"Oh, that would be lovely. Thank you, Scarlett."

I motion for her to sit at the table as I go put the kettle on. There's a pleasant silence in the room, and I glance at her. "You uh, wanted to talk to me earlier?"

She looks up at me and nods hesitantly. "I did… I just, with everything going on, I don't even know if now is the right time, but it was about the Desert Storm Pack." Her voice becomes a whisper as she glances at the open kitchen window, as if afraid someone will somehow be able to overhear us.

"Sure, Mama, what is it?" I ask, not saying that regardless of what she'll say, I won't change my mind, but she's already not feeling herself. The kettle whistles and I begin making her tea as she sighs.

"He's a monster, Scarlett. He's already marked you. I'm scared that if you do something, he will kill you." Her voice trembles and I glance at her.

"I know he's a monster, Mama. I've seen what he's capable of, I remember it all. He is sick and twisted and pure evil-"

"So, you see why you shouldn't mess with him?" she cuts in, her eyes widening.

"No, that is exactly why I need to do this. What about the people living under his reign of terror? I need to put an end to it. It's my responsibility as Alpha."

"You're a woman, Scarlett."

"So me having a vagina instead of a penis is your only reason to say I shouldn't go?" I ask sceptically as I add a splash of milk and mix her tea.

"We are weaker than men, we-"

"We are as strong. I am as strong, Mama, and I will always continue to protect those who need me, whether that is Indigo, you… or my people." There, Mama, I indirectly told you I tried to protect you, that I know…

I place the mug down in front of her and she stands up, wrapping her arms around me tightly. "I know you are strong. You always have been, but I'm scared. I love you, and I don't know what I would do if something happened to you, Scarlett." She gives me a squeeze and I wrap my arms around her.

"I know, Mama. But I promise I will be ok."

We part, and she searches my eyes for something before she nods. "I need you to be. You know Scarlett, one day, I might not be here, and Indigo will need you."

"She's stronger than you think, Mama. I know you said she's been through more than I have but-"

"I'm a mother, Scarlett, and I truly believe that if you had gone through as much, you would still be stronger because from the moment you were born, I knew you would be strong. Indigo… she's more like…"

You?

"She'll put up a strong front, but she isn't as strong as her exterior." She changes direction and I frown. I see that sometimes too.

"Don't worry, Mama, I will always take care of her, I promise. So will Elijah."

She smiles and nods, about to say something but isn't able to and instead hugs me tightly, her heart racing. I know Elijah's words hurt her, but like always, she'd never voice that.

It is later in the evening, the sun is low in the sky and the smell of the delicious food I've cooked fills the mansion. I have been in the kitchen for a couple of hours before I went to get showered and changed.

I hope this meal will get the family back to some normalcy. Dad hasn't been seen around and the one time he and Elijah crossed paths, the tension was insane.

I hope Grandma Amelia can work some magic with her feisty personality. At the very least, I am hoping the evening will be entertaining.

Scanning the dining room, I make sure everything is in place. I have lit candles along the centre of the table, adding a cosy touch to the room. The sun is beginning to set outside the window, enveloping the room in a warm, red glow. It is not as warm today either. I smile, satisfied with my work, and look in the mirror that hangs above the fireplace.

I'm wearing a halter-neck pale yellow skater dress that falls to mid-thigh. It shows off half of my back and has a corset bodice that only accentuates my breasts. My hair is up in a messy bun atop my head, with a few strands framing my face. I'm wearing large statement earrings, winged liner and red lipstick to finish off my look.

I blush, knowing I dressed up for a certain someone. My eyes fall to my neck, where I have placed a large, skin-coloured plaster over the mark. The foundation does not do much to cover it, so I've had to resort to using a plaster, but it looks better than having the glaring stain blotching my skin.

I tilt my head, doing a little twirl, wondering what Elijah will think of my dress since I rarely wear light colours. I adjust the strap of my dress, smoothing out the creases.

Someone clears their throat, making me twirl around. Dad stands there smiling at me. I am glad to see he is okay and his injuries are mostly healed, but more than that I'm relieved to see him smiling.

"Dad, I didn't see you there!" I say, making him chuckle.

"A girl in love is often lost in daydreams," he teases, making my eyes widen as his words sink in.

"What… love… no…" I mumble lamely, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear nervously. He grins.

"I do know my daughter well enough to know when something's changed. Yellow? It's not a colour you would go for," he says, tugging at my cheek. I frown with a pout.

"Dad, it was in my wardrobe, so technically it is a colour I'd go for."

"Because your mother bought it for you and threatened you if you didn't keep it," he chuckles and I smile softly.

"You have a good memory. Dad… you've always been there for me…" I look down, guilt filling me. How will he take it when he finds out about me and Elijah? Dad senses the change in me and tilts my chin up, fatherly concern in his eyes.

"What is it dear? You know you can tell me anything," he reminds me. I take a deep breath and smile, nodding.

"I know, Dad, but there's nothing to tell," I say, feeling guilty. "I just wanted you to know I appreciate you."

"Of course, my dear. But were you trying to avoid the conversation about love?" he teases, his smile fading when his eyes flicker to the stain on my neck. "I'm sure any man who cares for you would understand the truth behind that mark, and if he doesn't, then he can go rot in hell."

I smirk at that. "That's true, but he's perfect and this mark hasn't deterred him at all," I say softly, making his eyebrows shoot up in surprise. A soft smile graced my lips, and he returns it with one of his own. He pats my arm.

"I'm glad to hear it, I would like to meet this perfect man. I'm assuming he is part of this pack?" he asks.

Oh Dad, don't get your mind working in overdrive. I'm not going to give any hints. So I simply grin.

"Someday…" I reply, my heart skipping a beat. I am sure Dad will not be so understanding once he knows who he is.

"Well, I better go see if your mother's okay," he says. About to walk off, he pauses, his back to me. "Scarlett… do you have a problem with the fact we marked each other? I swear if I knew he had marked you I wouldn't have done it." Guilt is clear in his voice.

I feel a pang of hurt. He has done so much for me and Indigo. How can I ever have a problem with it? I shake my head although he cannot see my gesture, his back tense, as if getting ready for my rejection and disapproval.

"No, I don't. We love who we love and you and Mama deserve this. To be happy and bonded to each other. You've been the father we never had, and the husband and mate Mama deserves," I whisper truthfully.

It hurts me to say it a little, only because I fear where this leaves me and Elijah, but it is still the truth. They found one another first. They are the reason Elijah and I are even alive. If Mama hadn't come here, we would never have met, and that thought alone hurt worse.

Dad turns, his blue eyes sparkling as his lips curl up in a smirk so similar to Elijah's that I can't help but smirk back.

I guess that is one thing I have in common with my mama. We both fell for the Westwood charm.

"Thank you, Scarlett, that truly means a lot," he says, before giving me a nod. "Thank you." I simply give a small smile, watching him leave the room. Sighing, I look at the table, my heart feeling a little heavy. I adjust the placemats that do not need fixing, rearrange the spoons in the sauce dishes, and adjust the candles.

"Heaven is truly missing an angel." Elijah's soft voice comes from the door. I look up, my eyes widening in surprise, and a light blush graces my cheeks as I stand there under his intense gaze, my heart racing. His eyes look slightly dreamy as they roam over me.

"That's so cliché…" I tease. "And I'm no angel." I let my eyes trail over him. He looks effortlessly handsome in a black and white graphic T-shirt, a jacket and torn black jeans, finished with a pair of boots.

Explicit thoughts involving him swim in my head and I sigh. I am definitely not an angel. He walks over to me, his one hand behind his back. He leans down and kisses my matte red lips softly.

"That's true as well. You're my little sexy devil," he whispers. Stepping back, he runs his hand through his lush hair and clears his throat. "So, uh… I saw this outside, and it reminded me of you."

I cock a brow before he sighs, his jaw clenching.

"Saw what? You look… like you really don't want to be here," I add slyly, trying not to smirk.

"Yeah, it's just pretty lame, but here it is." From behind his back, he now holds out a red rose, looking really flustered and uncomfortable. For the first time in my life, I see the Playboy Alpha blush. My own stomach is fluttering like crazy, my heart beating at a fast rhythm as I burn the image of Elijah Westwood giving me a rose into my memories.

"Thank you," I say, a small giggle escaping me. "You look kind of cute blushing."

"I'm not blushing." He frowns at me as I take the rose, but his heart's racing and that look in his eyes tells me he isn't regretting it, no matter how awkward he probably feels.

I kiss the petals softly, brushing my fingers along the stem. He has removed the thorns, too. I gaze up at him, unable to express how much this gesture means to me. Turning towards the mirror, I slip the rose into my bun.

Elijah steps closer, glancing at the open dining room door. He grips my hips and places a soft kiss on my shoulder, looking at our reflection in the mirror. He tilts his head, admiring our reflection.

"It looks even better now. You truly look gorgeous," he whispers, his gaze dipping to my breasts.

"Thanks." I lean into him, for once, not caring about the open door. It is the first gift Elijah has given me and it is clear from his behaviour that he hasn't given another woman something like this before. I step away after a moment, turning and looking up at him. Tiptoeing, I place a soft butterfly kiss on his jaw.

"Thanks…" I say again before I leave the room. Pausing at the door, I cast him one last look and blow him a kiss. I am about to enter the kitchen when the front doorbell rings.

Hurrying over to it, I pull it open, expecting to see Grandma Amelia, but it is Liam who stands there. He looks handsome in black sweats, a fitted black T-shirt and a pair of trainers. His eyes widen as they run over me.

"Wow… you look… breathtaking," he breathes softly, making me tense. It is not the first time Liam has complimented me, but I am not sure it is the right thing to do with Elijah in the other room. He is an alpha and their possessiveness knows no boundaries.

But Liam is one of my favourite people in this pack, so I smile at him. "Thanks. Are you here for Elijah or Alpha Jackson?" I ask, trying to pretend not to notice his gaze is still on me, as if he is seeing me for the first time. Has he always looked at me like that?

"Erm, Elijah. I heard he's back in town and I couldn't get through to his phone and thought I'd invite him in person rather than via the mind-link if he isn't here. A few of us were thinking about hanging Saturday night. You should come too. Fiona, Monica, and a few others will be there."

Fiona...

"Oh yeah, he broke his phone. I'll call him over," I answer.

"Sure, but I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go together? With me?" he asks softly as he leans against the door frame, crossing his arms.

My heart skips a beat, realising he's asking me out. I gaze into those soft brown eyes, ready to decline politely when I hear a low, dangerous growl from behind me. One that makes the hair at the nape of my neck stand on edge.

The warmth of the entrance hall is gone, replaced by the chilling anger that is radiating from a very pissed-off alpha who is standing right behind me.