A Playboy Never Changes

Scarlett

I ndigo's shriek makes me flinch as she suddenly appears out of nowhere and lunges onto Elijah's bare back and kisses his cheek. "You're home!!! Ahh, you're home! Finally!"

"Yeah, and I'll probably be deaf if you continue to scream in my ear!" Elijah teases with a smile that's always reserved for her as he cups her behind her knees to carry her piggyback style.

"Oh, it's okay. I'm sure you'll still be loved even if you do go deaf. The entire female population of the pack has been waiting for your return. I heard that the salons around here were all full of she-wolves getting their hoo-has waxed," Indigo whispers loudly, making Elijah smirk and the other two try to hide a chuckle as Dad shakes his head.

He knows how loved his son is by the women, but whether he approves or not, Elijah wouldn't listen, anyway.

"Oh yeah? Well, the only girl I was looking forward to seeing again was my little sister," Elijah replies, making Indigo grin, and I can't help but roll my eyes at them, catching the attention of Indigo. She narrows her eyes suspiciously, glancing down at me, and I'm already prepared for her snarky comment when she simply frowns. "Hey witch, why do you have blood dripping down your leg?"

I look down as all eyes turn on me and see the trickle of blood dripping down my waist. I glance up, my eyes locking with Elijah, who looks away for a second before glancing back at me.

"Oh, I hurt it a little when we had the run-in, but I'm completely fine," I reassure them, fumbling over my words, hoping Dad bought it.

"Oh, that's not good, dear. How did you even manage to get hurt? Elijah, you were with her. Why weren't you able to protect your sister? That was irresponsible of you." Dad's tone is almost accusatory, but I know it's just the worry as he quickly scoops me up bridal style. Elijah frowns, his jaw ticking, but he refuses to answer his dad.

"I'm fine, Dad, really! I can walk!" I exclaim, but he's not having it. I glance at Elijah, who is frowning.

"Let's get you home quickly."

"Daddy's girl," Indigo mutters as Dad hurriedly breaks into a run. Leading the way down the winding path and through the trees. The slightly cloudy skies can be seen through the treetops.

My wound is almost healed. I should have just been careful about that cut. Fuck.

"She really is an attention seeker," Elijah murmurs.

"She's hurt, El," Liam reminds him softly.

"She's fine," Indigo insists. "Just ignore them, Elijah. She's just a spoiled brat."

I glare at them, urgh, I have the most annoying sister in the damn world.

"Let's see who gets to the house first. I think I can't handle being around a certain someone for even a little longer," Elijah says, breaking into a run and rushing past us with Indigo on his back. She sticks her tongue out at me as she passes, before the other two boys run after them, leaving me slightly behind them with Dad.

Dad shakes his head. A sharp wind blows, messing up our hair. I shake my head, brushing a few strands of my hair off my face.

"Just try to ignore those two," Dad sighs. "I thought you and Elijah may have been putting your differences aside, seeing how well you were getting on earlier, but it seems not."

"That won't ever happen," I scoff. "Besides, I don't care. They're as annoying as each other. I'm happy if they just stay out of my way."

"I can have a word with Elijah if-"

"No, thanks," I cut in firmly as we cross the green fields and approach the woods that surround the small pack village area. Dad chuckles as he agrees reluctantly. We pass by the familiar cottage, one that always felt so welcoming. The delicious smell of cinnamon tea reaches my nose. If I wasn't bleeding and barely wearing anything, I may have just stopped by.

Grandma Amy's tea is the best. She's one of my favourite people and also Dad's aunt. She was married to his father's brother.

I love this entire woody place, maybe because this was where we were found when we first trespassed into the pack territory, the place where our new future began.

"You three siblings. What can I say? You are all so headstrong." Dad's voice reaches my ears, bringing me from my thoughts.

I don't reply, feeling a sense of guilt inside of me. Three siblings? But I don't think of my stepbrother in a brotherly way at all. And the sad truth is, if I had thought things were going to be different, they aren't. Those feelings haven't gone away, they have just returned with great vengeance – stronger than ever.

It's later in the evening and after I had gotten checked over by the pack doctor, who Dad had asked to come to our home, I was told to rest for a bit. Mama wanted my help, but Dad said he'd help her and to let me rest. I didn't complain. I needed some alone time after that crazy afternoon.

I could hear Elijah and the boys downstairs, occasionally breaking into obnoxious laughter.

Boys…

They're so damn loud.

I've now showered and pulled on some black lingerie, black leggings, and a purple V-neck t-shirt. I'm not in the mood to look pretty or dress up. I feel… I don't know how I feel.

I can smell the freshly cooked chicken, spiced roasted potatoes, southern fried chicken strips and much more. Mama really did go out of her way to welcome home her precious stepson. Not that Elijah cares for her. I doubt he'll even appreciate the meal.

The weather outside is no longer sunny, instead it's pouring down and the smell of the wet earth and the pattering rain smells good. The joys of British weather, but I don't really mind it. I love it when it rains and the smell of the earth. Nothing comes close. Although I prefer to be inside when it's raining, I might go for a run tonight if the rain clears up. I frown, or not. Not after what happened back then…

Fuck it.

I hear the wooden floorboards creak outside my bedroom. Someone is going down the hall. That's the downside of an old-built home. It's all creaky. It is a large house, the largest in the territory, with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office, two lounges, a game room, a gym in the basement, a kitchen, and a dining room. It is a nice old, English-style brick building with dark-framed windows. Cosy and perfect.

When I'm alone at home, anyway.

"Oi, Scar! Come, make your mighty presence known at Simba's coronation!" Indigo shouts, and I close my eyes, exhaling as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"Shut the hell up, Indy!" I snap back. She really irks me with all the stupid nicknames she has for me. I swear she gets away with way too much!

"You know if you got hurt on your face today you would have looked even more like Scar." Indy's taunting voice comes through the door before she cackles and runs off down the hall.

"Breathe," I tell myself.

So is my man back? Angela, my best friend's voice, comes through the mind-link.

Great, just what I needed right now.

Yes, he is, and no you can't come. We're having a family dinner, I grumble. It has been a struggle to stop her from coming over.

Touché, you do not sound happy. Has he been a jerk to my baby girl again?

Surprisingly, not too bad, but he's busy with his boys, so I'm enjoying the peace and quiet. Anyway, I got to go. I bid her farewell before ending the mind-link, exiting my room after donning a pair of black block heels.

I don't like being barefoot and although Indy always said it's because I'm a midget, something I vehemently deny, deep down it kind of is the reason. I'm the shortest one around here. It's rare to find a short she-wolf.

I walk down the stairs, wondering why it's so quiet again. Were the boys already scoffing their faces? My fingers brush the dark wooden stair rail as I head downstairs, but come to a stop when I see the front door standing wide open.

A strong draft of cold air is destroying the warmth of the house, and the sweet scent of Fiona Williamson is overpowering the pleasant smell of the wet earth. She's standing there, leaning sexily against the door frame, in a pose she's definitely taken hours to perfect, dressed in a white leather miniskirt, a pale pink peplum blouse with a white jacket on top, and her long tan legs on display.

I can't deny that she is gorgeous. She's twenty-one like Elijah, standing at five feet, eight inches, with her long gorgeous brown waves and those big hazel eyes.

Totally Elijah Westwood's type.

Speaking of the devil he's towering over her, his arm resting above her head against the door frame, a sexy killer smirk on his face, obviously flirting with her. A pang of jealousy shoots through me, a dull ache echoing in my heart. I frown slightly, averting my gaze and continue down the stairs turning towards the kitchen, refusing to give him another second of my attention.

"Oh, hey, Scarlett," Fiona's voice comes, making me stop in my tracks. I close my eyes trying to calm my emotions as I slowly turn towards them, taking a deep breath before I plaster a big fake smile on my face.

I can feel his eyes on me, burning into me, but I try to ignore him. For a second, I see his gaze flick over me before he turns away.

"Oh, hey, Fiona. I didn't see you there," I lie, making Elijah raise an eyebrow, disbelief written across his face.

"Really? She's hard to miss, Red. Especially when she's so damn gorgeous that no one can miss her presence," he remarks, giving her another sexy smirk. Fiona blushes, patting his chest playfully and I almost gag, rolling my eyes instead.

Gross.

"Yeah, I know she's gorgeous, but how could I see her tiny frame when your big fat ass was blocking my view?" I retort, making Fiona try to hide a smile but fail.

My words don't phase him at all. "This ass is far from fat, wouldn't you agree, Fiona?" he asks flirtatiously as he plays with a strand of her long brown hair.

"Definitely, it's anything but fat," she answers, blushing.

"Awe, how cute," I say sarcastically. "Well, as much as I would just love to stay and chat, this much sweetness makes me nauseous, no offence Fiona. Besides, I really don't want to discuss Elijah's ass, it's traumatic. I'm really hungry." I just want to get away from the two of them. I cross my arms under my breasts as Fiona laughs.

"Yeah, you should go eat. I can tell you love your food. Speaking of asses, yours is definitely not all muscle," Elijah taunts mockingly.

"Shut up, Elijah." I'm about to turn when Fiona speaks.

"Nice seeing you, Scarlett. I won't keep you guys. Dinner seems to be ready. You guys have fun with your family. You deserve it after so long apart." Fiona places a hand on Elijah's arm.

"Mm..." I reply, trying not to pay attention to her hand. I need to get over myself and remember he's my stepbrother. I turn and storm off towards the kitchen, the warmth and glow reminding me that there's a lot more to life than stupid cerulean-eyed playboys.

Elijah snickers. "Someone's pissed off."

"Be nice to her, Elijah," Fiona cajoles.

I ignore them, wanting to block them both out, and I wish I could because what they say next feels like a punch in the gut.

"So, I'll see you tonight?" she adds in a much softer, yet flirtier tone.

"Sure, see you tonight. Make sure you leave your window open," he whispers seductively in her ear. I hear the sound of a peck and try not to think about it but I'm unable to stop myself glancing back.

He's watching her walk off, his head tilted as he checks her ass out.

I swallow hard, refusing to let my emotions get in the way of our evening.

Yeah, not today.