Girl Talk

Scarlett

A few days have passed since that day, and things are still tense between Elijah and Dad. Mama spends the days keeping herself busy visiting the pack hospital. Paying visits to the elderly and the newborn pups. Taking clothes and baby products for newborns, and hampers of nuts, dried fruit, and honey for the elderly.

I know it is a way for her to cope with the tension in the house, and I don't blame her.

Each night Elijah and I sleep in each other's arms, the moments between us are not only sexual but every little thing makes me fall deeper in love with him. A love that has surpassed my first love by far. It terrifies me as well as makes me feel incredibly happy.

I am scared that he will one day turn around and call it over. After all, we aren't mates, but at the same time, I can't get enough of him. In his arms, I feel content and complete.

The ever-nearing Blood Moon is like a heavy weight on my shoulders. Several packs will be meeting for the annual mating ball.

This year, it is held at the Shadow Wolves Pack, which is a pack near London. Elijah said the alpha heir was a prick. But from what I know, it's going to be a lavish affair, and all the girls are going all out with extravagant dresses.

The excitement that they may meet their mates and the chatter about the upcoming ball is a constant buzz through the pack. Where I had once sort of looked forward to meeting my mate, I am now dreading him ever appearing before me.

And then there are my people, still waiting for help. That and the mark on my neck are weights on my shoulders.

Elijah had also gotten a replacement SIM and set up a new phone for himself and for me. We did send Candice a message, but we haven't received anything back yet. We are staying positive that she will text soon.

Being marked has changed things. Even though Dad asked a few times about being initiated back into the pack, I refused. I'm not going to agree to it. I will kill Zidane and take his pack from him.

I also still refuse to train with the pack, something Elijah did try to persuade me into, but I am stubborn and have stuck to my guns, forcing him to give up on the issue. Today is also the day we're going out to the club. Elijah was thankfully a lot calmer about the whole Liam complimenting debacle.

Men.

It is now evening, and Angela has dragged me to her house after we had our facials, hair, and nails done.

"Why couldn't I have just got ready at home?" I grumble, dropping onto Angela's silk bed sheets. I won't say it to her, but her brother can be so damn annoying, and he's really grumpy. Luckily he's out, so I guess that's a good thing.

I also miss Elijah like crazy, and I have been getting oddly hot and cold through the day. It is stressing me out.

Some moments I'm feeling ok and the next I feel ill.

"Because you have been a proper cow and not even spent much time with me since you've come home, babe," Angela shoots back, reminding me of the shitty friend I have indeed been. "Now, get your sexy ass up and let's get our make-up done."

"I don't get why we had to get our nails done," I mutter, looking at my matte red nails. Yeah, I like it usually, but today I just feel blue.

"Oh please, Keira is going to be there and so is Fiona and I need to wow a certain Alpha," Angela says, winking at me. I look at her, feeling a twinge of guilt.

"Do you really like him? Like for him? Or just because he's sexy?" I ask, now serious. Angela pauses, turning on her velvet stool and looks at me silently for a second. It is the first time I have ever asked that.

"Well, he's sexy. Glad you're not denying it. But do I like him? Yes, he's an alpha. What woman doesn't want to bed one? We all know that as an alpha, he's probably packing a lot down there. Keira, Fiona and so many women, older and younger than him, all speak so highly of his skills. I just want to bed him once," she admits.

A pang of jealousy claws through me at her words and a stronger bout of hurt follows, thinking of all the women he has indeed fucked. Most of the female population, if they weren't mated, even some of our teachers at school who weren't werewolves. Even though that's messed up, it's the truth. No one could resist him, and he was fine fucking them all.

Elijah did what he wanted, and no one could resist him, but I know there's more to him than just being good in bed. But right now, I don't feel so good talking about his past.

Angela watches me, brushing back a strand of her long dark hair. She stands up and comes over, sitting on the bed opposite me.

"What is it?" she asks, frowning. I blink, shaking my head.

"Nothing… I was just wondering if you liked him or just wanted to fuck him, and I got my answer," I reply with a shrug.

"Well, everyone knows you two are getting on better now, so why not tell him to fulfil this hot girl's wish?" Angela hints, pouting, her large chocolate eyes pleading with me. I look at her sceptically.

"Aren't there rumours around that he has someone?" I ask, standing up and picking up my bag before going towards the bathroom.

"Well, like I said, I only want to have sex with him. I'm not asking for commitment – and this is Alpha Elijah. We all know one woman isn't his thing." Angela's words sting, but I squash the feeling.

"Hmm. Anyway, I'll go get ready." I enter the bathroom and shut the door behind me. Leaning against it, I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

Tonight is the first time we are going out since being together. Will Elijah only have eyes for me? Guess this is the time to find out. I sigh and open my makeup bag, ready to get dressed up for the night.

Half an hour later, I step out into the bedroom, where Angela is walking around in baby pink lingerie.

"So, do you think I look sexy enough for him?" she asks, doing a twirl. Her push-up bra accentuates her boobs and her peachy behind looks damn good.

"Yes, you do," I say, walking over to the hook on the back of the door where I had hung my outfit.

"Great! Fiona said Elijah loves her in pastels. So, I chose pastels." I close my eyes, trying to stay calm, but Angela isn't helping. I have the sudden urge to tell her the truth, but I can't bring myself to. "Scarlett?"

"Sorry, I got distracted." Angela puts down the dress she was about to slip on and walks over to me. "Hey, you're worrying me."

She looks worried too. I told her about Zidane marking me. She's the only one aside from our family and Beta Nick that knows.

"Please speak to me, girl. What's bothering you? You know I'm here for you," she reminds me softly; her large eyes, which now shimmer with smoky silver and black makeup, fill with concern.

"It's nothing, honestly," I reassure her, looking at the white dress she was about to put on. "That dress is gorgeous."

"Thanks," Angela says, cracking a smile. She casts me another glance, but seems slightly concerned still. "So, what are you wearing?"

"Tights, shorts and a crop top," I say, holding my outfit up. Angela pouts.

"That's sexy, but I'm sure the girls will be in dresses…"

"And I don't care," I say.

And I don't care, it's not stupid pastels.

Feeling annoyed at Elijah again, I take my outfit back to the bathroom.

Stripping, I put on my black fishnet tights, leather shorts, a long-sleeved snake print crop top that is tied at the front and pushes my boobs right up. I pair it with matching snake print heeled boots, large earrings, a necklace that falls between my cleavage and a stomach chain.

Glancing at my reflection, I do a slow turn in Angela's floor-length mirror, a confident smile crossing my lips.

I look good and I know it; my hair is styled in loose waves with a side parting. My eyeshadow is soft with dramatic mascara and some liner, with my usual red matte lips that go perfectly with my nails. A skin-coloured plaster covers the side of my neck, hiding the mark. Although the mark still looks as repulsive as it did to start with, it hasn't spread further.

"Now let's see what you think, Elijah," I murmur to myself, about to walk to the door when an excruciating, jarring pain shoots through my body, paralysing me. A scream tears from my lips, the pain blinding me, and I fall to my knees.

The door is thrown open, and it takes me a few seconds to realise Angela is on her knees beside me.

"Babe! What's wrong?! Scarlett!" Panic makes her voice tremble.

I can't move, the pain is making my entire body burn. I feel an odd sensation rush to my core. But as soon as it comes, it is gone. It takes me a second to realise the pain is gone. I gasp for a breath, my eyes flying open. My heart thundering as I take a moment to gather myself.

"Girls! Are you two all right?" Mr Jacobs asks, rushing into the bathroom. Angela must have mind-linked him.

"I don't know! Scarlett screamed and looked to be in pain," Angela explains, near tears, something that is a rare occurrence.

"I'm okay… I just… I'm fine. Don't cry, your makeup will get ruined," I say, taking a deep breath, although I know something is fucked up. Am I getting ill? That is something odd for werewolves, but then again, it could be the mark on my neck too.

"Are you sure, dear? Maybe we should get you to the pack hospital," Mr Jacobs offers, concern clear on his face.

"No, I'm fine, seriously. We should get going, Angie," I say to my friend pointedly.

"Okay, Dad, she just scared the living daylights out of me and now she says she's okay. We'll just go," Angela sighs.

Mr Jacobs helps me to my feet, and I thank him before I glance at Angela, who is extremely excited to hang with Elijah and the others. We never really did this because we never got on. It's crazy how things have changed.

"Come on then, let's go!" Angela says, taking hold of my hand and pulling me down the stairs and out the door.

We're ready to hit the club.