Chapter 8: Chapter 8

SCARLET

“Who is it?” Instead of a response, the door slowly swings open to reveal my mate.

I’m on high alert when he walks in and points to the empty tray of food. “I’m glad you ate. I hope you enjoyed it.”

“Well after being starved, I probably would have enjoyed almost anything!” I see him wince at my words, maybe he did feel bad.

His low voice growls out, “I see you haven’t calmed down yet.”

A loud, incredulous laugh bubbles up as I throw my head back and cross my arms protectively. “Just yesterday I was being mercilessly whipped into unconsciousness. And you expect me to calm down in a matter of hours?”

His jaw and fists clench as he tries to hold back his anger. I find it ridiculous. He has no right to be angry.

He wasn’t the one that was imprisoned, tortured, and interrogated like a criminal.

He marches up to me, startling me. I instinctively step back and run into the bed.

He’s now right in front of me, his warm breath on my face. “Wh-what are you doing?” I stutter out, my brain going on the fritz at the sudden closeness of my mate.

He stares down at me, his blue eyes piercing my soul. A shiver runs through me as I try to calm my erratic heart.

I fight the urge to lean closer to him and feel his warmth against me. Damn mate bond. I put my hands on his chest and try to push him away. I need more space so that I can think with a clear head, but he doesn’t budge.

“I told you earlier that we need to talk,” he says in a low and seductive voice. He raises a hand, pinching a lock of my vibrant red hair in his fingers and twirling it around. “You can’t avoid me forever, Scarlet. We’re mates.”

“Mates? Mates don’t let each other be tortured,” I scoff as I swat his hand away from me with a scowl.

I can’t get the image of him walking away from me after I was brought down to the dungeon out of my head. He didn’t even spare me a backward glance. He was so cold and uncaring. And now what? He wants to play the mate card?

He quickly grabs my wrist, sending the irresistible tingles running through me, and my breath catches for a second. “My men are dead, Scarlet. Don’t you have anyone in your life that you would torture someone for to get answers about their death?” he asks seriously.

My mind jumps to Jo and Will. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to them.

I shoot him a glare and yank my hand away. The more my body yearns for him the more irritated I’m getting.

“I don’t even know your name. How do you expect me to trust you?”

He takes a step back, and his husky voice comes from above my head as he answers, “I’m Alpha Ethan Kane.”

My whole body quivers, and my breath hitches. I gulp the air back down as I nod, trying to get a handle on my chaotic emotions.

This can’t be happening. I’ve heard so many stories about the merciless Alpha Ethan Kane. After what he put me through, his own mate, I’m guessing most of the stories are true.

I clench my fists and jaw, my muscles tensing, and many thoughts race through my head. I can’t stay here. I can’t be with someone that’s capable of such horrible things.

I take a moment to compose myself and find my resolve, closing my eyes and slowly inhaling deeply before letting it out. As soon as I have calmed myself down, I turn to him and look him dead in the eyes.

“I, Scarlet Denton from the packless, reject you—” I begin, but he approaches me in one large stride, grabs my elbows, and pulls me close so that our noses are mere centimeters apart.

“No.”

I stare up at him for a moment, startled, searching his eyes as though they will give me answers. His eyes darken, and it seems like his wolf is trying to come to the surface.

Anger seems to be rolling off him in waves as he holds me close enough to him that I can feel his shallow breath on my face. “What do you mean no? Why not?”

~How can I be with someone who would treat me so horrendously? Why won’t he let me reject him?~ His gaze drops, and his eyes move like he’s desperately thinking for an answer.

“Tell me, Ethan! Why not?” I urge, my heartbeat thundering against my rib cage, waiting for his reply.

“I know you feel it too. The mate bond. Scarlet, I felt everything when you were down there. I felt your pain. But I have a duty to my pack. You know why I didn’t come down to see you or question you myself? It’s because I wouldn’t have been able to. As an alpha, I have to make hard decisions. And as a luna, you will too.”

“Luna? No way. I reject—”

“No.”

“Will you stop fucking cutting me off?” I yell, losing the last bit of patience that I managed to maintain.

He responds calmly, “No, I won’t stop cutting you off.”

The bedroom door slams open, and Alex rushes in. “Ethan, we need you downstairs, like, now.”

“Shit.” Ethan’s body stiffens, and he turns back to me. “Look. You’re not my prisoner anymore. But I want to continue this conversation. I’d like you to stay.”

I simply nod as I process everything happening and watch as Ethan and Alex run out of the room.