Chapter29　The Calm Before The Storm

“As much as you want to kill me right now... You should take a look at her.” Rafael said making

Elijah turn his gaze on Scarlett, thinking Rafael was simply trying to distract him until he saw her

face. His stomach twisted when he saw how pale she was.

“Fuck Red, you ok?” He murmured cupping her face, she blinked as if in a daze her head was

pounding at the thought.

“No... How... I don't get it.” She whispered, him marking her couldn't cut her tie to the pack so

easily, yes it would form a link to him but...

“He's an Alpha. When an Alpha marks his- someone, their pack ties are broken by default...

Don't worry, we'll get back home and dad can re-initiate you.” He said changing his sentence mid-

way and running his fingers through her silky locks.

“I'll uh go get some hot drinks..." Rafael said leaving the room swiftly. Scarlett closed her eyes,

resting her head in her hands,

“I messed up, so bad.” She whispered. “What will mama think when she finds out...”

“The good thing is, he broke the bond between them... I know it is in the worst way possible

but once your mate marks you, it'll be gone.” Elijah said, the very words felt bitter on his tongue.

She looked up at him, hurt flashing in her eyes.

“You're confusing me, Elijah... if my mate marks me then that's it... we're over. Nothing can

remove that from my neck...” She whispered, his words confused her. It felt like he was contradicting

his past promises, “I thought you said you never wanted to let me go? Or was that just in the

moment?”

Elijah felt the sharp stab of pain at the anger and hate in her eyes.

“No I meant it but maybe... maybe we are mates.” He said softly, she glared at him pushing his

hand off her.

“Just stop with the stupid games Elijah, don’t make this more complicated than it already is.

One second you're saying you're serious about me, then you're like yeah your mate needs to mark

you. I'm tired of all of this Elijah just please go, I want to sleep.” She said not having the energy to

argue. The pain that was hacking at her chest was only getting worse and she could not cope with

this useless conversation.

“I'm not leaving you Red, we'll work something out. Just stop trying to shut me out.” He said,

his eyes flashing dangerously. She didn't say anything,

“Fine.” She said, lying down on the pillow she turned her back to him. He sighed softly, pulling

the sheet over her curvaceous body. Placing a soft kiss on her neck, not caring for the heat that

radiated off the ugly mark.

“Don't...” She murmured, feeling her eyes sting with tears. The touch of his lips sent a soft wave

of coolness through her.

“Does it hurt?” He asked gently, caressing her arm. She closed her eyes.

“No... It's soothing actually... but just don't.” She murmured, thinking it looked disgusting and

she knew it was radiating an odd heat. “It's ugly to look at, even more to touch.”

“As long as it's not hurting you, then I won't stop.” He said lying down next to her, she didn't

reply wondering how the arrogant Elijah had become this caring loving person. One that she was

falling deeply in love with. The very thought of love made her heart pound in her ears. She knew she

did, but to accept it was something else.

She kept her eyes shut even when he gently slipped an arm under her head, the other going

around her waist pulling her against him. His lips placing soft soothing kisses over the mark

She felt tears trickle onto her cushion, his touch so tender, so loving. She was terrified of losing

him but she didn't deserve him. The moon Goddess did hate her, there was no way she would be

blessed with such an amazing mate... She would not keep her hopes up, she felt her wolf whimper

at the very thought.

Elijah’s lips never left her, the throbbing burning pain easing up under his soft caresses, helping

her drift off into a peaceful slumber. He placed one final kiss on her neck just as there was a light

knock on the door.

“Enter.” He said quietly. The door opened and Rafael entered holding a tray of what smelt like

hot chocolate.

“She's asleep?” He asked.

“Yeah...” Elijah said shifting his weight so he was leaning against the headboard slightly.

“Look, I know you got a lot going on and I'm not judging, I just want to say I'm here whenever

you need anything.” He said, taking a seat on one of the chairs after passing Elijah a mug and taking

one for himself. Elijah sighed.

“Thanks man, I owe you a lot. I do need to head out but it'll be great if we can sign that peace

treaty before I leave.” He said, Rafael smirked.

“Sure thing, I've got the paperwork ready. You going to tell your dad about this entire mark

thing?”

“Guna have to, my stepmothers mark vanished...” He said feeling a little resentful, although he

knew it wasn't Jessica's fault. Rafael nodded

“I think you two are mates though, regardless of what her messed up dad's done, you'll make it

through. I've seen you for years and you've never treated a girl as good as you treat her, you only

show your charm to get into a woman's pants...” He said looking at Elijah, a smirk crossing his lips.

“Unless of course she is just a booty call, you got others on the side?”

A low growl left Elijah, his eyes flashing dark cobalt. “She isn't a fucking booty call.”

“My point exactly...” Rafael said standing up, gulping down the rest of his hot drink. “There's

less than 2 months for the blood moon, I'm sure it'll bring good news for you both.”

Elijah really hoped it did, for once he was praying for a mate, for her to be his mate, not

because he would leave her if she wasn't but because he wanted to remove that mark for her. To

claim her as his own... “What about you, not met your mate?”

“Oh, I have..." Rafael said now scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.

“Oh? And why aren't you marked then? Don't tell me she doesn't want your sorry ass.”

“Actually, she does. She's sexy as fuck and the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid eyes on...

but her family have certain religious views, we need to get married before we can mate.” He

grumbled, making a cocky smirk cross Elijah’s face.

“Shame seems like your in-laws-to-be have already got you under their thumb.” He said

arrogantly. Rafael sighed.

“Yeah, but it's worth it if means I get my princess.” He said dreamily.

“What does she look like?" Elijah asked, wondering who had been paired with his Italian friend.

“Large grey eyes, these plump kissable lips, thick black hair...I'm assuming anyway, she wore a

head covering but she's gorgeous...” He said, making Elijah’s smirk only grow.

“So basically, you've not seen much - damn you got to wait huh?” He teased.

“I don't mind waiting, she'll be worth it.” Rafael said, although he had wanted to mate and mark

her straight away. “Well get some rest see you in the morning.”

“Sure thing, thanks for the drink. If you fail as an Alpha and decide to pass the title to Alejandro

at least you can become a barista,”

Rafael gave him a frown. “Yeah trust me Alejandro would love that.” He said referring to his

temperamental 15-year-old brother. He left the room and Elijah settled down, placing a few kisses

on Scarlett's neck. Sighing he closed his eyes, thinking tomorrow was going to be a long day...

The following day Scarlett was a little quieter, she had slipped out of Elijah’s arms before he

had woken up. Breakfast had been occupied with Elijah and Rafael talking about the treaty and

signing it.

Scarlett and Elijah were now ready to head back home. Something they were both not looking

forward to for different reasons.

Scarlett was wearing an off-shoulder grey jersey dress that fell to mid-thigh, with knee-high

heels black boots and a red shawl around her neck. She would have to keep her mark covered until

they broke the news to their parents.

Rafael followed them out the packhouse, just as his brother approached with Elijah’s car keys.

He was tall - near six feet and a lot leaner than his brother. His cold dark eyes were opposite to

Rafael's warm ones. His black hair was sleeked back, showing off his pierced ears. He wore several

necklaces around his neck. His neck and arms were tattooed and from what Elijah and Scarlett could

see so was his neck, something which surprised them both as werewolves usually left the place

where a mate would mark them, empty.

“Done staring? The tanks full.” He said, his low voice sounding rough as he tossed the keys to

Elijah.

“So, this is the devil.” Elijah said looking at the boy. Alejandro raised a black brow.

“Even the devils a fucking angel compared to me.” He said, giving them both a cold glare he

walked off after a glance at his brother.

Scarlett watched the boy walking off, he paused as if sensing her watching him and turned his

head sharply. A strand of his black hair falling in his eyes that were rimmed with very thick lashes,

but even then, they looked no less dangerous. He gave her a cold glare making her heart rate spike.

For a moment she thought she had seen his eyes change colour but that wouldn't be possible, he

was only 15, he didn't have his wolf yet. She shook her head thinking it must have been a trick of

the light. She looked back and the boy was gone.

“Don’t mind him, I'm just hoping it's a phase...” Rafael said bringing her out of her thoughts.

Scarlett sighed.

“I feel sorry for his mate...” She said, Rafael chuckled.

“I'm sure she'll handle him well, after all, mates are made to complete us, right?” He said softly.

Scarlett nodded.

“That's true...” She said. The topic of mates was becoming a burden to her, she was terrified of

finding hers. Elijah’s words from last night echoed in her mind, perhaps they were mates? Although

she doubted it.

They bid farewell to Rafael, thanking him for everything before they left the Black Storm Pack

and headed home, ready to face the music..0000