Chapter65　Acceptance

“Please Papa! Please don't!” A child's voice shrieked in horror. Elijah frowned, what was this? He

looked around; he was in some sort of room, a garage. There were tools and weapons around the

side and a table with dry bloodstains in the middle. His attention fell to the man he recognised, who

was smashing a child's head into the floor repeatedly. Anger blazed through him as he ran over

making to grab the man only for his hand to go right through him. He tried again but it was futile,

was this a dream? Looking at the child who was covered in so much blood, her tiny hands clawing at

the monster's wrist. Elijah backed away his heart thudding, realisation hitting him hard.

This was not a nightmare, it was a memory. Scarlett's memory. He watched helplessly as Zidane

dragged her by the hair across the room, picking up a large jug of liquid and stepping back flung it

over the little girl. Her screams pierced Elijah’s heart, the colour draining from his face as he ran to

her side, feeling his eyes sting with desperation. Wolfsbane burnt her skin as she writhed on the

floor, he tried to grab her, but his hand simply went through her.

“Bastard.” He growled looking at the man who was watching the child, his head tilted to the

side with a manic glint in his eyes as he watched the wolfsbane burn her. After a few moments of

watching he turned and left the room, leaving the child on the floor. Elijah watched her, wishing he

could give her some sort of support as she writhed in agony before him. The pain in his chest was

too much, why hadn't he been there for her? Why did she have to go through this?

“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." He whispered to the child who could not hear him as she writhed and

whimpered on that cold hard floor.

«__lijah! Elijah!”

His eyes flew open, his heart thudding in his chest, looking at Scarlett in the dim light of the

first rays of dawn that peeked through the crack in the curtains. He looked her over bolting upright,

his hands running down her arms. She was ok. She was here. Concern flooded her face as she

cupped his face.

“Elijah... are you ok?" She asked, sensing his fear, anger and pain. He didn't reply, pulling her

into his arms tightly. She didn't speak, too confused to say anything, his racing heart scared her.

“How did you survive it all?" His voice was barely above a hoarse whisper. Scarlett froze

realising what happened, she had been having a nightmare, she had learned to become immune to

them. Guilt twisted in her stomach, she had marked him and now he had to see all that. It was

something she hadn't wanted anyone to ever know the extent of... He stroked her hair, moving her

back so he could see her face.

“Hey, hey don’t think like that and don't you ever feel guilty.” Elijah growled. “That bastard is

going to fucking die and I swear I'm going to put him through hell.”

She didn’t say anything, unable to think what she could possibly say that would comfort him.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and he slowly lay back, taking a deep breath.

“I'm sorry.” She whispered, he kissed the top of her head rolling on his side and pulling her

completely against him.

“Like I said don’t ever apologise.” He said placing another kiss on her cheek, she had nothing to

apologise for. Inhaling her scent that now held a little of his he tried to calm his raging emotions.

“Go to sleep sweetheart.”

She nodded resting her head against his chest, his arm underneath her head and closed her

eyes. Wishing she could somehow block those horrible memories from him. It wasn't the worst

memory, there was so many that were a hundred times worse... She didn't sleep, letting him fall

asleep first, scared that another nightmare might disturb him so she stayed awake despite how tired

she felt.

And only when his phone rang in the morning and Elijah woke up did Scarlett let herself catch a

quick nap, telling him to shower first. Promising herself she wouldn't let him carry her burden for

her...

It was much later and they were about to head back, a lot of their pack members had found

mates and Elijah was organising exactly who was returning and who was going straight to their

mate's packs. The only female not to go with her mate was Angela. Liam and Fiona had not found

their mates. The other wolves had been shocked to find out Scarlett and Elijah were mated, and

some had been even more surprised they didn't reject each other.

Scarlett walked over to Angela who seemed lost in thought.

“Hey, you ok?” Scarlett said to her, a smile crossed her face but Scarlett knew her better than

that.

“Of course I am!” She said tossing her hair. She looked at Scarlett's neck seeing her mark and a

genuine smile crossed her face. “That mark is gorgeous!”

“Thanks, it feels good to have that horrible mark gone.” Scarlett said running her finger along

her mark, a soft smile crossed her lips and her stomach fluttered remembering hers and Elijah’s

night.

“I'm happy for the both of you.” Angela said, Scarlett gave her a gentle smile.

“Cassandra seemed like a nice lady.” She said quietly.

“Hmm guess so...” Angela said. “I don't know... Anyway enough about me.”

Scarlett didn't push it knowing she didn't want to discuss it. Just then Elijah came over

wrapping his arms around Scarlett's waist from behind and kissed her neck.

“I want Angela to come with us.’ Scarlett said through the link.

“Sure sweetheart.’ Elijah replied glancing up at Angela. “I'll get Liam to join us, you should too.”

“Really like you don't mind me tagging along considering you two.. you know.. might want to

be alone?” Angela said. Elijah looked at her, his head now resting on top of Scarlett's head

“I can share, now that I know she’s mine forever.” He said making Scarlett smile slightly

knowing he was doing it for her.

“Ok great!” Angela said. Elijah looked over at Liam who was about to get into one of the other

cars.

“Join us, since we've got a third wheel anyway.’ He said through the mind link. He felt a little

bad that he hadn't found his mate. Liam looked at him, seeing how happy Scarlett looked in his

arms, feeling a pang of sadness but he simply nodded grabbing his bag and made his way over to

them.

They all got into Elijah’s car, with Liam and Angela in the back.

“I wonder how your mum and dad will be?” Angela said once they were out of London and on

the motorway.

“Too bad, we're mates; I want to see exactly what he does now.” Elijah said his eyes flashing.

“Elijah... let's try sorting stuff out.” Scarlett said.

“Does anyone know you two are mates?” Liam asked.

“Back home? Yeah, Keira announced it to the world so I'm guessing everyone knows and Indy

was going crazy on text.” Elijah said. Scarlett raised an eyebrow.

“She sent me one and it said congrats! He's my brother only now...” She said making Elijah

smirk.

“Never considered you my sister from the start.” He said.

“Ouch!” Angela said as the couple in front kissed. Sighing softly, she sat back.

Liam looked over at her, thinking it must be pretty daunting for her. They all fell silent listening

to the music that was playing, and Scarlett rested her head back ready to sleep since she hadn't in

the morning and Elijah answered a pack work call with his earpiece. Liam took the chance to mind

link Angela.

You know, I know she wasn't what you were expecting but did you not feel attracted to her?’

“l did, I mean it's something I've never considered so I just need time. How do you feel? That

you didn’t meet your mate?” She asked through the link. Liam looked out the window at the passing

cars, sighing.

“In a way I'm glad, I'm not ready to accept someone when I love someone else. I think it's for

the best. So, when the time comes and I meet her, I can be the mate that my mate can be proud of

but now isn't that time.’

Angela didn't say anything, his words echoing in her mind. She did feel bad for him and she

hoped one day she'd have the answer she was looking for also hoping Liam had a mate who would

love him unconditionally.

They had dropped Liam and Angela off and now just got home. Elijah smirked before he

reached over and kissed her in the entrance hall. The smell of fresh homemade chips and charcoal

chicken wafted through the air, reminding them both of Jessica's amazing cooking.

“Let's get to this.” He said mockingly.

“Elijah seriously, don't make things worse.” Scarlett said quietly, just as Indigo came running out

from the kitchen.

“Guys!” She said rushing at Elijah and giving him a big hug. “Congratulations!”

Scarlett crossed her arms watching as Elijah spun her around grinning. “I got my girl, right?"

Indigo nodded, high fiving him when he put her down.

“What was I, a prize to be won?” Scarlett said narrowing her eyes. The two smirked at her.

“A lot more than just a prize sweetheart.” He said wrapping an arm around Scarlett's waist and

pulled her close. Indigo wrinkled her nose as she watched them kiss.

“That's still gross...” She mumbled.

Elijah was about to speak when Jessica and Jackson stepped out of the kitchen. The tension

between father and son was strong. It was Jessica who made the first move, stepping forward she

hugged Scarlett tightly, proud to see her father's disgusting mark gone from her neck.

“I'm so happy you two are mates.” She said softly but still loud enough that everyone in that

hall could hear.

“Thanks mama.” Scarlett said, happy to hear those words. Jessica stepped back and looked at

Elijah, who now turned his gaze to her. She gave him a smile which he returned, accepting her

embrace.

“I know you will take care of her.” She said quietly.

“Obviously.” He replied, now looking back at his dad. “So Alpha Jackson, she turned out to be

my mate. Her mark should be clear proof of that, want to make sure it's real?”

Jackson looked at his son, frowning deeply. Deep down he knew that he was the one in the

wrong. The two of them were destined to be together but to admit that wasn't easy. He clenched

his jaw looking between them.

“I don't need anything to be proved... it seems you two are mates...” He said.

“So, when will the two of you divorce?” Elijah asked raising his eyebrow, making Scarlett frown.

“No one is divorcing and no one is taking away anyone's position. Dad please, you said you

would try before you even knew we were mates.” She said softly, remembering their conversation in

the kitchen.

“I did...” He said curtly. Elijah frowned.

“So shouldn't you at least admit you were wrong or apologise?” He asked coldly. Jackson's eyes

flashed.

“I'm still your father boy.”

“It's the only reason I'm holding my anger back. You threatened to strip me of my Alpha

position for your own ego so now I want to know, since we're mates, what will you two do?”

“Elijah we-" Jessica began but Elijah raised a finger stopping her, his eyes not leaving his father.

“I wouldn't have had a problem whether we were mates or not. Maybe you should take out the

stick that's shoved up your ass and accept you were fucking in the wrong.” He said coldly. Jackson

frowned clenching his jaw.

“Fine. I may have been but I will not apologise. We will hold the Alpha ceremony a month from

now. Once we have dealt with Zidane and his pack.” He said nothing more, turning and heading

upstairs. Elijah simply frowned coldly, he knew he wasn't going to get an apology from the man but

he wouldn't make it worse for the three females who were watching him. Different emotions in all

their eyes.

Jessica looked guilty and sad, Indigo looked worried and Scarlett was frowning deeply. Elijah

looked at Jessica, despite everything she had been supportive. It was high time he spoke to her one

to one...

“Can I have a word?" He asked, a small frown on his face.

Jessica nodded looking at her daughters. “You two can go in, get the drinks on the table in the

meantime...”

The girls nodded, heading to the kitchen and Elijah walked towards the lounge. Once inside

Jessica shut the door after her, looking at her stepson who was now running a hand through his

hair.

“I won't drag this out. I've never seen you as a mother, although you were there for me growing

up, No one can replace mom.”

Jessica nodded looking down at her hands. She had tried to win his love but it seemed she

hadn't been enough. His words were cold and emotionless, it would be a lie to say they did not hurt

her.

“It doesn't mean I don't think of you as family. I appreciated what you did for dad, for me -

heck I got a little sister too. But growing up Scarlett was someone I never could treat the same way

as Indigo and I think it was the reason I became angrier with everything. When she called dad “dad’

it irritated the hell out of me. Maybe it was the bond or my feelings for her that I never realised, I

don't know. I just want to say I don't regret the fact dad married you, for him bringing you here. I

know I come off like I don't care at times... but I just wanted to let you know that I do consider you

family.” He finished, shoving his hands into his pockets as he looked at his shoes.

Jessica smiled gently, his words warming her and any doubtful thoughts she had were gone.

She brushed away her tears that she didn't even realise she had and stepped forward cupping

Elijah’s face.

“Hearing that means more than I can ever express. Thank you.” She said softly pulling him

down, placing a kiss on his forehead. Elijah gave her a hug, thinking he was glad he had told her

how he felt. Some relationships didn't need a title and this was one of them. She would never

replace his mother but she was the closest thing he had to a mother figure and he did love her even

if he could never say it.

“Well, we better get to the kitchen before my chicken gets burnt!” She said smiling. Elijah

smirked.

“Or it's all eaten, especially with the way those two eat.” He said making her chuckle as they

both headed back to the kitchen just as Jackson was coming down the stairs with Scarlett. The four

exchanged looks, the men simply looked away haughtily whilst the women smiled. Things were

going back to normal, even if it was a little by little.00