Chapter73　A Traitor

They had arrived home late at night and although they didn't get much rest after discussing

things with Jackson, they had squeezed a few hours in. Elijah had called a mass pack meeting for the

following morning. There were some people exempt from it, mostly those in mourning. Although

Jackson wanted to know the reason, he refused to say anything.

They now were sat around the kitchen table; the sun was barely up in the sky. Being back made

everyone think of Liam, right about now he would be training the first group of warriors. Scarlett

wanted to visit his parents as well, which she would do whilst Elijah had his meeting. The pain of his

loss was hitting her harder than she had thought it would.

“I'm going to go shower, I'll be right back.” Scarlett said standing up, she bent down cupping

Elijah’s jaw as she kissed him before leaving their parents and Elijah alone.

“Dad as you know, we need someone to overlook things with The Desert Storm Pack and we

can all agree Scarlett suffered the most there. So, I think you and Jessica should do it. It'll only take a

few months. I'll handle things down here while you're gone. I think you can at least do that much for

all the shit you gave us.” Elijah said looking at his father, a frown on his face.

Jackson frowned deeply knowing he had a point about Scarlett but did not appreciate the rest

of his comment. He sighed heavily gritting his teeth, knowing Elijah was right though.

“Fine I get it, I messed up. You two are mates. I'm not against you two being together now so at

least drop the snarky comments Elijah.” He said frowning at his son, wondering how did their

relationship turn so hostile?

“You mean we aren't against the two of you, you're not doing us a favour here. We are mates.”

Elijah said coldly. Jackson massaged his temples.

“Ok, I'm sorry alright?” He said in defeat, looking at his son. Elijah frowned but gave a curt nod.

“I'll accept it for now, but you should go up north. The pack knowing Jessica as well might help

a little.” He said curtly. “And since you are the Alpha start initiating them into our pack.”

“Is Scarlett waiting until everyone is settled then joining again?”

“Yeah, she gets she can't just break the link to her pack when they've already been through hell

and until they're initiated. We can't risk a mass pack of rogues on our hands.” Elijah said. Jessica

nodded.

“That makes sense but she'll feel each snap of a pack member leaving The Desert Storm.” She

said concerned.

“I'm a strong woman mama. I can handle it.” Scarlett said re-entering the kitchen, her sweet

intoxicating hitting Elijah strongly mixed with her body wash and shampoo, she smelt beyond

divine.

He pulled her into his lap, taking in how gorgeous she looked in her oversized black jumper

dress. Her wet hair was left open and she wore no makeup, still looking as breath-taking as ever.

Her stomach fluttered when he kissed her passionately, making tingles ripple through her. Desire

growing within her she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder to

calm her erratic heartbeat. Whilst Elijah smirked, his hand slipping under the hem of her dress,

stroking her thigh which only made it harder for her.

Jessica looked at them, glad that her daughters’ mate was not an abusive man. “Well since that

is sorted, I will go pack. We will leave right after the funerals.” She said looking at Jackson with

finality. He nodded and she left the room.

Just the reminder made Scarlett lift her head. They would be having the combined funeral the

following day and she was dreading facing every one of the lost pack members families.

“Care to share what your meeting today is for?” Jackson asked.

“There's a traitor amongst us, did Alpha Daniel really not say anything?” Elijah said as Scarlett

frowned.

“No, and I'm sure if there was, don’t you think he would have?” Jackson said, Scarlett nodded in

agreement.

“Only if there wasn’t something in it for him. It's a shame you don't let me tear him apart for

what he did.” Elijah growled.

“You know the rules Elijah, we can't mess with another's pack. His allies are already isolating

him, that is enough.” Jackson said standing up. “Let's get to this meeting and put your mind at rest.”

Elijah said nothing, he knew he was right. He would get his answers soon enough.

“I'll see you later.” Scarlett said before giving him a long passionate kiss, making Jackson shake

his head and leave the room first. Elijah pulled her close, making her shift in his lap until she was

now straddling him.

“If you're going to kiss me kitten, make it hot.” He murmured, groaning as she rubbed herself

against his growing bulge.

“Don’t tempt me Alpha.” She whispered before their lips met once again. Elijah twisted his

fingers into her hair taking control, his other hand slipping under her dress and cupping her ass,

realising she was only wearing a thong. He groaned against her lips, her arousal hitting him hard.

“Fuck, you're driving me crazy.” He murmured, not missing the breathy moans that were leaving

her. She forced herself back, feeling the wetness between her legs.

“You have a meeting to attend remember?” She said tracing his lips with her finger, getting off

his lap still a little breathless. Elijah ran his hand through his tousled locks and adjusted his pants.

“Elijah!” Jackson called.

“Fuck we need our own fucking place.” Elijah muttered standing up, delivering a sharp slap to

her ass he smirked as she jumped and glared at him. He winked at her before he left the room ready

to face this meeting.

A short while later Elijah looked around at those he had gathered. There were members like

Monica, Jessica and the younger wolves he hadn't called. He had his suspects, Fiona and her father

being at the top of that list. Although he wasn't expecting it to be Fiona, not thinking she was

capable of something so cruel but then again didn't love blind a person?

He had caught her scent the day they were leaving accompanied by the strong feeling of being

watched

The woman now stood quite close to him, watching him with that irritating look in her eyes. He

wished he had never fucked her to begin with. Just the thought now repulsed him.

“I'm not here to waste my time when I have so many things to attend to. If it wasn't for

someone in this pack sharing intel with the enemy, we may not have lost as many as we did.” Elijah

said, his eyes flitting between the Williamsons. Not missing Fiona's eyes widen, the colour draining

from her face. He almost scoffed - He was correct. “Before I even ask anyone to step forward, what

do you think is the befitting punishment for such a crime?”

The members exchanged looks, a few mutterings and shaking their heads.

“Throw them in the cells to rot!"

“Better yet, exile them from the pack, declared rogue they can die or fend for themselves.”

“Kill them, I mean we lost loads.”

“As Alpha, you need to set an example.”

“A lash for every person we lost.” Beta Nick said coldly. Liam was like a son to him and the son

of his close friends.

“I like that idea.” Elijah said quietly. “And then death.”

Fiona gasped, her heart thundering. Would Elijah blame her? Would he find out? She looked at

him her heart hammering. His next words made her blood run cold.

“Fiona step forward.” Elijah said icily, his cold glare looking into her hazel eyes. Everyone stared

at the young woman known to be sweet and caring. Surely he was wrong...

Letting his Alpha aura roll off him, Elijah stepped closer to the trembling girl. “Did you tell

anyone about what car Scarlett was travelling in?” His command for an answer vibrating through the

room. Her father tensed; his eyes wide as he stared at his daughter in shock. Fiona dropped to her

knees sobbing as she made to grab Elijah’s leg, who stepped back smoothly.

“I love you! I did it for you! I deserve to be by your side! I didn't mean for anyone else to die!

Just Scarl-"

Elijah’s eyes flashed his rage flaring up. “That's my mate you're fucking talking about!” He spat.

Leaning down he grabbed her, yanking her to her feet and squeezing her neck. Wanting to kill her

right there but death was too easy for her. He threw her to the ground not caring for the cry that

left her lips. His eyes darkening as his wolf surfaced. He turned and looked at Nick trying not to

snap right there.

“Throw her in the dungeons. Since she wishes to spend time with me, 1 will personally see to

her lashing. She will be put to death if she survives the lashes.” He said coldly, clenching his fists as

he tried to control his rage. The smell of blood filled the room as the pack members saw the red

droplets trickling down his clenched fists.

“Please Alpha.” Fiona whimpered but Elijah had had enough. He had been too nice. Not only

had she cost so many their lives. She had wanted Scarlett hurt or dead. That was something he

could never ever forget.

Scarlett sat nervously in the living room of Liam's parents’ house. His mother Samantha looked

to have aged several years and his father was sat quietly. Scarlett's heart ached to look at the man

who looked to be an elder version of Liam himself. Was that how Liam would have looked if he got

to live to that age? Her eyes stung at the very thought.

“I'm sorry.” She said in a whisper, breaking the tense silence that had settled in the room.

Samantha shook her head sadly fighting her own tears.

“How exactly did he die?” She asked trying to remain strong as her husband placed his head in

his hands, his body heaving with silent sobs. His wife and mate placed a hand on his back as she

looked at Scarlett.

The young woman looked at her, tears blurring her vision. “He died because he shielded me.”

She said before she looked down, letting her hair curtain her face as she cried softly, trying to

control herself placing her face in her hands.

“Then don't cry. There is no other way he would have liked to go. He's loved you ever since you

came to this pack. I remember when he came running home and told me a tough little girl had

joined the pack. He's always hoped you would be his mate but fate had other plans. Don't cry

Scarlett, you are the future Luna. Remember Liam died protecting the woman he loved. He is-

was...” Samantha's voice broke, her strong resolve trembling. “Was a boy with a heart of gold. Don’t

forget him.”

Scarlett nodded and Liam's father looked up. “We don't hold you accountable for what

happened. He made his choice and we are proud of him.” He said quietly.

“Thank you..." Scarlett said, not knowing how she felt. She took her leave soon after, her heart

feeling a little lighter knowing they didn't hold her accountable. Liam. She would never forget him.