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 were sat around the kitchen table, the sun barely up in the sky. Being back made everyone think of Liam. Right about then, 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 announced, 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.
“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 their relationship turned 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.
“Okay, 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 that 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 explained. 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 hit 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 down 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 grew within her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder to calm her erratic heartbeat. Whilst Elijah smirked, his hand slipped under the hem of her dress and stroked her thigh, which only made it harder for her. Jessica looked at them, glad that her daughter’s 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 asked as Scarlett frowned.
“No, and I'm sure if there was, don’t you think he would have?” Jackson asked. 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 stood 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 slipped under her dress and cupped 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 as she got 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 and 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 muttering 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 suggested 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 who was 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 vibrated 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. He wanted 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 darkened 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, I 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, but she had also 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 whispered, 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, and 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.