The Alpha novel Chapter 36

Ethan's POV

Scarlet and I don't stay long after that. Neither of us enjoy the looks she is getting from all the unmated males. Every time she catches one of them staring she instantly blushes, looking away and snuggling into me. I keep my arm around her, sending warning growls at anyone who gets too close or looks too long. Scarlet's guards stay close, forcing everyone to give us a wide berth. The only ones able to get close are my siblings who make a few comforting comments before we decide to just turn in for the night.

Scarlet buries her face in my chest, clinging to my shirt with her fist. I lean my cheek against the top of her head and soothingly rub her back as we sit in silence as the limo pulls into traffic. "Are you okay?" I ask her gently.

She doesn't bother looking up at me and shakes her head, still pressed against me. She sucks in a breath and lets out a shuddering sigh. "I just can't believe he did that! I feel so..." she pauses as she tries to think of the right word to describe what she is feeling. "Violated. I feel so violated. And the way I was being looked at afterward..." She stops again and shakes her head as though she can't even continue.

"I know angel. It will all be over soon. Lucien and I are supposed to be meeting in the morning to finalize the treaty and then they'll be leaving," I answer. Though, I'm not even sure if I want this treaty anymore. I know I should make the effort, but after what that no good Alpha pulled tonight, I can't say I care about the benefits anymore. However, I'm going to try to remain civil since that is what's best for my pack, despite how I feel about the man personally.

"Thank goddess," Scarlet murmurs, clearly ready to be rid of our unwanted guests.

It doesn't take long to get back to Kane Enterprises where we ride the elevator up to our floor. We ignore the wrapped canvas that leans against a wall in the foyer and soon find ourselves cuddled up in our bed. It has been a long and trying night. My mind races with so many thoughts and feelings yet again. I want to rip Alpha Lucien's head off but that would likely start a war that I doubt we could win. I hope that once I wake my thoughts will be calmer and clearer so that I know what to do. I let out a sigh as I scoot further down into the covers. Scarlet rests her head on my chest as we both get comfortable. Both of us struggle to keep our eyes open and eventually allow sleep to take us.

*****

The next morning Scarlet and I get into a long debate as she insists she wants to help out at the shelter while I'm in my meeting. Our last conversation about it had been me telling her I didn't want her going anywhere without me. Now she is desperately trying to change my mind. "I just need to get away. I don't even like the idea of being in the same building as that man. I don't care what you have to do to feel comfortable with this, but I need to go do something. I need to get my mind off everything that happened last night," she insisted as she held my gaze, her hands clinging to my biceps, urging me to listen.

We have now been arguing about this for about fifteen minutes. I stare into her pleading eyes and with a sigh I answer reluctantly. "Fine, but I'm going to triple your number of mated guards. You are to stay with them at all times."

"Deal. I'll only be gone a few hours. Just long enough for you to finish your meeting and for the Silver Shadow Pack to get the hell out of town."

I lean forward and kiss her forehead before she turns to go get ready and I leave the living room. When I get down to the conference room, I find Caleb, Alex, and Xander are all there along with my Gamma Jonah, Delta Garrett, and a handful of guards. The pack lawyer is seated at the table across from another man that I don't know. I assume he is the pack lawyer for the Silver Shadow Pack. They are both sitting quietly as though they are not comfortable being within the same vicinity as each other. Not even a minute later Lucien steps out of the elevator with his Beta, Gamma, Delta, and own guards as well.

Once we have all taken our seats the Crescent Moon Pack lawyer stands up and clears his throat. "Here is the contract that we wrote up based on your previous conversations. You'll find that everything is there including the training for any new recruits you have," he states as he passes out copies of the alliance treaty that we had previously agreed upon once I had announced that I found my mate.

Lucien flips through the pages with a scowl for a moment, though it doesn't seem like he's really reading any of it. It is only mere seconds before he sets the contract back down on the table in front of him and turns to face his own lawyer. He gives him a curt nod and the man stands up, smoothing out his suit jacket before passing out his own stack of papers. "Due to the threat that Alpha Lucien received on his life last night from Alpha Ethan, here is a revised version of the treaty," he states and I notice sweat beading along his hairline. He's nervous. Very nervous.

I look at him skeptically before turning my gaze to Lucien who seems perfectly relaxed with a smug smile on his face. My eyes narrow at him as I move my attention to the packet sitting in front of me. "I want you to read every line in this. I don't trust them. Make sure there is no crazy loopholes or demands," I urge through mind-link with the pack lawyer Donovan.

He meets my eyes with a slight nod before he begins reading through his own copy. The room is completely silent as we all read over the supposed revisions. Suddenly, Donovan adjusts uncomfortably and clears his throat again. "Alpha, you're going to want to look at line fifteen on page seven."

I quickly flip to the section he mentioned at the same time that Lucien finally decides to speak. "Oh yes, that is my most important request if you want this alliance treaty to go through." I frantically find the line and my eyes widen, my wolf letting out a ferocious growl. "I want to seal the deal with two marriage contracts. You will still marry my daughter Nicole. And I get Scarlet."