The Alpha novel Chapter 38

Scarlet's POV

He places his hands on my shoulders as he looks into my eyes and his touch calms the both of us, the way the mate-bond is supposed to. A sigh escapes his lips as he releases his anger at Lucien and focuses on me. "Before the Silver Shadow Pack had decided to come here we had agreed on new conditions to our alliance," he begins before he gestures over to one of the men wearing a suit that I had assumed was one of the lawyers. "Donovan wrote up a new contract with everything we had agreed on. It just needed to be signed by both parties with witnesses and a notary present. However, Lucien decided to make some amendments to the terms we had set."

"Okay. So, what were the changes? What's the big deal?" I ask, not seeing what has the two men, who are normally reserved, so worked up.

Ethan seems to hold his breath for a moment as he grits his teeth in irritation. I can tell he is trying to not blow up again and I wait patiently for him to explain. Finally, he lets out a puff of air and continues. "He wants you, Scarlet. He wants you to be his Luna and wants me to still take Nikki as mine."

I just stare at him in shock as I try to figure out if he is serious. Obviously, he doesn't seem like he's joking and this is certainly no joking matter. But at the same time, it's completely insane. Why in the world would Lucien try to negotiate such terms. He had to have known that we wouldn't agree to it, right? "I... I'm not sure..." I begin though I realize I have no idea what to even say to that. "I mean... you're kidding, right?"

"My lovely Scarlet, surely you can understand why I want you as my own," Lucien purrs from his spot several steps away. He is still barred from getting any closer to me and I shoot him a glare.

"SHE IS MINE!!!" Ethan bellows back as he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him, as though trying to further shield me from Lucien.

"No, she's not. She is not marked. If you want an alliance with Silver Shadow Pack, you can still get it. But I want her. She's the only thing I want," Lucien insists and his tone just further angers me.

"You can't have me. I'm not a prize to be won or property to be sold. Neither of you have any say in that matter," I snarl out as I try to keep myself as calm as possible.

"Surely you care what happens to your friends in The Scourge and the Crescent Moon Pack? My military is at least five times the size. If I wanted to take over this whole territory or just plain burn it to the ground I could. And I wouldn't bat an eye. However, if you came with me and were my Luna, I would do everything in my power to protect them and to make you happy. I wouldn't even think about attacking them. Doesn't that sound like a fair compromise?" he asks in a business-like tone.

"No. It sounds like blackmail," I instantly retort with a snarl.

"Crescent Moon wants us as allies. I was fine with that as long as my daughter married into the Luna position of a strong, well-known pack. But there is nothing else they can offer me that I want, except for you, my muse."

"Why me?" I demand as I narrow my eyes at him.

"Because you are the most gorgeous creature I have ever laid eyes on. And now I must have you."

I stand there in silence, stunned. I don't want him. I want Ethan. But am I really willing to risk going to war with the Silver Shadow Pack? Ethan has talked to me about his reasons why he had wanted this treaty. This had been really important to him. It's because of me that it is all falling apart now. I'm snapped from my thoughts as fingers lightly grip my elbow and turn me. My eyes meet Ethan's sapphire gaze and he pulls me slowly towards him. His hands move to my shoulders as he stares into my eyes that are now mere inches from his. "I love you Scarlet."

I tilt my head, confused on why he felt the need to tell me that right now. Still, I respond in kind, "I love you too."