The Alpha novel Chapter 39

scarlet's POV

He lifts his head and turns to face the room. "I need to speak to Scarlet in private," he states before guiding me to the door. All of the guards stay close as they protect us from all sides as we exit the conference room. He leads me to an office at the far end of the hall. He goes to sit on the edge of the desk and pulls me to him so that I'm standing between his legs. "I need you to know something Scarlet." I give him a soft smile as I nod at him to continue. He gives a tight grin back. It's clear that he is worried about the situation. "I wanted you my whole life, but I never imagined that I would love you as much as I do. I know that at times I can be a real asshole, but I also know that I would do anything for you. And that means I'm willing to go to war if I need to. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and there is no way in hell I will give you up."

My smile widens as he reaches up and cups my cheek, sweeping my hair behind my ear. I nuzzle into his warm palm and close my eyes for a moment, letting his touch further relax me. I open my eyes to meet his mesmerizing blue orbs staring back at me. "I feel the same way Ethan, but what are you saying exactly? What do you want to do?

"I want to make it clear where we stand. That I am yours and you are mine. I want to say fuck the alliance. And I want to mark you," he states determinedly.

My grin stretches and my cheeks begin to hurt. "Okay."

"Okay?" he questions, the surprise clear on his face which just makes me laugh at him.

I nod at him as I reach up so that my hands can play with the short hairs at the nape of his neck. "Yes, Ethan. Okay. You can mark me."

The ecstatic smile that appears on his face warms me up and sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach. He instantly wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him, his lips crashing into mine. My arms tighten around his neck as I kiss him back. Our lips mold together perfectly as we allow all of our current problems to melt away for just a moment. I can't believe I even considered agreeing to Lucien's absurd request. There is no way that I could be happy without this man by my side. This one time, I'm going to be selfish.

After a while, we finally pull away. He grabs my hand and leads me back to the conference room where everyone is still waiting for us. "So, did you guys decide on what you are going to do?" one of the lawyer's ask as we reach the center of the room.

"Yes," Ethan replies as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him so that I am pressed against his body. He buries his face in the nook of my neck before I feel his incisors pierce my skin. Searing pain shoots through me before warmth and pleasure take over, causing a moan to escape my parted lips as my head falls back. The whole worlds seems to fade away so that it is just me and Ethan.

"NO!!!" I hear someone yell as I remember we are not alone. Ethan slowly releases me from his bite as he runs his warm tongue slowly across my tender flesh. I raise my head to meet Ethan's gaze, seeing that his determination remains. We stare at each other for only mere seconds though it feels like hours. Finally, we turn to look at Lucien who is clearly livid. His lips are pursed tightly and his jaw is clenched and twitching. His face as taken on a purple tinge as though he has stopped breathing in protest. "This will not be the last you've seen of me! You don't care about an alliance anymore?! Fine! Maybe when I march onto your lands with 50,000 warriors you'll realize what an idiot you are!" he growls.

Ethan snarls back, "You have until eight o'clock tonight to have your entire pack out of my territory. Anyone still here after that will be executed for trespassing."

Lucien seethes before I decide to add, "And take your daughter too."

Ethan wraps an arm around my waist, his hand gripping my hip as he pulls me to him. Just the feel of his body seems to calm me. We watch as everyone files out one by one until it is just the two of us left in the conference room. Ethan's eyes glaze over as he is clearly mind-linking people, his facial expression occasionally changing because of something that was said. Eventually, he focuses on me and places a gentle kiss against my lips. When he pulls away I question, "Do you think that was the best thing to do?"

"He didn't really leave us much of a choice. He knew there was no way I'd agree to his terms. If it's a war he wants then it's a war he'll get."