The Alpha novel Chapter 14

Ethan's POV

My eyes shoot up as I register the sound of my sister's voice as she barges in unannounced to my office. I instantly shove Nikki away from me, but the damage is already done. I'm sure the surprise and confusion is evident on my face, especially when my gaze lands on the horrified and hurt expression that is displayed on my mate's face. I can see tears forming in her eyes, but it only takes a second before she turns on her heel and dashes back towards the elevator. Isa gives me a withering look before turning to chase after Scarlet. I immediately follow as panic clenches my chest. "Scarlet!" I yell as I run after her. "Scarlet! Wait!"

Unfortunately, I'm too late. I only catch a glimpse of my mate with silent tears streaming down her rosy cheeks as the elevators shut her away from me. I let out an angry growl as I slam my fists against the doors as though it is their fault she got away. "Levi, Tony, stay with Scarlet no matter what," I quickly mind-link her guards before repeatedly jamming my thumb into the up button.

"Yes sir," Tony instantly replies.

"Baby, where are you going?" Nikki's whiny voice sounds from behind me as I hear the clacking of her heels approaching me. Another low growl comes out of me. This is her fault. My wolf is going crazy inside of me. He wants to rip her to pieces, but then the alliance that I've been working so hard to secure would die along with her. I clench my fists as I try to gain control of my temper. The moment her hand lands on my shoulder I turn and back away from her, holding up my hands up as if to ward her off.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" I yell at her, barely able to keep my rage from boiling over. She shuffles away and her head bows down, my Alpha aura too much for her to stand up against. "I TOLD YOU THAT THIS WAS OVER! YOUR PACK IS COMING HERE TO RE-NEGOTIATE BECAUSE I WANT MY MATE! THERE IS NOTHING BETWEEN US! ACCEPT THAT OR GET THE fuck OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

Before she has the chance to respond or to even recover from my aura's effects, the elevator opens with a ding and I step inside. She tries to follow and I instantly stop her. I can't stand to be around her for even a second. I'm not sure if I'd be able to keep my wolf at bay if he was subjected to spending another moment with her right now. Right now, all I care about is finding Scarlet and making sure she knows how much I want to be with her. Goddess, I hope she'll give me a chance. Why do I feel like I've been making one mistake after another with her? "Maybe because you have been," my wolf growls irritably.

"Shut up. You aren't helping."

"Yeah. And neither are you. Maybe you should just let me take control. Maybe then our mate will stop trying to run away from us."

"Damn it. I said shut up! I'll handle this. You'll see. I just have to talk to her. Make her understand," I insist, the desperation clear in my tone.

"Good luck. You're going to need it."

I let out a growl and the elevator doors open to the foyer of my penthouse. My head whips around frantically as I try to figure out where she is. I perk up my ears and find my sister's voice. "Come on Scarlet. Don't do this. Just talk to him. There must be some sort of explanation," she pleads and I instantly start sprinting down the hallway as I continue to listen, wondering what I'm going to be walking into.

"What possible explanation could he have?!" my mate hisses back. "He was kissing another woman Isa."

"I swear he doesn't want that girl. She's a total slut. She's been throwing herself at him since she got here," Isa continues.

Levi and Tony are standing outside my bedroom with stony expressions. "Alpha," they both say with a salute and I nod to them before slowly pushing the door open. Scarlet is standing by the bed with a large suitcase open in front of her and an array of clothes and accessories spread over the duvet. She's packing.

My sister's eyes dart cautiously between the two of us before she takes a step towards the door. "I'm just going to give you two a moment," she remarks before quickly sneaking out of the room before Scarlet can protest. "You better make this right," her voice comes through in my head. I nod in determination as I set my jaw. I know she couldn't have seen it, but right now I need to worry about convincing my mate to stay.

Scarlet glares at me for a second before turning back to the suitcase and roughly shoving items into it, refusing to look at me. "Listen..." I begin, unsure of what to even say. It feels as though everything is riding on how this conversation will go and my heart is racing inside my chest. "I'm really sorry about what you saw, but it's not what you think."

She scoffs at me and her eyes narrow as she shoots me a disgusted look. "Seriously?! That's what you're going with?!" She continues to pack, seeming to take her anger out on the task at hand.

I cautiously approach her before lightly placing a hand on her elbow. "Scarlet..." She fiercely yanks her arm from my delicate grip and places both her hand on my chest as she shoves me away forcefully. I wasn't ready for it, so I stumble a step backwards and she turns away from me again. Once I've regained my balance I move over to her quickly wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into me.

"Ethan! What the hell are you doing?!" she gasps as she pushes on me and struggles in my grip. This time I won't let her get away from me that easily. "Let go of me!"

Her mesmerizing violet eyes meet mine and I stare into them. "Not until you listen to me," I state sternly.

"Listen to you?! Why the hell should I?! Just so you can lie to me some more?!"

I clench my jaw, as I try to control my frustration. Getting angry at a time like this won't help anything. "I'm not lying Scarlet. You are the one I want. It's always been you. Please, just let me explain."

"No! You kissed another woman Ethan! What is there to explain?! No matter what, I won't trust you!"

Ouch.... That hurts. "Do something. We're losing her," my wolf insists.

I do the only thing I can think of and drop to my knees in front of her. My arms remain wrapped around her as I look up at her. "What the hell are you doing?" she snarls as she looks down at me.

"Please, I need you to hear me out. Just let me explain. I'm begging you Scarlet. Please."