The Alpha novel Chapter 20

Ethan's POV

I storm down the hallway until I reach the two guards that are standing outside of my bedroom. "What was all that? What happened down there?" I demand as my gaze sweeps between the two of them. Their eyes widen and they gulp, instantly looking uncomfortable.

"Umm... we aren't totally sure sir..." Chris begins hesitantly.

"What do you mean you're not sure?!" I growl.

Nick clears his throat and says, "Well, we had stayed by the entrance because we thought it best if we give Luna Scarlet some space."

"No one was bothering her until Alpha Alex went over to talk to her for a bit," Chris chimes in. "But they were just talking and she didn't seem to mind."

"Anyways, Alex left and after walking out, he had turned back to us. He had wanted to know what you did to piss her off so bad," Nick continues before being interrupted by Chris again.

"Which we didn't tell him," he insists.

I let out a snarl of impatience as I ask, "Would you two get to the damn point?!"

They both frantically nod their heads. It's obvious that they know they messed up. "The point sir, is that by the time Alex left and we looked back at Luna Scarlet she was talking to Nicole and whatever they were discussing seemed to be getting heated. We immediately went over there, but only reached them just in time to restrain Nicole after Luna slapped her," Chris finally told me.

My head tilts back and I pinch the bridge of my nose in annoyance before turning my attention back to the guards. "Nothing like this should ever happen again. If it does you'll both be demoted. Lucky for you, this time you are only getting trash duty for the next two weeks. You're dismissed," I reply before opening the door.

I walk into the bedroom and find Scarlet sitting on the bed, facing the large windows that overlook the city. Her head is bowed and I hear a sniffle before she swipes at her cheek. My heart clenches. I hate that she's upset. Kneeling in front of her, I place myself in her line of sight and take her hands in mine. "Scarlet... what did she say to you?"

She deeply inhales a shaky breath and my thumbs stroke her hands as I try to comfort her. "It's nothing. It's stupid. I'm fine," she mutters unconvincingly.

Reaching up I stroke her cheek, making her meet my eyes. "It hurt you. It's not stupid. Tell me. Please."

She sighs sadly, her glance dropping to her lap before returning to me. Her lips purse together and she tilts her head like she's trying to read my face. "Why do you always get home so late?"

My eyebrows furrow, displaying my confusion. I don't know why she is asking me this. "I've been working. There are a lot of things I've been dealing with lately."

"Like what?"

"Like making all of the preparations for the Silver Shadow Pack, running multiple companies, meeting with lawyers to work on the alliance..." I begin cautiously. It feels like this is some sort of trap.

"And has Nikki been there to help you with any of that?"

"No, why?"

She stares at me long and hard, like she's trying to figure out if I'm lying or not. "Because one of the things she said was that you've been going to see her every night. She knew that you have been out late. How would she know that if she hadn't been with you?"

I let out a sigh and shake my head. "I don't know Scarlet, but I swear I haven't been going to see her. You're the only one I want."

She continues to look at me skeptically as if the truth must be written somewhere on my face. "So... why haven't you marked me yet?"

My eyes shoot up to her and my mouth goes dry. "Listen Scarlet... I haven't been completely honest with you..." I begin before explaining the situation with the Silver Shadow Pack, Nikki, and the alliance treaty. She listens silently without interrupting. I keep anticipating her getting mad, yelling or crying, but instead she sits there calmly until I've finished talking.

She stays quiet for a second, waiting to make sure I'm done. She then sighs and shakes her head before meeting my gaze. "I know."

I pause as my eyes widen in confusion. "You know? All of it? How?"

"Yes, all of it. And... I have my sources," she responds, seeming to enjoy the shock displayed on my face.

Finally, I manage to gather my thoughts. "You mean Isa and her big mouth blabbed," I grumble as I reposition myself next to her.

"I didn't say that," she remarks though I'm sure I'm right. Isa's never been good at keeping secrets. "I just wanted to see if you'd tell me the truth," she adds with a shrug.

"So, that was just a test?!" I question, dumbfounded.