The Alpha

Ethan's POV

The car ride back is completely silent except for the sounds of our breathing. I sit in the back with Scarlet as she stares out the window. My fingers lightly rub across her knuckles as she allows me to hold her hand, feeling the familiar shivers that come with touching your mate. I don't know where her mind is at, but she hasn't looked at me since we left The Scourge. My beta, Caleb, looked in the rearview mirror, making eye contact with me as his voice enters my head through the mind-link. "Is she alright?"

"I don't know..."

"Are you?"

"Yes.... No.... I don't know. I've got a lot on my mind right now." With everything that had gone down in such a short period of time it is hard for me to focus on one thing at a time. I can't even make sense of the jumbled mess of thoughts swirling in my head. I was happy to have finally gotten revenge on the man who seems to be the responsible party for the deaths of my men. Though, I'm still worried about who else had been with him. His scent had been the most dominant, but it certainly hadn't been the only one. There had been five other scents, five other accomplices. But along with these thoughts, I am also curious about why Scarlet had been there, worried about what could have happened to her, angry that she snuck out and put herself in harm's way, and jealous of the way she had sought comfort from that other wolf.

Caleb nods in understanding before continuing our conversation. "Anything you want to talk about?"

"Not really. But I need to talk to Scarlet once we get back to the penthouse. That guy that had been attacking her was the scent that I had followed back to The Scourge after Gary and the others were killed at Blue Moon. But he wasn't the only one. She clearly knows more than she is letting on."

"You think she can lead us to the others?"

tell us who

what you want to do about them let me know and I'll get

security around the borders. I don't need any more

"Will do."

straighter, her whole body tensing. I cock an eyebrow at her curiously. Finally, she turns

turning my body so that it is angled in her direction. Is that why she has been so quiet

nervously on her lip, as though she's afraid to tell me her answer. "I just thought....

Never like that again.

tears fill her eyes and her lip starts to quiver. What the hell did I do to upset her now? Suddenly, she flings her arms around my neck and buries her face in my shoulder as she lets out a sob. After a moment of shock, I instinctively begin to rub her back as I shoot a questioning look at Caleb. He simply shrugs and shakes his head. He doesn't understand what's going on either. "Scarlet? What's the matter? What did I say?" I murmur softly as my

continue holding her, but instead sweep my hand across her cheek before tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. I stare into her violet eyes, mesmerized. She really is the most gorgeous woman I have ever laid eyes on. The golden flecks in her irises seem to sparkle like stars and her pink full lips look so soft and kissable.

light kiss on her forehead. She lets out a contented sigh and seems to be hit with a wave of calm. She nuzzles into one of my hands before I pull her into another embrace, breathing in her intoxicating honey and lavender scent. The feel of her in my arms seems to make all my worries melt away. It's addicting. Everything about her is like a

comes up to open our door. He helps Scarlet out and I quickly follow before wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her to me. I support much of her weight as she leans into me, holding my jacket closed around her with one hand. Werewolves heal quicker than humans, but she still looks banged up. I had

my card for access to the penthouse. When we reach the foyer, I scoop Scarlet up bridal-style and carry her to my room. I don't feel like being away from her and I can't say I trust her to stay in her room by herself anymore. Upon finding out that she had escaped, I had a brief moment where