Chapter 8

Lorien's POV

As I approach the barn, a sense of foreboding takes root in the pit of my stomach. It's a familiar sensation, the kind I've learned to trust over the years. The sounds from within confirm my suspicions – there's a commotion.

Stepping into the dimly lit expanse, my eyes instantly fall upon Scarlett. Her radiant aura contrasts sharply with the rustic surroundings. Lila is beside her, her expression a whirlwind of emotions - shock, maybe a trace of envy, and something more sinister.

But it's her exclamation that draws my immediate attention. "What's happening?"

Quick to deflect blame, she retorts, "She made me open the door, Lorien. She just had to see what was inside, I tried to stop her, but-”

I cut her off and as the females go back and forth, I survey the scene, my pulse quickening. The door Lila is referring to isn't just any door. It's the entrance to the pen of one of the most unpredictable creatures in my collection. A flood of concerns races through my mind. Is Scarlett hurt? Why would she open that door? Is this another one of Lila's games?

But as my gaze shifts back to Scarlett, I notice something unexpected. The creature, instead of posing a threat, seems to be drawn to her, nuzzling her hand like a domesticated pet seeking affection.

"Lila, enough." Meeting my eyes again, there's a depth of emotion I can't quite place. "She's under my protection. If there's any offense, it's against me."

Lila, ever the actress, plays her part to perfection. "I didn't do anything! She just went and—"

I raise a hand, cutting her off. "I said enough, leave us and wait for me in the garden." My voice is more composed than I feel. I have an urge to rip Lila's head from her shoulders for upsetting Scarlett. She leaves with a curt bow in my direction, throwing Scarlett a venomous glare.

Turning back to Scarlett, our eyes lock. There's fear, curiosity, but also an unmistakable strength. "Are you okay?" I ask, my concern, genuine.

She nods hesitantly, clearly taken aback by my unexpected gentleness. "I am," she whispers.

It pains me that Scarlett is wary of me, but what did I expect? I haven't been very kind to her to say the least. I still can't wrap my mind around it. This human, this fragile creature, is bound to me in a way I could never have anticipated. Never wanted. I despise humans, and the sheer fact that Scarlett is my mate sends shivers down my spine. But it's the immediate danger she's faced under my own roof that rankles me. Lila's venomous intent is clear, and it's up to me to make things right. I need to protect Scarlett, but from what – the creatures, Lila, or perhaps even from myself and the world I've inadvertently introduced her to?

I usher my pet back into his stall and order Scarlett to wait for me in the library of the house.

She surprises me by saying, "Go easy on Lila. She was acting out of jealousy for your affections." She leaves, and I stare after her, wondering at her kindness. Her dignity. Her grace.

My fingers tighten around my phone, recalling the potentially deadly incident with Mr. Peppercorn. I dial Jasper swiftly. "Jasper, meet me in the garden. Now," my voice low and controlled, trying to keep the boiling anger at bay.

Without hesitation, he responds, "Alpha, I'll be there in under five." I trust him implicitly, and he's never given me a reason not to.

I inhale deeply. As Alpha, it's my duty to ensure the safety of my pack, and sometimes that means confronting issues head-on, even if it involves Jasper's own sister.

A tense unease settles in my chest as I walk toward the garden, Scarlett's shaken visage playing in my mind. What was Lila thinking? Her actions could've led to a fatal consequence for Scarlett.

I find Lila near the roses, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm brewing within me. "Lila," my voice is deep, steady, but clearly carrying a note of reproach.

"Lila," I say, my voice a low rumble.

She looks up, her eyes wide and feigned innocence clear. "Lorien," she purrs, brushing a rose petal with her fingertips. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

“Not funny, Lila. You are in serious trouble.” I move to stand over her, expressing my displeasure in my gaze. "You could've gotten Scarlett killed."

She feigns surprise, a touch of mischief glinting in her eyes. "I merely wanted to familiarize her with her duties. Jasper told me to show her around and give her something useful to do. I thought mucking out the creature's stalls would be a perfect way to acquaint her with pack life."

I take a step closer, and she tilts her head to the side flirtatiously. "Come now, Lorien. She's new here, and I thought she should know her place."

My patience wanes. "You've overstepped, Lila. Are you deaf or not? I told you, she's my Luna."

For an instant her face turned sinister. "Luna? Oh yes." She bats her eyelashes, attempting to play the innocent. "Well, don't be mad. Perhaps we could find a way to smooth things over?"

The sheer audacity of her act almost makes me admire her. Almost. Even if I were interested, her charm won't work on me. Not today. "Lila," I begin, my voice dripping with an anger she's never heard before, "This is not about a simple misunderstanding. Your actions have consequences."

Her playful demeanor starts to crumble. "What are you saying?"

"Your time in this house," I declare with a finality she's not prepared for, "is over."

She pales. "Lorien, please," she pleads, her voice quivering. "I've known no other home."

But I remain resolute. "You should've thought of that before. Go to Jasper's. He can handle your antics. You've lost your place here."

"This isn't fair, a miserable human?" she shouts, anger flashing in her eyes. She approaches me, her Alpha, with her teeth bared.

It is the last straw. I grab her by her neck and lift her up, shaking her so hard her canines rattle. Using my Alpha voice I say, "It's my decision, Lila. You will do well to remember who you are talking to. She is my Luna, the last time I say it, you better keep it in your heart.”

“Alpha, please. That's my sister.” Jasper bows before me. His respect helps put a balm on my anger. When I release Lila, she whimpers, rubbing at her arms.

“Now, go,” I say, pointing to the door.

With another curt bow, Lila slinks away and Jasper follows her. The weight of her actions hanging heavily in the air.

I turn to face Scarlett. There's a sharp tug on my senses. Scarlett's presence is like a pulsating magnet, hard to ignore, even harder to understand.

The same maid who always insists on being overly helpful trails behind me, but I'm in no mood for interruptions. "I don't require anything. Please, ensure we're not disturbed," I tell her firmly.

Her startled nod is all I need as I firmly close the door behind me, focusing solely on Scarlett.

"Hi, Lorien," She looked uneasy. The long curly hair made her look very attractive. "When can I go back to the human world? I can be a witness to your secret visit to the auction, if necessary. But now I can I need to..."

"Scarlett," I start, struggling with the rush of unfamiliar feelings. I've never reacted to anyone, human or werewolf, this way before. "I can't explain it, but you... you're mine. You need to stay here with me."

She looks taken aback, her eyes a mixture of anger and fear. "You can't just claim me, Lorien. I have my life. My father's unwell. I need to be there for him."

I run a hand through my hair, agitated. "I understand, but there's more at play here. You were sold at an auction. I didn't want you to end up with someone who'd hurt you, so I bought your freedom. That came with a heavy price."

"I thought you were a guardian of justice, a cop and that sort of thing," She scoffs, disbelief evident in her tone. "And what price is that?"

"You were there remember? I paid one billion dollars," I say, the gravity of the sum not lost on me. It's not about the money. It's about protecting her, even if it means protecting her from herself.

Her eyes widen, disbelief taking over her features. "You're joking. You surely don't mean… I thought it was some kind of shifter currency. Like zero-point-zero-zero-one cent to the dollar."

I want to laugh at her naivety. I can't. She needs to know how serious my forthcoming request is. "I don't joke about such matters," I reply.

The intensity of our conversation, of our connection, grips me. But she's a human. How can I feel so drawn to her?

"If you truly wish to go," I add, "you must repay that sum. If not, you stay with me. Three years." I just casually say what's going through my head.

She looks stunned. "Three years? Just like that?"

I nod. "Yes. You'll have responsibilities here, including learning how to lead as the Luna for my pack."

She steps back, taking a moment to process. "Three years, locked away from my life? From my family?"

"It's not a prison, Scarlett. It's a commitment. And after three years, if you still feel this place, this life isn't for you, you're free to go."

She takes a deep, shaky breath. "Fine. Three years." Her voice quivers, a mix of determination and fear.

I approach her slowly, the weight of our agreement pressing down on both of us. "You won't regret it," I whisper. Though I'm speaking to her, I'm also trying to convince myself. This attraction, this pull towards a human... It's foreign, confusing.

She looks up, her gaze meeting mine. "I hope you're right."

I step close to her. I need reassurance that this human does indeed belong to me.

Strangely, I didn't smell anything on her except a citrusy shampoo and costly body wash.