8 Chapter 8

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?"

"Maybe. Or at least tell us who they are."

"Alright. Well, as soon as you know what you want to do about them let me know and I'll get a team together."

"Good. Thanks. And while you're waiting increase security around the borders. I don't need any more problems cropping up right now."

"Will do."

We cut off the mind-link and I look back over at Scarlet. As we get closer to the center of town, she sits up straighter, her whole body tensing. I cock an eyebrow at her curiously. Finally, she turns her wide eyes to me, fear written all over her face. "Am I going back to the dungeons?"

"What?! No! Why would you think that?" I answer her, turning my body so that it is angled in her direction. Is that why she has been so quiet this whole time?

She bites down nervously on her lip, as though she's afraid to tell me her answer. "I just thought.... I thought I'd be punished..."

"Not like that. Never like that again. I promise."

She stares at me as 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 fingers begin brushing through her soft, red curls.

"It's nothing. I... I'm just... a bit overwhelmed I guess," she answers breathily as she tries to stop herself from crying. She pulls away and swipes at her tears with an embarrassed laugh. I want nothing more than to 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. She's magnificent.

I cup her face and place a 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 drug and that I can't quit.

Soon we are pulling up to the valet parking in front of Kane Enterprises and one of my men quickly 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 already mind-linked Alex to send for the pack doctor to come up to my room and examine my mate. I didn't want her having to spend more time in the hospital if it wasn't necessary.

Guards quickly surround us and escort us to the elevator where I swipe 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 I had seriously considered putting bars in front of all the windows. I place her gently on the bed and she looks around, realizing where I had brought her. "Do you need anything? Food? Water?"

She nods. "Water please."

I hurry out to my gourmet kitchen to get her a drink. Before I make my way back to my room the front door opens as Alex leads in the pack doctor, Bethany Hauser. "Alpha," she greets me as she comes up to shake my hand.

"Good evening Doctor. Thanks for making a house call."

"Not a problem sir. Alex filled me in. Where is Scarlet?" she asks, getting straight to the point. I have always liked that about her. Very no nonsense. She is the one that I had trusted to care for Scarlet while she had been in the hospital as well.

I lead her to my room where my mate is now curled up in my bed. She sits up when she hears us enter. "Hello Scarlet. Do you remember me?"

Scarlet nods before answering. "You work at the hospital that treated my stab wound."

"That's right. Alpha Ethan here asked that I come take a look at your injuries. Can you tell me what hurts?"

I stay close with Alex by my side as Beth examines my beautiful mate and talks with her. Alex has the decency to turn away when Scarlet is asked to take off the jacket to show the doctor her other injuries. Anger begins rising to the surface as I notice the finger shaped bruises around her wrists, the long claw mark that stretches down her chest and to her abdomen, and the multiple scratches and bruises that cover her torso. Alex places a hand on my shoulder, seeing my wolf wrestling to come out. Turning to look at him, allows me the chance to take control once more as I push my rage down. The beast that did this to her is dead. And I'll never let anyone hurt her like this again.