Chapter 5: Confused Love

Scarlet's pov

"Leave to where?" Damien asked, his words vicious, and I could tell by the slight tick in his jaw, he was struggling to control his temper.

I hated to admit it, but I was scared.

I had heard tales of his ruthlessness and viciousness being spoken about across packs.

"I can't go back to my pack, but I'll find somewhere else," I replied in a tiny voice.

"This is your pack and home now." He growled.

"Would you keep me here against my will?" I asked.

I remained silent, and that fear I felt rose within me.

He scanned my face before he let out a sigh.

"I wouldn't keep you here against your will. However, would it be so easy for you to leave? Don't you feel the mate bond?" He asked, stalking towards me.

The closer he came, the stronger the scent of sandwood invaded my senses.

"I don't know what to do," I whispered, and it was the truth.

I didn't know how to move forward from here.

"Why were you in a wedding gown the day we met?" He asked, and my eyes bulged at the unexpected question.

"I was meant to be married," I revealed, and he clenched his fists by his side.

"What happened? Why were you fending off rogues instead of being at your wedding?" He inquired, and I was unsure how much to divulge to this man.

He might have been my mate, but he was still a total stranger to me.

"I'd rather not talk about it." I shrugged and looked away from him.

"I would like to know if my mate is married or if I should be bothered about anyone coming to claim what is mine." He said possessively, and I almost melted into a puddle.

"I am not an object to be claimed by anyone," I announced.

"But you don't have to worry about that. I'm not married, and no one is coming for me." I said with a sad smile.

"He is a fool, then, but I cannot bring myself to hate him because his actions made our paths meet." He divulge,d and my wolf leaped within me, against my better judgement.

"Why were you in the forest by that time?" I asked, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

He wasn't expecting me to ask any questions.

"I was restless and I needed to clear my head." He shrugged.

My eyes rested on his face, and I was overcome by the sudden urge to brush my fingers along the single scar running down his left eye, right before I peppered it with kisses.

I must be running mad.

"I thought you were avoiding me." I blurted out.

"What made you think that?" He asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"You made no attempt to see me since the night you brought me here." I reminded him.

"Did you want me to visit?" He cocked his head to the side.

"I was just saying," I muttered as my cheeks heated at the implications of his words.

"You've already met Emma. She would guide you on anything you need to know about the pack, and if you have any questions, feel free to seek me out." He said before he turned to exit the room.

"You aren't going to claim me or mark me?" I questioned, and his hand stilled on the door handle.

I wanted to slap myself for speaking without a filter.

"Do you want me to?" He turned slightly towards me.

"Again, I was just merely asking." I shrugged as I hugged myself.

That was all my wolf wanted, but I wasn't about to say that out loud when I knew it was the mate bond manipulating me.

"And what would you do if I decide to take you right here and now and mark you?" He asked, his hazel eyes flashing.

My mouth went dry as my traitorous mind conjured the image in my head.

I gulped but otherwise remained silent.

Damien gave a stiff nod and turned back towards the door.

"Then I suggest you stop asking questions when the answers might not be favourable to you. The pack’s doctor will come to attend to your wound," He announced before he left my room.

I stared at the door long after he left and realized that he hadn't answered any of my questions; rather, he had left me more confused than I had been.

It wasn’t up to a few minutes when Emma entered with a tray, plates, and some wool.

"You definitely have to eat more, and we have to build your body." Emma touched my limbs.

"I think I look alright just like this." I looked down at my body.

"Of course, you do," Emma muttered under her breath.

I wasn't exactly skinny, but I couldn't say I had a sturdy build.

"Damien gave me his credit card and said to get you some new clothes." She changed the subject as we walked into the mall, and I stilled.

"Why would he do that when he is deliberately ignoring me?" I asked with a frown.

"He isn't ignoring you, Scarlet. He is just busy." Emma defended him lamely, but I could see even she didn't believe her words.

"Too busy to speak to his mate whom he has not even attempted to get to know?" I quirked an unimpressed brow.

"Do you even want him to get to know you though?" She asked, and I groaned.

"Would everyone just stop doing that. I need straightforward answers, and answering my question with a question isn't particularly helpful." I snapped.

Before she could reply, a bang was heard from the distance, almost like a loud drum, and it kept beating.

"What is that?" I asked as I noticed people inside the mall began to rush out, and there was an excited chatter in the air.

"Come on, let's go." She retorted instead of answering my question as she dragged me out of the mall.