Chapter 8

• Alpha Jax
• I paced on my office hardwood flooring, the material creaking under my combat boots. My right hand tapped on the front of my thigh as I chewed on the inside of my cheek. There was something about Scarlett, something that stopped me from murdering her on sight. I ignored my father's raised eyebrow as he scrolled through his phone.
• 'You know you won't kill her right? ' He nonchalantly asked, picking up a glass of water from the black oaken table.
• 'She is a trespasser, she will suffer the same fate as the rest. ' I ground out the words, running my right hand through my hair.
• 'It takes you roughly an hour to get rid of rogues Jaxon...She has been here for more than a week. I can see the hesitation clearly written on your face. ' I sighed, lacking words to fire at him because he was right.
• 'I heard what happened yesterday. ' He spoke after a minimal silence, chugging down the clear liquid.
• 'Even more reason to get rid of her. ' I muttered, the reality sinking in my mind yet again. My mate was pregnant for someone else, for a man who was her father's age. My chest vibrated in a rumble, a burning feeling spreading across it.
• 'Did you listen to her heartbeat Jax? Did you allow her to talk? Did you listen to your wolf son? Did you think about calling her pack and speaking to her former alpha? ' I walked to my office swivel chair behind my table, plopping on it lazily.
• 'Why would I do all that father? It is obvious she is a fucking spy sent by that sneaky bastard. Come on, why can't you see it from my point of view? ' I leaned on the leather material, closing my eyes momentarily.
• 'A heart beat tells a lot and you know it. You are doubting your bond because you have trust issues, not because you think she is lying. Deep down you can feel it, the undeniable peace her presence brings whenever you are around her. You are afraid of it being all a lie because you can't bare another loss. '
• 'Dad. ' I warned, sending a glare his way. I knew what he was going with this and I hated it because he might have being right.
• 'You think she will be snatched from you just like your mother. ' I shot up from the seat, banging my fists on the table as I leaned down, daring him to continue.
• 'Don't you fucking dare bring her into this!' I gassed up, staring down at him as he finally placed his phone on the table.
• 'You might be the alpha now but I am still your father and the former alpha of this pack. Careful how you speak to me, son. ' He calmly spoke, pointing at the seat behind me. I sank on it, pinching my nose between my thumb and index finger.
• 'Are you saying that you believe she is telling the truth? ' I squinted my eyes at him. Just then a knock sounded on my office door, with Cane emerging with Scarlett beside him. One look at her had the doctor's results flashing in my mind.
• Pregnant.
• The word sounded loud in my ears and before I knew it, I was up on my feet, aiming straight for her shivering form.
• 'Calm the fuck down. ' My dad beat me to it, standing in front of her, shielding her from me.
• 'Are you kidding me now? How can you defend a rogue, tasked by the enemy to finish your own son ? ' I threw my hands incredulously, shaking my head.
• 'A good alpha, listens before handing down punishment. You can't afford to make mistakes, sit the fuck down and calmly listen to your wolf. Work in harmony with him and I promise by the time she leaves this room, you will know whether she is telling the truth or lying. ' I hated when he reprimanded me in front of people without a care in the world.
• 'You got enraged when you found out about the pregnancy. Why? Because you felt betrayed, you wouldn't have felt that way if she isn't your mate. ' He added calmly, his face void of any emotions.
• 'Alphas. ' Cane bowed, tightening his grip on Scarlett. A deep rumble startled him as I pinned my glare on him. My wolf didn't like him touching her, he let go, widening his eyes at my odd behaviour.
• 'There it is, the possessiveness that only comes when the bond is real. ' My father chuckled, leading a quiet Scarlett towards the couch.
• 'Glad you could join us. ' I wondered what my dad was up to, sending for her without asking me.
• 'Remember Jaxon, let him in your thoughts, let your animal side blend in with your human side. ' I did as asked, forcing my anger down with every strength I could master.
• 'Scarlett. ' She answered with a bow, keeping her eyes downcast. Her scent overpowered my senses, my wolf swishing his tail excitedly.
• 'I have alpha Silas phone number. ' My father began, watching her every move. She began fidgeting on the couch, shaking her head, something that she did frequently.
• 'I am going to call him right now and you are going to tell him that we captured you. You will tell him that your cover has already been blown. ' She sank on her knees, crawling towards his feet shakily.
• 'Please alpha, I-I can't go back to that place...Pl-ease..' She forced the words out, coughing in between words.
• 'Afraid he'll kill you for not fulfilling his orders? ' He pressed, making her bury her face into her palms. I could hear her heart beat, thundering against her chest as she heaved.
• 'Please. ' It was the only word she managed to let out before I instructed Cane to take her back to the dungeon.
• I could feel my wolf whimpering on the inside, watching her shivering form as she left with Cane behind her.
• 'Did you listen to it? Her heart beat? '
• 'It doesn't mean a thing. It could have accelerated because she was scared of Silas finding out she had failed him. ' I insisted, folding my arms across my chest.
• 'You're right, but your instincts detected real fear as she crawled to my feet. Deep down you know that she is no spy. That girl has been through a lot, if you can't see the despair behind her eyes then you don't deserve her. '
• 'Father, I haven't seen any reason why you brought her down here.' He chuckled, opening the door.
• 'Do you know what a half crescent branding means? ' I knew it was a mark of an outcast.
• 'Had you taken your time to look at her Jaxon, you would have see it. It's right behind her ear. '
• He paused as his words took root in the deepest part of my brain. I tried letting it sink, the news of my mate being a slave in her own pack.
• 'Outcasts are weak, beneath the Omegas. No alpha would impregnate one willingly. Silas does not know Scarlett is with his pup, he would never allow anyone even his closest friend to know that he slept with her, let alone his enemy. ' I sighed for the umpteenth time feeling like the worst mate in the entire country.
• I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. ' There is nothing that girl hasn't been through Jaxon. Your constant promises of death will only push her closer to ending her own life. '
• His words hit home, the mere thought of her doing that bringing a bitter taste to my mouth. My father put his hand on my shoulder, squeezing the muscle.
• 'Make things right or lose her forever, the choice is yours. ' A cold shiver engulfed me, holding my thoughts constant.
• ‘By the way, it has been days since you found out you are mates, your need to stay close to her. ‘ I swiftly lifted my eyes, holding his gleaming one.
• He shrugged his shoulders before continuing. ‘ The nightmares are about to begin, headaches, nausea, fever name it. The more you stay away from her the more the bond will punish you. It will only get worse the more you resist so if I were you, I would be on my way to the dungeons. ‘ My lips were set in a thin line, I was a second away from throwing him out of my office.
• ‘These nightmares will revive your deepest, darkest memories, the ones locked up in the closet. They will drill your mind, eat your bones and muscles to a literal point of insanity. Then finally you will become the one thing you despise the most...’
• ‘ A rogue. ‘