Scarlett Redd

Leaving Home

**Scarlett's POV**

As the gathering continued, I could feel eyes on me. Not just his, but almost all of them. Especially the Alpha that has had his eye on me since I was sixteen. Anyone can see that he was still not pleased with my choice. I was still unsure of how I felt about it, but he seemed like he did not want to be here. If I leave with someone uninterested, then it would make escaping so much easier. Someone who wanted me, no doubt, would lock me in a room and never let me out of their site. 

I was growing uncomfortable with the stares, and it made my skin crawl. I shifted a few times, and then out of no where, the man I chose growled to the other wolves. Their eyes looked away immediately. How did he know it was bothering me? I was usually good at hiding my emotions, and masking my face, but he saw right through me. That was dangerous. 

One by one a wolf would step forward and choose their bride. Except for that Alpha Blanchard. He stormed off without a bride. Almost every girl was chosen, except for Hannah. I looked at her from the corner of my eye and could see why. Hannah had a very ugly expression on her face as her eyes filled with tears. She talked about the gathering since she was sixteen. Hannah was excited to be taken away from this small, poor village and to be taken away by a handsome man that would spoil her endlessly. Yet, she was not being chosen. I couldn't blame the beasts though, she looked so hateful and angry. 

Soon, Hannah was the last one. Wolves that had not chosen a bride already left, except one. He was younger than the others, the one that spoke to me. He had long brown hair, green eyes, and a little facial hair. He stepped forward hesitantly, and unties Hannah's cape and turned away quickly. Hannah sighed in relief. I tried to reach for her hand again, but she pulled away. I know we always had a bumpy friendship, but she has never pulled away from me before. 

"Congratulations friends on selecting a bride." Mayor Henrick spoke nervously. "Ladies, please take our guests to your homes for your family to be paid, and to collect your things to depart to your new home. Good luck and best wishes on your new journey."

This is the part that I was dreading. Saying goodbye to the only person I have ever loved. I didn't know how I was going to find the strength to walk away from her, to leave her all alone. I just can't do it. The men stepped up to their chosen brides, and they started to leave to their homes. I was the last one just standing there but I could not make my feet move. My eyes were glued to the floor and my limbs felt like bricks weighing me down. 

"Are you alright?" His kind voice filled my ears. Goosebumps raced across my skin, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Why was he having this affect on me? "Do you need help?"

I shook my head and cleared my throat. "I am as fine as I can be." I whispered. A tear escaped my eye and I started to walk towards the path to my home. My only home. "This way."

He followed behind me silently, surprisingly not complaining at how slow I was going. I didn't want to pack my things, I didn't want to say goodbye. I saw my door up ahead and my feet froze. His chest lightly bumped my back and I felt tingles run up my spine. Elijah jumped back quickly and for some reason that hurt my feelings. He said nothing, probably realizing why I was hesitant. I was so caught up in my emotions I had not noticed there was two other men walking behind him. 

"Go and get the car. Clear out anything we do not need and inform Beta Maxwell he and his bride will be riding in the second car with the guards. We will be making room for one more." He spoke clearly. 

I turned around quickly as the men bowed and whispered. "Yes, Alpha."

"Alpha?" I asked. He nodded as he tried not to look at me. "What do you mean you are making room for one more? Had you planned on coming empty handed?"

"No. I was not talking speaking of you." He answered in a calm tone. My heart raced and I swear I saw the corner of his lip twitch in a smile. "Your grandmother will be accompanying us. That is, if you wish for her to come. My doctors in the pack can assess her and make her more comfortable."

My mouth dropped open and my eyes grew wide. This has to be some kind of sick joke. No one was allowed to leave unless being taken by the beasts. That was our way. "That isn't possible." I whispered. 

His head snapped towards me and he scrunched his eyebrows, as if he was angry that I told him the truth. "You think I take orders from a poor village mayor? No one will challenge what I say. If you want your grandmother to come, then she shall. I already told you I will not take you from your family."

Relief flooded my body and I felt my knees go weak. His hands caught me by my waist, and my hands clutched on his chest for support. Those tingles and sparks were there again. I looked up at his blue eyes and found myself wanting him. Needing him. What was this foreign feeling I have never known?

"Are you yourself?" He asked. His face morphing into concern. 

"Not at all." I whispered. 

The Alpha had smiled softly and then I finally let him go. We walked the rest of the way and finally through the door. The weight of leaving no longer held me down, and I was not afraid to leave anymore. Even though I loved my home, my village, and my simple life. I could not pass up the opportunity to have experienced doctors look at my grandmother. He looked around and I could tell he was surprised. 

"It's not much, but it is all we ever needed." I smiled. When he looked at me I could see his eyes flicker from blue to black. I've heard stories about that happening. His wolf trying to take over. I looked away quickly and went to my grandmother's side. I caressed her face and her eyes opened up to look at me. I could feel his eyes on us, but I didn't care. "Grandmother, wake up." Her green eyes looked into mine and I shed a few tears. 

"Is it goodbye already?" She whispered weakly. 

"No. The man, he is an Alpha. He has offered to bring you with us. He has doctors grandmother. You're going to be okay, and I am going to be right by your side the whole time." I cried in happiness. She smiled weakly and then her face fell. "Are you in pain?" 

"We must hurry." The Alpha said. "Her heart is weak." 

The two men came back and he ordered one of them to carry my grandmother and the other to carry whatever I wanted to take. "I don't need much. Just the gifts from her late husband, and the pictures of my parents. Everything else is replaceable. I can work and buy what grandmother and I need."

"Do not concern yourself with anything at the moment. I will take care of everything. Just be with your grandmother." He said simply as he led me out of the cabin after I finished packing a small trunk. 

My grandmother was being carried a few few ahead of us, and the other man was behind us. As we emerged from the trees, all eyes fell on us curiously. Hannah and the man that chose her looked over at us and both were angry. Why did she hate me so and why would he be angry?

Mayor Henrick saw us and rushed over. "Scarlett, is everything alright?" He asked. 

I grabbed both of his hands and laughed. "The Alpha has agreed to take grandmother with us. She will be seen by his doctors and hopefully taken care of. The worst thing is she moves on from this life, but at least she will not be alone."

He sighed and smiled in relief. "That is wonderful news, Scarlett. I am so happy for you. Good luck in life, and may you find happiness and peace." 

"Thank you, mayor Henrick." I smiled and Elijah pulled me away and led me to the SUV waiting for us. 

Grandmother was in the front seat, positioned carefully with pillows surrounding her. The man carrying her waited by the back door, holding it open. I took one last look arounf the village and smiled. I thought the night of the gathering would mean my life over, and the night that I would forever look back as the worst night of my existence. But I could have never imagined all of this taking place. I finally turned around and climbed into the back, the Alpha climbing in right behind me. 

"Travis, let us leave. I have already told the Beta that we cannot wait for them." Elijah settled in his seat.

I never saw him pull out his phone so I don't know how he told his 'beta' anything? I didn't worry about it. I was sitting behind the driver, so I could see grandmother easily. I leaned forward a little to check on her, and the dress slipped slightly and my skin touched his hand that rested on the seat. I heard a low groan escape his lips and I had to fight back a gasp. I tried to pretend that his touch did nothing to me, but it did. Why was my body craving him? I knew nothing about him. 

Soon, we were leaving the village and heading towards wherever he was from. I didn't care to ask. It didn't matter to me. If my grandmother died, I had no reason to stay and would start plotting my escape. The Alpha did not seem like a bad person, but I still refused to belong to anyone. He paid for me, that's it. 

"Um, the payment? Who will that go to if she dies." I whispered, unable to look his way. 

"She will not die, but if that does happen, I will give you the payment and you can do whatever you wish." He spoke clearly. A few moments passed and then he spoke again, as if reading my mind. "Miss Redd, I hope you know I do not intent to pressure you or take advantage of you. I said what I meant. I came for a willing bride. Meaning, things will not happen between us until you are comfortable." 

I nodded my head and looked out the window at the trees passing. I have never been outside of the village, so everything was so new and exciting. The Alpha must have sensed my good mood because he laughed to himself a little. I paid him no mind. As the drive went on, I switched from checking on my grandmother, to looking out of the window in curiosity. 

"My pack is located in Wyoming, it is about a fourteen hour drive. You should get some rest." He smiled. I tried to find a way to get comfortable, but I couldn't. I was just going to give up when the Alpha gestured for me to place my feet on his lap. "Put your feet on my lap, and slide down. You can use that blanket at your feet as a pillow."

"But I will be cold?" I started to get comfortable then stopped. He shrugged off his leather jacket and draped it over me. "Thank you."

He nodded and picked up his phone. While I thought he was not looking, I pulled the jacket higher to reach above my shoulders. I breathed in his scent and I was instantly calm. He smelled of fresh leather and a hint of fire wood. The combination was euphoric, and it confused me further. Why was I so comfortable with being vulnerable around him? I would have to wait for those answers. I settled in the seat and let the slow, smooth drive, and his scent sooth me to sleep.