Page 141 of My Forbidden Alpha

“I’m not discussing this. I’m sorry. It’s not up for debate,” I counter firmly.

“Scarlett, I’m serious about you-”

“We’re not doing this right now… please. I don’t need any more negativity or stress around here than I already get, and I’m about to get a shitload more of it,” I state.

He clenches his jaw before he exhales. “Fine,” he agrees reluctantly. “For now.”

I’ll take that. He’s stubborn, but right now we need to deal with the crap we are already in. I adjust my shawl, making sure my neck is fully covered and step out of the car.

I’ve barely shut the car door when the mansion doors are thrown open and Mama rushes out. She runs straight to me, flinging her arms around me and almost knocks me straight into the car behind me.

“Scarlett! Oh, thank Goddess you’re okay. I was so scared, I’ve been feeling so restless. Are you really okay? By the Goddess, I was terrified!” she exclaims, checking my hands and face with worry clear in her eyes.

My breath hitches. This is just the way she used to be when I was a child. The simple move makes my eyes fill with tears.

If only Mama knew my father has once again hurt me, and this time I can’t hide it from her.

That’s when my gaze falls to Mama’s neck, my stomach flipping when I realise that a new mark has replaced Zidane’s.

Jackson’s.

An Alpha

Jessica

Istop my rambling when I see the tears in Scarlett’s eyes. My face pales as I cup my daughter’s face, fear filling me like an unwanted poison.Is Scarlett okay?

“Elijah, what happened to her?” I ask, looking at Scarlett, whose eyes are glazed over, lost in thought as she stares blankly. Elijah walks over to us, about to say something, when Jackson and Indigo hurry over. Jackson pulls them both into his arms tightly.

“Finally! You’re both back. Jessica was so worried, and so was I,” he admits. “But you’re both here and both safe and well.”

Indigo steps forward, and although her eyes are on Scarlett, she calls Elijah’s name.

“Elijah!” she yells, wrapping her arms around his waist the moment Jackson lets go of him. He ruffles her hair, giving her a tight hug back, his eyes on Scarlett.

Something isn’t right.

“Glad to see you’re back, too,” Indigo adds to Scarlett, who doesn’t respond. “Oi, Scar.”

Scarlett blinks and nods at her, but something is definitely screaming alarm bells at me.

“We need to talk,” Elijah says quietly, placing a hand on Scarlett’s back to my alarm. She jerks away from his touch, making panic rise within me.

What’s happened?

“What is it?” Jackson asks, now serious, concern clear on his face.

“Let’s go inside,” Elijah suggests, glancing around as if making sure no one is watching us. Scarlett is the first to turn away and walk off inside. Jackson and I exchange looks before following Elijah inside.

“Indigo, you should go to Daniel’s,” I say, clearly telling her she should leave the house.

“But-”

“Now please,” I warn.

“I’m not a kid…” she grumbles, but a warning look from me has her sighing as she turns around and leaves just the way she entered seconds ago.

“Does anyone want food or drinks?” I ask.

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