Page 44 of My Forbidden Alpha

The smell of the barbeque cooking in the garden wafts through the small cabin as I pull on a fresh T-shirt. We had gotten back an hour or so ago from the hike, showered, and now we are all ravenous. Well, I definitely am.

I fix my top, pulling it completely down, my mind wandering back to that moment in the sunset. For a second, I was caught up by how breathtaking she looked until I saw beyond that.

She was standing there a little further away, alone, and I realised that she always has been. Always a little apart.

Even when I had looked away, I hadn’t been able to get that image of her appearing so lonely out of my head.

I’m trying to think back on if she was always like this. Was she always so… lonely? The answer is yeah, she was. I just never noticed it. I created a bond with Indigo, or she somehow just pushed herself into my life unapologetically and we clicked so naturally.

Thinking back, I found Scarlett standoffish and quiet, but now I wonder if it was just the fact she didn’t know how to insert herself into a conversation.

Guilt ripples through me and I sigh, walking over to thewindow. Seeing the glow of the barbeque to the side, Indigo is helping make the mocktails and Scarlett is quietly setting up the mat and placing the buns, salad, and dishes onto it.

Quietly.

She is always there, always doing something, just silently. Even now, Indigo is speaking loudly, always the light of the room. I smile slightly, but I still can’t shake off that guilt.

“Elijah!” Dad calls, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. This man treats me like I’m a damn pup.

“I’ll be right there!” I shout as I pull out my phone, frowning slightly. Rafael still hasn’t replied…

After a moment’s hesitation, I call him, wondering if maybe he just hadn’t had a chance to check his phone.

He picks up on the fourth ring just when I’m about to cut the call.

“What a nice surprise. To what do I owe such a pleasure? I’m sure you don’t miss me already, do you?” Rafael’s voice comes.

“No, but I was wondering why you didn’t reply. I get you’re busy, butthatbusy? Is everything ok?” I ask. I know Raf better than that.

There’s a slight pause, one I almost wouldn’t have picked up on if I didn’t know him.

“Oh yeah, all good, I was just a little-”

“Raf. I fucking know you better than that. Don’t try to lie to me.”

He’s silent for a second before he chuckles. “I got into a little fight with my brother. He might have done more damage than he meant to.”

I cock a brow, scoffing. “Yeah, right. Raf, you’re one of the fucking strongest alphas I know. Stop being a wuss. He ain’t a fucking baby. Put him in his fucking place if you need to and stop letting him fuck you up like that,” I growl.

He chuckles. “Are you getting angry for me? But no,seriously, I’m good. So how come you called?”

“I sent you a text earlier. Check it out when your beat ass is able to,” I answer, still not getting how a fucking kid could beat a fucking alpha who has his wolf already. Raf is too fucking good to him.

“Yes, boss,” Rafael chuckles, once again sounding weaker than normal.

What exactly is wrong with him?

Shaking my head, I hang up, toss my phone onto the sofa, and head outside, where Dad is fiddling with the radio.

“Do not put on country music,” I warn as I pick up the tray of snacks and carry it over to the mat. Dad mumbles something which I don’t catch and then country music is blaring loudly, making me groan internally.

Scarlett looks up in surprise when I place the tray down. The surprise soon turns to curiosity, then suspicion, as if anything I do means I have ulterior motives.

“Just helping, Red.” I wink at her, which only makes her frown.

Fuck, she’s cute.

I push the thought away as I stand up and walk over to where Jessica is cooking the meat and also trying to brush some marinade onto the uncooked fillets.

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