Howling Hearts

Scarlett:

I was standing on my balcony just looking into the woods, wondering what I had done to deserve this. What happened was just as good as a rejection, just one without any words. I don't know what to do next and I just feel so lost in both my thoughts and path.

What's next?

My mom barged into my room again and I turned around to look at her with a sigh. "Well, look a little bit more alive Asher is coming here at seven to apologize". My mom said, with a soft smile on her face and her phone still on a call. The words shocked me and I was gulping air with my mouth trying to say something, but only ended up looking like a fish out of water.

"Well... can he come...yes or noll my mom looked at me with questioning gaze going back and forth to the phone and me." Yes" I blurted out without even thinking about what I really wanted.

I did know that I wanted to be near him but that was probably the mate bond speaking. The mate bond is such a powerful force that very few decide to go against it. "Ok thank you Jade I think this will be best for both families", my mom said over the phone in a serious tone. "You better get ready. We can't let him see you like that" my mom referred to me with my hair all messed up looking like a Christmas tree missing its lights with mascara running a marathon on my cheeks and my foundation being very clingy towards my favorite dress. I couldn't help but give off a sad little giggle. "I'm a mess". I got in through the giggles and my mom didn't say anything. She looked at me with pity and I hated that look on her face. "I'll leave you to it", she said, before walking out the room and closing the door behind her. After a while of losing my mind, I straightened myself up. I got in the shower and thought the cold water would cool down the anger that was burning in me.

Instead, it just somehow grew even bigger at the thought of Ash thinking he could just come here and apologize and all would be good again. He has got another thing coming. I will make him beg for my forgiveness.

When I got to my closet and picked out the most revenge looking outfit I could. It was tight latex pants with a zipper in front, pared with a tight lace top that was see through and under it I had a cropped bustier top to cover my chest.

I pared it with a nice simplistic black heel. I curled my hair to make it nice loose waves. For my makeup, I kept if fairly light but for my eye look was a light n**e look with a sharp eyeliner that gave my eyes a fox look. And I had a n**e lip.

I also had a bit of blush but no foundation just to keep my freckles open.

When I was done, I saw the clock say seven fifteen. I was fifteen minutes late but waiting was the least he could do. As I made my way downstairs, my heart stopped at the smell of his scent, which hit me straight in the gut. I didn't look at him as I made my way downstairs and into the living

room.

I didn't look at him once and gave him a very short hello but I could feel his eyes wandering all over my body. Exactly what I wanted him to do.

"There is some coffee and snacks on the table for you two.

"}

My mom said with nervousness prominent in her tone. Awkward silence filled the room and my mom looked back and forth between the two of us. "I'll give you guys some privacy"

My mom said while tiptoeing up the stairs to meet my father at the top, who had a stern look on his face glaring at Ash. My mom tugged at his arm, trying to lead him away and calm him down.

My father was furious when he found out what had happened. When they left and we could hear their door close, Ash's gaze landed on me again, as if he was expecting me to say something.

"Well..."

Ash said awkwardly. "Well...is that your best attempt at an apology?" I threw the words out as they burned my tongue. Staring daggers at him. "I was going to say you look...good", he said while smiling and scratching his head.

"I didn't dress for you if that's what you're wondering and if this isn't serious to you I will take my leave" I said while getting up from the couch opposite him and made my way to my room. "Wait....

I truly am sorry. Just give me a chance to explain", he said in a defeated voice.

I turned back and looked at him to see some regret in his eyes. I went and sat opposite him again. "I'm sorry" he said as he sighed and looked down. I stood up. He also stood up when I made my way to him and he towered over my form, but that didn't scare me. "You're sorry... That's a lousy excuse for an apology if you can't even look me in the eyes." I yelled at him. I knew he was going to be my alpha, but right now that didn't matter to me.

He then leaned down, getting so close to me our lips were almost touching. "Red, I don't want to fight... should I come back later after you've cooled down?" I shook my head.

"Did you lend your jersey to Saige?" He suddenly asked as he smirked. "No why?" I asked in confusion. "Because that's why we almost slept together she smelled like you and I thought..." he said while moving away from me and grabbing a cracker to eat.

"And what about your words 'you'll be my mistress"".

He looked at me shocked. "You heard that?" He said with a smirk tugging at his lips. I stood there quiet for a moment and looked away playing with my fingers in awkwardness.

"I just said that to get her to shut her up and get dressed. I mean you know your sister better than me and we both know what she's like." He said and fell back onto the couch still eating some crackers. 3

"Well you took her V Card",

I threw out with embarrassment and my cheeks went red.

"Come on Red, you're smarter than that. We both know she's no virgin. She's known to be an easy lay. That was my only interest in her. And I can't apologize for my past actions that I had done before I knew you were my mate." He was so casual with all this. "But if it makes you feel any better I did stop sleeping with her when I found out you didn't like that idea." He sat with his elbows on his knees staring directly at me.

"So I'm sorry for what happened today. I thought she was my mate because she smelled like you. I found out too late that it was the jersey she obviously stole from your closet. So do you forgive me?"