Alpha Bully (11 page)

“I’ll leave you to it.”

She didn’t say anything as he disappeared out of the
door. Closing the door, she watched him walk toward his home. He held a cell
phone to his ear, and she wondered for a split second who he was calling.

Heading back into the kitchen, she finished off the
chocolate cake, leaving it to stand in pride of place on the kitchen counter.
Her mother begged for her help, and she took over in the kitchen.

Her mother was an excellent doctor but not a great
cook.

Scarlett was putting the finishing touches to the
dinner when the doorbell rang once again. This was it.

Blowing out a breath, Scarlett waited for her mother
to walk in.

“They’re here.”

“Everything is ready.”

“I hope we’re not coming across as rushed. Your father
showed them to the table already.”

“I’m sure it’s fine.” She picked up the tray with the
meat and walked into the room. Scarlett was wearing a pair of jeans with a red
shirt. The clothes fit perfectly and covered all of her rounded bumps and
lumps. At least she hoped they did. The only seat available was across from Marshall.
Her father sat on one end while his dad did the other. Her mother sat beside
her, and it was the same for his mother.

“This looks divine, honey,” her father said.

“I wish I could take all the credit. Scarlett did most
of it.”

Her cheeks heated as everyone turned to look at her.
She scooped some mashed potatoes onto her plate. The conversation started up
around her.

“Do you like to cook?” Marshall asked.

“Yes.” She nodded her head.

“It tastes delicious.”

Focusing on her own plate, she tried to ignore the joy
building inside her. Their parents were oblivious to them as everyone talked,
eating their dinner. When it was over, her mother couldn’t keep her mouth shut
and let them all know that Scarlett had made a special chocolate cake for them
all.

Marshall surprised her by helping clean the table.

“You really don’t need to do that.”

“I want to. I like helping.”

When the dishes were cleared, she carried the cake
through to the table.

The moans that came from their mouths as they ate it
should be sinful. Scarlett declined cake. She was trying another diet and had
even cut down her portion of dinner.

“You didn’t eat a lot,” Marshall said.

“I ate enough.”

“Why don’t you two kids go out into the garden?” her
mother said. “We’ll take care of the dishes.”

Nodding, Scarlett led the way into the back garden.

“I didn’t know you could cook,” Marshall said. It was
still light out, and the last of the summer’s warmth surrounded them. She’d
noticed whenever he touched her that he was always a little hotter than she was.

“I’ve always been able to cook. My parents are always
so busy that it makes sense for me to cook for myself.” She tucked some hair
behind her ear.

“Thank you for the cake. It was delicious.”

She took a seat on the lounge chair overlooking the swimming
pool. Scarlett didn’t know what to say to him.

“Jack told me he gave you his cell phone number.”

Heat filled her cheeks.

“What?” he asked, taking a seat opposite
her.
He always seemed to know her innermost thoughts.

“Nothing.”

“Your cheeks are red. Why are you embarrassed?”

“I threw his number in the trash. I’m never going to
need it.” She tucked some hair behind her each. He reached out, taking her
hand.

“You’re going to learn to trust us. Hand me your cell
and I’ll put mine and Jack’s numbers into your phone.”

She pulled her cell from her pocket, handing it to
him.

“There you go.”

Why didn’t she want to upset him? She didn’t owe
Marshall anything, and yet, something was different in her thoughts about him.

Chapter Eight

The days passed, and they turned into weeks. Marshall
made a lot of progress with her. Whenever he could, he’d find an excuse to take
her to and from school. Sometimes he’d take her back to his place where they’d
study or they’d play some video games. Jack didn’t come around when she was
with him, giving him the space to woo her.

She didn’t invite him back to her house, but their
parents had hit it off. He’d spent a great deal of time at her place while
their parents talked.

Trey was officially dating Cheryl, which actually
caused a few problems for Marshall. With Trey and Cheryl together, it put her
at their table for lunch. Marshall found Scarlett ate around the school
wherever she wanted to. He’d found her in tears a couple of times, and it was
always down to Cheryl.

The wolf inside him was demanding that he hurt the
bitch who’d hurt Scarlett. He talked to his dad about the problems, but he only
advised him to keep his distance. Hurting a human wouldn’t be good for the
pack. There was more than one way to deal with Cheryl. He didn’t need to resort
to violence even though violence seemed to be the only answer.

In a few weeks the school would be closed for
Christmas
break,
and he didn’t know how he was going
to handle being alone with her. Marshall ran the track staying behind Scarlett,
giving her some space. Trey was
beside
her talking
constantly about Cheryl.

“What do you think I should buy her?” Trey asked.

“I don’t know.”

“What would you like to receive?”

“Trey, Cheryl and I are two different people. She’ll
want something different.”

“What do you want?” Trey was persistent. There were
times Marshall thought Trey was using Cheryl to make Scarlett jealous, but then
he couldn’t be sure.

“Nothing.”
Scarlett stopped on the track, and he made himself slow down so that he
didn’t lap her. Jack didn’t say anything keeping up to the speed Marshall set.

“Are you okay?” Trey asked.

“Yeah.
I just don’t feel too good.”

“Whoa,” Trey said.

Scarlett went a little dizzy. Picking up his speed,
Marshall got closer to her, resting his hands on her hips to keep her steady.

“What’s going on?”

“She’s ill. I don’t know.”

Marshall breathed in pretending to be out of breath.
Yes, Scarlett was ill. She was burning up, and the scent of illness clung to
her skin. He’d been so concerned about his progress with her that he’d missed
her illness. Annoyed with himself, Marshall growled. Jack covered it up by
coughing loudly.

“Jesus, I think there’s something going around.”

“What’s going on over there?” Mr. Bridges asked,
walking toward them.

“Scarlett is sick. I want to take her to the nurse,”
Marshall said, before
Trey
could get a word out. The
other guy glared at him, and Marshall started to wonder if he wasn’t trying to
make her jealous with Cheryl.

“Yes, Marshall.
Scarlett?”

Everyone backed away apart from him as Scarlett
heaved, spreading vomit onto the ground.

“I’ll take her home,” Marshall said.

“Yes, do. Jack, get the janitor out here.”

Marshall picked Scarlett up in his arms.

“What are you doing? You’re going to drop me.” She
pressed a hand to her mouth.

“I won’t drop you.” He didn’t care if others were
looking. Marshall walked out of the school going to his car.

“You’re warm,” she said, snuggling her head against
him. “You’re always so warm.” She pressed her palm to his chest.

Marshall was thankful for his higher body temperature.
He’d keep her warm, and it was cold out.

“You’re always taking me home,” she said.

He eased her into his car, grabbing a brown paper bag
from the back. “Here, vomit into this.”

She took the bag from him. Climbing behind the wheel,
he opened her window as he drove out of school.

“Crap, pull up. I’m going to be sick.”

He stopped against the side of the road, and she
opened the door. He parked the car, climbing out and rounding the vehicle to
stand in front of her. He held her hair out of the way as she spilled her guts
across the road. Holding his breath, he waited for her to finish before
climbing back inside.

Marshall had to stop twice more for her to vomit. When
he pulled up outside of her house, he found the spare key her parents kept
under the mat and carried her inside. He kicked the door closed behind him and
took her straight to her room. Marshall went to her bedroom, overcome by
emotion when the scent of her attacked him.

“Marshall, are you okay?” she asked.

“Yes.” He took her through to the bathroom. “I’m going
to leave you long enough to call your parents and then I’ll be back. Take a
shower, and I’ll be back.” Marshall left her alone, heading downstairs. He
pressed a hand against the wall when he heard the shower start to run.

She was naked in the shower.

Keep moving. She doesn’t need this.

His cell phone buzzed, and he saw it was Jack.

“Trey doesn’t seem to give a shit,” Jack said.

“I doubted he would. The fucker was using her.”

“You’ve scored points I bet with taking her home.”

Marshall groaned as more of her scent surrounded him.

“Are you okay?” Jack asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I mean. I will be fine. She smells
amazing even though she’s ill.” He should be castrated for the feelings he had
for her.

Jack chuckled. “Ah, true love and the need for a mate.
You’ll even overlook the smell of vomit.
The joy.”

His friend’s sarcasm made him laugh. “Wait until you
find yours.”

“No thanks. I’m starting to think this mate thing is
really overrated. They drive normal strong men to distraction.”

Marshall laughed. He woke up and his first thought was
about Scarlett, and when he went to sleep, he thought about her. His thoughts
were no longer centered on the need to fuck. Marshall wanted to be around her,
loving her, taking care of her. There were times he found himself smiling just
by thinking of her. He was turning into a pussy, but that was what Scarlett
inspired inside him. She was going to be his mate for life. The woman he loved.

She wasn’t eighteen yet, and he tried to keep his baser
instincts at bay. Grabbing the telephone off the wall he called the hospital
and left a message for her parents. They were thankful that he was with her. He
then called Jack back to bring her clothes and his. Marshall wasn’t going to
leave her side while she was ill. When he finally got in touch with her parents
they asked for him to stay to keep an eye on her. They wouldn’t be back any
time soon as they were both busy at the hospital. He heard the annoyance in
their voices, and it wasn’t directed at him but at their jobs. Marshall assured
them he’d be more than happy to stay.

Tapping the counter, he listened as the water shut
off. Seconds passed, and he couldn’t help imagining her in the shower, naked,
slick with the water cascading around her. Her long hair brushing the tips of
her rounded butt as she ran her fingers through the length. He was losing his
mind. His cock thickened at the thought, and it took every ounce of control for
him to squash it down. The alpha inside him was begging for him to go upstairs
and claim his mate. She was eighteen in a couple of months. No, he wouldn’t do
it. Scarlett no longer looked at him with fear in her eyes, but she didn’t
completely trust him either. He was doing everything he could to be near her,
to show her that he was a changed man.

The water turned off, and he heard her climbing out of
the tub. Closing his eyes, he blew out breaths and panicked as he heard her
groan. The sound of her vomiting along with the stench hit him. Rushing upstairs,
he entered her bathroom to find her leaning over the toilet. She wore a towel.
Her long hair trailed down her back as she heaved.

Marshall didn’t think. He acted.

Going to her side, he gathered all of her hair in his
hand, covering her back with his. She was shivering, and he covered her body to
help her warm up.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m giving you my warmth.” He reached around,
stroking her stomach over the towel in an effort to soothe her.

She groaned, heaving once again.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
And I’m never letting go.

Marshall felt his wolf calm as he held their mate. She
was the other half of him and would always be protected. He loved her, and
there was no fight within him.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“Don’t you worry about it, baby.”