The Scarlet Witch

Regret (Max's POV)

I smelled her scent from miles away. It was familiar and warm; filled with spices and heat. She smelled exactly like she did when we were teenagers in love but the version of her that stood before me was all woman and it struck a chord in me that I was having trouble working through. 

We had been each other's firsts and I had taken others after her; though the image of her panting beneath me in the woods, her long slender fingers buried in my hair almost had me groaning right then and there. I raked my eyes over her body. She had filled out in every possible way. The only thing that had stayed the same was her wild mane of red hair. I knew that I was looking at her with heat in my eyes and a possessiveness that I was not entitled too but I couldn't help it. I had put her out of my mind, forced my need for her all the way to the back, until she suddenly appeared before me and the rest of the pack. 

Now we were here, and she was pretending we'd never met. My father wasn't a stupid man, he could see straight through us both. Her heart had sped up the moment she saw me, even I could sense that; yet she refused to admit that she was the one that bewitched me all those years ago. And although we acted like we had the upper hand, we could all smell the power coming off of her in waves. It was almost like a wildfire was searing the ground, licking across our skin. It was hot in more than one way. 

"We'll there you have it. Even if she did, your son will just have to move on. She belongs to another."

Dieadren's words struck something inside. My wolf was angry at the thought of her belonging to another, even though we both knew the reality of the situation. I had left her. I'd watched her try to come to me day after day, waiting on the edge of the treeline. I saw the way her face crumbled every single time she was met with silence and felt her magick reach out for me and be slapped down by the protective wards. She didn't and wouldn't understand so I watched her come every day; until finally... she stopped. 

With a low groan, I shifted from wolf to man, never taking my eyes off of her.

At first, she looked at me with need and then almost in an instant I watched her face turn to ice. My heart gave a small, painful squeeze and because we were all connected the packs attention turned to that.

What's wrong... 

Bri's voice came through, concerned. The pack could sense my hurt but not like she could. We were moon mated, so my emotions were probably hitting her like a truck right now. For years we tried to let my mate come naturally but for some it never happens at all, and we couldn't afford to wait. With my father almost ready to step down, it was more beneficial for me to find a mate before I took the lead as Alpha. A ritual was performed on the full moon to link Bri and me. She was the daughter of another Alpha and would produce strong heirs. She was key for survival and to say I felt nothing for her would be a lie. We'd grown close and I trusted her with my life. I knew she was in love with me and although I loved her, my heart never truly belonged to her.

Did that witch try to hurt you? Max!

Her fear and hatred for Aeriis poured over me suddenly and I felt her try to draw near. My father pushed back mentally, advising her to stand down immediately. 

I'm fine Agra (Gaelic for beloved)

Her relief swept through, and my father looked at me with warning. I didn't even have a chance to question the look on his face when someone came through the brush. At first, I thought Bri hadn't heeded my father's warning until the smell of sulfur hit me right in the face. 

"He is a lucky man." 

His lips stretched into a grin, and he flicked a glance my way. His distaste for me was instant and his emerald, green eyes flashed a quick warning my way before they circled back around to her. I could instantly smell his arousal. It was coming off of him in waves. I switched my attention to Aeriis and couldn't help the anger in me. Her cheeks were flushed, breathing hitched and I could literally smell her own arousal, pooling between her legs. It awakened my own wolf and all I wanted to do in that moment was take her in front of him. To make him watch me plunge my cock into her over and over. To mark her as mine.