Scarlet's Mate

Part Twenty Five

"What?  How is that even possible?  Why did they do that?  What does this mean?"  My heart felt like it was going to explode.  I know I was upset that Elliot didn't tell me I could say no to the whole mate for life thing, but I never would've thought about un-marking myself.  I could already feel him slipping away.

"I didn't even know this stuff existed.  It was honestly just stuff of legends.  Again, usually once the mark happens that's it.  No one would give up that kind of admiration after the mating process has taken place," Derek glanced over at me, "I'm so sorry Scarlet, I have no idea why they'd do this to you."

I sat up, my hand went to my neck, "what do I do?"

Derek stood carefully, "I don't think there's anything you can do."

No.  He's wrong.  He has to be.

"I have to go find Elliot."  I started to swing myself off the bed, but Derek lightly grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back down.

"You are not going anywhere, those people were so close to getting you-"

"They already got me.  Twice.  Unless you forgot already.  If so, just tell me and I can take off my shirt and remind you exactly how he got me," to push my point even further I grabbed the hem of my shirt and started to lift it up. 

Derek's hands caught mine keeping me from revealing anything, "I know, I can never forget.  I'm sorry," he was being soft again.

I know I overreacted but I can't feel guilty about that right now, I need to see Elliot.  I slowly stand up again.  Derek takes a step back and gestures his hand letting me go.  I leave his room and start down the hall.  I can hear him trailing close behind.  Guess I'll just need to get used to him guarding me 24/7.

I feel around my pockets, my phone isn't there.  Suddenly I stop, causing Derek to walk right into me.

"Derek, where's my phone?"  I spin around and stare up at him.

"Oh shit yeah, I completely forgot," he shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled it out, "here, sorry."

He handed me my phone.  I had a missed call from my grandma, an old text from Elliot, and a text from a blocked number.  Ignoring everything I went straight to Elliot's contact and called him.  It rang twice before he picked up.

"Is everything okay?"  Elliots voice was shaky.

"No, where are you?  I need to see you," I glanced up at Derek as I said that.  His face remained unreadable.

"I'm home," was all he said before hanging up.

I spun back around before Derek could see the tears that were threatening to fall again.  I started walking again trying my best to remember where exactly I needed to go to get out of here.  Eventually Derek took the lead, realizing my reluctance to walk fast was due to the fact I had no idea where I was going.

Once we got outside he told me to turn around.  I heard him undressing and could hear the bones snapping.  I waited until I heard his giant wolf plop down before I turned back around.  When I saw his wolf I couldn't help but smile, causing Derek's wolf to playfully drop its tongue out of its mouth. 

"Goofball," I said under my breath as I approached him.  I climb on Derek's back and brace myself, remembering how easily I could fall off.  Once I was secured he took off sprinting.  The wind in my face was refreshing after everything I'd gone through today.

Once we got to Elliot's house, which was technically my house now too, I slid off and waited patiently for Derek to redress himself. 

"Are you sure you want to be doing this now?"  Derek questioned.

"Yes," I was sure I needed to see Elliot.

Nothing felt right anymore.  With the mark fading and everything that's going on I need to talk to Elliot.  But the closer we got to the house, the more unease I felt.  Something was wrong here.  I could feel my heart breaking as I stepped through the back door.  Nothing is warenting this reaction though, I tried to remind myself to stay calm.

"Wait here, please," I look up at Derek, he gives me a tight smile and nods.

My heart starts to soar as I make my way to Elliot's room.  There's no reason for my panic, no logical reason.  With each step I grow more anxious.  I'm close enough that I can hear movement coming from his room.  It sounds like he's working out.  But deep down I know that isn't what he's doing.  Deep down I know what he's doing, I felt it from the moment we got here. 

Outside his door I pause, this is going to change everything.  I'm not sure if I can open this door.  I don't know if I want to open this door.  Sometimes the truth is not what is needed.  Right now I just need to talk to Elliot, be comforted and figure out what the hell is going on.  But behind this door is not that option.  Behind this door I hear someone moaning, and it isn't Elliot.

With my heart in my stomach I push open the door.  The girl laying in his bed gasps and tries to cover herself up.  Elliot doesn't even acknowledge me.  He continues pounding into whoever that is.  I turn on my heel and slam his door.  I run back down the hall, the stairs, and past Derek and his questioning eyes.  I keep running until I hit the edge of the woods.  Then my knees hit the grass, and the limited contents of my stomach decide to take a direct flight out through my mouth.

I don't hear Derek approach me, but I feel his hands gathering my hair.  With one hand free, he rubs circles on my back as I throw up more.  I don't know if it's whatever was in the injection, or just seeing Elliot and his fuck buddy. but my stomach is not having it.

"Scarlet," Derek hesitated, "what happened?"

I lean back, resting most of my weight onto Derek who is now knelt behind me.

"I think I need a place to stay for a few days," I tried to keep my voice light.  I don't know if Derek could hear Elliot and his mistress or not but I feel if he knew what happened, he wouldn't be sitting here talking to me right now.

"Come on," Derek stood and reached his hand out to me, "let's go home."

Reluctantly I stood and nodded my head, agreeing.  Derek spun me around slowly and shifted to his wolf.  I was about to climb on when my phone buzzed from my pocket.

I held up my finger to an impatient Derek as I pulled out my phone.  There was a new text from the blocked number.  And this time I couldn't help but read it.

You're Welcome.