Mated To My Brother ✔

Chapter 23 ✔

The clip of the collar was a familiar sound to Scarlet. A punishment no wolf can escape nor try to make it less humiliating. Normally the collar would be for delinquent wolves who'd just shifted but there are times when adults needed them. It was rare, but it happened.

A quiet shock increased Scarlets pulse, she flinched tugging at the thick leather collar with a skull on it. She'd have to change the skull. Looking at Xavier's emotionless face she let her hands drop to her side "what now?" Xavier turned away from her "go home, I'll end someone to your house when it's time" Scarlet nodded solemnly turning to the door and walking out.

As she headed downstairs she stopped by the kitchen, cooking away at the stove Mary hummed to herself. She mixed pancake batter with eggs and milk, then headed to the sizzling Bacon. "Mary" Scarlet whispered softly, she leaned against the door. Mary turned around with wide eyes, shocked to see Scarlet after so long. "I thought I'd saw movement in your house" Mary stated, setting down her spatula Mary walked over to Scarlet. She brushed an unusual looking piece of hair behind Scarlet's ear.

"What happened to you Scarlet" Mary whispered softly, Scarlet did not reply. "Are you hungry?" Scarlet shook her head, with a sigh Mary turned to the food "well I've got to keep cooking, while your still here talk to your parents for me, would ya? They've been worried sick ever since you left and your fathers sickness has gotten worse" Scarlet could hear the clear judgement in Mary's voice. While your still here, Scarlet repeated in her head. Pushing off the dark wooden frame she squared her shoulders "okay" with that Scarlet left without another world. Sadness drowning her.

She should have known they wouldn't forgive her but she wanted to believe they did but this way would make it easier for her to betray them.

Scarlet made it back to her house in record time, Cliona greeted her on the other side of the door. "How'd it go?" Cliona chirped, Scarlet glanced her way "good, he's giving me another chance" brushing past her Scarlet took a step towards the stairs. Cliona stopped her "and what's that around your neck?" Spinning her around Cliona touched the collar that shocked her, she gasped.

"A humiliation collar. It tracks my movements, my heartbeats, my emotions etc. . .anything you can think of it does."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means he doesn't trust me and that I can't leave without being shocked. I'm limited to where I can go and what I can do"

"Well can we take it off?" Scarlet shook her head "no" despite Scarlets words Cliona began to tug on the collar clinging to Scarlet neck. Each time it'd shock Scarlet.

"No! Stop" Scarlet pulled away "it's not coming off, Xavier has the other half and only he can take it off" Scarlet paused "I'm going upstairs" Scarlet ran upstairs and slammed her door shut, little did she know Rakesh followed her in.

Scarlet laid on the floor, "what are you doing in her Rushika?" Rakesh walked out from behind the door, she sat next to Scarlet. "Your not okay" Scarlet glanced Rakeshs way "yes I am" Rakesh shpol her head "no, your not and I can see your hurting but I don't know how to stop it. I can't feel your pain" just as she said that she took Scarlet's hand "that's because I feel none" Rushika stood up "yes you do" she tugged on Scarlets arm until she sat up.

"Come on, time for bed, you've had a long day" Scarlet pushed her away.

"I'm fine"

* * *

Standing in front of what Scarlet believed to Jenna's house, she walked up the creaking steps and knocked on the door. The smell of fresh pie and beef stew drifted from the open window and sounds of laughter could be heard inside. The door open. "Ye-" Jenna cut herself off at the sight of Scarlet, her smile faded "s-scarlet?" Scarlet nodded.

"Hey" was all she could say, two little children rushed past her feet and own the stairs. The boy chased the girl. "I see your doing well" Scarlet watched the older boy tease his sister "I, I am" Jenna stepped aside "would you like to come in?" Shaking her head Scarlet looked past Jenna and to Noah who walked out before behind the kitchen door. "No, thanks anyway, I see your busy" taking a step towards the stairs Scarlet turned to Jenna. "You have a good life for yourself Jenna, keep your family close during the next full moon"

* * *

For the third time today Scarlet stood in front of a house, this one belonging to Laim and Russell who have yet to find and mate their mates. Though there is a rumor going around that five years ago, during the hunt, Russell found his mate who rejected him but it smelt like they were doing pretty fine in Scarlets opinion. Their house reeked of sex, beer and pizza.

She knocked on the door, stuffing her hands in her pockets before rotating on her heels. She knocked again and again until she realized they were probably asleep.

Sighing she turned to leave.

She had one more house to visit, a house that she dreaded to see but as the familiar white wood came into view a sense of calmness washed over her. She could do this.

Scarlet knocked on the door and waits for it to be open. "Scarlet?" The familiar voice breathed out, turning Scarlet looked at the man she once loved and somewhere deep inside her, still does.

"Samuel" she breathed out, Scarlet looked him over. A flannel shirt with a black v-neck under in, ripped jeans that fell off his hips and construction boots. He grew a short beard and grown out the top of his hair but the bags under his eyes indicated he got no sleep. "You came back" Scarlet nodded "I did" moving aside Samuel offered her to come in.

"How," he started out "how was everything with your mom?" Scarlet didn't feel like talking about her mom right now. She came to Samuel because she wanted to see how he was doing, not because of her mother. She never wanted her mother to find out about Samuel. "Good, good but I'm not here because of her" and so they talked, for hours on end they talked and Samuel tried to ignore the collar around Scarlets neck. It meant she was here to stay but not for him, but for Xavier.

* * *

Author's Note:

Remember a story can reflect the author's feelings and what's going on in their life. Some author's don't start off because they like writing or because their life is all rainbows and unicorns, some start off sad and depressed trying to get through life.

I wrote this chapter because of what's going on in my life. I try to make you guys happy but not everything can reflect as happiness when an Author isn't. The chapter might not have went deep into emotions and explanations but the little parts you did see you can tell Scarlet isn't feeling happy. Just like I and a lot of other people aren't.

If you feel this way, I'm always open to listen. I know I read and write to escape from my problems and if you guys do the same, comment about it.

We are all a family, we're in this together and no one will judge. It's Wattpad after all ;-)