Scarlet - A New Beginning

A Close Call

Scarlet turned, looking behind her as she darted through the trees. Where was Wolf?  She had just returned to Rieux from Luna, visiting Cinder and Kai for their wedding. Scarlet ducked under a branch, panic crawling up her throat. Maybe she should have listened to Wolf and moved to Africa, but she just couldn't. Not after the news she found out just that morning. Just a few more steps until she was out of the woods, a few more steps until she was back on the ranch. Scarlet stumbled, hitting her foot on rock, and just as she yelped, she heard a grunt as someone plowed into her attacker. Thank the stars, she thought, seeing the familiar unkempt black hair as Wolf landed on the operative. She jumped up, favoring her left foot, and watched as Wolf grabbed him, fury in bright green eyes. Scarlet ran to Wolf, grabbing his arm before Wolf could choke him to death. "I'm alright, I'm alright," she said trying to convince him, "Wolf, let go!" She could see the operative's head turning blue. He had a sharp jawline, canines jutting out of his mouth. Even as he was being choked, she could see the wild anger in his eyes. He would stop at nothing to kill her and Wolf, even when the odds were not in his favor. Scarlet dug her nails into Wolf's arm, trying to get Wolf to stop. He turned looking at her, and the fury from his eyes melted. His hand slowly released from the operative's throat. As soon as he got his chance, he kicked Wolf, using the tree he was pressed up against as extra force. Then, as Wolf doubled over, he ran through the forest, not looking back. Scarlet bent down, pulling Wolf up. His anger returned, but before Wolf could chase after him, Scarlet grabbed him. "Let him go. It's no use," she said, "I'll even cut you tomatoes when we back to the house." She lightly kissed him, and started pulling him towards the house. He let himself be pulled, indulging himself at the thought of tomatoes. "We have to leave the ranch. I told you it wasn't safe. That operative was only an Omega, he's going to tell Ran that we are here. Then, Ran will bring his entire pack and I won't be able to protect you." His voice cracked, feeling helpless, but knowing Scar was too stubborn to listen to him. She grasped his hand, swinging their arms as they made their way to the house. "You are so paranoid, Wolf. Don't worry, you would sense them before they got too close to the house, and you forget that I can take care of myself," she said, thinking of the shotgun she kept on her waist. They walked past the chickens, and Wolf could smell the tomatoes, waiting on the counter. But even tomatoes could not stop him from thinking about Ran. Wolf had not fought in over a year, with Scar there to help fight his animal instincts from taking over. Now that Ran was cyborg, and was an Alpha, Wolf would barely be able to beat him in a fight, much less an entire pack. Wolf tried to forget his thoughts as pulled open the back door, and made his way into the kitchen. Scarlet turned and looked back at her farm, absentmindedly rubbing her belly. This farm was everything to her, besides Wolf. She couldn't give it up just because of Ran. This farm was the only memory left of her Grandmother, she grew up here. Scarlet wanted her children to grow up here, too. Biting her lip she whispered to herself, "How am I going to tell him?"