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12
Scarlett
Mistake
Mom:Honey,canwetalk? I know you’re busy, but it’s important. It’s about Lee.
My chest clenches, Mom’s text message igniting fear inside me. I ignored her last three phone calls, and now I worry something happened to Dad.
I quickly slide my textbook into my bag and rush toward the door, mouthing an apology to my Biology professor.
Rushing down the long hall, I race through the automatic glass door. Sunshine dims my vision. I head toward the shade of a tree and sit on one of the many benches. I rest my elbow on the table, watching students meander around campus. It’s always super busy on a Tuesday. I know a lot of people squeeze all their classes in mid-week.
My cell phone buzzes again, and I summon my nerves. I don’t read the text from Mom and just hit the call button. It rings far longer than I expect it to, considering I know she just sent me a text, and I think she might be doing it on purpose. It would be just like her to ignore my call because I did so to her.
Just when I think it’s about to go to her voicemail, the line clicks on, and I hear a horn beep.
“Mom, is everything okay with Dad? I was in class.” I keep my voice low, doing my best to remain even in tone.
“Of course, he’s not okay. He feels as if you abandoned him. He’s upset with how you left things. You know he loves you, and he wants the best for you.” Mom’s voice snaps at me, the annoyance hot with her unexpected comment. When she left the penthouse after dinner in San Francisco, I thought things were fine. She had promised to cool Dad off and also told my pack that she was happy that we were together.
I smack my hand on the table. “You made it sound like he was in an accident. I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t have time for this. I have to go.”
“Scarlett, don’t you fucking dare hang up on me. This is important. Your father isn’t budging in his opinion of Pack Hart. And now that he knows you made a mistake on your profile, he wants to reject their proposal,” Mom spits out. Is she kidding me? She’s blaming me for the mistake? I never even saw my profile. It’s just like her to twist things instead of holding herself accountable.
“You better do something. You created my profile. You arranged the proposal. I’ve done nothing but be the obedient daughter you demanded me to be.” I pound my fist on the table, my anger controlling me.
“You should’ve said something when you met them! I will not take the blame for this.” Mom growls with her words, reminding me of the dozen times she had cornered me in my room, threatening me with a hairbrush because she was mad that I had told my dad on her when she was acting out and scaring me.
But now, it feels as if neither of my parents are on my side.
“Are you kidding me? You saw their profiles. They brought up the age difference even with the error. You can’t do this shit. You’ve already agreed and approved. We have set a date. This is my life, and I will not let you ruin it. You took the stipend from the Harts.” Panic seizes my muscles, and I grasp the table as if I will suddenly fall over.
“Come on, Scarlett. You can do better. We can do better. Now that we know of my error, we can fix it and find you another pack. You’ll get scooped up so quickly, especially with your upcoming birthday. So many are anxious because of the time between proposals and breeding. This is a good thing. You cannot possibly be attracted to those old men,” Mom says, contradicting herself with her admission. I wish I were recording her as proof. She had obviously told Dad it wasn’t her fault, and now that she’s angry at me, the truth comes out. She damn well knows this was her fault.
“You’re fucking older than them, Mom. Don’t give me that bullshit. You don’t care. All you want is more money. So fuck off. This is set, and it’s happening. I love them.” My voice rings through the air, my anger turning into fury, burning my eyes with tears. “If you do anything to mess this up, you’ll regret it.”
Mom hisses through the line. “Scarlett, Goddamn it! You little—”
I hang up on her, not standing for her oncoming threats. I can’t believe this bullshit. I can’t believe that she has decided to seek other opportunities now that she realizes her mistake. She was absolutely fine before, even knowing they were older, and now she’s trying to use my dad’s opinion as an excuse. I can’t believe this.
“Damn, Dickasso. Who pissed you off?” Chaz stands a foot away, crossing his arms over his chest. A smile tilts his lips as he stares down at me. “So, you’re playing hard to get because you love someone already? I haven’t seen you with anyone. Do I know him? His pack?”
I flare my nostrils and glower up, wishing I could disintegrate him with my eyes. At least he didn’t catch that I had used a plural term. Because betas don’t usually hook up with several people at once. Many are monogamous. There are a couple out there, but not enough for it to be normal. Not like with omegas and alphas.
“Stay out of my business,” I mutter, sliding off the bench seat. I sling my satchel across my shoulder. “What are you even doing here? I saw you on the schedule at Beach Brew. Shouldn’t you be there?”
“Miss Sandy switched me out for the evening shift again.” Chaz steps closer. “It’s nice knowing that you keep track of me.”
I roll my eyes and turn away from him. “So I can avoid you.”
A strong hand locks around my wrist and yanks me, causing me to stumble. Chaz catches me in his arms, not letting me go.
“You’re a fucking bitch. I’ve been nothing but nice to you. I don’t know what the fuck twisted your panties, but you need to lighten up. Appreciate my attention. It sounds like whoever the hell you were talking to doesn’t like your boyfriend. You know shit never works out if a pack doesn’t approve.” Chaz surprises me by grasping my chin. “Maybe you should just give me a chance. I’ll prove—”
A deep, guttural growl reverberates through my bones, and the world falls out from under me as someone snatches Chaz away, sending him sprawling. I catch Leo’s scent before I see him tackle Chaz and swing his fist, punching him in the face.
“Don’t you fucking touch her ever again. I’ll break your hand.” Leo growls and swings again, sending blood from Chaz’s nose spattering across the concrete path. “Don’t you ever fucking touch a woman without her consent. Do you understand?”
