Scarlett Redd

Bewitched

**Alpha Elijah’s POV**

As we drove to the village for the gathering, I could not help but notice my little brother, and beta, Maxwell, was unusually excited. He looked like a kid bouncing in his seat as he stared out of the window in anticipation. I do not know what he was so excited about. They were just humans.

I sighed in annoyance for probably the tenth time today, and Maxwell turned to look at me. “Come on, Elijah. You know what father said.”

“If I didn’t come back with a bride then he was going to delay me from taking over the pack officially.” I rolled my eyes. “Like I haven’t been acting as Alpha since he got sick.”

“I know, but you know dad likes to stick to his traditions. An Alpha and Luna take their place together.” He turned back to the window and resumed his bouncing. “I already know who I am choosing. I have seen her before and know that no beauty can ever compare to her.”

The drive was going to take about another hour, so I decided to get some more work done. As I answered a few emails and left messages for a few other Alpha’s who we were planning on having an alliance with, Maxwell would not shut up about ‘the village beauty’.

“We’re here!” Maxwell smiled.

Our driver parked along the grass off the gravel road. I have heard things of this village and the gathering but refused to go since I became of age almost seven years ago. I have been able to avoid this because my father was gravely ill. Now that he has been doing better, he has been on my back. Maxwell attended for his first time two years ago, and when he came back, he declared he found his bride, but she was not yet of age. He let father know there was another wolf determined to have her, so father gave him permission to offer her family whatever price they wanted to win her.

Maxwell was father’s favorite. If it were not for tradition, he would pass the pack to Max instead of me. Only because my little brother did everything my father asked, while I was not afraid to do things my own way, and often, my way was better.

The driver opened my door and I stepped out into the cool breeze. I looked around to see the other werewolves gathering. I straightened out my suit jacket and walked to where we would wait to see the women offered to us. Max walked a step behind me, looking around anxiously. The women would not be presented until the bell struck nine. We still had ten minutes.

I looked around the village and saw the families gathering around. I could tell some were scared, nervous, and possibly heartbroken. Others seemed too eager to sell their daughter for the right price. This is not how I wanted to find my bride. Even though this was how things were now, I did not want it to be that way for me. I would not be here, but father made it clear I had until my twenty fifth birthday to find a bride. If Maxwell found one before me, he would be the Alpha and I the Beta. My birthday is in a month and I knew Maxwell would be coming to this gathering and leaving with the girl he had his eye on. I had no choice.

Howls erupted from the forest as I saw an Alpha walk out of the tree line, followed by a few of his pack members. You can tell he was an Alpha by the size of his wolf. We Alpha’s were exceptionally bigger than normal wolves. He shifted into his human form and dressed quickly.

“That is the other wolf after my bride.” Maxwell growled.

“You are brave enough to challenge an Alpha?” I scoffed. “You better hope her family asks for more money rather than seeing who would be the stronger one.”

Max growled at me and I chuckled to myself. He is a good fighter, fast and strong. Sadly, he gets too cocky and therefore soon becomes unfocused. The clock struck nine and everyone turned their attention to the building off to the right. Women started to walk towards us in a single line, capes covered their bodies, hoods covering their faces. They lined up in front of us, side by side, in front of the path of candles, and one by one, they put their hoods down, and pushed the cape off their shoulders.

Max looked back and forth; I could feel his anger building. The Alpha on the other end snarled as well. “Mayor Henrick, you are missing a young lady.” The man I assumed to be the mayor stepped around his podium quickly and looked at the line of ladies. His face noticeably paled, and he started to sweat. “Where is she?”

I did not care to listen to the threats the Alpha made. Instead, I looked over the young women again. There was one that stood out. Not because I was interested, but because she looked angry enough to rip someone’s throat out. I am guessing she knows the girl they are talking about, and she is not a fan. Shame. She is one of the most attractive here, but hatred is not a good quality in a Luna. I scanned over the girls again as the Mayor quickly ran off a path through the woods to the right.

“Did you hear?” Max whispered by my side. I shook my head ‘no’. “The mayor said the girl did not show because she is taking care of her sick grandmother who they suspect will not make it another month. Apparently, she is the last of her family.”

“So, if you purchase her, you would be taking her away from a dying woman? The only family she has?” His eyes went wide in shock. “Great way to make a first impression.” I heard his teeth grind, and it brought a smile to my face. I love my brother, but he was so easily angered that it was amusing.

A few minutes later the mayor emerged through the trees with a relieved smile on his face. “She will be here in just a moment.” He promised and he resumed his place.

“How do I choose a bride?” I asked my brother.

“Well, when you see one you like, you walk up and untie her cape- “

“I know the process, Max.” I interrupted. “I mean how do I know which one will make a good Luna. How can father think that THIS is the way to make sure our pack prospers? What if I choose the wrong one?”

He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out and his eyes looked passed me to the trees where the Mayor had just come from. I turned just in time to see a woman walking out from the path and in place next to the girl I noticed earlier. She reached for her hand, but the girl pulled away.

“As requested, this is Scarlett Redd.” The mayor announced. I saw from the corner of my eye that the woman pulled the hood down slowly, but kept her body covered. That was not how things are usually done, but that was interesting. “Scarlett, um, your cape.” The mayor pointed out. “You must push back your cape.”

“I will not.” She spoke calmly.

A few of the wolves looked to each other, but no one protested. My brother, the Alpha, and a few others tried to step forward. “I am Alpha Alexandre Blanchard. I intend to take Scarlett Redd as my bride.” He spoke aloud. The other lower wolves backed down immediately, not daring to challenge him. My brother of course did not.

“I am Beta Maxwell. I intend to take Scarlett Redd as my bride.” My brother tried to make his voice deeper, but he sounded ridiculous to me.

My brother being brave enough made the other wolves that had backed down gain some courage, because they too stepped up. Alpha Blanchard started a bidding war, and it only made him and the other wolves that participated look foolish, including my brother. I felt eyes on me and when I looked, the same rude girl was eyeing me with interest. I looked away from her, my face void of any emotion.

“ENOUGH!” A voice yelled over the wolves arguing and bidding. You can hear that she was angry that she was being fought over. “You all bid for me like I am an item to be sold at an auction! I am not an object to be possessed and refuse to be treated as such!” I could feel the tension in the air. Never has a human dared disrespect our kind. “Since my grandmother is my only living relative, and terribly ill, I will be the one to decide what offer I will take!”

“That is ridiculous!”

“That is not how this works!”

All the wolves started to protest, except me. This whole thing was taking so much longer than necessary. I could feel her eyes on me, but I refused to look her way.

“You have no choice.” She spoke calmly. “I am my only family, so it is my decision alone.”

My brother stepped forward, gaining her attention. “Who do you choose Miss Redd?” Smart brother, let her notice you.

She walked closer amongst us and I caught her scent. Dammit she smelled amazing. My wolf stirred in my head, interested in why she was so captivating. She smelled like vanilla. The same scent I usually have in my room to soothe me. The beauty stopped in front of me, but I kept my eyes straight. I knew if I looked at her, I might be a goner. Her voice and scent were calling to me. If she was as beautiful as Max described, then I could possibly want her more than I should.

“You.” She spoke a few steps from me. “May I ask your name?”

I loved the way she spoke. With authority, yet polite. Making you feel you had the choice to answer, but at the same time not wanting to refuse. “I am Elijah.”

“Elijah.” My name rolled off her tongue and I would be lying if I said it did not affect me. “What is your offer, Elijah?"

“I am hesitant to make you an offer. To be the man that takes you from your grandmother only means you will never gain respect for me. I cannot have that.” I answered honestly. “If I must make an offer, it would be the original price our kind and this village have agreed upon. I am here for a willing bride. I will not fight for a woman that does not want me.”

I heard her heart race, and it brought a secret smile to my face, but that smile soon disappeared. “You seem to be the only one here with a heart. I choose you, Elijah.”

Maxwell: WHAT!

My brother screamed in my mind. Before I could object, she untied the cape herself and placed it in my hand. I could smell the lust coming from the other wolves, and something in me was angry that they were looking at her body. She started to walk away.

“Wait.” I spoke. Without looking at her I handed back her cape. “You will be cold. Leave it on. They know you are spoken for.”

As she took the cape, I chanced a glance her way. I will admit, I understood why she was referred to as ‘the village beauty’. Something about her made me want her. Her face was so innocent and sweet, but I saw so much strength and confidence. I was in trouble. Those amazing emerald eyes. I was indeed bewitched.