His Little Scarlett

Call Me Maybe

She didn’t show up, Eric thought to himself as he was ushered out of the banquet hall to the drawing room where more Barons of the Lycanthrope order sat. Their wives and other noblewomen including the Snowdon Quintuplets sat at the opposite end of the room, some flipping over glossy literature, some smoking pot. Everybody looked prim regardless.

Now that he was officially installed, work began immediately.

There were six Werewolf Packs in the New England county and all their Alphas answered to him now. They were all seated, along with the other Barons, waiting for him.

“Good evening, dearest Barons of the Order.” He greeted, pausing at his seat. “I stand before you today delighted to take over the responsibilities that come with manning this pack, and this county.”

“They’re going start trying to assassinate you everyday like they did to your father if you keep being all talk and no fight, Snowdon.” Baron Wheeler mused, chewing on his steak desert noisily.“Poor man got tired of almost getting killedeverywhere he went he just killed himself.”

Erik stiffened.

“That was a bit unwarranted now don’t you think, Wheeler?” The Dowager Duchess said, her voice piercing, “Every true Alpha knows how to give a good speech.”

Grunts of agreement filled the air, but Baron Wheeler was unmoved.

“The Chap is still a young bugger. Doesn’t even have a wife of his own.” He pointed out.

“You weren’t Twenty five when you got married now were you?” His mother retorted.

Wheeler was unmarried.

“Are you going to speak for him all night?” Baron Wheeler asked, finally turning to her. “Is the Alpha just a mummy’s boy?” He smirked.

“That’s enough, Baron.” Erik spoke, his baritone firm and commanding. “I plan to tackle each of my duties accordingly.”

“Well if that’s true, then my daughter’s ready to get married.” Max of Fernsby voiced.

“So is mine.” John of Wessex piped up.

“Didn’t your daughter just turn sixteen, John?” Wheeler asked.

“She’s a mature Lycan if you ask me.” John replied, winking at Erik who scowled back at him.

“Oh my pretty Geraldine.” His mother said, turning to Max, “How is she?”

“Doing very well, Thankyou for asking. She’s away at Oxford but she should be back home in a few weeks.” Max replied, his demeanor brightening.

“Oh that’s nice.” His mother mused.

Irritation was building in Erik’s brain because he knew his mother hadn’t just innocently asked about Geraldine. She was expanding his options. It only made him think of Scarlett again.

“Pardon me.” He said, excusing himself into the connecting Lavatory.

He could use his cellphone now, and Scarlett was the first name he dialed. It connected after three rings.

“Hello Scarlett, you didn’t-”

“Scarlett’s Ill, Mr Alpha.” Isabel replied icily over the phone, “If that means anything to you.”

“Hello Isabel.” He sighed. “May I speak to your sister please?”

“Ayla? Because she’s the only one awake. Scarlett’s sick.” Isabel said again.

“I, I heard you the first time.” He replied.

So she had caught something and hadn’t bothered to let him know in advance. Here he was foolishly waiting for someone that would have never come.

“I’ll ring later then.” He said.

“I was hoping you would.” Isabel said, hanging up.

Why did they hate him so much?! Why did his own family hate them so much?! It made things all the much harder and he wanted to punch something.

He remembered he was manning a meeting and closed his eyes regretfully. He could no longer take long bathroom breaks. The meetings started and moved and ended with him. He wanted to punch something. Again.

He opened the door back into the drawing room instead.

“Oh Hello, Erik,” His mother called out, “We were just talking about how you and Geraldine have similar interests in Polo and Skiing.”

“She’s also a talented painter!” Max continued, Bringing out his smartphone to check for photos.

“Any other person interested in imposing a mate on me?” Erik called out to the room.

“Imposing?” Max asked, sounding insulted.

“Well my younger sister is unmarried.” One of the duchesses on the far end of the room called.

“Young brides, Beatrice.” Another Duchess replied her and the few of them laughed, one dragging a cigarette immediately after and coughing.

“Right.” Erik said, finding his seat.

“I think Geraldine would make a marvelous companion. She sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders. And she’s a Lycan.” The Dowager Duchess said, adding the last part with a knowing tone.

“Well I do not want to impose.” Max replied, harrumphing.

“She’s not that great.” Baron Wheeler said to Max, whose jaw immediately hung open.

“Fine. I will meet with Lady Geraldine and have a few talks with her.” Erik said.

“My Daughter is better than a few talks!” Max exclaimed.

“What do you want, Fernsby?” Erik turned to him.

“No need to exchange words, my Lords.” His mother warned. “We shall host Lady Geraldine over the holidays and see where their relationship blossoms towards.” She said, rising and motioning towards her stewardess.

“I’m afraid I may have to excuse myself, Ladies?” She turned to the other Ladies in the room, “May we head to my Chambers for wine while the men continue to discuss?”

“That would be amazing.” Baron Wheeler smiled. He hated seeing women smoke. And speak.

The Ladies in the room filed out unceremoniously and Erik immediately knew his mother was up to no good.

“Now with the bickering women gone we can have an actual progressive discussion.” Wheeler continued.

Erik sat up a little straighter. He’d known Aaron Wheeler from when he was a child, he was one of his fathers greatest friends. He was also a half blood. He had a Lycan mother and a Human Father, hence he was untitled from birth.

His father had made friends with a lot of human families including the Sallows and the Wheelers, and when he became the Alpha after successfully overthrowing the former Alpha, he’d appointed him a Baron of one of his estates. Wheeler never married. He never smiled either. He simply enjoyed being invited to the Snowdon events and mingling with the other Lycans.

Everybody knew he was a half blood however. Maybe that was why he never smiled. So he would be taken seriously.

The meeting was over after a short debrief on the standing of the counties on the day of the installation. Every Alpha was meant to enforce rules and laws and report back to the Duke of Snowdon when necessary.

The Barons began to rise, their aides ready with their coats at the door. They filed out one by one, Wheeler being the last to leave. He stopped at the door and turned towards Erik, looking him straight in the eye.

“You have to show commitment to being the Alpha of this pack and the Leader of this county, Boy.” He said directly, “You can’t be distracted for whatever reason.”

“I’m aware of this, Baron, and trust me when I say I’m ready for the intricacies of my role.”

“You must pick a bride, or at least a girlfriend. To preserve your line.” Wheeler said again, “This isn’t the Royal family, so even your Bastard can stake that claim.”

“I will.” Erik replied. He raised his wine glass and sipped the red liquid painfully slow.

“Don’t let your mother do that for you.” He warned, “She seems enthusiastic about doing so.”

“She’s very happy to.” Erik mused sadly.

“Just ring me when you have to, Boy, alright?” The Baron said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you, Wheeler.”