The Scarlet Witch

Chapter Five - The Reunion

15 Months Later...

Dimitri got into the passenger side of the SUV, slamming the door shut. He was quickly followed by Cody, getting into the driver's seat, starting up the vehicle and pulling off. Dimitri had his eyes shut, resting his head against the headrest, taking in long deep breathes. He was trying to get his anger under control before arriving at the Midnight Moon Pack. He had just arrived home after being away for a little over a year, participating in Alpha training and traveling with his older brother Alexander, who was preparing for his induction to the throne. He was happy to finally be home. But the last thing he expected was to be informed by his grandfather that his wife had never arrived at the Scarlet Moon Pack, and that their "ally" was refusing to allow her to leave.

What was the point of the agreement if the main piece of it was practically being kept captive?

The drive from the Scarlet Moon Pack to the Midnight Moon Pack is typically 45 minutes to an hour. But Cody knew how irritated his alpha was, so he was speeding, somehow managing to cut the drive down to 30 minutes. They pulled up to the main pack house, Dimitri barely letting the SUV come to a complete stop before opening the door and getting out. Dimitri stormed into the pack house, with Cody right on his tail, not stopping when one of the omegas tried to address him and ask who he was there to see. Dimitri went up the main staircase to the second floor, walked down the hall to the last room and stormed in, not even bothering to knock first.

Dimitri walked into the alpha's office. Inside was Alpha Michael, seated in his desk chair, Luna April seated to his left. Beta Simon was seated in one of the chairs facing the desk. Melanie and Jacob were seated in the chair next to Beta Simon, with Melanie seated on Jacob's lap. All looked surprised at the sudden interruption, except for Beta Simon, who looked rather calm.

"Alpha Dimitri, it seems that you have returned from your trip", Alpha Michael said, trying to control his voice. "To what do we owe this visit?"

"I think you know exactly why I am here", Dimitri responded.

"Hm, I don't think that I do." Alpha Michael smirked.

"Where is my wife?" Dimitri growled.

"Hm... Well, I am not sure where she is. I would think that the knowledge of where your wife is should be something that you should know", Alpha Michael replied with a smile, purposely talking in circles.

There was a pregnant silence in the room. Dimitri and Cody are still standing near the door, while the others have not moved from where they were since the pair entered. Beta Simon looked at everyone around, gauging based on their expressions who might c***k first.

"She's at her cottage. It's east of here, on the outskirts of the pack land. You can't miss it", Beta Simon said with a sigh.

Dimitri gave Beta Simon a nod as thanks before rushing out of the room again, with Cody on his tail.

"Did you really have to put an end to my fun?", Michael asked.

"I think it's about time you stopped playing games with her life. You kept her here all this time when you had no right to. When will you realize that she is not a toy?" Simon stood up and walked out of the office, leaving the others to continue with their meeting without him.

Dimitri and Cody drive until there is no more road left to drive on. Continuing on foot, many thoughts begin to invade Dimitri's mind. Does she look differently now after over a year? Has time away changed her view of me? Did she not want to come to my pack after the wedding? He shook his head a little, as if he could shake the thoughts out. After walking for about 10 minutes, they finally came across a small two-story cottage. Dimitri and Cody begin to walk up to the porch when they hear the sound of voices coming from the back of the cottage. They exchanged a look before turning to walk around the house. Upon rounding the corner, they both come to a stop, taking in what they see.

A light grey wolf is in the back yard, jumping and dashing around with a white husky. Sitting on the porch is Amaranth petting a black husky sitting beside her. The first thing that Dimitri notices is her smile. She is smiling as she watches the wolf and dog play in front of her, and it is a smile that squeezes his heart. He watches as a male pack member that he doesn't remember comes out of the back door and offers a mug to Amaranth which she accepts. This stranger to Dimitri was the first to notice his and Cody's presence. He waved, drawing Amaranth's attention to them. Her eyes widen a little, she wasn't sure if what she was seeing was truly there. Amaranth stands up and begins to walk towards Dimitri and Cody with the black dog following her, causing the wolf's attention to be drawn to the pair as well.

When Amaranth reaches Dimitri, he is a bit taken aback, not really sure how she is going to receive him. But the last thing he expected her to do was pinch him.

"Ow" Dimitri sighed with some amusement in his voice.

"Oh, you're really here" Amaranth said, "Hi".

"Hi" Dimitri smiled down at her, taking in her actual height, being around her for the first time while she's not wearing heels.

"Hey, welcome back Alpha!" A voice called out, belonging to a recently shifted Matthew.

"Thank you..." Dimitri trailed off.

"Matthew" he offered his hand.

"Matty" Amaranth stepped in between the two "You're naked"

"So? I would think that you have been living in this pack long enough to know nakedness is normal."

"Matthew, go get dressed please" the stranger cut in, his face set in a frown.

Matthew immediately turned around and headed inside the cottage. Dimitri and Cody exchanged a look and then looked at Amaranth to explain what had just happened.

"That was Matthew. He's my best friend". Amaranth then turned to point at the stranger "This is Derek, Matthew's mate."

"It's nice to meet you, Alpha, Beta," Derek shook hands with both men.

"Same here" Cody said.

"What are you doing here?" Amaranth asked.

"To pick you up and bring you to my pack. Something that should have happened over a year ago", Dimitri said as he started to walk towards the cottage.

Amaranth nodded and turned to walk along with Dimitri, Cody and Derek, with the dogs falling into step along with her, the black one to her right and the white one to her left. They entered the cottage, Amaranth leading Dimitri and Cody up the stairs to one of the spare bedrooms. The bedroom was fully furnished but also had boxes and suitcases lined up along the far back wall.

"You're already packed?" Cody asked.

"Um, yeah. Everything except for the dogs' bowls, which are downstairs in the kitchen. I kind of had a dream a week ago about leaving, so I thought to start packing early, so that I'd be ready", Amaranth explained with a shy smile.

"Nice, well, I'll go bring the car closer so we can load it up" Cody said as he headed out the door, leaving Dimitri and Amaranth in the room.

"Are those the dogs my sister gave you?" Dimitri asked as he picked up one of the boxes to start moving them downstairs.

"Yes! I knew that she was planning on giving me a wedding gift, but the last thing I expected was puppies. And they came two months after the wedding, so it was a really big surprise". Amaranth grabbed one of the suitcases to pull down the stairs.

"I'm happy to see that you're happy with them" Dimitri smiled at her as he set down the box near the front door.

The two continued moving Amaranth's packed boxes and suitcases downstairs in a comfortable silence. After being away from her husband for so long, so many things are shocking her. She is reminded that she actually has a husband. Reminded of how oddly comfortable she is around him. Once they were done moving everything downstairs, Amaranth went into the kitchen and scooped up the dog bowls and washed them before placing them in shopping bags. Matthew comes into the kitchen, now fully dressed, pulling Amaranth into a hug.

"You're really leaving me this time" he whispered, placing a kiss on her crown.

"Yes I am" Amaranth hugged him a little tighter.

"You're going to be an amazing Luna. And although I am going to miss you, I'll be sure to visit when I can. Maybe I'll make some arrangements so that we can all be there for your induction as luna."

"I would love that" Amaranth pulled away from the hug to smile up at him.

The two walked outside with the last few bags that were left. Dimitri, Cody, and Derek have just finished packing up the SVU. Cody gets into the back seat after waving goodbye to Derek and Matthew. Dimitri shook hands with Matthew and Derek before heading to the driver's side of the vehicle. Amaranth opens the door to the back seat to let the dogs in, before turning around to hug Derek goodbye.

"Try not to f**k up my cottage" Amaranth smiled.

"No promises" Matthew winked.

Amaranth laughed as she got into the passenger seat. With Amaranth safely in the seat with her seatbelt on, Dimitri put the gear in drive and began to put off heading towards the main road.