KING OF THE UNDERWORLD (Earthbound Book 1)

I watch as Lucien leaves with half his men and Damien following. The questions from my sisters and cousins come instantly.

Walking over to where I’m standing, jaw tensed, Pamela demands, “Scarlett, what the hell was that?!”

Thank heavens the bite mark from Lucien is hidden; otherwise, I’d have a lot more explaining to do. It might be a stupid plan, but I’ve decided to play dumb. “What the hell was what?”

Eyes narrowed, hands on her hips, Pamela scowls at me. “Don’t you ‘what’ me. Did you think I would miss the looks you were throwing back and forth with that demon? What the hell is going on between you and Lucien Sinclair?” Her voice is edged with anger. “Please tell me I was imagining things. He just admitted to all of us that he lacks a soul, for fuck’s sake!”

I’m tempted to tell Pamela to mind her own business, but I know she isn’t going to leave this alone. She’s always been like a dog with a bone until she gets what she wants. I know it will shock them when they find out I slept with him, but I don’t believe Lucien’s claim that he has no soul. The man just loves to fuck with people. But soul or not, shit is going to hit the fan when they find out about us. All of them forget that I’m an adult capable of running my own life. No matter how good their intentions are, I have no desire to listen to them lecture me on my choices. I’m going to have to tell a few white lies to get them to move on. We have far more important issues at hand. I haven’t even had a chance to tell them about the meeting yet, and I know they’re going to have a strong reaction to that particular bit of news.

“We had a moment,” I finally respond with a shrug.

Hearing someone scoff behind me, I roll my eyes and ignore it. I hear Lucien’s remaining men snicker and notice Logan glaring in their direction, causing them to stop abruptly. I’m unsure if Lucien’s men know about what happened between us. If so, none of them have acknowledged it with me.

“You had a moment?” Pamela demands incredulously. “You expect me… us, to believe that’s all that happened? Do you think we were born yesterday, Scarlett?” Her voice shaking an anger, her lips pressed into an angry line, she continues, “With all the sexual tension between you two, I’m surprised you didn’t just start going at it right in front of us!”

I feel my cheeks grow hot with temper. Why the hell can’t she just leave it alone? I feel like pulling my hair out in frustration as I speak in a low tone. “Whatever did or did not happen between Lucien and myself is absolutely none of your business.”

Her jaw drops open in surprise and her shock is reflected on the rest of their faces. A wave of guilt rushes over me as Pamela’s eyes fill with tears.

Melissa steps forward and pulls me into her arms, kissing me atop my head. I feel calm rush through me from her touch and take a deep breath.

“Forgive Pamela for intruding. You know how she is. Plus, with Megan missing, we’re all on edge,” Melissa whispers in my ear.

I sigh. I know she’s right, but it doesn’t give any of them an excuse to try to control my life. “I know she means well, but she’s just so infuriating sometimes,” I reply in a whisper.

“I know more than anyone how you must feel. Those brothers of mine drive me up the wall, even on their best behavior,” she reminds me, her arms tightening around my shoulders.

Melissa has three older, overbearing brothers. They’ve always kept a close eye on her, even though she’s never really needed them to. She’s a born fighter, and even if she weren’t, she has her wolves if she needs protection. They go wherever she goes and if they feel that Melissa or her family is being threatened, they won’t think twice about defending them. Melissa found them as cubs on the brink of death several years ago, after the rest of their pack had been slaughtered. If she hadn’t taken them in, they would have starved to death.

“How is everything at home?” I whisper, changing the subject. “Who’s watching your little ones?”

“Everyone’s good. The kids are up to their usual mischief. Sophia volunteered to watch them for me since my brothers are away. You’re going to have to find time to come visit soon.”

Shit. “Sophia? Is she in her right mind to take care of them?” I ask, our eyes meeting. We both know Sophia isn’t really the problem, Fate is.

“I know Fate can be unpredictable, but I know she would never hurt them. She loves them just as much as Sophia does. I did place a warning spell though, just in case she does drop in.”

Melissa’s right. Fate wouldn’t hurt them, but I’m glad she set up an alert because she can be unpredictable and make bad choices. Changing the subject again, I say, “Your wolves must need to run. There’s a huge garden here you can take them to.”

A shadow of alarm touches her face. “That would be amazing for them, but if it isn’t safe, I would rather wait.” I’m not surprised by her caution. The safety of her wolves is always one of her top priorities.

“You can at least let them out for ten minutes or so. I’m sure they’ll be fine,” I assure her before turning to Logan.

“Logan, do you think Lucien would mind if Melissa went to the garden…” Damn. What the hell am I going to call them? Not wolves, though that is what they are. But nobody outside the family knows about them and she likes to keep it that way. “She just needs a bit of fresh air.”

Logan turns at my request and stares intently at Melissa, his head tilted in puzzlement. With narrowed eyes, he studies her tattoos. There are five total on each arm, each one a picture of a wolf. They reach up over her shoulders and down her lower back.

I can tell he’s trying to figure out if his eyes are playing tricks on him or if the tattoos really are moving over her skin. Very few people know about the magic involved in the special kind of tattoos she has. I have a feeling he’s trying to figure out if she’s a wolf shifter based on the adornments, and I can’t blame him. I’m not entirely sure what kind of shifter Logan is but based on the way he’s reacting to my cousin, I’m starting to suspect he’s a wolf.

After what feels like eternity, he finally gives a slight nod of consent.

LOGAN

I can’t stop myself from staring at the woman with the mesmerizing tattoos. There’s just something about her that I can’t quite place my finger on. At first, I thought it was just the tattoos, but now I realize there’s more to it than that. I shake my head. I’m sure I know her from somewhere, but I can’t seem to remember where. I’m sure it will come to me.

I can see no issues with allowing her to go to the garden. It’s considered an open space for any who live or stay here as guests.

“Will half an hour be enough time?” I ask the woman Scarlett referred to as Melissa. She gives a swift nod and I call one of the other men over.

“Luke. Take Melissa to the garden,” I tell him. “You don’t have to enter with her but give her half an hour and then bring her straight back here. Don’t let anyone in the garden with her, and make sure she comes back unharmed. Do. Not. Forget. She is Lucien’s guest.”

I stare at him until he nods. He gestures for Melissa to follow him, and they head towards the door.

Turning my attention back to Scarlett, I assure her, “She’ll be fine with Luke. He’s one of the good guys.”

I watch as they leave the room together and wonder, is she the mystery woman I’ve heard so much about?

SCARLETT

“She’ll be fine with Luke. He’s one of the good guys,” Logan tells me. I can’t help but stare at the man in question. He has to be at least six-four, with insanely broad shoulders and jet-black hair tipped with blue. With his light piercing grey eyes, he manages to draw the eye, even if he isn’t the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

As they’re leaving the room, I hear Luke ask Melissa, “Is it true you run with a pack of wolves?” I strain to hear her reply, but they’re out the door before she answers.

I’m not surprised to learn that the shifters here have heard of my cousin. I’m actually more surprised none of them tried to approach her before now.

I turn my head and meet Luke’s stare. With a slight smile, I tell him, “If the need arises, Melissa is more than capable of looking after herself.”

He leans down, whispering, “So she’s the one we’ve heard about?”

I keep my face blank. “I don’t know. What is it you’ve heard?”

He studies me, not answering right away. Finally, he seems to realize I’m not going to say anything more. “Is she the woman we’ve heard rumors about? The one who runs with a pack of wild wolves? I’ve heard people go to her for spells and healing, but nobody has ever admitted to actually going to see her.”

I manage to keep my emotions hidden even though his words surprise me. Shit. How long have these rumors been going around? This is the first time I’ve heard anything about it. I wonder if Melissa knows. I decide not to answer him. If he really wants to know and has the balls to ask her himself, he can go for it.

Turning my attention to my sisters and Evelyn, I try to decide how to handle things. I don’t want to argue with any of them, particularly Pamela. Melissa was right. Finding Megan is our top priority.

I stare at the women whom I love most in this world and feel my heart fill. Yes, they drive me crazy sometimes, enough to make me want to scream, but I really wouldn’t have them any other way. We’ve been through so much together. Losing our parents so young was heartbreaking, but Pamela and Megan were our backbone from day one when they took over for our parents. I don’t want there to be this tension between us.

I promise myself to tell them about Lucien later, but for now, I need to tell them about Aria. I still haven’t told them about her attack or about how my witch was forced to make an appearance. While Lucien hadn’t seen anything firsthand, no doubt Aria told him everything, probably even embellishing things for her benefit. I must assume he suspects how strong I am.

I reach out through our link, embracing my sisters in my love and warmth, and assure them I hold no ill thoughts towards them. A feeling of happiness and contentment rushes through all of us, only to be replaced with panic when I tell them about Aria. We agree that we will protect ourselves if she or anyone else attacks us. We will have no other choice.