Part III
The Betas
Dom
The sound of my mate crying is killing me. My chest feels hollow as I lean my forehead against the door to her temporary room. Her sobs never stop and my touch is useless to console her. I don’t understand; it’s not supposed to be like this. Her whispers echo in my head and my wolf whines in absolute torment. Rage replaces the agony … toward my wolf and myself. I should be able to soothe her, to be a balm to her broken soul. Instead, I’m the one causing her pain. The way she looks at me with sheer terror in her eyes shatters any hope I have at claiming my mate.
I need to do something, but how can I help her when she won’t let me anywhere near her? I don’t know what the hell to do. I pound my fist against the wall in fury. My only consolation is that our Alpha’s mate can calm her to the point that she’s still. I’ll do anything to heal Lizzie, to have her whole and happy. But first she needs to let me the hell in. The sooner, the better.
A scowl mars my face as Caleb approaches the door. I don’t want to share her. Fate’s a real bitch.
“She’s not letting you in?” His voice is low, with more than a hint of worry.
“No shit.” I practically spit out the words but he doesn’t flinch at my tone. He’s already used to my bitterness over this situation.
“We should tell her we’re her mates.”
I just barely resist the urge to knock him out. I’m worried about healing our mate and he’s worried about fucking her. I grit my teeth but manage a response. “Do you see the way she looks at me?” I say. He ignores my words like the stubborn asshole he is.
“Let’s just do it,” he says and I shake my head. “It’ll be like ripping off a bandage.”
“I can feel the hate and fear radiating off of her all the way from here and you expect me to tell her she’s my mate.”
“Our mate!” I can’t look at him so I just stare at the wall. “If we don’t, then what’s going to happen when her heat hits? What about three days from now when the full moon comes and we have to claim her?” He’s out of his fucking mind.
“Have to claim her? We don’t have to claim her.”
“You don’t want her?” Shock and disbelief are both present in his voice, but also overwhelming sadness. “How can you not want our mate?”
“Of course I want our mate!” His audible exhale is heavy with relief even though my words came out as a low growl. Caleb is truly out of his fucking mind if he thinks she’ll roll over and let us claim her. Her terror is so thick it drenches the air around me. My next words come out easy. “We can wait till the next full moon. Or however long it takes.”
“I’m not waiting. And I’m not risking her heat coming on and it fucking us over like it fucked over Alpha.”
I finally meet his gaze, which stops him from pacing the hall. “How is he?” I heard him and Lev earlier but tuned them out to give my mate all my attention. Lizzie had been saying something in between sobs but all I could understand was Grace. It’s clear she loves her Alpha and it breaks my heart that she has so much love for her, but only hate and fear for me.
“Not looking too good. She ran from him.”
“What the fuck?” My brow rises with shock. None of this is happening the way it should.
“Yeah, when he caught up to her, she knocked him in the jaw trying to get away.”
Holy shit. The admiration in Caleb’s voice is comical, complete with a cocky grin although the humor doesn’t reach his eyes. No one’s gotten a hit on the Alpha in years. Of course his own mate, a human mate, would get the best of him. It almost makes me smile. Almost. But I don’t. So both of our mates have a bit of a violent streak? I can’t help the fact that the Alpha’s mate hitting him makes me feel a little better about my own mate.
“But she reacts to him.” I saw her melt into him at the offering. Despite being petrified for Lizzie, she was perfectly fine in his embrace. “And that’s the way it should be.” Now I’m the one pacing as Caleb leans against the wall.
He comments, “Yeah and then her heat hit and it freaked her out.”
“Why?” I don’t understand how wanting her mate’s touch could possibly hurt their relationship.
“According to Lev, abducting them, not telling them why, and then fucking them is not a good idea. Judging by how pissed off Devin is, I’m going to have to agree.”
A grimace spreads across my face as I say, “You make it sound way worse than it is.”
He raises his brows and says, “Not really. Anyway, she rejected him after they bonded.”
Oh shit. I’m sure Devin’s hurting after that. “But she’s his mate.”
“He hasn’t told her yet and that’s why I want to tell Liz.”
“It’s Lizzie.” I narrow my eyes as jealousy creeps up on me. Shit, I don’t even like him saying her name. There’s no fucking way we’re going to be able to share her.
“First of all, we need to tell her so he can tell Grace. He won’t tell her because he wants to make sure Liz will be all right first. He’s waiting for us to be ready. I know he’s sacrificed for the pack before, but we’re also hurting his mate. She’s our new Alpha.” He stresses the last bit and I feel my resolve crumble.
It kills me to admit it but I don’t have any other ideas on how to get through to Lizzie. Maybe telling her will help; she can’t get any worse.
“And second,” he continues and Caleb’s authoritative voice brings my concentration back to him. “Stop thinking like that. I hate that you’re all pouty that we’re sharing our mate.” My brows knit together in anger.
“Get out of my head, Caleb.”
“You know I can’t.” At least he has the decency to sound remorseful. “We’ll make it work. Fate fucked us over for a reason, right?” He reaches out and pats me on the back, his black boot kicking off of the wall as he does. “Maybe we’re both too messed up for her on our own,” he adds and grins wickedly before continuing, “but together we’ll be whole for her.” I snort. Real romantic.
“The only problem with that theory is that we’re the same kind of messed up.”
He lets out a low chuckle. “No way, you’re way more fucked up than I am.” He smiles broadly at me and for the first time since I realized that we were going to have to share Lizzie, I don’t resent him. “It wouldn’t kill you to smile, you know?” And just like that, the urge to knock him out comes back. I shove him into the wall.
“I’m just screwing around.” I know he is, but it really might make a difference for Lizzie if I could lighten up some. Scary as hell seems to be the most common description of me from the humans. I decide to change the subject. “Vince back yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard.” I watch as Caleb’s fists clench. He usually doesn’t get his feathers all ruffled. Out of all of us, he’s the lighthearted smooth talker. Vince is in for a world of hurt when he gets back. Nearly everyone in the pack is pissed at him. He was supposed to have Lizzie’s background info ready for us. We already had Grace’s since Devin practically stalked her this past year, but we didn’t know Lizzie was ours until yesterday.
Instead, he hightailed it out of the offering and hasn’t been back since. He felt his mate in the audience but he’s going to have to wait until she’s offered, just like Devin had to. He can’t just take her. I have to believe he isn’t that stupid. It’s been nearly twelve hours since we last touched base with him, though. That’s entirely too long for him to not be up to something that’s going to fuck us over. He can’t be hanging around in human territory; he knows better than that. I shove down my thoughts before they get the best of me.
“So you got all of their stuff in there?”
“Yeah, it’s time to move them into their new home.”
“It’s weird.”
He shrugs at my comment. “It’s what Alpha wanted and I think it’ll help them adjust.”
Devin wanted the rooms set up exactly like their apartment. They have the entire east wing all to themselves. It has eve
rything but a kitchen. Plus now they’ll each have their own bedroom and bathroom instead of sharing like they were before. Although, given their dependency, I’m not sure they’ll sleep apart for a while.
My wolf whines again, hating that fact.
“Honestly, it’s not a bad idea. It’ll give them a sense of home and safety.” His words hit me hard and I scowl. “I know, man.” He pats my back again, a firmer, harder pat that pisses me off but when he smirks, I smack him away. At least I know he’s feeling the same way. “One day we’ll be her home and safety.” He nods his head as if he’s reassuring himself. I can only hope he’s right.
Grace
I wake up in Devin’s arms. The Alpha. I breathe out deeply and snuggle into his warm hold, nuzzling into his hard chest. I sigh and feel my cheeks heat as I remember him taking me, shattering me. And then my eyes widen. I sit straight up. Something’s wrong. I shouldn’t be cuddled up to him as if he’s the oxygen I breathe.
My heat.
That’s what’s wrong with me. I begged him, literally begged him, to fuck me. The shame and guilt washing over me make my heart clench and I have to close my eyes. My fingers go numb and my stomach sinks. I can’t do this. Where’s Lizzie?
“Calm down, sweetheart.” Devin’s words are accompanied by his arms around me, holding me there in his lap and I wish I could simply push him away. He traps me gently, but still it’s against my will. He runs his fingers through my hair and pulls me back into his chest. I resist slightly but I want to lie against him. My body’s pulled to him and I can’t help it. It’s as though my body and mind are two separate entities; I don’t like the loss of control. It’s disturbing.
He strokes my back and I feel myself relax into him. This power he has over me does nothing to ease my racing thoughts. A part of me thinks I should leave it be and give in. It isn’t like I have a choice. But that’s just not how I was made. He commanded me, fucked me, and now he’s petting me like a prized poodle. I’m not going to sit back and be a good little pack-bitch.
“Why did you take us?” The words come out dead on my tongue. I already know the answer, but I need to hear him say it. Maybe then I can hate him. I can stop feeling this intense emotional and physical pull to him. His hand pauses as his back tenses for a split second, his strong muscles rippling.
“I wish you would trust your instincts.” His comment is followed by a low and irritated sigh. Gritting my teeth, I shift in his lap so I’m facing him and stare up at his gorgeous face, ready to lay into him, to push him away and practically spit out every horrible thought I have. His silver eyes look almost sad. They soften my resolve to be combative. He rests his hands on my hips and says, “I wish you would trust me, Grace. I know you want to.”
My mind is at war with itself to the point that I have to look away. He’s right. I do have the desire to trust him, to let him hold me, to give myself to him. But that’s not who I am. “Because of my heat.” I frown and offer the words as a simple explanation. Once the heat is gone, I’m sure I won’t feel this way about him anymore. It’s only temporary. But I’ll live with this forever … and Lizzie …
Devin’s fingertips dig into the soft flesh at my hips. The possessive hold makes my body instinctively still. My heart races in fear. Once he registers my reaction, he loosens his grip and caresses instead, but I remain frozen in place as my heart tries to climb up my throat. I want to trust him, but I sure as fuck don’t.
A moment of awkward silence passes.
“How long did I sleep?” I ask and peek up at him through my lashes only to find him staring at me. As though he’s studying me.
“A few hours.” Shock widens my eyes and I jump back a bit, as far as I can with his hands still gripping my hips, keeping me seated in his lap.
“Lizzie,” I say her name in a breathy voice, not hiding my fear and shock. I can’t believe I left her alone for that long.
“She’s all right.” I shift uncomfortably in my captor’s grasp. Would he tell me if she wasn’t? As if on cue, he speaks up.
“I’d let you know if she wasn’t well. She seems to like her space and we’re giving it to her.”
I nod my head, but eye him questioningly. I almost ask him, promise? As if this man owes me anything or that I should trust him. But I don’t have to ask. He tells me exactly what I want to hear.
“I promise nothing bad will happen to her. She’s sleeping. Sound asleep and perfectly safe.”
“She’s not with—”
“She’s not with a man, no. No one has … touched her. Like I’ve touched you.” There’s a thrumming in my veins and mixed feelings that race through me.
Before I can whisper promise? yet again, he says it first. “I promise you, Grace.”
Jude said they can hear each other’s thoughts and now I’m wondering if he can hear mine. I purse my lips and narrow my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” He seems a bit worried so I school my expression back to neutral. Still, I can’t help but to ask.
“Can you read my mind?” At my question he chuckles, revealing his perfect, yet deadly white teeth. I find myself staring at his sharp fangs, mesmerized by them.
“No, I can’t read your mind. Werewolves can communicate telepathically if we concentrate but that doesn’t include humans.” He runs his fingers through my hair and his silver eyes sparkle almost as brilliantly as his smile. “So unfortunately I’ll never be able to read your mind, Grace.”
His fingertips glide gently up and down my back, pulling at my cream camisole. It’s then that I realize I’m only wearing my shirt. He’s covered my lower half with a cashmere throw. I snuggle into it and shift my weight on his lap, feeling self-conscious. My eyes search the room and land on my ripped jeans and lace thong. Dammit. I can’t help but frown at the sight.
“Those were my favorite jeans. I just got them.” I can’t conceal the disappointment in my voice. His eyes follow my gaze and he runs a hand through his gorgeous hair, looking guilty all the while.
“We’ll get you more. The clothes from your apartment are here so you have plenty of outfits to choose from in the meantime. The betas are setting up your room.” I perk up immediately.
“Our things are here?” I blink rapidly at him as my mind wakes up.
He smirks at my excitement and nods. I instantly glare at him. He’d better speak when I ask him a question. This shit’s going to work both ways.
His eyes spark at the sight of my narrowed eyes. “Yes,” he says teasingly.
“I swear to God, if you can read my mind, I’m going to beat the shit out of you.” An asymmetric grin pulls at his lips.
“I told you I can’t. I won’t ever lie to you, Grace.” The whimper that leaves me at the sound of his tender tone is … unexpected. As is the desire to lean in closer.
It’s hitting me again … squirming in his lap, I close my eyes to will it away.
“I asked you one question and you still haven’t answered it.” The words rumble from his chest as I lean into him even more. I nuzzle under his chin and resist the need to nip at him. The temptation is nearly overwhelming and just the thought fans the low flames igniting my core.
“And what was that question again?” I really don’t remember. I’m still tired and this day feels like one giant blur of raw emotion.
“What do you know about werewolves?” He leans back in his chair and I lean back too. A little distance is good.
Oh, right. I swallow and pick at the ends of the throw as I shrug against him. “Not much, really.”
“And what is ‘not much?’”
“Well, I know you shift into a very large wolf. You’re good at smelling and hearing. You hate vampires.” I bite the inside of my cheek and try to think of more. “I now know that you all have silver eyes and you’re taller than average.” I push the throw down and lean back into him. Staring at the black and white photographs on the far office wall I comment, “You have the ability to make unsuspecting women sleep with you.”
A l
ow growl rumbles up his chest as a warning.
“That’s pretty much it.”
“You’re right; that isn’t very much at all. And half of it’s wrong.” I scrunch up my nose and feel my forehead crease. I pull away from him, both my palms pressing against his chest as I stare into his piercing silver eyes.
“What did I get wrong?”
“We’re not all taller than average.” He mocks me. “I don’t like what you said about making women sleep with us.” I’m forced to bite my tongue at that comment, so much so I’m surprised I don’t bleed. “We don’t all have silver eyes. And lastly, we don’t hate vampires.”
“Yes you do.” The words come out accusingly. “That’s why we have the treaty. You keep them away.”
A slight frown mars his handsome face at my words, but he nods. “They stay away because we asked. But that doesn’t mean that we hate them.”
“You just asked them to stay away?”
“Well no, not exactly. We have an understanding.” I raise my brows, willing him to continue. “They stay away or we kill them.”
“But you don’t hate them?”
He shakes his head. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
“I was always told you came to Shadow Falls to hunt them because they’re your natural enemies.”
He scoffs. “Not at all. A mate to one of the pack members was in danger. We had to protect her.”
“A mate?”
“Yes,” he says and his response is clipped.
“Whose mate?”
“The grandfather to the Alpha of my old pack.”
“I don’t understand. This is the same pack, isn’t it? There’s only one pack who we made the treaty with.”
Wounded Kiss (To Be Claimed Saga Book 1) Page 7
