BETA's LOVER

Chapter- Eighteen

MACKENZIE

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my bangs now hanging low, almost covering my eyes. My gaze shifted to my lips, and without thinking, my fingertips brushed over them, lingering there, a reminder of yesterday's kiss.

What have I done?

I blew out a frustrated sigh, walking out of the bathroom. I motioned to Quinn, signaling that she could use it now. As I straightened the sheets and blanket, I moved toward the window, pushing aside the thin curtains to let the sunlight flood the room. I grabbed the window handle and swung it open, allowing fresh air to rush in. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and tilted my face upward, basking in the warmth of the sun against my cool skin.

Soft footsteps approached me. I opened my eyes to find Quinn standing beside me, her face turned toward the sun, soaking in the rays.

"I am confused about what to do," she said, her voice laced with uncertainty. She played with the ends of her hair, deep in thought.

"Yesterday's events are still a shock to me. But I can see through all the excuses they made to keep us here."

"What did you talk to Cylon about?" I asked, turning my back to the window, giving her my full attention.

She sighed, her hazel eyes troubled. "He told me everything about their true identity. He apologized for all of this... and then he said he loves me. He wants me to give him a chance."

I blinked, Alistair's words echoing in my mind. He had said almost the same thing to Quinn as Cylon had. I bite my inner check in suspicion,

Did they rehearse the same lines?

"What did Alistair say?" Her question broke me from my thoughts. I lowered my arms from my chest and placed them on the windowsill behind me.

"Similar stuff," I said with an exasperated sigh. A surprised sound escaped Quinn, but she didn't speak further.

"So, what are you thinking?" I asked, my head tilting slightly in curiosity.

"I don't know, Mack. I mean, I do like him, and we had plans for the future... but," she paused, her voice thick with sadness. She met my eyes, the sorrow clear in her expression. "But that was before I knew about his identity. The whole werewolf thing changes

everything. I don't even know how to process this."

I placed my hand gently on her arm, offering what little comfort I could. She gave me a weak smile before looking out the window. I gave her a moment to collect her thoughts before I spoke.

"You might not like what I have to say, but we need to go back, Quinn," I said, my voice firm. "We have lives out there—your job, my job. I get it, you like him, but can you really leave everything for a person you have known for only three weeks? Especially when you are not even sure how you feel about all this? We can't make any rash decisions about whether you want to stay with him or not. We have been cut off from the world for so long. I am more worried about what if Jack or anyone else is looking for me and can't get in touch? This is going to cause problems we don't need right now."

I watched as she processed my words, the gears turning in her head.

"You are right," she finally said, her voice more determined. "We should go back first and give ourselves some time to process all of this. We can't keep avoiding our responsibilities. One thing I know for sure is that I need time to make a decision."

We both nodded in agreement.

"We should talk to Arthur about our plan to leave and check on my car, It better be repaired by now," I added, cracking my knuckles absentmindedly. Quinn chuckled at the mention of my car, lightening the mood.

Without further delay, we headed out of the room and made our way to Arthur's office, which was in the same building. As we climbed the stairs, Quinn following closely behind, we found him just walking out of his office.

"Hello, Arthur," I called out as we approached. He looked up, his gaze flicking between us before settling on me, his eyes questioning.

"We need to talk to you about something important," I said, walking up to him.

"Sure, come in," he said, holding the door open for us. Thankfully, he was alone.

I wasn't sure how to face Alistair after what happened yesterday.

"Please, have a seat," Arthur said, his voice soft but with a touch of authority. He sat on the couch across from us, his arms crossed, his expression serious.

"Uh, can I call you by your name?" Quinn asked, glancing at him with a slight nervous smile. I scowled, wondering if she was serious.

He chuckled, seeming to relax a little. "Sure, you can."

"Well, Arthur, we want to go back. Mackenzie's and my jobs need us, and we have been absent for far too long," she said. Arthur raised an eyebrow at her statement. "Do they know?" he asked, his gaze flicking to me. I responded with a simple, "No."

His eyes turned cold at my answer. "They have the right to know before I proceed with your request." He didn't seem happy and went rigid, looking into to the space behind us.

I turned to Quinn," Let me talk," I whispered to Quinn, sitting up straighter.

"Arthur?" I called out louder, snapping my fingers to get his attention. He jolted, blinking as if snapping out of a trance, and then

focused back on us.

"Are you okay?" I asked, noticing his odd behavior. He waved it off, not to mind him.

"You were saying something?" He asked, eye brows creased together.

"Yes," I said, my voice steady again. "As Quinn said, we want to go back. But you can't just expect us to drop everything and stay here forever. This is a lot for both of us,"

"Mackenzie, don't get me wrong," he said, looking directly at me, "Even if you don't accept them, they have the right to know about your desire to leave." He spoke to me like a father speaking to his child, and I was almost too caught off guard to respond. "I have no right to stop you, if that's what you are thinking," he added, opening his arms in a gesture of honesty.

I nodded slowly, my gaze dropping to my lap as I processed his words.

Arthur was out of the picture for now. But then there was Alistair.

He would be disappointed, of course. But would he agree to let me leave? And why should I care? I don't need his permission.

I nodded firmly to myself. Just as I had made up my mind, the door slammed open, making Quinn flinch beside me. Two angry men stepped inside—Alistair and Cylon. Their dark hazel eyes scanned the room before locking onto mine, the intensity making me look away.

"What the hell is going on?" Cylon demanded, his voice harsh as he looked at Arthur and then at us.

"Sit down," Arthur commanded, and within seconds, they were seated across from us.

"They came to me to request permission to return to their homes," Arthur said, breaking the silence. "Their reasons are valid, and I have no right to stop them if they have made up their minds."

Alistair and Cylon's eyes remained fixed on us. Quinn and I both avoided their gazes, but we listened as Arthur continued,"I know you two were unaware of the situation, so I called you in here. You can speak with your mates about this and let them decide. You can't force them to stay, and if you try, remember the consequences."

With that, Arthur stood and left the room, leaving us to process his words.

What consequences? I wanted to ask, but I didn't dare.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up to find Alistair standing in front of me, his face unreadable.

"Please, can I have a few minutes?" His voice was tight, his expression frustrated.

I glanced at Quinn. "Talk to him but remember our conversation," I said quietly before stepping away with Alistair. Cylon shot me a cold look, but I ignored it.

I was worried Quinn might fall for his words.

We walked through the room, past rows of bookshelves, until we reached a small seating area with another table in the same room. I stood beside a chair, while Alistair positioned himself by the window, his hands resting on the windowsill. He sighed, turning around to face me.

"Why the sudden decision to leave?" he asked, confusion in his voice.

"It is not sudden, Alistair," I said, crossing my arms. "I have wanted to leave ever since we were brought here, but you guys wouldn't let us. And now that the truth is out, I don't see any reason to stay."His brow furrowed as if trying to understand what I had just said.

"Any reason?" he scoffed, then looked at me with piercing eyes. "Are you mad about yesterday's kiss?" He asked, skeptical about the situation. The tension in the room getting thicker by passing second.

I shrugged. "It was just a kiss. Don't make a big deal out of it." I knew my words were harsh but I had to do this for him to leave me.

His expression darkened. "Let me ask you a question." He took a step closer with each word that escaped his mouth, his voice thick with emotion. He stopped when he was few feet away from me, "Should I apologize... or confess my love?" His words hit me like a wave, and I could feel my heart racing.

I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself. Take control, Mackenzie.

"Nothing," I said, my voice tight as I stared into his dark hazel eyes, not backing down.

I cant let myself fall under my lust for him in this fleeting moment of my life. I thought to myself, but I could see Alistair wasn't backing off soon.

"This might be the last time we see each other. Why do you keep lying to yourself about how you feel? Do you really have to be a hypocrite?" His voice was rough, his anger evident. His words were taunting but I held my ground not taking them to heart.

"Good to know, we are on the same page as myself - about this being the last time. But know one thing that I don't lie,"He stood there in sullen silence, i took my hands off from the chair as I said," I know what i want and what I don't," His eyes flashed with hurt and disappointment as I walked away.

Then, just as I was about to cross the room, his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist, pulling me to a halt.

"Mackenzie, please, think about it," he whispered, his voice breaking, the emotion thick in the air.

I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly, trying not to crumble under the weight of his words.

"I can't do this. I am sorry, but you are not what I need. We were never meant to be." I whispered, feeling my walls begin to crack. I couldn't be vulnerable in front of him. I I always want the upper hand in any relationship, it helps me to maintain control of my emotions—of everything.

His grip on my wrist loosened slightly, but he didn't release me. I tugged my hand free, taking a deliberate step away and making my way toward the door. Each step I took felt heavier, as if guilt were a sharp knife carving its way through my heart. But I reminded myself—love wasn't an option.

Not for me. Never have been in my life.

I found Quinn in the hall, her face tear-streaked and Cylon nowhere in sight. Without a word, I pulled her into a hug. I didn't need to ask why she was crying; I could feel the sadness radiating off her.

A door opened and closed behind me, breaking the moment. I let go of Quinn and turned to see Arthur standing there, Jazmine beside him. There was a sadness in their eyes that made the air heavier, like they already knew what was coming.

"I guess you have made up your minds," Arthur said softly, as if confirming something he had already suspected.

"Don't be rash about this," Jazmine interjected, her voice trembling slightly. "Cylon and Alistair—they really care about you both. They want to make this work, only if you-" She was cut off as Arthur placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head. His smile was gentle, almost apologetic, as if telling her it was useless to try and convince us. Jazmine sighed, sitting down with an expression of quiet defeat. Her eyes pleaded with us, but we both avoided her gaze.

A silence settled over the room before Arthur handed us a piece of paper and a pen.

"You need to sign these. They are confidentiality agreements. Under my name," Arthur said. His voice was firm, but there was no malice in it. "You can never speak of what you have learned about us—about our identities as werewolves. As mates to my men, you are welcome to visit whenever you wish. We will be sending one of our man with you," I frowned at his last statement, he met my questioning eyes and continued,"- to keep an eye on you, just in case you try to spill our secret to the other world. You shall abide by the rules and we shall have no problems between us. But if you ever reveal our secret, there will be consequences." His tone turned colder on the last part, making it clear he wasn't just warning us—he meant it.

I raised an eyebrow, taking the pen in my hand. "Okay. Do I sign here?"

Jazmine pointed to the end of the paper, and we both quickly signed our names, handing it back to them. But as I extended my hand to pass the paper, Jazmine surprised me by wrapping her arms around me in a brief, heartfelt hug. It was warm and comforting—too much so, and my chest tightened at the sudden softness of it. I smiled faintly, clearing my throat to hide the ache in my heart.

"Arthur," I said, breaking the moment. I smirked,"Is my car ready now?"

Arthur rolled his eyes at my obvious tease, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Jazmine chuckled softly, wiping her nose.

"When do you plan to leave?" Arthur asked, still gathering the papers.

"Tomorrow," I replied, glancing at Quinn. She nodded in agreement.

"Then you should leave early in the morning—before the pack wakes up," Arthur suggested, his tone practical. "It will avoid any... unnecessary drama."

It made sense. A wise choice, given the circumstances.

Jazmine leaned forward, her smile brightening as she clapped her hands together. "Tell me your favorite foods and drinks. I am throwing a little feast before you go!"

We both chuckled, the weight of the situation lightening for a moment. While preparing the dinner, we spent time with Jazmine and a few other ladies of the pack that we had met at the party, chatting and laughing as they cooked. They didn't let Quinn or me lift a finger while cooking, so we stayed out of the way, talking amongst ourselves.

The rest of the day was strangely quiet. I didn't see either Alistair or Cylon again. I excused myself, telling Quinn and Jazmine I had be back soon, and went to check on my car.

Pulling on my hoodie and zipping it up against the evening chill, I made my way out of the building. The sun had already begun to dip, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky. The air was still warm, though a slight breeze made me shiver. I walked toward the garage, my footsteps quiet against the soft earth, the sound of birds chirping in the distance.

When I arrived at the shop, my car was parked neatly near the counter. The garage was noisy—tools clanking and engines humming—but it felt oddly comforting. I approached the mechanic who had been working on a car, and he looked up as I neared.

"Hi, I am here to pick up my car. The black sedan?" I asked with a smile,

"Ah, yes. Arthur told us you will drop by. Your car is all set. Ready to go?" He wiped his greasy hands on a rag, glancing back at the car.

I nodded, following him to where my car sat, looking much better than it had before.

"It took a bit of work, but everything is fixed now. The bumper, fender, and hood had some damage, but we replaced it all. The frame was fine, so no issues there."

"Thanks," I said, accepting the keys from him. I ran my hands along the smooth finish of the car before sliding into the driver's seat. The engine started up smoothly, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Everything was perfect—well, as perfect

as it could be.

I locked the car, walking back toward the building. The sun had fully set now, and the sky was a blanket of stars. As I passed through the woods, I heard the rustling of leaves. I paused, eyes scanning the darkened trees, but saw nothing.

Might just be an animal... or wolves.

I shook my head, dismissing the thought, and made my way back inside. By the time I returned, the cooking was done. I quickly washed up and joined the others at the table.

"Is this everything?" Jazmine asked, looking around as Quinn packed up the last of our things.

Jazmine had insisted on helping, even after dinner. She kept us company, offering to assist with anything we needed. Though she seemed like a stranger, she felt like family. Maybe it was just her warmth, the way she looked out for us. I liked her—she reminded me of an older sister I never had.

"Yes," Quinn answered, placing her duffel bag down beside the bed. She sat next to Jazmine, and I joined them, leaning against the wall near the open window. I didn't speak much as they chatted, but my thoughts drifted. I found myself staring out the window, drawn to the dark expanse of the woods. I wasn't sure why, but I couldn't tear my eyes away.

The half-moon hung in the sky, casting faint light over the trees. I waited. Hoping to catch a glimpse of someone. But saw nothing.

No one.

Shaking my head, I closed the window and returned to the bed as Jazmine stood to leave.

"Don't forget about us," Jazmine said, her voice sincere. "I can say this on their behalf, If you ever want any help, just let us know without a second thought. We will always be here for you."

We nodded, and she smiled one last time before walking out. A silence settled over the room.

"Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is a long day," I said, pulling the sheets up around me. Quinn nodded and reached for the light switch.

Morning came far too quickly. I yawned, still tired as we climbed down the stairs. A man arrived to grab our bags, but seeing how light they were as we carried them with ease, he left quickly with my car keys.

I glanced around the house one last time, a small smile tugging at my lips as memories of game night flooded back—Alistair drunk, laughing too loudly, the room full of warmth and chaos. The sound of Quinn's soft gasp pulled me from my daydream. Outside, Cylon stood with the others. I made my way over to Arthur, while Quinn went to Cylon, who immediately pulled her into his arms. For a brief moment, a sharp ache stabbed at my chest, wishing I could be held like that again.

"Mackenzie, Quinn—this is Russell," Arthur said, nodding toward the man standing beside him, the one who had come to collect our bags. "He'll be accompanying you, as I mentioned before." Russell gave a sharp nod, his expression stern, but not unkind.

"Thank you for everything," I said, offering a smile as I waved goodbye to Arthur. He gave a short nod, acknowledging my gratitude.

Quinn waved, but my gaze lingered on the woods, hoping—hoping to catch a glimpse of Alistair. I searched the trees, the shadows, but all I saw was the endless forest, as if he were a ghost who had vanished into the silence. Alistair never appeared.

A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. What had I been expecting? For him to beg me to stay?

Though, a small part of me wished he would.

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. That wouldn't happen, not after I had rejected him so completely.

Still, the memory of our conversation replayed in my mind. His eyes, full of love, as I left him with nothing but my harsh words.

And with each replay, my heart tightened, the weight of it sinking deeper. I had tried so hard to see him, even if just for a moment, but he remained out of reach, just like everything else between us.

Love. That was the word that haunted me. And it wasn't for me. Not after everything I had seen, everything I had lived through.

I had seen love ruin my mother, had watched it destroy her when my father left as told by Aunt Susan so far. She drowned herself

in drugs, and I couldn't blame her. Not completely.

I had once had a boyfriend in college—a boy I had liked a lot—but after Aunt Susan left without a word. I was devastated, she was the only person i couldn't imagine my life without. So I had broken up with him, afraid of becoming too attached, afraid of losing another person I loved. Since then, I had stayed away from relationships.

But with Quinn, something had changed. Slowly, she had broken through my walls, and maybe for the first time in years, I allowed myself to care. But even then, I kept my distance. I couldn't trust love again. It was too painful.

I might be a coward for that, but it was who I was.

I didn't know how to love without fear of being left behind.

The thought weighed heavily on me, my heart beating painfully as I opened the window, trying to breathe in fresh air, feeling suffocated. Quinn and Russell complained about the cold wind, sighing, I closed the window again.

Russell was driving, though I would have preferred to take the wheel myself. But Arthur had insisted, saying Russell knew the way out of town better than we did, and I didn't argue.

After a long stretch of silence, Quinn finally spoke. "There's something I've been meaning to ask. It's been on my mind since yesterday."

I glanced over at her, and Russell met her eyes through the rearview mirror.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice low beneath the steady hum of passing cars.

"The consequences Arthur mentioned... about what happens if a wolf forces their mate to stay—what did he mean by that?" She paused, then looked toward Russell. "You probably know more about it than I do. Can you explain?"

Russell let out a thoughtful hum. "Yeah, I've heard about it. Most of us in the pack did, growing up. It's more like an old warning story now, but..."

He trailed off for a moment, then continued, "There was this wolf, a long time ago, who had a human mate. She didn't want any part of our world—wanted to go back to her normal life, her human boyfriend. But he didn't let her go. Forced her to stay."

He paused, glancing at the road ahead.

"A few days later, she took her own life. Hung herself. It happened more than once, enough that it turned into an unspoken rule—almost like a spiritual truth passed down in silence. You don't force a bond. If your mate chooses to stay, they stay. If they reject you... you let them go. You have to."

The car fell into silence again after Russell finished speaking. The kind of silence that pressed against your chest, heavy and lingering.

Quinn didn't respond right away. She stared out the window, her reflection flickering against the glass with every streetlight we passed. Her fingers were still now, resting lightly in her lap, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.

"That's... more than I expected," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought it was just a rule. I didn't realize it came from something so... tragic."

She turned slightly, her eyes flicking to Russell in the mirror, her expression pained. "They don't tell you that. When you learn about mates... they make it sound like fate. Like magic. Not... this."

Russell gave a small nod, his expression unreadable in the rear view mirror.

"It was never just about the bond," I whispered. "It's about what happens when love becomes a cage—when someone's choice is stolen and it's still called devotion."

She didn't say anything after that. She just sat there, quiet. But the silence between us said enough.

Maybe that's why Alistair never asked me to stay.

Not because he didn't care—but because he did. Because he knew what it meant to take someone's choice away, even with good intentions. Maybe he was scared that if he held on too tightly, he'd be turning something beautiful into something cruel.

Maybe he looked at me and saw someone who wasn't ready. Someone whose heart was still standing at a crossroads.

And instead of chaining me to him with this bond... he let me go.

Not because he wanted to.

But because he loved me enough not to keep me where I didn't choose to be.

I drew in a slow, steady breath, trying to ease the tightness in my chest—the kind that came with distance, with silence, with everything left unsaid. The weight was heavy, but I told myself it would pass.

I would be okay.

Eventually.

Turning to the window, I let my eyes follow the blur of trees and flickering lights as they slipped past. The world kept moving, indifferent and unbothered, and I found a strange comfort in that.Somewhere up ahead, something was waiting for us.

I just didn't know what yet.

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