BETA's LOVER

Chapter- Six

ALISTAIR

“It’s going to be okay,” Jazmine said, her voice soft but steady. “Don’t overthink it, Cylon. We’ll help you, but you can’t force her to understand. Some things have to fall into place on their own. Leave it up to fate.”

Cylon nodded, still restless. His wolf was probably pacing the same way mine would’ve if I were in his place.

Jazmine smiled faintly, eyes darting toward the window. “It’s freezing tonight. I’ll take something warm to the cells for the girls. And maybe…satisfy my curiosity about your mate.”

Cylon groaned, but a hint of color rose in his cheeks.

“You know,” I said, leaning back with a grin, “you’re making me jealous.”

Arthur shot me his usual unimpressed look. Jazmine and Cylon laughed anyway. They knew my jokes always covered the quieter stuff underneath—the envy, the ache.

“I have a feeling you’ll find your mate soon,” Jazmine teased, tapping her chin like she was thinking.

I hope so, I thought, the words heavier than I wanted them to sound. I only managed a smile.

Arthur’s voice pulled me back. “Take someone with you to the cell,” he told Jazmine, brushing his thumb over her hand before she left.

As the door closed behind her, Arthur turned to Cylon. “Where are those papers you found in the car?”

Cylon dug into his jacket and pulled out a worn bundle, laying them across the table. We leaned in.

The pages were yellowed, edges rough with age. I picked one up, smoothing the crease with my thumb. “This looks like a floor plan,” I murmured, rotating it. “A house layout, maybe?”

“Here,” Cylon said, lifting a few darker sheets. “These are the ones I meant.”

Arthur spread them across the table carefully. My eyes caught on the sketches—moons in their phases, paw prints, transformation cycles, even a comparison of human and wolf skulls labeled in detail.

Whoever made these knew what we were. Too much.

I exhaled slowly, tracing the lines of ancient symbols. “This isn’t just folklore. Whoever wrote this had real knowledge. This level of detail—it’s not from a storybook.”

Cylon frowned. “Maybe it’s nothing dangerous. Humans think we’re myths. Maybe some scholar got obsessed, or maybe—” he hesitated, “—a human mated to a wolf once. Could’ve written it then.”

I nodded. “Possible. But it still makes my skin crawl.”

Arthur rubbed a hand over his face. “We’ll show these to Thavma and Pavlos. They’ll recognize any of the old symbols. Then we’ll ask the girls.”

The decision settled the air. Arthur leaned back in his chair. “It’s late. Everyone get some rest. Morning comes early.”

Cylon and I walked out together. The hallway lights buzzed faintly overhead.

“Where are you heading?” I asked, though I already knew.

He chuckled. “Where do you think?”

“To stare at your mate through steel bars. Romantic,” I teased, bumping his shoulder with mine.

He laughed, shaking his head, and disappeared down the hall.

I stood there for a while, hands in my pockets, watching the faint glow of the moon through the glass. Nights like this stretched too long, too quiet. My thoughts filled the gaps I didn’t want to feel.

You’re just tired, I told myself, but even my wolf huffed in disbelief.

By the time I got home, the air had turned to frost. I kicked my shoes off, peeled off my shirt, and let it fall on the recliner. The bed creaked under me as I fell into it, exhaustion swallowing everything else.

Sleep came in fragments—faces I didn’t know, forests that weren’t mine, the sound of something breaking open inside me.

When morning finally pushed through the curtains, my body ached like I’d fought in my dreams. A quick shower, clean clothes, and coffee later, I felt half-human again. Breakfast was simple: toast, jam, caffeine. The quiet hum of routine helped settle the wolf.

By the time I reached the main building, Thavma and Pavlos were already there, walking slowly toward the office. I caught up and greeted them with a smile. “Good morning. You two are up early.”

Thavma’s lined face softened. “Morning, son. You haven’t visited me in a while.”

“I know, I know. Been busy with the pack work,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Pavlos nodded, his white hair catching the light. “How’s your family? Your father still abroad?”

I smiled faintly. “Yeah. Haven’t heard lately, but they’ll be back soon.”

Thavma patted my hand. “Drop by later. I’ll cook your favorite.”

Her warmth always grounded me; it reminded me of simpler years, before duty hardened the edges.

Arthur motioned for them to sit. “We’d like your help with something,” he said, handing over the papers.

Thavma adjusted her glasses, brows knitting as she studied the pages. Pavlos leaned close, his voice low. “Old script. I can make out a few words.”

Thavma squinted. “It talks about wolves—our kind. Mentions a full moon celebration, prayers to the Moon Goddess, and something about a mate bond.” She looked up at us. “But most of this is too ancient. I can’t read the rest.”

Arthur and I exchanged a glance. A human shouldn’t have these.

Pavlos shook his head. “This second page…I don’t understand any of it.”

Thavma took it from him, studied it again, then sighed. “You’re right. It’s unreadable. But whoever had this—be careful. Old magic and ignorance never mix well.”

Arthur nodded. “That’s why we brought you in. The girls had these papers with them. They’re downstairs.”

Pavlos frowned. “Then question them. See what they know.”

Arthur stood. “Exactly my thought.” He turned to Cylon. “Bring them up.”

Cylon swallowed hard and nodded.

Moments later, Jazmine entered, balancing a tray of steaming cups. “Coffees for everyone,” she announced, handing Thavma her favorite whipped-cream blend.

We took ours. The room quieted. Even the air felt like it was waiting for something.

The door opened.

Two women stepped inside—one tall, one small. The shorter one clung behind the other, half-hidden, wide-eyed.

But the taller one—

Something inside me snapped.

Her scent hit first—warm, electric, tangled with fear and blood. My pulse tripped over itself. The room tilted. My wolf surged up so fast I had to lock my jaw to keep from growling.

Those eyes—clear, electric blue—met mine, and every thought I’d ever had went silent.

My heart slammed against my ribs. A rush of something primal, bright, and merciless tore through me. The bond recognition was

instant—brutal.

No. Not here. Not now.

I forced my gaze away, knuckles white. My wolf howled in protest, clawing at the inside of my chest. I’d searched for her for years, across packs and borders—and fate dropped her right here. Human.

Of course.

I looked back anyway. Couldn’t help it. She stood still, hands hidden in the sleeves of a blood-stained maroon shirt, dirt smudged on her jeans. Fragile and fierce all at once.

She’s beautiful.

My breath caught. My body forgot how to move. Every instinct screamed mine, and every rational thought screamed don’t you dare.

Cylon’s reaction hit next. I glanced at him—his eyes locked on the smaller girl, expression dumbstruck, awe written all over him.

I nearly laughed despite the chaos inside me. Do I look like that?

My wolf snorted. Worse.

I pinched the inside of my palm to ground myself. The pain helped. Barely.

Pull it together, Alistair.

Still, my eyes found her again. Couldn’t not.

Well, I thought, a humorless smile tugging at my mouth,

I’m completely f****d.

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