The Beta's Mermaid

*~* Chapter 2 *~*

~Ari~

I watched as the black wolf lunged at the wolf that had attacked me. There was another wolf who was watching us while standing near the tree—a white wolf. Every once in a while, I would feel his eyes on me… especially when Kia and Jia tried to pull me back into the water. When he stepped towards us, the two will cower away. He’s alpha. That much was obvious.

The fight was over within minutes.

My heart thumped when the black wolf made his way towards me… and right before my eyes, he transformed back into his human self. Black hair and cold black eyes that pierced me. His black eyes glowed slightly as he took in my injury before shifting his eyes to meet mine once more.

My hand shook as I reached out to touch him. His eyes watched my hands, daring me to touch him… or maybe he was curious too. Because we both feel it. The pull. The connection. Binding us.

Just when my hand was about to touch him, he shifted back.

A whimper escaped my lips. A rejection. From him.

“No,” he snarled at me. “Not. You.”

Before I could say anything else, Kia and Jia used this opportunity to pull me back into the water. My heart was to broken to be able to do anything… and I was losing blood. Fast.

***

When I came too, my father was pacing back and forth with my sisters anxiously looking over at me.

“Not a wolf,” my father snarled. “Anyone but him!”

“Daddy,” I choked out.

He turned his angry eyes to me and they softened for a brief moment. His tone was stern as he said, “Not a wolf, Ari.”

Tears sting my eyes at his words. I won’t be able to survive if I don’t be with him or be around him—that much we all know.

I closed my eyes to stop the tears from spilling. I could still see him. Black hair and black eyes. Eyes that look sad and distant. He will never love me… but if he did, I don’t doubt he will protect me and care for me.

~Beau~

Beau’s wolf was itching to get out. To be let loose.

“Stop it,” Beau snarled at his wolf.

Let. Me. Out, his wolf snarled back at him.

Beau rubbed his temple with his fingertips as he rests his other hand on the tree. His wolf’s been acting crazy ever since they came face to face with their mate. A mermaid. Out of all things, a damn mermaid.

“What a mess,” Beau heaved on a sigh.

“Thinking about her?” came a familiar low voice. The alpha. Lucas.

“You knew?”

Lucas came to stand beside him, tilting his head towards the night sky, “We’re best friends for a reason, right?”

Beau said nothing to that. The one who’s been by his side since day one was Lucas. Lucas knew him and understood him more than anyone else.

“Your wolf won’t stay still,” Lucas said, telling him something he already knew.

“I can’t claim her,” Beau muttered.

“Because your mate is a mermaid?” Lucas guessed with a chuckle before dropping his voice low. “Or is it because of her?”

“Lucas,” Beau growled.

Lucas turned his head towards Beau and he smiled but it was hard around the edges. “The mate bond works differently, Beau. It’s only a matter of time before your wolf slips out. You can’t control him—not when he’s seen her.”

Beau knew Lucas was right about that. It made him angry just thinking about it. His wolf was itching to get out. Beau was good at controlling his wolf but this time it was different. He doesn’t doubt what Lucas said about the mate bond.

“Will you take her?” Lucas asked.

Beau sighed, irritated. Running both his large hands through his hair, he grumbled, “I don’t know.”

Lucas chuckled again. “You have to make up your mind, Beau. Judging by her aura, your mate is not any ordinary mermaid.”

Beau knew that too.

Something about her was different from all the other mermaids he’s come across. It made Beau wonder why he was always… just a little intrigued by the mermaids he passed by when hunting for rogues. Maybe… just maybe… deep down it was because his wolf knew that his mate was a mermaid.

“Damn it all,” Beau snarled.