Suddenly A Beta's Daughter

Chapter 16: Rising Tension

Aiden’s POV

The past week has been difficult to say the least. With dad sending wolves off to help aid our allies the work in the pack seems to have doubled. Along with Ben and Joe being gone for most of the day I’ve had to take on a lot of extra duties to help keep everything running smoothly. On top of the extra work I now have to deal with Ben and his hypocrisy. He found his mate, I’m happy for him I am, but that hasn’t done anything to help him be more understanding with my situation with Gabi. I catch him constantly giggling at his phone, texting away, but if I was to get even slightly too close to her he turns into an overprotective tyrant. The strain its putting on our relationship is almost unbearable.

I was making my way to afternoon training when I spotted Ben and Joe on the field sparring. Speak of the devil, the two of them should be in town. I made my way towards them stopping just a few feet away. I know they saw me coming but their focus stayed locked on the fight. I took this time to observe the two of them spar. Ben clearly had the upper hand; he was just dragging it out.

I was gonna wait them out but it didn’t seem like it was gonna end anytime soon and a crowd was beginning to form so I stepped in. “Alright, cut the s**t and finish this.”

Ben smirked, probably knowing the win was his, while Joe became hyperfocused. Try as he might, Joe was taken down in 3 moves, landing flat on his back, Ben’s fist mere inches from his face. Ben laughed triumphantly as he helped him back up.

“What the hell are you two doing here? Shouldn’t you be in town?” I stepped in closer, silently waving off the crowd.

“We got the day off.”

“You mean morning.” Joe was slumped over trying to catch his breath. “Dad and Uncle Rob finally noticed we were dying from lack of sleep.”

Joe stumbled when Ben pushed him. “Don’t be so dramatic.”

“Cool.” I looked around the field hoping Gabi would be nearby. I knew she wasn’t because I couldn’t sense her but it wouldn’t hurt to ask. “Does this mean Gabi’s playing hooky too?”

Ben narrowed his gaze at me. Everytime I so much as mention her name he is immediately on guard, Uncle Rob is like that too. I would think that the two of them would understand what it felt like to be kept at a distance from your mate but they’ve been hell bent on keeping me separate from her all week. Not that they had to try all that hard with her spending most of her time either at school or in her room.

“No. She went to school.” His tone was flat, almost hostile.

“Relax, I was just asking.” Ben’s attitude towards me has been borderline disrespectful lately, just toeing the line. I tried to be understanding at first but it’s been entirely one sided and the longer it went on the angrier Odin got. Things have been tense between us before, that's often the case when you have two Alphas in one pack, and I’ve been trying to keep my distance when necessary to keep the peace but it's getting ridiculous. Either we manage to talk this out or it’s gonna come to blows.

“Sure you are.” He scuffed at me.

That had my blood boiling. “And how is your underage mate doing,” I all but growled out at him. “It must be difficult keeping your distance.” I knew he wasn't even trying to keep his distance. I also knew no one was even trying to make him.

He growled back, stalking over to me his growing dark. “Don’t worry about what I do with my mate.” He stopped right in front of me.

I felt Odin stir within me, reacting to the challenge in Ben’s tone. “I could say the same.” I took one step forward, leaving only a foot distance between us. “To think you would try and seduce a girl that's just 9 months older than Gabi.” I felt my lip twitch up a bit as I saw the guilt flash through his eyes before he masked it with anger. “Not so easy to keep your distance, is it.”

He let out a low growl, his aura slowly releasing. Odin stirred at his blatant disrespect and I let out my own aura in return. Daring him to either back down or take a swing.

“That's enough, both of you.” Joe finally spoke up. He stood close enough that he could intervene but he made no move to actually do so. “This isn't the time or place both of you need to cool it before this gets out of hand.”

I knew he was right but I couldn't be the one to back down. Ben and I both knew that this would only end if he submitted or went through with his challenge.

After a few more seconds Ben sucked his teeth and stormed past me, bumping my shoulder as he left. I made a move to grab him not willing to let it slide but Joe grabbed onto me allowing him to slip by.

I turned my fury to Joe, snatching my arm from his grasp.

“Was that necessary?” He watched me in disbelief.“

“I don’t know, why don’t you go ask him.” I spat out at him.

“The two of you are getting out of hand, you need to figure this out before it starts affecting the rest of the pack.”

“Ya’ll seem to have things under control I’ll see you later.” I stormed off the field and was headed back to the pack house when I felt someone grab my arm.

I saw red as I tugged out of their hold, ready to attack whoever it was. It turned out to be Ashley. She seemed taken aback by my reaction and I struggled to hold back my anger.

“Easy there Alpha, it's just me.” She had a playful smile on her lips. But I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. “What was that back there with Ben? I don’t think I’ve ever seen the two of you at each other's throat like that.”

“It doesn’t concern you.” My tone was cold and sharp but then again I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. I continued on my way but I could sense her following after me.

“Oh don’t be like that. I know we’re not together anymore but we’re still friends.” She bumped into me.

“It’s nothing, get back to training.” She grabbed my arm again and tried to pull me to a stop. I snatched my arm away, harder than I meant to, causing her to fall. “ENOUGH!” I glared down at her, only slightly guilty at the fear I saw flash across her face before she tried to mask it.

“I-I’m Sorry.” Seeing her trembling before me was enough to make me reign in my anger a bit. “I j-just wanted t-to help.”

“My problems are just that, mine. Know your place and get back to training.” I stormed off once more and this time she was smart enough to let me.

Once in the pack house I rushed through the halls to my mothers office. I didn’t even bother to knock, just stormed in. She was sitting at her desk, Aunt Sandy standing behind her. They both looked up in shock at my arrival.

“Aiden?” I didn’t respond as I paced back and forth. I was so distracted that I barely noticed Kelly seated in the corner. “What are you doing here, you should be training.”

To be honest I don’t know why I chose to come here, I just knew I couldn't stay out there with Ben any longer.

“Alright, it seems that my son needs me, we’ll have to pick this up later.”

“Fine by me.” Kelly got up from her seat. “Aunt Sandy, how about we grab Dotty and get an early lunch.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” I continued to pace the floor as the two of them made their way out, closing the door behind them.

“So, you wanna tell me whats going on or are you just going to continue to wear a path in my floor.”

I went to the couch that Kelly had vacated and plopped down hard. “It’s nothing.”

“I don’t think its nothing.” Mom got up and made her way over to me. “If it was you’d be out on the field taking your frustrations out on some poor warrior.”

I scoffed at her as she sat beside me. “I don’t do that.”

“Yeah, uh huh. You also don’t storm in my office unannounced without reason. Talk.”

I let out a heavy sigh before focusing my attention on the ceiling. “It’s stupid. I think I just needed a minute.”

“You kids, I swear. If you need to talk, talk. Don’t come in here interrupting my day just to pout in the corner.”

“I’m not pouting.” I probably am.

“You are. Now speak up or go pout in your fathers office.”

“It’s Ben.” She stayed silent, waiting for me to elaborate. But I wasn't sure if I could. We've butted heads before but never liked this. “Maybe talking to dad is a good idea.” I mumbled more to myself than to my mother.