Torn Between Alpha and Beta

Chapter 14: The Rehearsal Dinner

Ruby's POV

The dining hall was filled with the hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, the low murmur of voices weaving through the air.

Laughter rippled from the Beta and Alpha council members, filling the space with an energy that should have been warm, welcoming.

I should have felt at ease.

I should have felt happy.

But instead, I felt watched.

Not by the guests.

Not by the elders.

By him.

Jake sat beside me at the long banquet Jake, his posture relaxed, his smile easy. He looked every bit the perfect Beta, the future leader, the mate anyone would be lucky to have.

His hand rested lightly on my thigh, his fingers curling just enough to remind me he was there.

As if I could forget.

Riley stirred uneasily in my mind, her presence like a restless shadow. He’s claiming us.

I exhaled slowly, pushing down the discomfort curling in my stomach.

It was just nerves.

That’s all this was.

Nerves.

Not doubt.

Because there was no room for doubt.

Not anymore.

“The bond between a Beta and his Luna is as sacred as that of the Alpha and his mate,” Elder Alec announced, lifting his goblet in a toast. “Jake and Ruby, your union will strengthen the ties between our pack and the Shadowridge wolves. This is a night of celebration.”

There was a round of applause, followed by the soft clinking of glasses.

Jake smiled, lifting his goblet in acknowledgment. “We’re honored to stand before the pack as a symbol of unity.”

I reached for my own goblet, preparing to echo his sentiment. “And I—”

Jake's fingers tightened on my thigh.

I faltered.

He turned to the crowd, cutting in smoothly. “Ruby and I are grateful for the support of our pack. We’ll do everything to ensure a strong future together.”

A murmur of approval rippled through the room.

I forced a small smile, lowering my goblet.

It wasn’t a big deal.

Not really.

Maybe he just wanted to handle the speech himself.

That made sense.

Didn’t it?

Riley huffed. He didn’t let you speak.

It doesn’t matter, I murmured back.

She was overreacting.

I was overreacting.

I needed to stop searching for reasons to doubt this.

I needed to stop looking for something that wasn’t there.

Dinner continued, the courses arriving in elegant succession: roasted venison, buttered vegetables, freshly baked bread.

I picked at my plate, my appetite absent.

Jake noticed.

“Not hungry?” he asked, his voice low, smooth.

I hesitated. “Just a little overwhelmed.”

He reached for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. “I know it’s a lot,” he murmured. “But you’ll get used to it.”

The words were meant to be reassuring.

But something about them made my stomach twist.

Riley bristled. Used to it?

Jake brought my hand to his lips, brushing a light kiss across my knuckles. “Everything will feel natural soon enough.”

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. “Of course.”

Of course.

This was just an adjustment period.

That’s all.

The conversation at the table shifted, moving from the ceremony to the upcoming pack initiatives.

“I believe it’s important to continue reinforcing our border patrols,” one of the elders said. “Tensions have been rising with the rogues.”

I sat up slightly. “Maybe we could—”

Jake's thumb brushed over my wrist, his grip just a little tighter.

He chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry about pack matters, Ruby. That’s what I’m here for.”

I blinked.

The conversation moved on without me.

Riley growled. He’s silencing us.

I exhaled. It’s not like that.

But was that true?

Because this wasn’t the first time tonight.

And something about it sat wrong in my chest.

Still, I smiled.

Still, I nodded.

Still, I convinced myself it didn’t mean anything.

Because if I acknowledged it, if I let the doubt creep in

What would I do then?

By the time dessert was served, I was restless.

I excused myself from the table, needing air, needing space, needing something.

The terrace was cool against my skin, the night air crisp with the scent of pine and earth.

I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply.

Trying to feel like myself again.

Trying to remember who I was.

A soft footstep sounded behind me.

I didn’t need to turn.

I already knew who it was.

Jake's hands slid over my shoulders, his fingers pressing lightly into my skin. “You disappeared.”

“I needed some air,” I murmured.

His fingers trailed down my arms, slow, deliberate. “It’s a big change. I understand.”

I swallowed. “Yeah.”

He exhaled, resting his chin against the top of my head. “You’ll grow into it, Ruby.”

Something in me froze.

Riley's growl vibrated through my bones. Grow into what?

I swallowed. “What do you mean?”

Jake turned me to face him, cupping my chin. “It’s a different life. A different role. But you’ll learn.”

I forced a smile. “I suppose.”

Jake's eyes glinted in the moonlight, his expression unreadable.

Then he leaned in, brushing a kiss against my temple.

“You don’t have to worry about anything,” he murmured. “I’ll take care of everything for you.”

The words sent a chill down my spine.

I didn’t know why.

I didn’t want to know why.

So I smiled.

I nodded.

And I pretended like everything was fine.

The silence stretched between us, broken only by the distant sounds of laughter and clinking goblets from inside the banquet hall.

Jake's fingers trailed along my jaw before falling away, his touch light but lingering, like he wanted me to feel it.

“Come back inside,” he said smoothly, stepping back just enough to give me space, but not enough to let me breathe.

I hesitated. “I just need a little more time.”

Jake's jaw tightened for a fraction of a second. It was barely noticeable, but I saw it.

Then, just as quickly, his easy smirk returned. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”

But something in his tone felt… off.

Like he was allowing me this moment.

Like he was testing me.

I swallowed and turned back toward the railing, staring out over the dark treetops. The moon hung high above us, casting its silver glow over the pack grounds. The sounds of the feast were muffled now, distant, like they belonged to someone else’s life.

Jake didn’t move right away.

I could feel his gaze on me, like a weight pressing against my back.

Then, finally, he stepped away. “Don’t stay out too long. You don’t want people thinking you’re having second thoughts.”

I froze.

When I turned, he was already walking back inside, greeting a few warriors with that same effortless charm, as if he hadn’t just said something that made my stomach feel like it had dropped into the earth.

Second thoughts.

Was that what this was?

I exhaled shakily, my fingers tightening against the stone railing.

No.

I wasn’t doubting this.

I couldn’t doubt this.

Jake was a good match. He was strong, respected, charismatic. A future leader.

And I…

I was doing the right thing.

Wasn’t I?

Riley stirred in the back of my mind, her presence heavy, restless. Why are you lying to yourself?

I squeezed my eyes shut. I’m not.

You are.

I pushed her away.

Because if I let her in: if I let myself feel I didn’t know what would happen.

I took a slow, steadying breath before straightening my shoulders and turning back toward the banquet hall.

I forced a smile.

I smoothed out the fabric of my dress.

Then I walked inside.

And I pretended like everything was fine.

Like I hadn’t felt that sharp edge of something wrong lurking beneath Jake's words.

Like I wasn’t crumbling bit by bit.

Like I still believed in this choice.

Even if I wasn’t sure I ever had.