Hiding from the Beta

Chapter Three

Tahlia’s pov

I looked down at Andy, his pale skin, his eyes empty of their sparkle. I knelt down next to him and cried. I felt someone yank me up and drag me away. I tried my hardest to fight against him. “You will marry the alpha I chose for you. You are such a disgrace.” My father growled. “You will be Heep’s problem after tonight.” His growl ripped through the air.

I pushed and pulled but he was stronger than I was. I looked back at Andy’s body and he was sitting up. A rush of relief flooded over me for only a moment. “You did this, this is your fault.” His voice was different. It wasn’t his normal rough yet silky voice. It was a high pitched noise, it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. “I died, because of you.” He squealed.

I broke free and screamed, “No, I didn’t! It wasn’t me!” I cried trying to get back to him. “I swear, I never wanted this to happen!” I whimpered, tears streamed down my face.

Someone grabbed me by the back of my shirt and dragged me away. “It’s your fault he is dead. If you would have done what I had said then maybe he would still be alive.” My father’s voice growled. “I told your mother she was too damn soft on you.”

I turned and looked at him, “let me go! You’re not my father!” I started clawing at his hand. Suddenly I was pushed up against a wall. I looked at the man in front of me, it wasn’t Anthony. It was a man I had only ever seen pictures of, Alpha Nathaniel Heep.

Tears flooded down my face as he held my neck tightly. “You will be mine.” He growled.

I shook my head back and forth, “I will never be yours.” I growled back. He smiled and then threw me across the room. I braced for the impact but it never came. Instead I jolted awake. The sun just started to rise, the sky purple, pink, and orange.

“Whoa, are you okay?” The man next to me asked as he looked at me with curiosity.

I cleared my throat and smoothed out my hair, “umm, yeah I am fine.” I said, my voice rough from my throat being dry.

He narrowed his eyes at me, “are you sure?”

I gave him a fake smile and nodded my head, “yeah, I am sure.” I told him, hoping that he would get the hint. I rubbed my chest where a constant ache had settled, my stomach starting to turn.

He nodded his head but still looked at me curiously. reached out his hand. “I am Charles Junior, but everyone calls me CJ.” He said with a smile.

I nodded my head and took his hand, “Tahlia.” I said softly.

He looked at me as if he was trying to figure me out. “What are you going to Minnesota for?” He asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders, “I guess I will find it when I get there.” I said as I leaned back into my chair.

He chuckled, “really?”

I glared at him, “what?”

He shook his head, “nothing, I just don’t understand why a pretty girl like you would want to travel alone in a world that could be so terrible.” He said, sounding somewhat impressed, my stomach turned again..

“What are you going to Minnesota for?” I asked him, trying to distract myself from the waves of nausea.

He smiled at me, “I live in Minnesota. In a small town just north of Bemidji. Pine Forest Hills.” He said, sounding quite proud. I nodded my head and turned to look out the window. “If you’d like you could come with me.” He said softly.

I looked at him flabbergasted, “how could you ask me that? We have talked for all of two minutes?” I told him.

He smiled at me softly before he lifted his shirt up slightly. I looked down to see a sheriff's badge, my stomach turned as I looked back up at him. “I can spot someone who is in trouble.” He said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I said pulling my bag closer to me.

He tilted his head towards me, “I heard those men talking about a young woman who had run away.” He said softly.

“So what? You figured you’d just jump in and tag along with the runaway?” I asked him, my attitude coming through.

He shook his head, “no, but it sounded like you were in trouble and you were the only one trying to hide in your seat.” He said. “Just thought maybe I could help you, I am heading in the same direction anyways. Tell me, what’s going on?” He asked, narrowing his eyes on me.

I sighed, “you wouldn’t understand?” I told him then turned back to look out the window, but stopped suddenly as I felt the bile rising up in my throat. I reached forward and grabbed the vomit bag in front of me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, “are you okay?” I looked deep into his eyes and realized he was searching for something. I nodded my head and leaned back. When I looked back at him his eyes lit up in realization.

“Someone like you would never understand my situation right now.” I said.

He smiled, “why? Because you think I don’t understand how packs are run?” He asked as he wiggled his eyebrow.

“How?” I asked him.

He sighed and leaned back into his chair, “I was raised by wolves.” He said quietly, and I looked at him shocked. “It’s a long story but the short version is, my parents and I were in a car when I was a kid. Car went off the road, my parents were killed by rogues, the alpha of a nearby pack found me before the rogues could kill me too. They took me in and raised me to be like them. I went into law enforcement to help them out. I kind of keep them in the loop of what is happening in town.”

I was surprised at that. “I can’t go with you, I need to stay away from the packs. I can’t be found by any wolf.” I told him.

He looked at me surprised. “You will slowly go insane without a pack.” He said, sounding genuinely worried.

“That’s fine, after what happened, I wish I would be dead already.” I said, turning back to the window.

“Something happened to your mate?” He asked softly.

I nodded my head, “yeah, he was murdered.” I looked back at CJ and he looked at me as if I could explode at any moment.

“I am sorry, do you know who did it?” He asked.

I nodded my head, “yeah, a man I used to call father.”

“Why?” He asked.

I sighed and leaned back into my seat and crossed my arms. “Why do you even care?” I asked.

“I care because I wish I could have a bond like the ones you guys have. I have grown up watching your kind be mated and you guys mate for life, you’re bonded together and you guys normally accept it and cherish it. To have a bond like that ripped away is horrible. I understand why you wish that you were dead instead.” He said softly. His green eyes flickering with sadness.

I sighed as a tear slipped down my cheek. I would give anything for another moment with Andy. “He was killed because my father wanted me to be mated to an alpha. My mate was a top warrior. He revealed to me just before he died that my father wasn’t my father.” More tears started to stream down my face, “I could have stopped it, but I was so confused and wasn’t paying attention. He killed him with a knife that was dipped in silver powder laced with wolfsbane.” I turned to look at the man.

“Wow, that’s a lot of information.” He said as he looked at me stunned.

“Yeah.” I said, turning back to the window. This time he left me alone. I looked up and saw a sign that said ‘Now Leaving Montana’. Well it is a long drive.

Anthony’s pov

I glared at the man in the ticket booth, “I know she has been here. Where is she?” I growled as I held the picture up to the glass that separated us.

He narrowed his eyes at me, “I am sorry sir, I cannot tell you any information. If you need information then you need to call the police.” He said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

I growled and stormed away from him. I watched the lights of a bus pull away, for all I know she could be on that bus. I stormed towards Jonathan and Ray, “any sign of her?” I asked.

They both shook their heads, “no, none. Why would she just up and leave without saying anything?” Jonathan said.

I shook my head, “my guess is she took off with that mutt, Andy.” I growled.

They both looked at me suspiciously, “good for them. They both deserve to be together.” Ray said as he glared at me. “They are mates, they deserve to be happy.”

I growled at him, “you may be the future alpha but I am still above you until you take over for your father.”

He shook his head, “The first thing that’s going to happen when I become alpha, is your immediate retirement.” He growled back.

I watched as he and his brother stormed away, “where are you going? We need to find Tahlia!” I yelled at them.

They both stopped and Ray abruptly turned towards me. “No, I don’t think we do. They will come back when they are ready to come back. Hopefully they will come back fully mated and you won’t have any say in the matter.” He grabbed his brother’s arm and they both walked away towards the edge of the woods.

I looked around feeling defeated, this isn’t how this was supposed to go. She was supposed to go and marry Nathaniel, what am I going to tell him? I sighed and ran back towards the woods as well.

I ran all the way back to the pack, right to the spot where I hid Andy’s body. I grabbed him and walked towards the border. Once we were over the border I ran until I came across one of the many rivers not far from our pack in Idaho. I threw Andy into the rushing river and watched his body float away.

I shifted and ran back to the pack. I didn’t bother putting on any clothes as I ran into the house and right through the bedroom door. I walked into the bathroom and quickly showered, making sure to rub myself with my body wash really well.

I climbed out and toweled off. I sat on the bed and started to pull on my clothes. My mate stirred, “what time is it?” She asked groggily.

“It’s almost six in the morning.” I growled.

She sat up and looked at me, “were you working in your office all night?” She asked me.

I shook my head, “no, it seems like your daughter has run off.” I answered her roughly, anger coursing through me.

She looked at me shocked, the sleepiness gone from her eyes. “What do you mean she ran off?” She asked me hurriedly.

“She took off, what else is there to say?” I growled at her.

“What else is there to say? Are you serious right now?” She yelled. I turned and glared at her, but she continued on. “She may not be your blood daughter but you helped raise her! She has called you dada from the start. To her you are her father! YOU SHOULD GIVE A DAMN!” She screamed at the top of her lungs.

I stood up and shouted back. “Don’t you dare yell at me, woman! You are my mate and you will respect me!”

She glared at me, “I should have rejected you the moment I laid eyes on you.” She growled before she walked to the chair and grabbed her long silk robe off the chair. “If anything happens to her, I will never forgive you.” She wrenched the door open and Apollo was standing there, wide eyed.

Lois looked at him with wide eyes, “Apollo, I-“ She started but he cut her off.

“Tahlia is gone?” He growled.

“Yes, son. She fled in the night.” I told him.

“She isn’t my sister?” He asked, his voice strained.

“She is-“ I cut Lois off this time.

“Half sister, she is your half sister.” I said as I glared at my mate.

“Why didn’t you ever tell us? Was that why you always treated her more harshly? Becasue she wasn’t yours?” He asked me, his anger growing.

I narrowed my eyes at him, “yes, she doesn’t mean anything to me. I needed her to mate with an alpha so that she would be out of my hair and I wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore. Plus he agreed to make an alliance with us if she was his chosen mate.” I told him.

“You’re a terrible person.” He said, then wrapped his arms around his mother and walked her down the stairs. “Mom, I will make you something to eat.” He said softly.

I growled and slammed the door shut, effectively splitting the door down the center. “Now you have two doors to fix.” My wolf growled at me.

Ray’s pov

I ran into the pack house and straight to my mother and father’s bedroom. I knocked on the door and saw the light flip on from underneath the door. The only reason I answered this call was because Jonathan and I had been on a run when we saw Anthony chasing after Tahlia. The time difference was a hard thing to overcome in a day.

The door opened and my father stood in the doorway. “What’s going on?” He asked, his voice sleepy.

“Tahlia and Andy are gone.” Jonathan told him. He motioned for us to come in. We walked past the bed and over near the french style doors to the balcony. We sat at the little table overlooking the pack grounds.

He sighed, “I know.” I looked at him confused, how could he know? “I helped them leave. I gave him the information and money they needed.” He said.

“Dad, when we made it to the bus station we saw Tahlia. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and she allowed an unknown man to sit next to her on the bus. Andy wouldn’t allow that.” I told him. “While we were tracking her, we also only saw one set of tracks.”

He looked very upset at this news, “that would be accurate. Andy would not allow a stranger near her.” He put his hand on his chin while he thought deeply. “Something must have happened. But we have no idea where Tahlia would have gone.” He said.

Jonathan cleared his throat, “yes we do. The bus she was on was going to Bemidji, Minnesota.” He said.

I turned and looked at my brother, “how did you know that?” I asked him.

“Well I looked at the time slots while we were talking to Anthony. The only bus that was leaving at that time was the one for Bemidji.” He said with a yawn.

I looked at my dad, “what do we do?” I asked him.

He sighed, “well the only thing that would benefit her at this point, would be to ensure that her good for nothing father doesn’t find her.” He said.

“What about Andy?” I asked.

“Well, hopefully he was somewhere on that bus, or they had a plan to meet somewhere.” He said as he rubbed his brow. Suddenly my mother was right behind my father. She put her hands on his shoulders. He reached back and pulled one of her hands to his mouth and left a gentle kiss.

“We should probably keep an eye out around here too. He may come back and try to get revenge for what Anthony was trying to do to Tahlia.” She said softly. “Anthony is not a good person, we should all watch our backs.”

I sighed and stood up, “we can talk about this more later. I am going to get a few hours of sleep with my mate.” I gave my mother a hug and kiss on the cheek, then hugged my father. “I love you both.”

Jonathan did the exact same thing then followed me from the door. “You don’t think Andy is okay, do you?” He asked me as we walked towards our rooms.

I stopped at my door, “no Jonathan, I do not think that he’s okay. The pain in her eyes said that something really bad happened. I have a really bad feeling about everything.”I said softly. I rubbed my tense neck. “I tried to mind link him when we were chasing Tahlia, it was like it wasn’t there anymore. It was like the link was completely gone.”

“I am just happy I am not you right now.” He said as he cringed.

I looked at him confused, “why?”

He pointed towards my door, “because I would hate to be the one to tell Andria that Tahlia and Andy are both gone.”

I looked at my door, dread crept up my spine. I would have to be the one to break that news to her. “Crap, I didn’t think about that.” I said. I heard a door click and turned to see Jonathan was gone. “Whimp.” I whispered towards his door.

I turned the knob and walked into my room. I smiled when I saw Andria laying in my bed. Her soft snores were like music to my ears. I quickly undressed and climbed in behind her. I pulled her close to me and tried to go to sleep.

But no matter what I tried I couldn’t fall asleep. Eventually I saw the sun rising, at least soon she would be awake. Then I had to discuss what happened last night with her. I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation. She would be absolutely devastated.

It wasn’t long after the sun started to creep through the window that my gorgeous mate started to stir. I pulled her thick dark hair out of her face. She turned and looked at me with a big smile. “Good morning you handsome piece of man.” I smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her.

When I pulled away and looked back at her, her brows were furrowed. “What’s wrong babe?” I asked her.

She shook her head, “something is wrong, I can feel it. You are dreading something, what’s going on?” She asked as she turned to look at me better.

I sighed, “I didn’t want to talk to you right away, I was going to wait until you at least had your one cup of coffee.” I told her.

She shook her head, “no, you don’t hold off on something like this. I am to be the next Luna of this pack. I want to be kept in the loop. I am not here to just nurture and plan parties and look pretty. I am here to help you with this pack, to build a family and a good life with you.”

I smiled at her confidence, “you aren’t going to like what I say, you need to promise not to freak out or over react.” I said. She nodded her head, “Tahlia is gone.” I told her.

Her eyes grew wide and she sat up, nearly head butting me in the process. “When did she leave, where did she go?” I asked hurriedly.

“I can’t tell you everything that I know. I can tell you that she left with Andy during the night. However, when we were chasing her and saw her as the bus was pulling out, Andy was nowhere to be seen. Not a single trace of him anywhere.” I told her.

Her brows furrowed and she looked down at her hands. “He wouldn’t leave her alone. I know that for a fact. Something has happened to him.” She said softly, she started to .

pace back and forth in the room.

She reached over and grabbed her phone, she dialed Tahlia’s number. I could hear the phone ring, “hello?” I looked at her confused.

“Apollo? Are you with Tahlia?” She asked, her voice hopeful.

“No, she left her phone on the bed.” He said so quietly I could barely hear him. I grabbed her phone and flipped it to the speaker.

“Do you have any idea where they would go?” I asked him.

“No, and I will not help find her. She ran away for a good reason, I would have done the same if I was faced with that situation.” He said in a whisper.

“Can you meet us at the pack house?” I asked him.

He sighed, “I can try, mom is really upset right now.” He continued to whisper.

“If you can, that would be great. I need to talk to you, I feel like there is more going on than what meets the eye.” I said.

He sighed, “I will try, mom’s been crying nonstop since she found out.” He said, “I will talk to you later. I suggest not calling her phone again. I don’t want mom to hear it.”

“Okay, see you later Apollo.” He hung up and I looked up at Andria, tears slipping down her face. “Baby, don’t cry. We will find her, I know we will.” I said and pulled her in for comfort.

She sighed in content for a moment. Suddenly she pulled away from me and jumped out of bed. “I need to try and find her. I can’t just sit here and wait for news. I need to do something.” She said as she pulled on her skinny jeans.

“Hey, slow down. We know she is okay, Jonathan and I watched her on the bus. She is physically okay.” I told her as I stood up from the bed and walked towards her.

She looked up at me shocked. “No, she’s not okay. She is on a bus to the middle of f*****g nowhere and has no support system at all. How is that okay?” She growled at me.

“I know it’s not the best, but my dad helped them leave.” I told her as I started to rub her shoulder as she pulled her shirt on.

She looked at me, anger in her eyes. “Your father, he helped her run away? You have got to be joking.” She said in shock. She buttoned her jeans and threw on a tank top before she stormed towards the door to my room.

“Where are you going?” I called after her.

She called over her shoulder, “to pick a bone with the alpha.” She slammed the door and I quickly got dressed. I ran after her as quickly as I could. I ran to my parents room, my stomach dropped when I heard yelling from the other side of the door.

I walked in without knocking and saw my mate yelling at my father, along with my mother sitting there smiling. “How could you help her leave? What were you thinking?” She shouted, her face red.

“Are you done?” My father asked calmly.

Andria crossed her arms over her chest, “are you going to answer me?” She growled back.

He let out a sigh and turned to look at her better. “I did help them leave, it was best for them, and safest. However, I should not have to explain myself to you. The only reason I am doing so is because you are the next Luna of this pack.” He stood up from his chair at the table and straightened his shirt. “You need to know that they both were in danger here. It was the only option that meant they could be together and alive. Now if you will excuse me I have other issues I need to attend to. My dear, are you coming?” Andria looked at him stunned as he spoke.

“Nearly,” my mom said as she turned to my mate, “you are going to be a fierce Luna.” She said then gently patted her shoulder before taking my father’s arm. I watched them walk towards me.

“You have a great mate. She will be an amazing Luna.” My father whispered to me as he walked past. “Respectfully though, please leave our bedroom.” He said with a smile.

Andria walked towards me and we followed them out of their bedroom. We walked back towards my bedroom. Once we were inside Andria plopped down on the bed, her face showed how shocked she was. I sat down next to her and put my arm around her shoulders. “You okay?” I asked her.

She nodded her head, “what did he mean that it was safer for her to leave?” She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with tears.

I pulled her into my chest, “I don’t know, my love. But I will do what I can to figure it out.”