Hiding from the Beta

Chapter Nineteen

Unknown pov

I grabbed another stack of wood and walked it over to the wood cart. The horse not far from me huffed in annoyance. I sighed and patted my hand onto his back. “I know boy, it won’t be long before we get on the move again.” I said to him, he bent down and drank more water from the trough.

I sat on the ground and grabbed my water bottle. I took a long drink when I heard voices nearby. “We should get the girl first.”

“Sir, don’t you think it would be better to focus on getting our armies built up before we go after the girl?” I recognized that voice. It was a voice I had hoped I would never again hear.

“Maybe you are right. But I don’t want to wait long. It could take a few years to build up the army to take on my brother.” Vincent growled.

“I understand your concern. But we aren’t even one hundred percent sure at this moment where she is. She took off towards Minnesota the night I killed her mate, remember? I bit my lip hard to keep myself from growling.

“Well then get us to be one hundred percent sure where she is. I want her here before we fight my brother.”

“Yes sir, I will ensure Tahlia is here prior to the battle with your brother. Can we first focus on building up a strong enough army?”

Vincent growled, “fine, but I better see progress.” I heard footsteps as the began to walk away, they stopped abruptly. “If any rogues refuse to join me, kill ‘em.”

“Yes sir.”

“Make sure that pesky beta was delivered with my message.”

“I will, sir.”

I sighed in relief when they walked away. I knew who they were talking about. They were talking about the one person I have longed to meet. I have seen her from a distance, but when security got tight I had to stop my random visits.

Nobody could recognize me anymore. I have a spell that hides my hideous scars. I vowed that I would kill that man when I got a chance, and my chance has come.

But, Tahlia, she needs my help. She needs to know what is coming. So does alpha Jameson. I looked at my white and brown painted horse. I knew what was more important. I grabbed the reins off the tree nearby and jumped on him. I turned him around and together we took off into the darkening night.

There was no way I was going to let my daughter suffer anymore than she has already.

Tahlia’s pov

I walked out of the hardware store with a recipe in my hand. The owner, Jethro, told me he would be around the house around ten in the morning to drop off all the paint, dirt, pots, and other supplies I ordered.

I jumped when a horn honked, I turned to CJ in his truck pull up next to the sidewalk. “Hey Tahlia, how are you doing?” He called out.

I smiled at him, “better, just getting some supplies for the house. I am supposed to meet Timothy around nine at the house. I was just heading to the bakery to pick up some breakfast.”

He smiled at me, “those breakfast danishes that they have are amazing.”

“I haven’t been there yet.” I told him.

His eyes widened in surprise, “you have been here for nearly a week and you have yet to get your a*s into that bakery?”

“I have been a bit preoccupied.” I told him honestly.

“With Timothy?” He winked at me.

I laughed and shook my head. “I will catch you later.” I waved as he drove away.

I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t there, it wasn’t a bond but it was feelings. I knew that I shouldn’t be feeling like that towards someone, but at nineteen I should work on moving forward.

I sighed as I walked into the bakery. The aroma was mouthwatering. “Ooo, get some with chocolate, please.” Daphne said as she laid down in my head.

I smiled, I was happy that she was finally starting to be more like her old self again. She would never fully be herself but at least she wasn’t moping around. The cookies from Doris help a lot too.

“Hey, what can I get for you?” The older lady with grey hair asked as she wiped her hands on her apron.

I looked up at the black board with bright chalk on it. “I would love to start off with a caramel blended coffee, and a plain black coffee. I am going to look at the case and see what you have.” I told her.

She smiled and got right to work on the order. She had a wide variety of donuts, twists, danishes, croissants, muffins, pound cake and breads. You name it they had it. I heard the blender start up and she walked over, “see anything you like?”

“Yeah, I will take a dozen mixed donuts and a dozen of your danishes.” I said with a smile.

The lady grinned, “wow, you must be feeding an army.”

“Nah, just have a long day of heavy work ahead of me.” I told her.

“Oh, you must be the one fixing up the old house. Everyone is talking about it, it’s been falling apart for ages, ever since Mr. Jameson lost his wife and child. Poor guy, we were all so excited when he found someone else.”

I looked at her shocked, I knew she was a human. “Wow things really spread around here.”

She nodded her head, “yeah, they do. Here I tossed in a few extra since it’s your first time here.”

“Thanks, what do I owe you?”

She rang me up at the register, “well it’s your lucky day, Wednesday is half priced day. Your total is eighteen dollars on the dot.”

I handed her a twenty dollar bill and she gave me the change. “Do you need a drink carrier?” She asked.

“Nah, I am just going to put these in my bag.” I pulled off my backpack and put the two bags of donuts inside of it carefully. I grabbed Timothy’s coffee and mine. “Thank you so much. I am sure I will see you around.

“Come again anytime!” She replied with a large grin that probably made her cheeks hurt.

I took a sip of my coffee and was surprised that it was as good as it was. It was almost as good as my favorite from home. A small pain rippled through my chest as I thought about home. What I wouldn’t give for things to have been different.

I got off the road and into the woods at the usual spot and walked through until I came to the bushes. I pushed my way through and started to walk up the stairs. Instantly the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I looked around and didn’t see anything out of place.

I turned back towards the door and jumped when Timothy was standing right there. “Oh my goddess, what the hell?” I shouted at him.

He smiled at me, “did I scare you?”

“You did, you damn well better wipe that smirk off your face before I do it for you.” I growled at him.

He narrowed his eyes in confusion, as I stormed past him to the door. “I am sorry, I didn’t realize wolves scare so easily.”

I walked over and set the coffees and my backpack onto the card table we had set up in the dining room. “I am sorry, I normally am not that jumpy, but-“ I sighed.

“But what?” He asked with concern.

“I just felt like I was being watched, when I looked back there wasn’t anyone there and then when I turned to come up to the door you were inches from my face.”

He looked at me concerned, “you felt that too?” He asked.

“So I didn’t imagine it, somebody was definitely watching us?”

He nodded his head, “yeah, but I couldn’t tell you where it was coming from. Maybe we should have Doris come out here and do her protective spell now.” Timothy said as he pulled open a bag. “Ooo, danish!” He reached into the bag and pulled out one that was purple and white.

“She said we could, it would be best if we waited until we took down any of these walls. Specifically the most northern, eastern, western, and southern walls.” I looked at Timothy in surprise. He shoved the entire Danish in his mouth as I was talking and was in the midst of trying to take a drink of coffee to wash it down. “Did you even taste it?”

He held up his finger as he tried to chew and swallow. “Yes, it was very yummy, blackberry and cream cheese! We can give Doris a call, she can come out here, I will knock down and repair whatever wall she needs me to.”

“Would you like to give her a call?” I asked as he filled his mouth again with another danish.

He shook his head and pulled his phone out. He handed it to me and said in a muffled voice, “t’s ‘em uh cognacs.”

I stared at him confused, yet shocked that I knew what he meant. “Her number is in your contacts?” He nodded and picked up his coffee.

I laughed as I looked through the contacts, it didn’t take long for me to get to the D’s and pick out Doris’ name. I clicked on it and hit the call button. It rang twice before I heard her voice. “Hey Tim, what’s up sweetheart?”

“Hey Doris, it’s Tahlia.”

“Hey, what are you doin’ with Tim’s phone?” She asked, I could just imagine her wiggling her eyebrows at me.

“We are at the house and Tim said if you want to do the protection spell today he would be willing to knock out wherever you needed.”

“Perfect, I have a family reunion coming here for a one afternoon check in. Can we do it before then?” She asked.

“Sure, if you wanted you could come over now. Just stop and get yourself a coffee, I have donuts and danishes. I glanced over at Timothy as he shoved yet another danish into his mouth, this time it was filled with yellow. “Well, if Tim doens’t finish all the danishes off that is.”

Tim glanced at me and laughed. “Timothy don’t laugh, you’re going to choke with all that food in your mouth! Goodness gracious!” I yelled at him.

I focused my attention back onto the phone and realized Doris was laughing, “I will be there in twenty.” She said, through her fits of laughter.

“If you saw how this man was eating his danish you would have said the same thing!”

“I know! I have seen that man eat a danish, you’re just the first person to warn him about choking. You care for him, don’t you?” She asked.

“I- um, no. No, I don't. I will see you in twenty.” I could feel my face heating up from what Doris said. In all honesty I really didn’t know how I felt.

“You like him.” Daphne whispered.

“What about Andy?” I asked.

She huffed as a spurt of dull pain filtered through my chest. “Andy wouldn’t want us to be closed off. He would want us to move forward. I wish more than anything that we could be with Andy. This man here though, is starting to grow on me.”

“Even though he is a hunter?” I asked.

“I don’t even care about that. He makes us both feel good, he’s kind, courageous, funny, and he knows when he needs to be serious. He would be a good chosen mate.”

I soaked in what my wolf was saying. “What if we find our second chance mate?”

“He knows enough about wolves that he would probably understand. We probably also wouldn’t leave him. Our second chance mate would have to understand.”

I sighed and looked around, when my eyes focused Timothy was staring at me. “Are you okay?” He asked.

I felt my cheeks flush even more, “yeah, sorry. Daphne and I were talking.” I told him.

“Your wolf?” His eyes lit up in excitement.

“Yeah, she is starting to come round. The cookies from Doris really helped, so did this little pet project.” I motioned towards the house.

“As did the handsome man in front of us.” Daphne butted in.

I ignored her comment as Timothy said, “that’s fantastic news! She must be feeling a ton better.”

“Oh, you have no idea.” I said softly. “Let’s finish eating, Doris will be here soon.”

Soon Doris walked through the door. “Knock, knock! Anyone here?” She called out.

“In here!” I called back.

She walked in holding four fabric bags in her hands. “I have the goods, whenever you’re ready to get started.”

“What’s in those?” I asked.

“Just a few things, Blackthorn for protection, Borage for courage, Lavender for peace, Fennel and Fern for strength and I topped it off with some Witch Hazel.”

“That’s going to protect her?” Tim asked.

“No, these aren’t, these are just things that help increase the power. They give the magic something strong to bind to. I added the Lavender as it will help you keep calm and should help with the nightmares.” She said the last part more to me.

“Nightmares?” Tim asked.

I was going to respond but Doris responded for me. “It’s normal for a person to have nightmares after what she has been through, especially with the bond. Now give me that damn danish.” She said as she reached for the last danish.

“I think I will order two dozen danishes for tomorrow.” I said as I laughed.

“Sorry, these things are so good, I swear she does something to them.” Timothy said.

I heard the sound of a car door slam. “Hey, I think Jethro is here.” I glanced at the watch on Tim’s wrist. It was five to ten. “Doris you stay here and eat, I can help Jethro.”

She nodded and I followed Tim outside. “Hey there kiddo.” Jethro said to me. “I got everything except that stone bench. I ordered a new one, I put it into the back and the leg snapped off. So I will bring that out as soon as it arrives.”

“That’s no problem, we probably won’t be at that point for a week or two.” I said with a grin.

“I did grab a couple of things that you didn’t have on your list. It’s on the house. It’s been a while since I got an order this big.” He said with a big smile. “Mr. Jameson hasn’t bothered to fix this place up for a long time. I remembered that his late wife loved hummingbirds. She had these on the order when she passed.”

He pulled out two large boxes and opened them up. “If you don’t like them that’s fine, I just figured it would just add a bit to the front of the house.”

I pulled up the flaps of the box and gasped. The first box had a gorgeous red glass hummingbird feeder. Along with five boxes of hummingbird powder mix. The second box had a white free standing gazebo with planter boxes. “That looks awesome.” I said.

“There is a bit of assembly required, but I know Tim will do a fantastic job.” Jethro said.

“These are gorgeous, thank you so much!” I stood up and gave him a quick hug.

“Now where would you like all of this unloaded?”

“Let’s just put it all here,” I pointed towards the edge of the gravel driveway.

Someone else came from alongside the opposite side of the truck. He looked like a younger Jethro. “This is my son, Jethro Junior, he is going to help unload.”

“Okay, thank you both so much.” I said with a wide smile.

I turned and walked back into the house, “Doris, you ready to start this craziness?” I asked.

“Yep, we are good.” She walked into my line of sight holding a partially filled garbage bag.

“Awesome, here is a permanent marker, mark the walls that you need ripped down.” I handed her the marker and made my way back towards the table. I quickly finished off my coffee and tossed the container into the trash.

I walked out the back door and to the shed. I was almost to the shed when again I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Instantly Daphne was growling in my head. I whipped around, but again, there was nothing.

“Somebody is sneaking around.” She growled.

“You’re right, we need to figure out who.” I told her.

I scanned the area around me, I didn’t see anything but I knew somebody was there. “Whoever is there, you better get going. I will find you and you will wish you had never set foot here.”

Suddenly the same wolf that I had seen the other day walked out of the dense brush to my right, just behind the statue. CJ said it was the alpha’s daughter. She sat down and tilted her head. “You’re the alpha’s daughter, right?” I asked.

She nodded her head. “Why are you here?” I asked her.

I watched her closely as she slowly walked towards me. I didn’t move as she laid down in front of me. I knew she meant no harm as she inched towards me on her belly. She pushed her snout out and nudged my hand with her nose. “You know you could shift and we could just talk.” I told her.

She again nodded her head, “I tucked some clothes behind that willow tree the other day.” She jumped up and ran away.

A few minutes later she walked out from behind the tree. “Thanks, I was told to keep my distance but to keep an eye on you. Dad thought you could maybe use a friend.”

I sighed in relief, “a friend would be nice. Timothy and Doris are great, but they want to keep me protected.”

“Don’t get me wrong, after dad told me what happened I feel the same. But I know that you probably need to do some crazy shit.”

I smiled, “that would be nice. But first we need to get this place fixed up.”

She looked at the house and her eyes filled with sadness. “Dad hates this place. Too many memories of what could have been. But I see it as a place that reminds us that life isn’t always what it seems.”

“How does your mom feel about this place?” I asked.

She smiled softly, “she used to come here a lot. She used to talk to her predecessor, ask questions. Eventually she just stopped coming.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say. “Come on, we need to get a few things from the shed.”

She followed, “what is the first thing we are doing?” She asked.

“Well, today Doris is doing a protection spell, Timothy and I are going to pull out all the old windows and frames. The new ones will be here in the morning.”

“Why are you doing a protection spell?” She asked.

“Just a precaution. I got spooked earlier, but I guess it was just you watching me.” I said as I pulled out the small sledge hammer and handed it to her so I could pull out the bigger one.

I stopped when I saw her face, “what do you mean earlier?” She asked.

“When I got here just before nine, I felt like someone was watching me. I couldn’t tell who it was. But then it happened again and it turned out to be just you.” I told her.

“I am sorry to say, but it wasn’t me. I got here just a few minutes ago. I ducked down in the grass as soon as I saw you walk out of the house.”

“Wait, so you weren’t the one watching me earlier?”

She shook her head and my heart started to thump madly in my chest. “Who else is here then?”