My Beta's Mate

A Marriage Proposal

Sam

It's been a blur of a week. I've had to share Jewel with Dan more than I would like. They're being nothing but professional, but I still hate it. I have to keep reminding myself that she was raised by Alphas. Between being a Beta and previously having some Alpha duties, she has a very unique insight into how a pack can function well.

Dan and I have been sparring together a lot as well. I'm harder on him than I should be, but he has lost a quarter of his pack. He needs to shape up. We finish sparring and Jewel comes up to the ring.

"Hey Alpha," she says. Both Dan and I looked.

"No my Alpha, not you Dan,” says Jewel.

Hell yeah, I'm yours. I'd be yours all day if you'd let me. I shake my head, we're not there...yet.

" I have an idea! ," she says. Her face lit up. Whatever this is, she is excited about it. We head into my office. She sits across from me in a pretty light blue dress. She crosses her legs, which reveals more skin. I am distracted for a bit but then recover.

“Do you remember the old packhouse?” She asks.

I simply nod. My grandparents built that house. We only use it if we hold an event and need more space than the lodge can hold.

It probably hasn’t been entered in years.

“I think that it would make a great children’s home for all of the new Cubs”. Says Jewel.

I couldn’t resist her, even if I wanted to. So I agree with this plan.

“I also have one more idea, but this one might be harder to do. I’d like to apply for the job as the pack’s principal. I have a degree in teaching and I haven’t been able to use it.” Says Jewel rather quickly.

My wolf is howling in my head. Making her the principal would mean stepping down from her Beta duties. It would mean she wouldn’t be by my side almost every day. Yet she is probably the most qualified for that position. Our school isn’t huge, but the children, pre-teens, and teens are werewolves…they’re a handful.

“The second one I have to think about. Who would take over for you?” I asked.

“Jack and Kim would. I think that they could make great Beta’s!. Jack has Beta blood, his brother was just chosen for the position due to him being the Alpha’s best friend.” Explains Jewel.

That I didn’t know or didn’t realize.

“Let me think about that and I’ll get back to you,” I said.

Jewel

I’m continually surprised by Sam. I figured that me applying for the principal position would be an immediate no. It’s been different spending time with him now that we have the bond. I started to see things and feel things that I didn’t previously. My dress moved and revealed more of my legs and I could tell that he liked what he saw. It took everything in me not to act on that. I realized then that part of me wanted him too. Part of me likes him. He’s caring, kind, confident, funny. I could go on and on. But why can I? Is it the mate bond or have I been blind to how amazing he is?

__

It’s sunset outside and I decide to take a walk. I walked by the nearby lake and found Andrew sitting on one of the benches.

“Jewel! I’ve been wanting to ask you something.” He says, quickly ushering me to sit down.

“So I know that you said that you don’t really want a relationship due to losing your mate, but what if we’re married in name only?” He says quickly.

I’m sure that the shock is all over my face.

“Now hear me out. I would take care of you, but there would be nothing physical. I just need someone to love and take care of my children. Also, you would make a strong Luna, which I also need. I also have no desire to marry again. I don’t know, please think about it.” He says as he gets up to leave.

Did he really just ask to marry me and just leave?

As much as I hate to admit it, I might consider his offer. Sam deserves better. I know that. I still dream of my dead mate. He deserves someone that will love him fully. Maybe if I leave then he will see that. I know that the mate bond is strong, but the Moon Goddess failed me once. She paired with someone who would die in battle.

"Thank you for the offer. As of right now, I can't accept, but if anything changes I'll let you know." I responded back and go to leave.

"Here is my number. Call me if anything changes."

I nodded and began to walk away and continue that conversation that I was having with my wolf.

“The Moon Goddess didn’t fail. We loved our first mate.” Says my wolf Shay, whimpering in my mind.

“Yes, we did, and look where that got us,” I said back.

“It got us in a pack that loves us and with another mate who adores us and wants us.” Replies Shay.

“How do you know that he adores us?” I asked back.

“ His wolf told me so.” She says back.

“He is a kind alpha to give us this much space. Most Alpha’s don’t have the control that he does. He will make a great leader and you a great Luna. What would be the pain of letting him try? Will you at least for me? Give our mate a chance. I’m so lonely and so are you.”.

I sigh.

What would be the pain? What if I lose someone again? I still can’t get past this feeling that he deserves better. An unmated wolf who will love him the way he deserves. I’m not even sure if I’m capable of that.

“You don’t know unless you try”. Says Shay.

She is right. Maybe I should just try. Show him all of my broken pieces and if he wants to stay, then he can, but if he wants to go, then he can reject me.

I walked back to my cabin feeling lighter. I don’t have everything figured out, but giving my mate a chance feels right.