Claimed by the Alpha Beast

011: The girl with mismatched eyes

Zach POV

The sound of her drumming heartbeat assaults my ears. I look at her face, and my heart skips as her eyes flash green and amber. She's a she-wolf ready to fight back if you touch her.

Wait, mismatched eye colors?

She blinks rapidly, and they go back to normal. Then she quickly pulls her satchel over the shoulder. An innocent act that swiftly hides the birthmark. My eyes return to the collars of the oversized t-shirt and remains there many seconds later.

When she hops down from the car, I recall my earlier resolve not to let anyone catch me staring at her. It's probably too late for that recollection. She shuts the door and waves at Justin. Or maybe both of us.

My Beta nods her way, then eases back into the road. My mind is racing as I stare ahead.

"No fūcking way!" I shake my head, laughing briefly.

"Say again." Justin steals glances at me in the rearview.

Did I speak aloud? "It's nothing. I'm surely mistaken. Wait, am I missing something? She's wolfless, right?"

“Yeah, for now. Some are late bloomers, your majesty,” Justin replies. “I feel she's one of those, but I may be wrong.”

Those mismatched eyes says you aren't. I don't say that aloud. She has a birthmark on her collarbone? I'm sorely mistaken. She can't be the masked girl? How can she? I lean back on the seat, inwardly laughing at myself for considering the idea.

Anyone can have a birthmark on their collarbone. It is not uncommon! Also, that chic was untouched. I was the one who popped her cherry. Whereas Kerris Hart has been dating my nephew for years and couldn't be a vırgin! I need to calm the fück down!

"Such a nice girl," Justin's voice cuts through my thoughts. "Please, don't tell Alpha Ty what I'm about to say. I believe she's a waste on him. He obviously doesn't know what to do with her.”

I watch him carefully, feeling deeply confused by the emotions those words stirs in me.

“Do you like her, Beta!?"

"What? No!" He laughs. "Well, not in the way you mean. I'm involved, Zach. I just think Miss Hart is special, that's all. And your nephew's lucky to have her."

Without meaning to, I turn around to watch the girl walk into her street. My mind continues to race as I recall all the similarities between her and the mysterious girl from last night.

'Yeah, just similarities.'

I have gray eyes, so does Gareth. And Caleb. And Drake, my half-blood friend.

In the same way, Kerris Hart is not the only girl with a birthmark and light-brown eyes. It's pure coincidence that she's the same height, has the same complexion, and even lips with my mystery girl.

I've caught her and Ty kissing. Twice. No way they didn't go further than that. The nephew I've known for twenty-three years can not handle celibacy, so that rules her out.

I start to relax. Then vivid images from last night fills my mind again. The damn beast interrupted my enjoyment.

“I really need my sleep," I mumble.

Justin ignores the comment and continues to sing Kerris’ praise instead.

"What do you think?"

"About what?”

"About her and Alpha Ty. You agree with me, right? She's too good for him, isn't she?"

"I don't know!" I bark. "Why the fück would I know!?"

"Whoa. Easy, your majesty. Just making conversation. Sorry..."

I shouldn't be snapping at the closest person to me. The only male who has an idea of what I'm going through.

"Does she have a twin by any chance?"

Justin grins in the rearview before replying,

"No, Unfortunately. You know, there's rumors going around that Ty is doing her sister."

What! My fists clenches. That has nothing to do with me. I unclench my hands and look outside the window. It's just upsetting that the new Alpha is being unfaithful, that's all.

I've caught him giving other girls unnecessary attention. I even gave him friendly advice like an uncle should.

'It's the Alpha aura they're attracted to. People want to be associated with power. Don't let the attention go to your head, Ty. You have a job to do, and that largely depends on your reputation. Your pack can't trust you if they think you're impulsive and can't keep it in your pants.'

He thanked me for the ‘useful advice’ that day, and reminded me that he has a serious girlfriend. Justin is mistaken. Or maybe those are just rumors. People spread them.

"I’m not in a position to judge him, though," I mumble. "I have a girlfriend, yet I buy prostitūtes!"

"Zach, it's not the same, and you know it!" Justin counters. "Miss Marlowe has a vague idea about your condition. I bet she knows you buy prostitūtes sometimes. It's necessary. Ty, on the other, hand? He's sleeping with her SISTER!"

"If the rumors are true..."

"I believe they are," Justin replies simply.

"It's not my business!" I hate this conversation and how it's making me feel. "As long as it doesn't interfere with his roles or his pack, it doesn't concern me. Why are you telling me?"

His reply is swift and confident,

"Cause I saw how you looked at her just now, and it's not the first time.”

His words are alarming. “What the hell are you talking about? Never mind. I don't wanna know!”

“Look, I know you have someone. I just want you to know that I will never judge or think less of you. It's okay to admit that you're attracted to Miss Hart. At least, to me. I totally understand. I mean, she's a real beauty, and there's something... special about her.”

“Drop it!”

“Yes, your majesty."

The car goes silent. I can't believe I stared at her so hard and got caught. What if my Beta is not the only one who caught me staring? Well, staring isn't a crime. I just hate giving people wrong impressions. I'm not someone who would use my power to try and steal his nephew's girl.

“Miss Marlowe is a beauty, too," Justin says hesitantly. "I will never encourage you to cheat on her. I'm merely letting you know that it's okay to have eyes, that's all."

"I said, drop it!"

"Of course."

I have more important things to worry about than fruitcake's effect on me. I let myself imagine the idea that Gareth caught me looking at his son's girl. The thought makes me cringe. Imagine if Kerris is the masked girl, and my older brother finds out. I shudder, shaking off the feeling the thought invokes. I must never get caught looking at her again.

I don't seek Gareth’s approval anymore. I don't give a shıt what he thinks about me. If anything, it's him who craves my approval now. That table turned long before I even proved myself in the battle that crowned me Alpha King. But I would not erase his respect for me by having him think I want his son's girl.

I must focus on my respectable and desirable female. Madison Marlowe is a beauty like Justin rightly said. Fit to be the Luna Queen. She deserves respect.

That aside, last night created problems that demands my attention. Not only must I find the girl, I have to take care of the murder. First, I need to find out if the beast is responsible.

The car is silent for the rest of the ride as Justin takes us straight to my castle. After freshening up, I go into the woods to train briefly with my warriors. A great way to kill time as I wait for more details on the beast's adventures last night