The Blessed Beta

Nine: A Promise

**TORA**

Watching that bastard touch her, kiss her, even holding her hand was driving me crazy.

Argos almost got out and killed him right where he was standing. But I had to hold my stance. The only way to figure this out without alerting the Alpha of my intentions was by telling Jericho she was my mate, and that I needed to speak with her without sending off warning bells to the Alpha.. And luckily it worked.

Watching how her face fell when she realized who I was to her but didn't go to her. Watching her eyes light up seeing me, but then shut when she thought I didn't want her killed me.

Watching her cower as soon as I ran to her, seeing her fall to her knees in fear that I would somehow attack her, broke my heart into a million pieces and made me wonder what could have happened to her to make her be that afraid. I saw how she clenched her eyes shut when Alastar kissed her cheek. It hurts me to think that someone has hurt her, but I don't think it would be the Alpha. At least I hope it's not the Alpha. Touching her skin to make her look at me is like the smoothest velvet feeling against my hands.

My heart soars when I see the shooting star go across her eyes, meaning she is my one true mate, that I will never get another after her. Even if that weren't the case I wouldn't want another one anyway.

"True Mates." I whisper to her in the deepest whisper I can make. I watch her shiver and the look of pure adoration she gives me sends a remarkable chill down my spine.

"Estelle, you are my mate.. But I cannot take you with me.." I say and see the tears fall even harder than before.. I quickly make her look to me again. "I cannot take you with me right now, Estelle. Our pack is in danger, and there is no way I can protect you right now. Please trust me. I will come back for you." I say to her, tucking her wavy strands of brown hair behind her ear. Her doe brown eyes peering into mine, causing me to suck in a quick breath of her scent.

A look of composure and determination passes by her eyes and before I can ask her what she is thinking of she stands up and backs away a step or two away from me. Which causes me to step forward to her.

"And if I am not here when you come back for me? What will you do then?" She says. Tears still falling freely to let me know she is upset but the look in her eyes tell me she isn't joking around.

I don't know anything about my mate but one thing for certain I can feel her spirit is strong and determined. "Then I will search the ends of the world for you. I will battle every monster, every man, and all the magic on this planet until I have you in my arms again." I say kissing her forhead. "That is a promise.." I whisper in her ear. I realize she is trembling.

I sigh heavily putting my forhead to hers, taking in her cobbler scent to ease my very grumpy wolf. "I don't want to leave you here, I don't want the Alpha to make you his Luna, I want to scoop you into my arms and walk right out of this pack house with you. But at my pack.. Something bad is happening to my people. I couldn't protect my brother from it, and I wouldn't know what I would do if something happened to you. But.. I will figure out what is going wrong and I will be back for you. Please trust me." She looks at me, silent tears falling, she breathes in deeply and nods her head.

"I know this isn't ideal Misses Estelle, and honestly I greatly against the idea of leaving a mate behind, but it is the wish of my Beta. And he wants to do what he can to keep you safe. But his word is his law." I hear Jericho say from his seat. He is happy I found my mate, but has also called me a dumbass numerous times from the moment I told him what I was going to do.

'Dumbass.' He says in my head again.

"If something happens to me, and I need you. What do I do?" She says with the softest whimper she could muster.

"Our pack is 2 hours south from here. You bring anything you have and you come to me. I won't be able to tell if anything happens to you because we will be so far away but that is where I will be. But nothing is going to happen to you. The Alpha has declared you as his chosen mate so it will be his responsibility to take care of you." I say, rubbing her hair, trying to get as much of my scent on her as possible. It is driving me crazy that Alastar has claimed her. And I know that could mean the could be intimate. But I would much rather feel that pain than to know my one true mate is dead.

"Okay, I will wait for you. But I am begging you.. Don't take too long." She says as she plants the sweetest and softest kiss on my cheek before standing up and walking from the room. I just watched my whole world walk from a meeting room, in a pack where she has been claimed by the Alpha of all people.. But I know in my heart this is the best thing to do.

I am still staring at the wall when the Beta walks in and sits down. As soon as the door is shut, he asks. "What would you like to know?" I quirk an eyebrow at him and look at Cree who has this look of wonder on his face.

"What do you know about the missing pack members?" Cree asks. A small smirk dancing across his face as he watches the Beta struggle to answer. "Nothing. We don't have any missing.. pack members." He finishes after letting out a breathy sigh.

"Why did you look extremely shocked when your Alpha introduced Misses Estelle as his chosen mate?" Cree asks again. His line of questioning now has me intrigued.

This time it wasn't as hard to answer as the previous question.

"Because he has never shown any type of affection towards her. She is actually his maid. She cooks and cleans for him. This is the first time myself or the Gamma are hearing about it." He says running his fingers through his hair.

"Is she safe here? With him?" I couldn't stop myself from asking..

"As far as I know, yes. He hasn't talked to her out of the way and he hasn't struck her, at least not where anyone could see. And he doesn't look like he has done anything wrong to her. But she is a sad one." He says as if he is trying to think of anything else.

She is sad... Maybe because he claimed her in private before she had the chance to meet her mate. She is going to be even sadder now, because her mate is leaving her here..

I am a f*****g dumbass... But it's too late. The decision has been made.

"Can I ask you for a favor? Beta to Beta?" I say walking towards the table, putting my palms down to look him in his face to let him know I mean business.

"Beta to Beta is sacred favor to ask. Are you sure?" He asks, eyeing me intently.

"I am one hundred percent sure.." I say with a deep sigh.