The Beta Series: The Missing Beta

Chapter 6

~Shawna~

The color seemed to drain from Aston's face. I can only imagine what a shock this is to him. He truly has no idea what his past life was like or about where he came from. He will even have to be introduced to the werewolf world, and that's why we spoke to Blake before coming back. Aston coming into the pack will be akin to bringing a human into the fold. It's a risky situation, and we need to be prepared for every eventuality.

Eddison timidly placed his hand on Aston's arm, trying to calm him in light of this news. I can't imagine what's going through his mind, and as his mother, I wish I could make this all go away. He's going to need me and his father as he navigates his new life. There's no guarantee that he will even remember who he was, but we had to try. “What now?” I look at Eddie, and he nods at me.

“We were hoping you would come with us. There are things we need to tell you about us, about yourselves. We know this situation is crazy for you and that you don't know us, but we want to help you. That is if you want our help. We don't know what type of life you have here, and we will completely understand if you don't want to leave it for the unknown.” I stop talking, feeling as if I've said a lot already. I don't want to overwhelm him, though to say that would mean that I never came back here once I spotted him that first time. Eddie and I want nothing more than to take him back home with us, but it has to be his choice.

“I'm paid up for the rest of the month, so I guess if things don't work out, I can always come back.” A pain blossoms in my chest, but I swallow it down. This has to be his choice, even if his choice isn't what I want. I turn my pain into a smile and nod at him.

“That sounds like a good plan.”

“How far away is this place where you stay?”

“It's three hours from here.” Aston nods and sits back.

“When are you leaving?” Eddison clears his throat.

“We got a room in town, but we can leave at any time.”

“Let's go now.”

~‘A’~

I groan and turn over, wishing that the incessant blaring would stop. I turn over again, trying to cover my face with a pillow. It doesn't help to muffle the annoying sound. I shift again, and it suddenly registers how soft my mattress is.

I don't remember feeling this comfortable, and it makes sense because I found my mattress on the street, being thrown out. I slowly open my eyes to survey my surroundings. There are medals and shelves of trophies on the gray walls. I sit up and lean back on the headboard.

This was his room or rather my old room. This is a room that I have no memories of, yet every inch of it remembers me. They gave me the option of sleeping in a guestroom, and I agreed. At some point last night, I got curious. It felt like this room was calling to me. I came in here to look around, and at some point, I fell asleep.

The room door opens, and Shawna steps inside. I look around, worried that I overstepped by coming in here. “I see you found your way in here.”

“I'm sorry.” I move to scramble out of the bed.

“No, don't apologize. It was yo- his room. It's okay for you to be here.” I decided that I didn't want to wait to come here. Truth be told, nothing is holding me in that town. I don't know anyone out there. I spend my days at work or my place. I don't have friends, families, lovers, nothing. There was nothing to make me stay.

I've been feeling this urge, this pull to this couple, since I first came across her. I know that I won't be able to let it go until I have answers. I need to know what it is that's lost to me. I need to fill this void in my soul.

Shawna comes and sits on the edge of the bed. “You know, there are many things that we need to tell you about the past. Being here, you will come across many people who knew him. I don't want to overwhelm you. How do you want to go about things?” I've been thinking about this since my drive out here. I know that being here could end up being too much for me, but I think I need to do this.

“I think you should tell me whatever it is that I need to know. We can take it from there.” I don't know what I said, but Shawna looks immediately distraught. She stands and smooths out invisible wrinkles in her clothes.

“Why don't you get cleaned up and then come downstairs to eat something.” She gives me a nervous smile before leaving the room.

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I don’t think I've ever had such an amazing shower. Then again, there's a lot that I don't remember. All I know is that it is the most luxurious bathroom I can ever remember seeing. I'm tempted to spend a day just in the bathroom.

I walk downstairs, taking my time to look at the pictures that adorn the wall. There are pictures of the three of us, and they are at different stages. Looking at the pictures, I see myself reflected back at me at various ages. It's a little haunting, but I like it.

I stop at the bottom of the stairs and look around. There's a sitting room to my left and a dining room to my right. Well, it's more of a kitchen table. I decide to go in that direction, figuring that they are there somewhere. As I get closer to the table, I notice a kitchen behind it. There's an island separating the kitchen and the dining table. Interestingly enough, Eddison is in the kitchen, and Shawna sits at the island.

“Ah, you're up. I hope you slept well.” I nod at Eddison, and Shawna smiles a little. “Please have a seat at the table. Breakfast will be served in a moment.” I nod and take a seat at the table. Shawna slowly moves toward me, but I can see the anxiety all over her. Something's clearly up, but I don’t know what to make of it.

Platters were put in front of me as Shawna sits at the table. Once everything is placed down, Eddison takes a seat. They start to fill their plates with food, and I'm taken back. I'm surprised to see all the food they load their plates with. I always knew I ate a lot, and I was hoping that a doctor could tell me what the problem was. All they said was that I expel a lot of energy and I was just trying to replace it.

“Is everything okay?” I look at Shawna and nod my head.

“You both eat a lot.” Eddison chuckles, and Shawna looks uncomfortable.”

“Yes, well, it's needed.” Their eyes do that weird thing again, and I wait until they clear up.

“Why do your eyes fuzz over sometimes? What does that mean?” I wouldn't think Shawna could look even more uncomfortable, but she does.

“I think we need to just tell him, love.” Shawna closes her eyes and nods. I guess this is part of what she meant when she said there were things I needed to know. I look at both of them, ready for someone to say something.

“As- ‘A’ there's something about us that you need to know. It has to do with you and everyone who lives here.” I put all of my focus on her and anxiously wait for the ball to drop. “We, well, we are werewolves.” Uh, what now?

I look between the two, waiting for the laughter or anything to indicate that this is a joke. I wait, but it never comes. I realize that I followed a bunch of crazy people to their home. I pretty much held myself hostage. Who in their right mind would follow strangers three hours away to someplace? Me, I'm that i***t. Now, I have to find a way to get out of here.