The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter 15 - Betrayed

Luca

    Last night was the worst night of sleep I have had in years. Sending Alex to talk to Mia almost killed me. But I didn't see any other way. She knew her mate was close. Sure, she didn't know it was me, but I couldn't have her running all over in search of him. It would hurt her now, but in the end she would be better off. Being my Luna would be the worst thing to happen to her. I didn't want her to live her life in fear as much as I didn't want to always worry if she was safe. The only way I would be at peace would be if she was always by my side. That was no way to have a relationship. 

    Alex never came back last night to let me know how she was. I tried mind linking him, but he had shut me out. He wasn't on board with my idea at all. As much of a player he could be, he took the mate bond as sacred. I could only hope that once he found his mate, he would understand my position. Being a Beta there wasn't as much danger directed at the ones he loved. Don't get me wrong, there have been a few occasions, but nothing like what my father or grandfather had to endure. 

    My head jerks up at the sound of a knock on my door. Tate pops his head in, and my hope deflates quickly. "What do you want?"

    "Nice to see you too brother." He smirks at me. "Just wanted to see if I can borrow one of your shirts for tonight. Mother got me the wrong color but that blue one of yours would work perfectly."

    I wave him off. "Fine." Before I can say another word, he is out the door. I don't dwell on it though. At least he is out of my hair. I have more important issues at hand than his wardrobe. 

    As I try to reach Alex through the link again, he comes in my office looking irritated. The bags under his eyes tell me that he didn't sleep well last night either. 

    "How is she?" I ask meekly.

    "Like you care," he fumes, "I hate that you had me do that. You didn't see the look on her face or hear her cry herself to sleep." He drops down to the chair and runs his hands through his hair. "If this is the way you expect me to help you as your Beta, I don't want it."

    My heart clenched at his words. Did I think she was going to be hurt over this? Yes. Did I think this was the reaction I was going to get from him this morning? No. I can feel the anger radiating off  him and can't help but wonder where it is all coming from. It couldn't have been easy to do it, but he was acting like it was his own mate he was letting down. "Why are you taking this so personal? Is there something you want to tell me?"

    Fire blazes in his eyes. "Are you kidding me right now? Tonight, I take over my Beta duties. Duties that I take to heart. You had me hurt my future Luna. I should have never agreed to do it, but I did. And now you have the audacity to question my motives as to why I am so mad?" he scoffs.

    "It is for-" 

    "Yeah. Yeah. Her protection. I get it. Keep telling yourself that. It doesn't make it a pleasant situation no matter how you word it." he cuts me off. 

    I can attest to how horrible this makes me feel. The other half of my soul is within arm's reach, and I must pretend she means nothing to me. Just another pack member. If he would take just a moment and think about it, he would see that if it bothers him that much - it is tenfold for me. "I appreciate what you have done, but we have some business to attend to before tonight." As much as I disliked having to visit Agatha again, I had to know why Mia could sense a mate close, but not get a read on who it was. It was too close for my comfort. When we made the deal, she swore my mate wouldn't be able to smell me. If I would have thought clearly on the matter, I'd have asked her to bind me too, so I didn't have to bear the pain I feel now. I just couldn't live without the chance that someday I'd run into her and at least see that she was happy and well taken care of. 

    I stand and motion for him to follow me. No use in delaying the inevitable. 

   Alex and I made our way across the territory. When we got close to the boarder, we glanced around to be certain no one was following us. We had been walking for a while before I finally broke the tense silence crackling in the air between us. "Is Talia helping Mia prepare for this evening?"

    "Yeah," he grunted. 

    "Are you going to talk to me at all?" 

    "What do you want me to say?" Alex huffed and threw his arms in the air. "She should be preparing to take on the Luna role tonight. Instead, she is depressed and in a place where she knows very few people. If you weren't going to accept her, you should have left her there."

    My eyes widen at his words. "Leave her there to be beaten by that lowlife? You think that would have been better for her?"

    "Physical pain is just as hard to handle as emotional pain." he says through clenched teeth as he pushes past me. "Let's get this stupid meeting out of the way. I'm tired of coming here."

    Was he right? Am I hurting Mia just as much by keeping her in the dark? Her heart would heal over time. She could move on. Alex had no idea what he was talking about. I was keeping her safe. 

    As we approach the small hut door of  Agatha's home, she comes out to greet us before we had a chance to knock. 

    "Alpha," she nods. 

    "Agatha. I'm sorry to come again with no notice but there is an issue."

    She quirks an eyebrow but motions me to continue. 

    "I found my mate." I spit out and her eyes light up like a starry night. "I didn't tell her who I am."

    Agatha rolls her eyes as if now bored with the conversation. "They why do you darken my doorstep?"

    I fight to keep Titus at bay. The witch is irritating him further with every second we are here. He was against it all along, but now her attitude is grating on him more. "She told me she can sense her mate. Said she could make out his sent but that it seemed old. Like he was no longer around."

    "Ah," she purrs. "You doubt me once more I see. The Moon Goddess is a powerful being. I would have never been able to hide the bond completely. While your mate may get a scent here and there, she will never be able to tie it to you." Agatha's nose twitches a bit before her eyes become murderous. "Who have you brought onto our land?"

    I shake my head at her in confusion. "It is just the two of us. I would never tell anyone else I was coming here."

        "Show yourself!" She bellows. With a flick of her wrist, two large bushes behind us part, revealing Mia and Talia. Talia looks made while my mate looks terrified. Agatha glances at me curiously before her attention is draw back to the girls. "And who do we have here?"

    "My sister and her friend." Alex says curtly. I can see his body is tense but am thankful he didn't miss a beat in his response. "They must have been following us."

    "Come." Agatha waves the girls over and they slowly make their way closer. The entire time, Agatha keeps her vision focused on me. "Why are you two so far out of your territory."

    Mia stays silent, while Talia takes a deep breath. "We say my brother and Luca come this way. We were wondering what they were up to. We didn't mean to cause any harm."

    "And you my dear? Who are you?" Agatha directs her attention to Mia.

    "I-I'm Mia. I'm new to the pack. I didn't want Talia to go alone." she stumbles through her words. 

    A spark of something flashes across the witch's face.  I can't make it out. It is gone so quick that I may have imagined it. 

    "Mia." Agatha whispers. 

    "Is there a problem?" I narrow my sights on Agatha. I don't like the look she is giving Mia. It makes my blood run cold. 

    "Of course not Alpha. If you ladies will excuse us, we will finish our business inside and you can all be on your way."

    I dip my chin to Alex. "Stay with the girls. We will only be a moment." I can tell he is not happy with my instructions but know he won't challenge me in front of the witch. 

    Once inside, Agatha has me pinned with her gaze. "Is that her?"

    The bad feeling I had just minutes ago amps up. Something is off and I don't like the way she appears excited at the prospect of Mia being my mate. "What would that matter?"

    "If she is your mate, there will need to be an amendment to our deal."

    "Amendment? No, we had a deal!" I seethe.

    "And I am changing it." She spits. "I want a vial of her blood as well."

    I stumble back at her words. "Is what I already promised not enough? Why would you want her blood?" My ears ring. What would she want with Mia's blood?

    "So, she IS your mate! I knew it! This makes it even better." she cackles.

    "You need to get out here NOW!" Alex voice echoes in my head and in a split second I'm out the door. I'll deal with the witch soon enough. 

    I take in the scene before me and am not sure what to make of it. Alex stands rigid behind a happy Talia and confused Mia. They are all staring at.... Tate? What is he doing here?

    As I'm about to ask what is going on, Tate takes another step towards Mia and utters the word that makes me sick to my stomach. 

    "Mate."

    He is not her mate! What is he doing? I glance back at Mia and can't read her face. She can't believe this moron is her mate. 

    She stands stunned. "You can't be my mate."

    "Don't you feel the pull?" Tate pleads. He is acting as if she has wounded him, but I know it is all an act. He tried this every time we got in trouble as pups.

    "Mia," Talia says gently, "could it be that your wolf was dormant for so long that you just can't feel the pull as strongly? You said it yourself that you could sense him close."

    Mia's eyebrows furrow in thought. She looks so adorable when she does that. I have to shake my head to keep focused. She spins to look at Alex. "But you said-"

    "I said it was a theory." Alex cuts her off. "But if you don't sense the bond, I'm sure Tate isn't your mate."

    "Maybe if we hug?" Tate suggests and I have to bite back the growl that threatens to escape. Mia looks skeptical so Tate continues, "I'm Luca's brother. I'm no threat to you."

    Mia hesitantly walks to Tate, and he pulls her to him when she is within arm's length. I hold my breath and just wait for her to tell him he's insane. To my dismay, she pulls back and looks to Talia. "You may be right! It's the scent again. It is very faint, but it is there."

    My eyes pan to Tate, and I realize that he has my shirt on. That conniving jerk! Wanting my title is one thing, but he has now crossed a line. 

    "Isn't this wonderful." Agatha coos besides me. "Any words for the happy couple, Alpha."

    I can tell she is daring me. I'm at a loss over what to do. If I tell her she is my mate, the spell is broken, and she will see I'm being honest. But then she will hate me when she finds out what I have done. If I don't say anything, she will wind up in the arms of my horrid stepbrother. 

    I swallow down the lump in my throat and move in front of Mia. She steps out of Tate's embrace and peers up at me with those big doe eyes. Full of hope and pleading for me to say anything. 

    "Mia," I breath, "There is something I must tell you."