The Beta's Arrival

Chapter 20

Helen’s POV

I woke up in the morning, feeling warm and comforted. Looking down, I saw an arm draped over my waist. Then I heard his snoring. I looked slightly over my shoulder to see Vincent was still fast asleep hugging me from behind. This was the first day in a long time that I felt just a little bit better. Maybe even okay.

“Good morning,” he suddenly said through a yawn. “How are you feeling?”

“A little better,” I responded, honestly. I wasn’t feeling all better, but a little was better than what I was feeling last night.

“Good, then I hope you feel well enough to eat something more than last night,” he said with a smile.

I wanted to smile back. I wanted to fall into bliss with him here in my bed. I wanted so much to react normally, but I couldn’t. Not yet. “I could eat,” I finally answered him.

“Why don’t you go and get a shower, while I go get cleaned up as well,” he said as he started to get out of bed, but before he could go too far, I grabbed his shirt sleeve. “Or we could stay in bed a bit longer,” he laughed lightly as he laid back down and wrapped me in his arms.

We stayed like this for a long time, maybe even hours. However, I needed every moment in his embrace. I didn’t want to move until I heard a rumble come from his stomach. “You’re hungry,” I whispered.

“It’s not my stomach,” he chuckled. I felt his breath move my hair. Then I did notice that I was more than hungry. It felt as though I was starving.

“Okay, let’s eat, but you can’t leave,” I told him.

“How about I ask for someone to bring us something to eat? Then we can eat here in the room,” he offered.

“That sounds good,” I said with a sigh of relief.

“Then I’ll link someone now while you get ready to shower,” he said with a reassuring smile.

“Do I really need to shower?” I whined quietly.

He laughed as he sat up, got out of bed, and went around the bed to the side I was closest to. He bent down and picked me up, cradling me in his arms. “We are fully mated, but when we are, I will wash you myself. I will care for you like a mate should. But today, you are on your own,” he told me as he opened the bathroom door and slowly placed my feet on the floor.

Part of me wanted to tell him to stay. I wanted him to claim me as his own, but the other part wanted to say no. He deserved someone less broke, while I didn’t deserve happiness at all. “I know you’re hurting, and you’re going to hurt for a long time,” he said as he stood too close to me. He was so close that I could just reach out and pull him back to me. Back to embrace. “But I’m here for you. Whatever you need and whenever you need me.”

“Thank you,” I responded, trying hard to hold back tears.

“Now, shower, and I’ll get you some new clothes.” He took my hand for a moment and then left the bathroom.

I didn’t want him to leave the room. I wanted to know that he would be just outside the door waiting for me, but I couldn’t say it. “Okay,” I answered. Then he was gone.

I looked at the shower for a long time, still not feeling up to doing anything, let alone self-care. Finally, when I heard the bedroom door start to open, I turned on the water, took off my clothes and got into the shower. It was the fastest shower I had ever taken. I wasn’t even sure of what I had washed when I had gotten out and dried off. New clothes were sitting on the counter next to the sink. I changed into new clothes, wrapped a towel around my hair and then left the bathroom.

“You look like you’re feeling a bit better,” Vincent commented as I walked out of the bathroom.

“A bit,” I muttered with a shrug.

Then I smelled something amazing. “Foods here,” he announced as he came, took my hand, and led me over to the table and chairs that had also been set up.

I sat down and stared at the food on my plate. It smelled overwhelmingly good, but still, my stomach turned at the thought of eating. “Just a couple bites,” he said as he picked up and put the fork into my hand.

It took a few moments, but I was able to take in a few bites to appease him. I knew he was only trying to help, however, it was hard for me to work myself up to eating much or doing anything.

A few weeks passed and we followed a similar pattern. He would sleep in bed with me, encourage me to shower, get into new clothes, eat something and then try to be there for me throughout the day. There were very few times that he had to leave the room to attend to his role in the pack. The Alpha seemed to be very understanding and allowed Vincent all the time he needed to be with me. The longer he stayed around me and took care of me, the more the pain eased bit by bit. It would never be completely gone, but maybe there was a chance that it would turn into an ache rather than a knife to the gut every time I thought of my family.

James’ POV

Weeks have passed. My father has tried to replace me as the future Alpha, but all his choices have been unable to defeat me. Even if he wants me to step down, we have to abide by the laws. A pack member needs to defeat me in a match in order for me to be forced from my role as the future Alpha.

“Pleased with yourself?” my father asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Very,” I responded smugly.

“Then I am sure you will understand that I will not be stepping down as Alpha for a long time.” He smirked at his own words.

“But Alphas always step down when the future Alpha is between the ages of eighteen to twenty-two,” I hissed at him.

“True, but there is no law. It is merely customary,” he said with a shrug. “I can legally remain Alpha for as long as I want.”

I stood up and left the office. There was nothing I could say to him. Once his mind was made up, there was no changing it. I went out to the kitchen, grabbed something to eat and then up to my room. “If it’s going to be a while before I am Alpha, then I’ll have to make some plans,” I muttered as I sat down at my desk.

Over the next few weeks, I put together plans to not only get my seat as Alpha but also my mate. She has been out of my sight for nearly a month and I felt as though I were losing the last of my sanity.

“Knock, knock,” I heard my mother say through my door. “May I come in?” she asked as she popped her head into my room.

“No,” I grunted. “I’m busy.”

“But sweety, you’ve locked yourself in your room for almost a month. It’s not healthy,” she said, trying to sound worried.

“I have windows. I’ve opened them,” I responded without turning to look at her.

“How about a snack?” she offered.

“Not hungry,” I muttered.

“But you haven’t eaten,” she worried.

“I’ve had food,” I hissed at him. “Please leave me be!”

She set the tray of food down on the coffee table near the door and then left the room. I could hear her sniffling as she went down the hallway, but I couldn’t be bothered. I would find a way to be Alpha, start a war, and get my mate back from Shadowlands pack. She would be mine no matter how many years it may take.