The Beta's Arrival

Chapter 4

James’ POV

Infuriating. She was so infuriating, but somehow it made her all the more appealing. She wanted to know what I had done or rather let happen to her sister. She was such a good big sister. She took care of her so well. She would make for a great mate and mother of our future pups. Every time she walked into the room, all the noise quieted and everything stilled.

A week of watching her was hard. Every time a approached her she was aggressive or made herself scarce. It was hard being away from her, but I knew she needed time to breathe. Time away from the situation. Time. One week was enough. I watched as she left the school building and headed toward her car.

"Helen!" I called after her as I slipped through the doors only a few yards behind her.

She didn’t acknowledge me. Not even a flinch. "Helen," I repeated as I neared her.

Still, she ignored me while she opened her car door fully and was about to sit down on the driver’s side. Without giving it a thought I reached for her arm and pulled her back. I had pulled accidentally too hard and she lost her balance, hitting the ground. "What the hell?!" she screamed at me as she stood up and whipped the dirt off her clothes while she glared at me.

"You weren't listening to me," I grumbled.

"Why would I? I thought I made myself very clear on where we stood," she huffed back at me as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I thought that maybe if you had some time to cool off you would change your mind," I responded, trying hard to keep my temper in check.

"Change my mind?! Have you lost yours?"

"We've been friends for so long. I thought that you would forgive me for my thoughtless mistake," I tried to reason with her. We had been friends so long, I couldn’t remember a time without her.

"Thoughtless is right. But it was more than a mistake. You hurt my sister. I can't forgive that. Not now, not ever," she emphasized her last few words.

"Not ever?" I muttered feeling my heart tighten in my chest.

"Not ever and if it was up to me you would not be the future Alpha of this pack. You have shown poor leadership skills as well as a disregard for wolf life," she growled at me. Her words stung. I hadn’t done anything so terrible as to deserve her condemnation. Her sister was alive. That’s what was important. I’m sure of it.

"You can't mean that,” I whispered, trying hard not to show her how taken aback by her declaration I was.

"I can because what you did tells me that you do not respect others and their decisions. You are selfish. Now if you don't mind, I need to get going before visiting hours at the hospital are over," she huffed and then turned to get into her car.

"You are so full of yourself!" I growled at her as I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward myself. "You think that I am being thoughtless and selfish now. I can be so much worse!"

"And prove my point," she snapped back at me.

I stiffen at her words. Finally, my grip loosened around her arm and then fell to my side. "Go," I muttered. I couldn’t let her be right. No. I needed to win her back. Somehow.

I watched as she pulled her car away and soon was leaving the school parking lot. It pained me to let her go when she was that angry, but it seemed she needed more time. Taking a deep breath, I turned back and went to my car. I climbed inside and headed toward the packhouse. The almighty Alpha, my father, was now under the impression that I had lost my mind.

Walking into the packhouse, I was met by none other than my father. “I hear you were speaking with Helen today,” he fumed.

“Yes, I spoke with her. But nothing happened,” I responded as I tried to step past him.

He quickly blocked my way. “From what I was told you grabbed her, twice,” he huffed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You are so infuriating. I have asked you to remain away from her and yet you cannot do that. Go to your room. I will deal with you later.” He pointed toward the stairs.

“Right away, Alpha,” I grumbled, bowed, and then went up the stairs to my room. He would understand one day that Helen was the perfect choice for my mate and this pack’s future Luna.

I went into my room, threw my bag down on my desk and flopped down on my bed, exasperated. They would all understand one day. One day very soon. Even Helen would understand. I was only lying on my bed for a few moments when there came a knock at my door. “Sweetheart, it’s mom. Can I come in?”

“It’s open,” I responded as I sat up on my bed.

She pushed open the door and came in. “I overheard your conversation with your father. I know you think you are in the right and have every reason to fight for Helen to see you as a potential mate, but sweetheart, you must know that you’ve gone too far.” She wanted me to understand that what I was doing was wrong. To some degree, I could agree with her, but mostly, I couldn’t. I had an innate need to have her. Without her, I felt empty.

“I didn’t mean to,” I sighed. “When it comes to Helen, I can’t think straight.”

“Sweetheart, don’t you think you should at least apologize for what you did to her sister?” she pressed.

I knew she was right. I shouldn’t have taken her sister and I shouldn’t have let the others do as they wanted. “You’re right, but it feels too late to apologize.”

“It’s never too late,” she responded as she came over and sat next to me on the bed. She placed her hand on my back and began to rub my back in a circular motion like she used to when I was little and needed comforting.

“I’ll apologize,” I declared. She deserved more. So much more.

“I’m glad.” She smiled, pleased with my response. “Now would you like a snack?”

“Always,” I answered. I watched as she got up and left my room.

I needed to think. There must be something I can do to rectify this situation. Flower? No, too little. Chocolates? Too cliche. Stuffed bear? No, that’s not right either. What can I do? I pulled out my phone and searched for something I could get a girl to apologize for making a big mistake. So many options popped up, jewelry, picnic, nice date, chocolate, flowers, stuffed toys, etc. I knew she wouldn’t go for a date. So, the picnic and nice date were off the table. Jewelry it is, I decided.

I stood up, grabbed my car keys, and went to my bedroom door. I opened the door to see my mom standing there with a tray in her hands. “Where are you going sweety?” she asked curiously.

“I’m going to buy her a gift as part of my apology,” I responded confidently.

“Are you sure you should?” she questioned.

“Why not? Girls love getting gifts,” I said with a shrug.

“If you think it is for the best then pick wisely,” she advised.

“Will do!” I said excitedly and stepped past her.

I made a beeline for my car before anyone could stop me. I needed to get this done. Now. “Son, where are you going?” I heard my father’s voice boom from behind me.

“Going to buy a gift,” I said over my shoulder.

“For who?” he pressed.

“Helen,” I muttered.

“You know you are not to be around her,” he huffed, exasperated. “What is this I hear about you confronting her after school today?”

I froze. “I just wanted to talk,” I mumbled.

“Turn around and speak to me respectfully,” he growled at me. “Better yet, we will finish this conversation in my office.” He turned on his heels and headed down the hallway. I quietly followed him because I knew better than to try and ignore him.

We both entered his office. He took a seat behind his desk and I took a seat in front of it. “Now explain to me what happened,” he demanded as he leaned his elbows on the desk.

I took a deep breath and then explained everything that had happened. “Son, you must understand that you are no longer friends with her. She will more than likely never forgive you. You must come to accept this,” he responded with a sigh. “I didn’t punish you because I knew losing her friendship would be its own kind of punishment, but it clearly isn’t sinking in.”

“Father, you have to understand. She is my mate. I can feel it,” I pleaded with him. He needed to understand. I needed him to.

“You have not met your wolf yet. You don’t know if she is or isn’t your mate. If she is, then cross that bridge when you get there. However, if she isn’t you are only harming her more,” he tried to reason with me. What he was saying made sense, but I couldn’t agree. Not completely.

“Fine,” I gritted out. I would just agree and bide my time for now.