The Alpha's Human Mate

The Beta’s Reality

“Mammieeee! Gemma shouted as she ran through the door

Carrie came out of the living room and was about to ask Gemma what was wrong when she smelled a scent she had never expected to smell again. Carried paled, gripped Gemma tightly and pulled her to her for a hug; Gemma’s body trembling, tears in her eyes.

Carrie mind-linked herown and the Alpha family along with the third and head warrior of the pack, indicating it was an emergency. She took Gemma into the family room, sat her on the sofa and threw a fleece blanket around her shoulder.

“Mammie-”

“Pumpkin, I need you not to say anything until everyone gets here ok. Please don’t move from this spot”

“What?” Gemma asked, confused at Carrie’s reaction.

“Please. Please just listen to me. I need to ward the house” With that, Carrie started lighting the cluster of candles beside the side table and the ones dotted around the room.

Gemma was numb. She couldn’t think. Mammie was acting so different from her usual self. So composed and organised; yet authoritative. She kept going over the conversation she heard in her head at Connor’s flat and seeing that face. Him. Her thoughts were so jumbled. She had known instinctively that she couldn’t be seen and that she was in danger. She had to get out of there. She had been lucky that, after leaving the flat; the next bus back home was only twenty minutes later.                                                                                                                                                                                              She had not taken a breath of relief until the bus had moved out of the depot and made its way out of the city centre. It was when they had left the city fully behind that she had been able to relax, only for her body to have cold shivers even on this pleasant day. Throughout the bus journey, the only thought in her mind was to get home to mammie and Max. She needed mammie’s caring protection around her and she needed Max’s warm embrace to give her eat which she felt was missing from her body. The driver of the bus was a pack member who kept looking at her through the rearview mirror and must have mind-linked someone to pick her up because as soon as she was about to get off the bus, he had pulled her aside and told her that a taxi was waiting for her. As most of the passengers were also wolf, she had smiled and thanked the driver, knowing she was being watched as she took the taxi for her back home; the driver waiting outside until she was safely inside the door

As her mind tried to make sense of what she saw and what the last two years of her life meant, Cars began to arrive at the property, a couple of them squealing in their urgent need to arrive fast. Gemma heard the door open and people enter, her body still wrapped up the blanket, her mind whizzing about.

“Pumpkin!”

Suddenly she was lifted up into big arms and hugged. She blinked as she realised she was looking at pops, his face pale and worried. Behind him was Ben and Cindy who were rapidly talking to Carrie while dashing about the house and she smelled burning incense and sage. Liam sat her back down on the couch while rubbing her cold arms up and down. Seeing her tremble still, he lights up the fire and brushes her tangled hair out of her face. He stood up and left the room just as the doorbell rang.

Gemma didn’t understand the urgency or the need for this meeting. All she knew was her life had turned upside down and her brain wasn’t functioning. She blinked her eyes twice as she realised that Cindy was holding out a cup of tea in front of her face, the sweet smell rising with coiling steam out of the cup. She took it gratefully as it helped warm her ice cold hands, her breath choppy. Before she could take a sip, Heather; the Luna came into the room and with a cry, stood in front of Gemma and opened her arms in a hug while Cindy took the cup of tea out of her hands. Looking over Heather’s shoulder, she saw the worried look on Maddie’s face and for some reason that made everything that happened worse; and she promptly burst into tears.

“Oh pumpkin, what’s happened”

“I...I…-”

“GEMMA!” Max’s voice screamed out.

Suddenly she was snatched away from the luna and into max’s arms, securing her against him, his warmth finally easing her tremblings.

“Ok Carrie, tell us what happened” Jon said as he came into the living room.

Max carried Gemma to the sofa, but instead of sitting her down on it, he sat himself and placed her on his lap and held her tight, kissing her forehead. Gemma looked into Max’s eyes and saw his eyes flash wolf, seeing maxsius there, worried. Max raised her chin and placed a soft kiss on her cold lips and hugged her tighter against him as she put her face into the crook of his neck.

Jon cleared his throat and they both lifted their heads to look at everyone in the room. Gemma blushed and tried to get off Max’s lap but he wouldn’t let her move.

“Your not getting off my lap Gemstone, so you may as well stop trying”

“Max, while we all know you are her mate, I don’t appreciate seeing my daughter being pawed at”

“While I appreciate that you are her father, I am her mate and have a right to touch her” Max retorted.

“Ok everyone, lets calm down. Carrie what is going on that you used code red”

“Code red? What’s that” Max and Gemma asked together.

“Its a code colour for how big a danger you are in Gemma”

“Danger? I don’t understand” Gemma said, her eyes wide.

Carrie sighed and walked towards her daughter. She brushes a stray strand of hair away from her face and lovingly caresses her cheek.

“I think everyone should sit down. We may not be able to discuss everything tonight, but something needs to be said”

“Carrie-” Liam started

“It’s ok. It needs to be said”

“What does mum?” Ben asked as he, Cinday and maddie sat on one sofa. The alpha and luna sat on the two seater on the side beside where Max and Gemma sat.

“When Gemma got on the bus, Paul White mind-linked me and told me something was wrong with Gemma, she was crying. I made sure a taxi would be there to pick her up, thinking maybe she had a problem at the office and -”

“Wait, office? You went into Edinburgh? Without telling me?” Max cut in, looking at Gemma with a frown

“Max. Not the time. Let me explain first. Gemma ran into the house but she smelled wrong. There was a slight hint of something which I couldn’t place at first. But as soon as I did, I called the meeting. SO why don’t we first start with Gemma telling us what happened and I will explain after”

Gemma nodded and again tried to get up from Max’s lap. After trying a few times, and Max raising his eyebrows at her; she sighed and settled down against him. She threw off the blanket as her body now had heated enough to be normal thanks to Max.

Gemma explained to everyone what happened, from taking the bus last minute, to going to the flat to pick up her items. At that point Max stiffened up before slowly heating up in anger; keep Gemma on his lap. When Gemma finally explained the conversation, Max lost it.

“I can’t believe you put yourself in danger. Especially when I asked you not to go without me!”

“That’s not the important part Max” His dad said

“Not important? Ok, I get you guys don’t understand how I feel about Gemma-”

“Oh we understand son. More than you can imagine and not just because of the mate bond. Gemma, I have a feeling there more to this story than just a conversation”

Gemma nodded and continued on, explaining what else was said before explaining what and who she saw, describing everything in detail. She stopped suddenly when Jon got up and stalked over to them. His power radiating outward

“Dad?” Max asked, unsure why he was feeling the alpha vibes off his father

“Not possible! Not possible pumpkin! You must be mistaken”

“I’m not uncle Jon. I...I swear. I saw him and I remember him”

Jon looked at the rest of the adults, his eyes wide and they took in his fear. Max and Ben looked at each other, understanding that something big was taking place that they weren’t privy to.

“Carrie, is this possible?” He whispered out

“I didn’t think so but Jon, she described it correctly. There’s only one way that could happen; its happening” She whispered as tears rolled down her face

“No! No! It’s not. It can’t be! I’m not losing her too!” Heather cried out as she stand and walks over to Gemma

“What’s happening?” Gemma asked as she finally free’s herself from Max’s arms and lap

“What’s going on dad?” Max asked as he too got up

Heather pulled Gemma into an embrace as Liam hugs Carrie. Jon walks over to Gemma and hugs his mate and Gemma together before kissing Gemma on the forehead and turning her face to his

“Things are going to change pumpkin and I need you to listin ok”

“Dad-”

“Sit down Max. Listin, all of you. Mark has had to go back to the training camp as he was only granted a short leave and as Kyle wanted to become a warrior, he left with him. It’s best they come back Liam, tell Otis that it’s time”

Max and Ben’s eyes widened as they at first looked at each other and then at their parents in shock

“Otis, as in councilman Otis...of the high order?, Dad how do you know him? What’s going on?”

“As of now, Gemma is to be protected at all costs. Pumpkin as of now you, you won’t be going back to classes. I will arrange it so you get work delivered at home. Warriors will be stationed outside this house and you will always have two to three people in the house with you at all times and-”

“What? Why?” Maddie screeched as she stood up from the couch.

“Dad what the hell is going on?” Max asked, folding his arms

“There’s a past none of you kids know about. We need to discuss this but not right now. Right now, we need to get organised. Carrie, if its happening, the next thing to go is her scent. Once that happens; all bets are off. We need to prepare now! We need you back”

“I...I..I can’t J...Jon. I can’t lose her too. I can’t let her down”

“You won’t be letting her down. We need you. You’re the only one who can protect her”

“What do you think i’ve been doing all these years! The stench of medication and rootbane has been keeping them away!”

“Mum? What are you talking about?” Cindy and Gemma asked together

“Carrie. There’s not stopping this. This is the first sign”

“It might not be Jon, it-”

“Stop it! Just stop it Carrie. Stop hiding! It wasn’t your fault, but this could be because you want to keep hiding” Heather shouted out as she stalked over to her friend and shook her

“Ok ok sweetheart; ease up there” Jon said, pulling his mate off Carrie who was trembling.

“Mammie, someone; please tell me what’s going on?” Gemma asked, her arms wrapped around herself as max pulled her to him

“Pumpkin, we need to sit down and have a conversation properly; but know this. You are in grave danger. Not the disney villain type; but the killer assassin type” Jon said softly

“What???” All the kids said together.

“Max, I will speak to all the alpha’s you were meant to be visiting but; son, things have changed. You will need to stay with Gemma, protect her”

“I will dad but at least tell me from what?”

“Yes alpha, she’s our sister. I’m the future beta. I can protect her too”

“You can son. Listen to me, all of you. The person gemma saw was a being, a creature so old and pure blooded, that we thought they were extinct. We thought the last of them died the night your parents were killed pumpkin”

Gemma gasped as Max held her tighter, his body heat providing her the much needed comfort. Maddie walked closer to Gemma and hugged her from the side while Cindy and Ben listened in awe and shock. Carrie and Heather each touched Gemma. Liam came back into the room and nodded to the alpha, indicating that what he had asked for was done.

“Gemma, I know you have questions. All of you do. We will talk about this tomorrow. Tonight, Carrie, please; have everyone pack what they can for the next couple of nights and for the next few days we will all live together. We are all going to the pack house”

“Packhouse! Dad-”

“Max. Not now. Help Gemma pack. Pumpkin, pack for three or so days. I promise that tomorrow we will all sit down and talk. But tonight, we will be moving into the main pack house and settling in”

Saying that, he hugs Gemma and walks out with Liam. Carrie and Heather look at the kids and hug them as they start making a list of items needed. The packhouse usually is where the alpha and luna live, however; once the pack had become as big as it was, Jon had built a bigger packhouse further out towards the forest area. It was a large brick home with four levels. The first level was mainly a kitchen, two large living rooms, a big office, bathroom and a couple of storage rooms as well as access to the underground basement which had a built in pantry, emergency bunker and even another underground compartment incase of a war or attack.                                                                                                                                                                                                The other three levels were all big en-suites with some even having small living rooms or kitchenettes. Max remembered that there were fifteen bedrooms with smaller cottages dotted about behind the house but which was all enclosed by silver coated fencing and gates. They very rarely used the property, maybe two times a year when his dad hosted coming of age parties, treaties or the like. While it was only a fifteen minute drive and the pack knew this is where to go in emergencies; and yes, at times his dad even did a drill every few months so the pack knew what to do in an event of an attack; they hardly went there. Max kissed Gemma and mind-linked Ben to go with him as they went to speak to their dads

“Come on Gem’s, let’s get you and Cin sorted. Then we can get the boy’s to take us to mine and-”

“No hun. Once you girls pack here, we will all leave together and go to our house before going to the packhouse”

“It’s that serious?” Maddie asked her mum.

“I’m afraid so” Heather says

The girls pale before looking at each other before walking as one up the stairs to their rooms to pack. Heather walked over to Carrie and touched her shoulder to gain her attention

“You know what this means. It’s time”

“I….I’m not ready to lose her” Carrie whispers

“We won’t be losing her. She will be fulfilling her destiny”

“Yes, by going away. How can I protect her if she goes and goddess! Heather; Max! How are they going to cope when they realise what we did to them. What we have hidden. He’s barely sane now when he has her. If he ever found out about-”

“Don’t!” Heather cut her off, her heart racing “He can’t ever know about her death and what it means. He won’t let it happen but it needs to”

“I thought, all these years, I’ve managed to save her unlike...like...L..Lily” Carrie sobs “But all i’ve done is put off the inevitable and put her in danger”

“She’s not in danger yet, we managed to stop it before it happened-”

“But she still needs to die! How can we be ok with her dying...again! Heather...how?”

“What do you mean dying?”

Carrie and Heather pale as they both turn to look at Max and Ben standing there with two black bags full of items. Max looked pale, his eyes wide in shock but Ben looked like he was going to be sick. Their mother’s looked at them, fear in their eyes.

                                                -----------------------------------------------------

Maddie closed the door to her room and sat on the bed, huffing out a breath. She couldn’t believe it was already 1am. After Gemma had come home and spoke about her experience; Maddie’s father had decided to move the two families and a few guards to the packhouse with the promise that everything would be explained the next day. Max and Ben had become agitated before leaving, saying they wanted something explained that they had overheard their mum’s talking about.

Max had wolfed out and as Gemma had come down the stairs with her bags, Maxius had made his presence known, declaring no one could touch or move his mate. He had taken a stand in front of her and had growled and barked at anyone who came close to them; even going as far to attack their dad as they too changed into their wolf and tried to calm him down. It had taken a frightened scream from Gemma and her plea to stop that convinced Maxisus to back off with the promise that at the house, she would share his room.

Uncle Liam had protested greatly, not liking the fact that he was pushing his bond onto Gemma; but Gemma had talked him down that he only wanted to keep her safe. Using all her negotiation skill, they had come to an agreement that Gemma and Max could stay in the one room, but with the promise that they wouldn’t have s*x. At least not without hearing all the details first. It had been almost 7pm before Max changed back and even then he kept Gemma close, his mouth lifting up in a scowl anytime anyone got near them; going as far as to not even trust their parents near her.                                                                                                                                                                                                 By the time everyone got to the pack house, rooms assigned and unpacked it was closer to 10pm. Thank god the pack cooks who had their own restaurant and on a weekly basis provided food to the pack; had made lasagna, various sandwiches, a big portion of garlic bread and two big portions of chicken caesar salads. The guards picked up the food and everyone had plenty to eat and drink along with a supermarket cheesecake after. By the time everyone had finished drinking their hot drinks and cleaning up, it had just gone past 12.30am and the fathers had gone into the study to chat to the guards about logistics and strategies; Ben and Scott had insisted on personally delivering Gemma, Maddie and Cindy to their rooms where they checked every door, lock, window and everything in between for safety. Ben had promised that as soon as they were done, he would be coming back to see her but looking at the time; she didn’t think that was going to happen.

“Hey, are you not tired?”

Looking at Gemma and Cindy, Maddie jumped up with a wide smile and ushered them in. The three friends were dressed almost identical with boy shorts and a strappy vest top with their favourite disney characters on it. Even their appearance was matched as each girl had pulled her hair up and tied it back with a clasp so that the hair was out of the way, their faces scrubbed clean. Cindy was the only one wearing her Winnie the Pooh slippers while both Gemma and Maddie were bare feet.

“Ssssoooo, What do you think it’s about” Cindy says quietly, sitting down on Maddie’s bed near the pillows

“I don’t know” Maddie shrugged

“Well it must be serious s**t if they made us come out here to tell us” Cindy replied, huffing out a breath

“I think it’s to do with my parents death and me. Guy’s, I don’t think my parents died in just a rogue attack. I think they were targeted”

“WHAT??!!” both Cindy and Maddie gasped out loud

“Honestly guy’s and there some big thing thats going to happen when I have s*x”

“You mean an orgasim?” Maddie laughingly said

“No, I’m serious. Look don’t tell Max because I left this part out but….Conner said that if it didn’t happen by a certain point, then he would slip something into my drink and that they needed my essence” Gemma said worriedly

“What? What the f**k is that?” Cindy swore

“Oh my god your swearing” Maddie gaped at her friend wide-eyed “And Gemma, what the f**k man! How could you not tell everyone that and what the hell is he talking about? Essence?”

“Are you kidding?! Did you not see how Max was without all that being said?” Gemma said before sighing and sitting at the edge of the bed.

“Gem’s, you need to tell him...about the hospital and what Connor said” Maddie gently said

“Are you f*****g kidding me? We agreed never to speak about it, the three of us in this room!”

“Gem’s-”

“And now you want me to tell him?! What-”

“I f****d up ok!” Maddie cut in “I got angry at Ben when he admitted how he kept you and Max apart and Ben-”

“You told Ben? Oh god! Please tell me your kidding madz” Gemma asked, her face pale and worried

“Guy’s calm down. We can salvage this” Cindy said, typing to keep the peace

Before anyone could argue that point, the door to the bedroom burst open and both Ben and Max came in, their eyes wide with worry, their hair sticking up as if they had run their hand through it multiple times. Entering the room, they both breathed a sigh of relief before, like mirror images; folding their arms over their chest, their muscles bulging.

“Why are you here mate? Didn’t I tell you to stay in our room?”

“Cindy, why didn’t you just ask me to bring you two to Maddie” Ben asked angrily

“Geez guy’s lighten up-” Gemma replied, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t growl at my mate!” Max gripped at Ben “And mate, you are in big trouble”

“Max,You guys are being too much-”

“Too much? Your safety is never too much! We both nearly called for backup when I couldn’t find you in our room and Cin wasn’t in her’s” Max answered back, his anger rising

Walking forward Max picked up Gemma in a fireman lift, her backside high up on Max’s shoulder. Gemma shireaked as he laughingly patted her ass before saying goodnight and leaving the room; Gemma’s voice trailing behind them that it wasn’t dignified for him to behave like this.

“Let’s go Cin. It’s close to 3am and I have something to sort out before I get any sleep tonight” Ben said as he pointedly looked at Maddie who was pick at imaginary lint on her bed,

“Guess i’ll see you tomorrow Mad’s” Cindy sighed as she followed Ben out the door.

“Ye, ok. Night” Maddie whispered back

Lying back against the bed she huffed out a deep breath before walking to the en-suite and preparing for bed. After brushing her teeth and peeing, she had just gotten into bed and turned out the light when suddenly the door opened. Maddie got up from her bed, her heart pounding in her throat.

“Ben” She hissed out.

“You are in so much trouble me mate” He whispered as he locked the door,

“What? Why?” She asked, confused

“I told you to never wear these type of clothes for anyone except me” He said as he pulled off his black polo shirt, his hands making fast work of his belt and jeans; leaving him in his Star Wars boxers

“I wasn’t going to leave the room in them, it was for bed” She protested

“Any of the f*****g gaurds could have been the one to come in here looking for you guys. They would have seen it. Max did f*****g see it”

“Max is my brother. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t see me in that s****l way” Maddie replied back, her eyes flashing in anger

Ben growled and walked over to her before trapping her under him. He moved her legs so they opened up, and lay between them, his boxers rubbing against her as he looked down into her eyes. Maddie looked into his face, her body heating up because she was close to her mate. That night when they both had acknowledged that they were mates, too much had happened and they had been unable to mate that night. Instead, they had wrapped up in each other’s arms and spent the night cuddled together. Max had taken it better than Ben when he had woken up the next morning and walked into the kitsch to see everyone including the alpha and luna.

They had taken one look at then two and the alpha had said he would prefer that they two waited to have kids and to please practise safe s*x. Maddie had blushed and had told her father not to get involved as it was too weird. Ben had accepted the alpha’s condition and continued on to speak about the coming days agenda. It was when Gemma had squealed at seeing Ben and Maddie kiss, that Ben realised how much he had hurt Max with his demand to stay away.

Ben had apologised to Max who very graciously accepted along with some teasing about being brother-in-laws twice over. While everyone was talking about the new mates and how they felt about things, Ben realised that he wanted more. He wanted Maddie pregnant. He wanted pups. University no longer held any appeal. In fact, he wanted to have his own online delivery service much like sss, except it would be for Movies and popcorn. A service which allowed home cinema without the need for cable tv. And he wanted to make those pups right now.

“Let’s mate. Right now”

“What? Shut up Ben.” Maddie laughed and pushed at his hard shoulder, the muscles moving beneath her hand

“I’m serious. I want pups Maddie. Your pups. I want to see you round and have our own place” Ben leaned down to kiss her lips, his c**k rubbing against the seams of her shorts aggressively

“Ben...Ben, stop” Maddie pushed harder at him, breaking their lips “How can you think about that when we are in this situation?” 

“Baby-”

“Get off me….Ben get off” Maddie pushed. Ben Moved away from her and sat down on the edge of the bed, his face bent down, hiding his eyes

“Why is it so wrong to want my mate?”

“It’s not wrong Ben, but with everything happening...and we don’t even know everything yet...and pups? I thought you wanted to wait and what about uni?”

“I just want us to get started now so by the time the pups come we...there here” He said, running his left hand through his hair.

“That doesn’t make sense Ben” Maddie shook her head, sitting beside him

Ben sighed again and turned to look at Maddie with sad eyes. He pulled her to him and took a deep breath, his sigh weavering . Clutching her mate to her body, she realised he was trembling and that his deep breaths wasn’t breaths but a way to swallow his cries as his eye carried unshed tears

“Ben. What’s the matter. You can tell me baby” Maddie said, her mind working overtime “You're scaring me baby. Please tell me”

“I …..I wanted pup right now before she’s gone” Ben said quietly

“Who? Ben i’m so confused” Maddie asked, pushing his hair away from his forehead as she looked him in the eyes.

He seemed to have gathered himself and was now taking deep breaths. Looking at Maddie, he pulled her onto his lap, her front to his front, his head going into the crook of her neck. Taking a deep breath and inhaling her scent, he slowly calmed down. Running comforting fingers through his already messed up hair, Maddie held her mate, giving him her strength.

“Who Ben, tell me baby”

“I always thought that when we’d have pups, Gemma, Cin and you would have then close together...you know, so they could grow up together. The way we all did. But what if we are planning for something that can’t happen and we miss out on those special moment with those special people?”

“I don’t understand babe. Why would we miss out? Besides Gemma and Max are so not ready for pups. They barely ready for s*x” Maddie laughed before quieting after seeing the sadness on Ben’s face

“Ben, you’re really scaring me” She whispers, her voice quiet as if scared someone might hear her “What’s going on? Who are you talking about”

Gemma” He whispered after a while “Gemma has to die...again. And this time, I have to be the one to kill her”