The Alpha, The Rogue & The Beauty

Werewolves!

Connor POV

After leaving the basement, I encounter Sarah as she enters the house carrying a tray full of dirty crockery. After asking her to meet Mum and Beth in the basement, I headed outside. I saw David standing next to the drinks table, so I wandered over to him.

"Hi Connor, where did you get to?" He asked as I approached.

"Been talking to Beth."

"Just talking?"

"Yeah, just talking. Look, could you keep an eye out for Crystal? Mum wants a family chat?"

"Course I will. I'll have to find her first!"

"Thanks mate." I pat him on the shoulder and then went in search of dad.

I find him talking to an Alpha and his family. I approach nodding to everyone.

"Here's the birthday boy! Connor, let me introduce you to Alpha Leon, Luna Stacey and their daughter Lizzy", My dad said as I arrived.

"Pleasure, " I said, shaking everyone's hand in turn. “Apologies for the interruption, but mum wants to speak to us both."

"Very well, if we could continue our conversation later, Leon?" My dad asked politely.

"Of course, Patrick. Nice to meet you Connor." Alpha Leon responded, as I led dad away from him and back to the house.

Silence greets us as we enter the basement. Beth is still sitting on her mattress on the floor and our mums are sitting on the bed. Dad stands at the door, leaning against the wall, while I move the chair so I can sit next to Beth.

Dad breaks the silence first, "So, what needs discussing?" He asks.

Mum answers him promptly, "your son has found his mate."

"Has he?" Dad turned to look at me. "Well, don't keep me in suspense, Connor."

I placed my hand on Beth's shoulder by way of answering him and I watched his eyes widen in surprise.

"Beth! Well, that is a surprise!" He smirks.

"What do you mean by mate?" Beth asked quietly.

All eyes turned to her, and her mum spoke, "Beth, dear. I have some explaining to do."

Mum put her arm around Sarah's shoulders, "I'll start off, Sarah." Sarah nodded in agreement.

Facing Beth, my mum says softly, “Beth, there is something you need to know about our town. Nearly all the residents are werewolves."

I see Beth's eyes widen and she pushes herself back against the wall, as she looks at each of us in turn. When her eyes meet mine, I nod solemnly. She then looks down at the piece of cake still on the plate in front of her.

My mum followed her gaze, “The candle makes sense now, doesn't it?" She asks. Beth just nods and I grip her shoulder tightly, trying to give her support.

Mum continues, "Patrick is Alpha, or leader, of the Moonstone pack and I am the Luna. Connor, as our first born, is next in line to be Alpha and will take over from Patrick when he turns 21. At the age of 18, two things happen to a werewolf. Firstly, at sunset on their birthday, they have their first ever shift into their wolf form. Secondly, they become more aware of their mate. It appears that you are Connor's mate."

Beth looked shocked at this news. To help calm her, I shifted my hand to her neck and started stroking it.

"But…. I'm not a werewolf!" Beth stammers.

Sarah speaks up next, "Although I didn't know this at the time, your father is actually a werewolf, so you are half werewolf."

"My father is a werewolf?" Beth asks, disbelief evident in her voice.

Nodding, Sarah answers quietly, "Yes".

Mum takes over speaking, her arm still wrapped around Sarah's shoulders, "but because of who your father is, we have hidden you as much as possible, even disguising your scent."

"The special soap," Beth whispers. I only catch it due to how close I am to her. Raising her voice, she asks, “so who is my father?"

My mum looks at Sarah, who nods in response, before she speaks again, "Alpha Leon of the Bloodstone pack."

I find myself rising to my feet, "What!" I exclaim, "but his eldest daughter is just 16, that means…… that means that Beth is his heir."

"That is why we have hidden her." My dad comments, "If Leon, his Luna or his daughter find out about Beth's heritage, her life would be in danger."

Beth turned to her mother, "Is that why we came here to Moonstone Springs? "

"I didn't know Leon was a werewolf until I met Eva in a cafe in town." Beth’s mum replied.

"When I saw you and your mum in the cafe, I found it strange that she smelt human, but you smelt like a werewolf. I asked to join her at her table, and we started talking. She told me about being dumped by your father because he found someone else, but when she mentioned his name I knew there would be an issue. So, I offered her a job as our maid, to try to keep you both safe." My mum explained.

Sarah took over the story, "After we had been here a week, I went up to the kitchen in the middle of the night to get you some milk. Looking out of the window, I saw Patrick getting undressed in the garden before he shifted into a wolf. I screamed and woke Eva, who came running into the kitchen to see what was wrong. That's when she told me about werewolves, who Leon actually was and that if we didn't hide you, your life would be in danger."

Beth POV

It was a lot to take in. First, werewolves existed! Second, I'm half werewolf! Third, Connor was my mate and next in line to be the leader of his pack! And last, if my father found out about me, he would kill me! That’s a lot for a girl who isn't even 18 yet to take in. Connor stroking my neck is helping me relax, but I think I need time to absorb all this.

"Mum?" I heard Connor beside me, "Beth's my mate, she should be by my side at the party. But that's not possible, is it?"

Mrs Baines, Eva, shook her head, "Not if Alpha Leon is still here, no."

"I was speaking to him before we came here." Mr Baines, Patrick, commented.

Eva tapped her lips with her finger before she spoke again, "Patrick, take Connor back to the party, try and find out when Alpha Leon is planning on leaving, but do it discreetly, please."

Patrick nodded, "come on Connor."

Connor kissed my forehead before rising and following his father out of the basement.

"Sarah, you go back out. Act like normal. I presume you have been avoiding Leon all afternoon?" Eva continued.

Mum nodded, "Yes, I have. Luckily, his Luna has been attached to his arm, so if he sees me, he can't go out of his way to speak to me."

"Good. Beth, you’re coming with me. We will get you dressed for the party, so when your father leaves, we can introduce you as Connor's mate. Is that okay?" Eva asked.

I nod dumbly, still in shock at all these revelations and the way everyone is acting like nothing strange is happening. Setting Connor's pillow to one side, I got up from my mattress and followed Eva out of the basement and up to her bedroom.

"Take a shower in my bathroom." Eva instructed, "I will lay a dress out on the bed ready for when you get out. I will be back soon to do your hair and make-up."

I nodded again and headed into the bathroom, my mind still whirling.