Fated Mates: The Beta

Josh:Chapter Four

Josh

After texting my mom that I would call her in the morning. I found myself sitting at a local bar. I didn't know the place. I had never been, but after everything that happened that evening, I couldn't think of a better place to be.

The place wasn't so busy that it felt claustrophobic, but there were enough people in there to make me choose a seat near the back end of the bar.

I ordered a double shot of whiskey and downed it in one gulp and ordered another. I glanced down at my phone, seeing a new text from Wes, asking how Jocelyn was.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. He was atleast worried about her, so I needed to respond.

Breakfast with Jocelyn tomorrow morning sound good?

Yes!!!

Pick you up around eight. Be ready.

Okay!

SHOWER!

Fine. Don't be a d**k about it.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed I stared down at my second glass, wondering if I really needed it.

It would probably be best if I ate something. I couldn't drive myself home tonight if I drank too much. But food would soak up the alcohol, maybe. I didn't even know. I wasn't in the habit of drinking too much. I had too many responsibilities to take care of to be doing this at all.

Yet here I was, still staring at my second glass, wondering how many of these I could drink to make me forget that my little sister almost took her own life today.

When the bartender came by again, I asked for a menu and she handed me one and told me she would be back to get my order. I looked down at the small menu and I couldn't even focus on the words. All I could think about was Jocelyn. I was failing her.

I let the burn of the second shot burn down my throat and I clenched my jaw. The bartender came back and I pointed at the picture of the burger and fries and she nodded and took the menu.

I sat with my empty glass and stared at the bar. Maybe I could convince Matt to let Elena visit. She was so angry when everything went down with the rogue that she didn't speak to Matt for a week. And even now, after he refused to let her speak to Jocelyn, she was still angry and upset. It would help both of us out if Elena could talk to her.

I rubbed at my chest and took a deep breath. My eyes stung and I knew that I was barely holding on. I needed something to get my mind off of everything, but thinking of going back to the pack and doing my usual sh*t with Priscilla sounded just as satisfying as poking my eyes out with cocktail straws.

I should have fought for her more. I should have done something to save the rogue. She was brave and broke him out the first time. Why didn't I even try to reason with Matt? If the rogue was still alive, I wouldn't have to worry about her.

I laid my head on the bar and closed my eyes. Thoughts of her scream invaded my brain and I growled. I couldn't even begin to imagine the pain she was in right now.

Maybe I was better off not finding my mate if this is how bad it is to lose them. I couldn't fathom what it would even be like to feel for a person that strongly.

My phone rang and I looked at the screen. Priscilla's face popped up and I ignored the call. It was almost laughable now how unimportant she was to me when not too long ago I was smashing Wes' face in because another guy had his tongue down her throat. But it wasn't like I was in love with her. Or maybe I was? But not anymore.

I sat up when my food got set in front of me and I stared down at it feeling queasy. It didn't look bad. If anything, it looked amazing, but I couldn't even fathom stomaching anything. I grabbed a fry and snapped it in half. I placed it back in the small basket and picked the burger up and took a bite.

I chewed my bite and shook my head. Tasteless. Not that I didn't think it tasted good, but I couldn't make myself enjoy it. I ordered my third double of the night and pushed my food aside. I needed to ask Matt if he could possibly let her back in the pack so it would be easier to watch her. Maybe dad would come home if she was home.

I didn't think it would bring him home. Ever since he found Jocelyn and watched her crumble to the ground when her mate died, he couldn't stand to be home. My mom was angry at him for bringing her back, but more worried because he knew it was all his fault that she had lost her wolf.

I growled at myself because ultimately, it didn't matter. I sipped on this glass and ran my hand through my hair, looking around the bar. People were so happy, smiling and enjoying their Friday night out while I was indulging in a little pity party for being the worst brother ever.

I laid my head back down on the bar and closed my eyes. Loki was beginning to get antsy, pacing around in my head and acting like he was anticipating something.

Settle. I demanded of him. I really didn't need him picking a fight or whatever he was thinking of doing right now. Although a fight sounded good right about now.

He growled lowly in my head and I clenched my hand around my glass. He continued to skitter around like an excited pup, his tail wagging furiously and his tongue panting out of his mouth.

Loki, I don't know what your issue is, but stop. I'm not in the mood.

He began jumping around in circles and whining and before I could snipe at him again he whined again

Mate! I inhaled deeply and a scent so amazing hit my senses. It smelled a lot like one of those tropical fruity drinks. I smelled a combination of coconut and pineapple and nothing had smelled so amazing.

I lifted my head and looked around, the bar, my eyes landing on the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was short, like Elena, with fiery red hair and a small button nose. Her eyes flitted to mine for a second and even from across the bar, I could see the interest twinkle from her eyes. My heart thudded in my chest and I placed my hand over it to stop it from overreacting.

Could this have been the worst possible timing for this? Loki was going crazy, trying to make me get up and go to her, but all I could think was that this was horrible.

How could I have possibly found my mate in the same night that I was supposed to be fixing all of my piled up issues?My heart thundered against my ribs and I felt my breath begin to come out in short pants. I grabbed onto the edge of the bar tightly and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to focus on breathing, because suddenly I felt like I couldn't.

This wasn't right. This was the worst. I couldn't get distracted with a woman right now. Not right now. I had so many other things to do and I just couldn't do it. Loki was running around crazily in my head and I shook my head, hoping he would stop. When I opened my eyes, my vision was blurry and I couldn't breathe. I felt tears sting my eyes and I heard people around me sound muffled, like I was hearing everything from under water.

The next thing I knew, I was falling out of my stool and I hit my head on the hard concrete ground. I stared up at the ceiling, still trying to catch my breath when my beautiful siren appears before my eyes. Her long, wavy, red hair falls in tumbles around her face and her eyes...amber brown eyes the color of whiskey stare down at me with concern.

When her hand touches my arm, I feel a bolt of electricity run through my body and I close my eyes to stop myself from staring at her.

"Hey," She says in a tiny, sweet voice. It smooths over my skin like a balm and I take a deep breath. "It's okay, you're just having a panic attack. Breathe."

I nod slowly as she picks my head up and sets it in her lap. She stares down at my face and I can't stop looking at how beautiful she is.

"Just breath for me, okay? Can you do that?"

I take another breath, scented with her piña colada smell and I feel my heart beginning to slow. Loki is wiggling around inside of me, happy that she was finally here.

I sit up slowly and I feel her hands on my arms, helping me up. One of her hands moves up and down my back soothingly and I can't help how my body responds to her touch.

"Hi," She says after I finally look at her. She smiles at me with giant dimples on her cheeks and the prettiest heart shaped lips. "My name is Penelope. I'm a nurse. Are you feeling better?"

I swallow hard when something else about her begins to register in my head. "Yeah, I'm okay. I-I'm Josh."

"Nice to meet you, Josh. Are you good to get up?"

I nod slowly and stand on on unsteady feet. People are milling around, watching and I feel my face blaze with embarrassment.

"Thank you." I murmur to her as I take my place back at the bar.

"You're welcome. If you need anything else, I'll be over there." She points at a table near the entrance where a group of other women are sitting and I nod once again. I watch her walk off, wearing tight jeans that make her ass look delicious and I turn back to the bar.

I pull my wallet out and pay for my drinks and my food and begin walking out of the bar, taking only one look back at the tiny, fiery red head before stepping out of the bar.

My head is swimming with everything that just happened and I close my eyes. Not only do I have to deal with my sister, but now I have to figure out what to do with a human mate.