The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 38

I let my feet lead me, and it doesn’t take long before I’m back down in the cells. The guards move as soon as they see me. They don’t ask any questions, but that’s to be expected. I’m their Luna, their Alpha’s mate. There are really no questions that they could ask.

My feet don’t stop moving until I’m in front of her again. She’s lying on the cot with her front facing the wall. She looks smaller this way, looks much more fragile. I have to admit that I wasn’t being the best version of myself when I sent her down here. This is the first way I can make things right. “I’m sorry.” Her body moves at the sound of my voice, but not by much. “I was thinking as a scared parent and forgot to approach this as a Luna… a gold wolf.”

“You don’t owe me that. I… I’m sorry. I came here with ill intentions.”

“Did you, though?” I move closer to her cell door, still talking to her back. “Based on what you said to Dominic, you didn’t really decide to do any harm to us or our child. You may have been sent here with ill intentions, but I don’t think you decided to follow through.” I look to my side and nod my head before turning back to look at her. “I think we need to come up with a plan to stop this nonsense and you are a major part of that.” I step back as the guard moves forward, unlocking the cell doors. “Please, come with me.”

~Dominic~

I don’t know how long I’ve been out here, but it was long enough for the sky to darken. My anger, my fear, all of my emotions are still strong between Gideon and me. I guess there’s nothing to do about that, though. You know what we can do.

Gideon is right, I do know what I can do. I need to confront my Luna. I know that sounds like I’ve lost my mind, but it actually makes perfect sense. I need her to know that I won’t sit back and allow my mate to be treated unfairly.

I know the situation, and I get how daunting it is. My mate is in a situation too. It’s one that she didn’t ask for, and there are other people involved. I need to protect her, her brother, and my Skye. I don’t know how I will do that, but I know that it’s up to me to figure it out.

I grab a pair of shorts on my way into the packhouse. I ignore everyone I come across, determined to get this confrontation out of the way. I just hope Aston doesn’t try to kill me for coming at Katarina. If we die defending our mate, that’s not a bad way to go. One can’t really argue with that logic.

I reach the office door and hesitate for only a few seconds. This could very well be my last act on this Earth. I didn’t do enough, but that can’t be changed now. I steel my body and push the door open. I barrel inside and stop in the middle of the room. Before I can open my mouth to speak, shock flows through me.

Sitting on the couch is my mate next to Luna Katarina. She looks good, like almost happy. She definitely doesn’t look like a prisoner. Aston is sitting in an armchair next to the couch. There’s food on the coffee table. Everyone is staring at me, and I’m feeling like an ass.

Aston shifts in his seat and leans forward. “Beta Dominic…” I stand a bit straighter and try to swallow my nerves. “I’m going to pretend that there was no aggression on your face when you barreled into my office.” My mouth is suddenly dry, and even Gideon is hiding away.

“Wha… what’s going on in here?” My voice is much lighter than it should be, but that can’t be helped. I probably should be dead right now, so I will count myself lucky.

Luna Katarina sits back and looks at me. “We were just getting to know your beautiful mate, Jamorea.” She turns to her and places a hand on her arm. “I like that name a lot better than Danny by the way.” Katarina turns to me again. “It’s great that you came. It looks like we have some plans to make.” I’m still stuck, not really knowing what to say.

“Uh, maybe we can give Beta Dominic some time to clean himself up, hmm?” I stumble backward, really wanting to rush out of the room to save face. This hasn’t been my finest hour, but what’s done is done. I turn on my heel and move forward, hoping I can come back from this embarrassment.

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I walk into the office with a much better disposition than I did earlier. The shower helped to calm me down and put my focus where it needs to be. It didn’t kill my embarrassment, but it made it more manageable.

I slowly move toward the armchair that’s opposite Aston. I lower myself slowly, keeping my eyes forward. There’s tension in the air, not an unbearable kind, but it’s there. “So, what have you been talking about?” Aston sits back in his seat after placing his plate on the coffee table.

“We’ve really been catching up with your mate, getting an idea of what her life has been like.” I nod slightly, trying not to relive her words from before. I hated to hear about her childhood because I hated that she was treated so poorly, and by her mother, of all people. I also hate that those acts led her to that bastard.

I sit back in my seat and take in my surroundings. It’s a good thing that Jamorea looks so comfortable with everyone else. We will all be working closely together, so it’s important that they get along. Katarina clears her throat, pulling my attention. “It’s my understanding that you weren’t given a choice when you were sent here. He has your brother, right?” My mate nods slowly. “How old is he?”

“My brother is only 8 years old.” Katarina looks down, and Aston moves in his seat.

“That’s young. He shouldn’t have to deal with all of this at his age.” That’s all I’ve been thinking about: trying to find a way to get her brother out of danger and safe with her.

“I… I didn’t want to hurt you or your child, Alpha Aston. I really wanted to find a way to save my brother and keep your child safe.”

“I know, Jamorea. I appreciate your situation, and I’m glad you told us what was really going on. We are going to find a way to help you.” My body immediately feels lighter after hearing that. They aren’t going to punish or hurt my mate. They believe her, just like I do, and that means more than I can express.

“Have you spoken to him since you’ve been here?” All eyes turn to me. I guess no one expected me to say anything. Jamorea drops her head, suddenly fascinated with her hands.

She’s not responding, human.

Give her a minute. She’s probably scared. I put my focus back on our mate as I wait for her answer.