The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 24

~Dominic~

Time is crawling, and it feels like we’ve been here for hours. I asked the question that needed to be asked, but there has been no response. I almost wish I could take the question back because her silence is killing me.

My heartbeat is uncontrollable, and my mouth is suddenly dry. This could be it, this could be the end of a bond that I haven’t had the opportunity to experience. I know I said that if she ended the bond, if she rejected me, I’d deal with it. I wouldn’t make her feel bad, nor would I try to hold on. I would hold my head high and move on.

I said that, but now that it’s imminent, I’m not too sure I can do that. I’m not sure I can walk away from her and act like this wasn’t something I wanted with every fiber of my being. I’m a coward, and I get that; I make no excuses.

As quickly as the confidence filled me and propelled me to ask this question, it’s practically gone already. I feel myself coming down quickly, and my body is responding to the change. My chest is tight, and it’s harder to breathe. I try to swallow, but my throat feels like it’s closing up fast.

I take a step back, realizing how shaky my legs are. I keep my eyes on Danny, hoping that the tears that are building up don’t fall down my face. I feel like there’s only so many ways I should be embarrassed in one setting, and I’m pretty sure that I’ve met my quota. “Don’t worry about it.” My voice is huskier than it should be. My mouth is dry, and it feels like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. “Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.”

I quickly turn and hurry away from her, back to the packhouse. I don’t even want to go there; I don’t want to run into anyone. I can’t stay in the woods because it’s too close to her.

I stop when I clear the treeline. I stand still and let the air surround me. It’s so hard to breathe right now. I don’t know what to do with myself, what to do about this bond. I just know that what just happened practically killed me, and I won’t be able to go through that again.

Maybe I should let her go. Maybe it would be better for both of us if I let the bond go. We could go our separate ways and really get what we want out of this world. I don’t want to be accused of holding her back. I have no way of knowing if I’d get a second chance mate, but that’s no reason to keep her tied to me.

If I’m meant to roam this world alone, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I want to make sure that she can be happy in life, and it might only happen if I let her go. Sometimes, holding on is the wrong thing.

I close my eyes and let my head drop back. My arms spread slightly as I open myself to the universe. I wish I had some guidance, some way of knowing exactly what I need to do.

Before I can open my eyes, I feel sparks on the palm of my hand. My head drops, and my eyes pop open to find my mate standing before me. Gideon jumps up in my mind, his tail wagging incessantly. I’m not sure he should feel so excited, but I guess we'll find out soon enough.

~Danny~

I watch Dominic walk away, and my heart drops. I didn’t want this to happen, but I didn’t know how to answer his question. I definitely didn’t want to lie to him and give him hope where there is none. This was the perfect opportunity to be open with him or at least reject him, but I clammed up.

My head drops as I try to draw in breath. This is more than I bargained for, and I was already in a bad way, being placed here for the sole purpose of helping to kidnap a child. Go after him!

Stop, Mona.

No, you stop! When have we ever had anything of our own? When were we ever able to be happy without consequence? I want this! I want our mate!

At what cost, huh?! How the hell do we get to keep him without losing our brother?! Have you forgotten about Khalid? Are you that horny that you’d sacrifice our brother for some d***k?!

FU.CK you, human! Don’t ever accuse me of something so crude. This isn’t about s**x, this is about love. This is about fate. This is about having something in this world meant only for us. I won’t lie. I feel bad about what I said to her, and her words are making too much sense. I do agree with Mona, but my heart won’t let me give in.

My brother means everything to me, and it’s been me taking care of him all this time. How can I leave him behind to follow after my fated mate? What does that say about me if I do that? Please, Jamorea. Please find a way to have both. Hearing Mona call me out with her broken voice guts me, and I don’t know what to do.

My body moves before my brain can catch up. I turn back the way I came and take off running. I run through the forest, jumping over branches and sideswiping bushes. I see the clearing up ahead that will lead me to the packhouse. I slow down when I see Dominic standing there.

Dominic’s head is back, his face soaking up the sun. His arms are slightly out with his palms up. I slowly walk toward him, making sure I don’t make a sound. I gently touch his palm when I get close enough, the sparks making my toes curl. Dominic’s head drops in my direction, making his eyes land on me.

My breath hitches as I look at him. Not only is he fine as hell, but his eyes tell a story that I never would have thought would have been told about me. Looking at myself through his eyes makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I feel wanted, and I feel sexy.

I step back, making sure we have enough distance between us. Please….

“Are you okay?” I clear my throat, wishing I had some water at the moment.

“I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go blank when you asked me that question. You caught me off guard and I didn’t know what to say.”

“Why don’t you tell me the truth?” I wrap my arms around my body as if trying to push off a chill that isn’t there.

“The truth isn’t always that clear,” Dominic shifts on his feet.

“Are you telling me that you can’t answer that question with a simple yes or no?” I don’t trust my voice, so I shake my head in response. Dominic sighs and leans forward, pushing some hair behind my ear. I try not to react to his touch, but I’m pretty sure I lost that battle. “What are you not telling me, mate?” So much, Dominic. There’s so much that I want you to know. I just don’t think that you’ll still want me once I say it.