The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 27

~Brackston~

Weirdly enough, my wolf and I feel settled after the call with Jamorea. I don’t know what it is about her, but she calms me. I felt that the moment I met her, I knew that I couldn’t let her out of my sight, no matter what.

I sit back in the chair and rest my hands on my desk. I know that I told her to check in every day, but if I’m being honest, that won’t be enough. I need to see her more than a video will allow. I need to be in her presence. It’s going to be hard to do that since she’s over there.

I need her in that pack, securing my human weapon more than I need to see her. I wish I could have both, right now, but I don’t have that option. I know I should wait, but that hasn’t really been my forte, no matter how many years have passed.

I push away from my desk and rise to my feet. I may not have a long-term solution to my problems, but in the short term, I could use some fresh air. I also need to be seen around the pack since I’ve been gone so long.

It doesn’t take me long to make it outside. I decide to go to the training grounds and check on my warriors. I need to make sure they are performing at their peak ability. I need their strength in case anything happens.

Loud voices capture my attention. I look off to the side and see a group of older kids. They are laughing and yelling. It looks like they are doing something specific, but I have no idea what.

I move a little closer, trying to see what’s going on. “Look at this little orphan, everyone! His own family didn’t even want him!”

“Oh, look at his face! It looks like he’s about to cry! Are you going to cry, little orphan boy?” I post myself against a thick tree trunk to take in the scene. The kids don’t know that I’m here, and I want to keep it that way.

“Maybe we should stop, guys. Someone could catch us.” I maneuver myself so I can put eyes on Khalid, who’s in the center of the group.

“So what?! Who’s going to say anything to us? If he goes crying to anyone, who’s going to believe him? He’s an orphan.” The big kid pushes his hands forward, and Khalid goes tumbling. He hits the ground, falling on his knees.

The scene is amusing, if I’m being honest. I wonder how far the kids will take this. “Look at him. He’s pathetic. He isn’t even strong enough to speak up for himself. There’s no one here who will speak up for him.” The kids start laughing and murmuring. Someone moves forward and kicks Khalid, his hand catching him in the side.

Khalid grunts and holds his side, but he doesn’t move other than that. The kids continue to taunt him and assault him. I find it pathetic that the little runt is allowing himself to be abused. I guess that without his sister, he has no sense of self-preservation. He’d rather let others treat him like trash instead of sticking up for himself. I guess that’s going to be something to work on.

It isn’t that I care about the kid, because I don’t. I really don’t care if he gets beaten up or not. I don’t care what place he secures for himself in the future. I don’t even care if he survives. He’s weak, and a weak wolf is a useless one.

I know I will have to train him because that’s what Jamorea will want. She will want her brother protected and cared for. I will do it for a time, just to get her comfortable. When I distract her with caring for our weapon and any other pups I put in her, I will take care of him. I will let the warriors have him as a punching bag or whoever makes the best offer.

“What are you kids doing out here?” The question rings out, breaking me from my thoughts. The kids scatter, leaving Khalid on the floor. I watch everyone run away, trying to get to wherever they need to be. I push off the tree trunk and continue toward the training grounds. I pass the child, but don’t spare him a glance. He’ll have to learn how to take care of himself or suffer for it. It really doesn’t concern me.

~Aston~

I hit send on the email I just finished composing and sit back in my chair. So much has happened in such a small time. I guess this is what life is like, but it can be a lot to take in.

When I was lost to the world, my days went by slowly. I didn’t have anything else going on besides work. I didn’t know who I was or what I meant to be. I didn’t know that I had a whole life waiting for me.

I was bored, for sure. I had nothing to do with my time when I wasn’t at work. I was with a few women, but nothing ever felt right. My mom walking into that diner that day literally changed my entire life and I’m happy about that.

I’m still getting used to how fast life moves in the pack. I guess I never considered it before because everything was cut short. Now, I have a front row seat, and I have to remind myself to breathe sometimes. “It looks like you’re the one who has a lot on their mind this time.” I look up to find my mate staring at me. Her eyes are full of amusement, and it makes me happy. Anything from her makes me happier than I ever thought I could be, and that has nothing to do with the child she blessed me with. That’s just another layer to an already overflowing cake of love and happiness.

“Maybe… maybe not. Maybe I’m just thinking about my life and how happy I am.” Katarina shakes her head, and I notice her trying to suppress a smile.

“Oh, so you know me so well, but I don’t know you? Isn’t that interesting….” I push the chair away from my desk and stand up. I slowly walk over to my mate, watching her body respond to me. Her body visibly calms, any tight muscles relaxing.

When I get in front of her, I pull her into me. I let my head drop, my nose grazing her neck. I breathe in deeply, letting her scent settle inside of me. This is life… this is love. This is something I forgot I was missing, but have always wanted. “I love you. You know that, right?” Katarina wraps her arms around me, and her body settles against mine.

“I love you just as much, maybe even more. I can’t believe I almost lost you forever.” I lift my head and press my lips on her forehead.

“Nah. Somehow, someway we would have found each other. Even if I never remembered who I was, I would have always wanted you.” Katarina chuckles.

“You don’t know that.” I pull back and give her a look that says that I’d stake my life on that fact. She smiles and pulls me closer, settling against me again.

“Ready to tell me what had your mind in a choke hold earlier?” Her body tenses, and I rub her back in an attempt to get her to relax again.

“It’s just…” I grip her tighter. “I’m scared, Dreamboat. I’m so scared for our child. I don’t know what to think right now. I don’t remember doing anything when I was younger and she’s already showing powers. I don’t know what to do.” I let out a small sigh and hold her even tighter.

I don’t really know what to say right now. Katarina is right, and I’ve thought the same thing. I want to keep my daughter safe, and I will die to achieve that. I don’t really know what to say to ease her thoughts, and I’m pretty sure there aren’t any good words for her. “Hopefully, Elder Nadia will have an answer for us. In the meantime, we just need to love our child and keep her safe. I don’t know what else we can do.” Katarina nods against me, and we settle into a nervous silence. I have no idea what the future holds, but I know that we will do anything to keep our daughter safe.