The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 12

~Unknown -*Danny*~

I shift, loving the softness beneath me. This is a change from the last few nights on that tent floor. I shift again, immediately groaning in pain. Everything ached, and it’s taking everything in me not to scream.

My mind goes back to what I can remember. Brackston came to tell me that it was time to complete this job he put me on. He let those men beat me, and I’m sure they enjoyed every second of it. I wasn’t able to see my brother or get an update. I don’t believe anything that Brackston says to me because he would lie about anything to get what he wants.

I breathe slowly, trying to gather the strength to open my eyes. The moment I succeed, the bright white burns. I quickly close my eyes and try to calm the pain. I slowly open them again, noticing white walls all around me. I feel Mona sluggishly moving around in my mind. It feels so good to feel her that I almost cry. I try to move my body to sit up, but I can’t quite get myself situated. “You should be careful. You don’t want to cause more damage.”

Footsteps ring out, getting closer to me. I feel my fear pick up, not knowing if I’m in danger or not. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen comes into my view. I swear she looks like a goddess, and that’s no exaggeration. “Wh… who are you?” When she smiles, her eyes light up.

“I guess that should have been the first thing, huh? I’m Katarina Harris.” Katarina? s**t! She’s the Luna of the Blackpaw Pack.

“Am… am I at Blackpaw?” Her smile is warm and genuine.

“Yes, you are.” I let my head fall forward on the pillow.

“Luna Katarina.”

“No, please don’t do that. It’s just Katarina, I insist.” I move my head up so I can look at her again. She’s gorgeous with her lighter skin and her hair past her shoulders. There are sections of dark blue in her hair, and I think it suits her. Her eyes are dark brown with a ring of gold. I’m in the presence of a gold wolf, and that’s crazy.

“How long have I been out?”

“It’s been about a day. You’ve had our Beta pretty worried.” Her Beta was worried about me? I have no idea why that would be. I don’t know anyone at this pack, having never been here before. I can do nothing but nod since I don’t understand.

The air in the room gets thin, and it swirls around us. The area in front of me shimmers, and I’m stuck. I don’t think I could come up with an explanation for this if I had all the time in the world. Before I can even think to breathe, a man steps out of the shimmer with a child in his arms. I look around me, swearing that this is some elaborate dream. I’m waiting for the edges to fray that will tell me that I’m coming out of a dream state.

“I was worried, and your child was unruly.” Luna… Katarina chuckles and holds out her hands. The child doesn’t hesitate to jump into her arms. My heart clenches, and thoughts of Khalid surface in my mind. I miss my brother so much, and I’m so worried about his state of well-being. I look up at the ceiling, hoping that the tears don’t betray me and fall down my cheeks.

“Why is she my child when she’s being busy and your child when she’s sweet and docile?”

“Because, clearly, her good habits come from me. That wasn’t obvious?” The man’s voice is rough and deep. It sends shivers up my spine because of all the power it’s laced with. I bring my head down and look at the couple in front of me.

The man leans in and presses his lips against hers, with the child latching onto both of their necks. It’s a sweet scene, and it makes my heart stall. This is something I used to dream about, but over time, I realized that it would never happen. It’s a shot in the gut, but what can I do? “Uh, Dreamboat? Can we do this later? We have a guest.” I look away, not wanting to be obvious that I was looking. The man clears his throat, and I feel eyes on me.

“My apologies. What can I say? I’m totally enamored with my mate.” I feel his aura come closer to me, and I force myself to turn and face him. He’s a handsome man with long dreadlocks. I don’t want to dwell too much because he is mated. “I’m Alpha Aston Wiley. You’ve met my lovely mate, Katarina. This is our daughter Skye.” I look at the little girl, and my stomach turns. This is the child that I’m meant to get close to. This is the one that Brackston expects me to get ready for him.

She’s gorgeous, inheriting her looks from both parents. She looks so sweet and bubbly. Here I am, a stranger on their lands, with the job of destroying their entire family. How can I do that and still look at myself in the mirror?

I refocus and swallow to moisturize my dry throat. “Hi. I’m D… Danny.” The name feels foreign on my tongue and causes bile to rise in my throat. I don’t want to do this. I just want everything to be over. I want my brother, and I want to be somewhere safe.

“It’s nice to meet you, Danny. We have a lot to discuss, but I’m sure we can do that after you get more rest. I have some duties to attend to.” He turns to Katarina and leans in, kissing her on her cheek. “I will see you later, gorgeous.” He waves his hand and steps into the air, completely disappearing.

“It’s still weird to see him do that, and he’s been doing it for years.” Katarina shakes her head and sits in a chair next to the bed. Her daughter lies on her chest and gets comfortable. “So, Danny, let’s talk about why you’re here.”