The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 13

~Dominic~

She’s awake, my fated mate is awake. She’s awake, and she’s right down the hall. She’s in the hospital room down the hall and…. And she’s awake, yeah, we got that. I close my eyes, slowing my movements.

I’ve been in the waiting room for a while now. I’ve been pacing and agonizing. I have no idea what to do or what to say. I want to see my mate, of course, but I don’t know how to go about all of it. You turn toward the hall and let your feet do their job. It’s really not harder than that.

Will you shut it, please, Gideon? I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with you right now.

Uh, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but from where I’m sitting… in your mind… it’s pretty empty in here, so you have a lot of mental capacity. I immediately slam a wall up between us, not wanting to interact with him anymore.

Gideon doesn’t understand certain things, and I don’t have the time to explain them to him. My fated mate is down that hall, and my entire world is on the verge of changing. She could accept or reject me. That rejection could be enough to end me.

I continue my pacing, trying to figure out how to approach this problem that’s facing me now. A hand claps my shoulder, and I practically jump out of my skin. I whirl around, my claws out, ready to defend myself.

I end up face-to-face with Deacon. His hands are up, and he’s slowly backing away from me. “Calm down, man, it’s just me. Alpha sent me to check on you. I saw you out here pacing and thought I’d see if you are alright.” I let my claws retract, and I feel my body start to deflate.

“Uh, yeah, I’m fine. I’m just… I…”

“She’s awake, you know.” My eyes widen as I look at Deacon. He has a slight smirk on his face. I didn’t know that he knew anything, but it’s clear that he does. “Alpha told me what was going on. He said you may need me to help you with some of your duties while you figure everything out.” I nod, but can’t find any words to speak. “It isn’t my place, but…” Deacon looks around, clearly uncomfortable. “I know you’ve been through some things, but you’re a good guy. She’ll see that; she’ll see how good you are.” He pats my shoulder and walks toward the door.

I’m left standing, not really knowing what the next step should be. I’m confused about everything, and I don’t know what to do. I let my body fall into a plastic chair and let out a big sigh. “Uncle D!” I turn to the right and see a blur of color hurrying toward me. I quickly get out of the chair and land on my knees with my arms open. Literally seconds later, my body is rocked backward. I wrap my arms around her small body, immediately feeling at peace.

“What are you doing here, Skye?” She pulls back and gives me the goofiest grin. Skye wraps tiny arms around my neck, and I pull her into my body. I stand up with Skye and came face-to-face with Katarina. “Luna.” She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms.

“Cut that Luna crap out, Dom. We were here visiting our new guest. Miss Danny is a lovely woman.”

“Danny?”

“Yeah, Daniela.” I roll both names around in my head, but they don’t feel right. I don’t know what I was expecting, and maybe it’s all in my head.

“So, you know her name. What else have you learned about her?” Katarina laughs and shakes her head as she drops her arms.

“Now, how would I be helping you if I were to tell you that? Just know that she’s great. I highly approve.” Katarina can’t help but chuckle, causing me to roll my eyes. “You should go talk to her, get to know her.” Katarina steps forward and reaches her arms out to Skye. “Let’s go, peanut.” Skye hesitates, and it makes my heart flutter. I kiss her on her head before turning her toward her mother.

“Go ahead, love. Uncle D will see you later.” Skye reaches out for her mom, but I know she’d rather stay.

Katarina situates Skye against her body. “Dom, seriously, she’s great. Don’t let your fears keep you from being happy. Give her a chance.” Katarina steps forward and kisses me on my cheek. When she steps back, she smiles at me before walking away with Skye.

Katarina’s right. Aston and Deacon are also right. I need to get out of my head and get to know my mate. If she doesn’t accept me, I will need to accept that. I’ve been saying the same thing, but you listen to everyone else? I shake my head and turn toward the hallway, determined to meet my mate.

~Danny~

I had a pleasant conversation with Katarina, but the guilt was most overwhelming. I’m here to prepare her daughter to be kidnapped. Thinking about that makes my breath short and my chest tight. I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to have a hand in this. If I refuse, the consequences…

I turn over in the bed, my stomach ready to empty itself. You need to calm down.

Mona?!

Yes, it’s me. I’m still a bit out of it, but I’m here.

What are we going to do, Mona? How can we do that to these people?

If we don’t, what happens to Khalid? Mona slinks away, and I can see how weak she is. Whatever he gave me really did a number on her. I want us to talk more, but I know she needs to rest.

I slide down in the bed, determined to get comfortable. The door opens, and the scent of toasted marshmallows fills the room. Mona stirs in my mind, though her movements are still really sluggish. Mate… Her voice comes out low and strained. I want to look and see who she’s claimed, but I can’t risk it. Having my fated mate here makes everything that much more complicated. I’m not sure I can deal with it.

“Uh, hello?” s**t! I don’t think this is going to go away.

The door quietly clicks shut, and footsteps sound on the tiled floor. The scent is getting stronger, and his aura is filling the room. The closer he gets to the bed, the warmer I feel. I feel myself getting lost in all of this, but I can’t afford that. “I don’t want to bother you. I just thought that I’d introduce myself. I’m Beta Dominic Hargrove. I wanted to welcome you to the Blackpaw pack.” Goddess, just his voice has me almost creaming my pants. There’s no way I’m going to be able to do what I came here for with him around.

“Am I going to the cells now?”

“What?”

“The cells… am I going? I’m a stranger on packlands. You don’t know me or my intentions. I know you will have to put me in the cells at some point, so will it be now?” I hear materials shifting.

“It would be so much easier if we could look at each other while we talk.” No, I can’t do it. I can’t look at him. His voice is already too much. If I look at him, I will be lost with no chance of making it out. Sparks erupt on my bare arm because I was dumb enough to leave parts of my body uncovered. “Please. Please look at me.” His voice is low and strained. It’s pulling at my heartstrings, and I can’t do anything to stop it.

I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. I turn my body slowly, toward the right, trying to steel myself for what’s about to happen. I keep my eyes closed and settle on the right side. I slowly open my eyes, and the sight before me leaves me breathless. Yup. I’m completely fu.cked.