The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 31

~Danny~

I feel like I’ve been walking on eggshells lately, and it’s all because of that stupid phone. It isn’t the phone so much as what it represents. It’s a tie to him, to the man who sent me here to disrupt people’s lives. It’s a tie to the man who has my brother’s life in his hands, and I can’t figure out a way to make that not the case.

I sigh and sit up in bed, willing myself to move. I need to make my call, and I find it’s better to do so during the day. So many people are out and about, taking care of different things. I make my calls knowing that no one will come here to bother me.

I haven’t been announced to the pack yet, so I have no official capacity here. I have no duties that I have to fulfill, and I’m practically on house arrest. My mate doesn’t come to see me, so I’m pretty much left to my own devices.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, letting my feet touch the floor. I really don’t want to do this, I really don’t want to see his face or hear his voice. Every call I make takes a lot out of me, and I haven’t even made that many yet.

I’ve been leaving the room more, though I’ve only been going out to have meals. I don’t venture too far from the packhouse. I really don’t want to know too much about this pack. I’m taking the ‘ignorance is bliss’ stance. I want to have as little information to tell him as possible. I still have no plan, but this is the least I can do.

I walk over to the dresser and pull the phone out of its hiding spot. I dial the number and stare at the ceiling, waiting for the call to connect. “What do you have for me?” No introduction, no pleasantries, nothing. I guess I shouldn’t be upset about that because I don’t want to be doing this anyway.

“I have nothing new to report.” I try to keep my tone even, not wanting to make my irritation evident.

“Look at me.” His tone is low and gruff. I’m startled and hate that he can affect me like this. I slowly raise the phone to eye level and lower my gaze to face it. Just looking at his face makes my stomach turn. I hate this man, I hate him with every fiber of my being.

The smirk on his face makes me want to lash out, but I know that I can’t do that. It would be too easy for him to punish my brother, and I wouldn’t be able to help him at all. I do all I can to keep my eyes on him, no matter how much my skin is crawling. “That’s better. I enjoy looking at that gorgeous face.” I really want to throw up, but I keep my focus.

“Ho… how’s Khalid?” I wasn’t going to ask, but I can’t help myself. I have to know how my brother is. I have to know if he’s okay or not.

“Hmm.” I watch him lean back in his chair, the air almost coloring with the arrogance he’s projecting. “I guess if I’m given a better update, I could be compelled to give one in return.” My stomach drops, and my chest gets tight. I want to scream, I want to cry. I do neither. I keep my composure, though it’s a struggle. “Now, I really can’t wait until tomorrow. I know that update will be thrilling.” He disconnects the call before I can respond.

My emotions are all over the place, and I don’t know how to right myself. I don’t know how I came to be in this situation, but here I am. I need to find a way to get out of it, and it seems that the only way to do that is the one I really don’t want to do.

A knock sounds on my door, causing me to practically jump out of my skin. I hurry and slip the phone into the top dresser drawer, making sure it’s covered. I don’t want anyone to know about the phone or the fact that I know I have to check in daily. I don’t want anyone to know anything that’s been going on. I’m not sure how long I can keep this quiet, but I will do my best.

I turn from the dresser as soon as the door opens. I expected to find Dominic on the other side, but I’m shocked when it’s Luna Katarina, instead. I quickly step away from the dresser and bow. “Luna Katarina, what a surprise.” She walks over to me, stopping just a foot or two away. Her eyes are traveling up and down my body, making me extremely uncomfortable. “Iiiis everything okay? How is Skye doing?” I’m not sure what I said, but her expression changes from neutral to one of extreme anger.

“Don’t dare talk about my daughter.” I take a faltering step back. As sweet as this woman is, she’s really scary right now.

“I… I don’t understand.” Luna Katarina steps forward again.

“What are you planning to do with my daughter?” My stomach drops, and my mind scrambles to come up with something that will make sense. “ANSWER ME!”

“I… I…. I….” f***k! I really didn’t think about what I would do if a confrontation arrived at my doorstep. I know, it should have been the first thought I had, but what can I say? I kept trying to find a way out of all of this. I had hoped that I could solve this problem without having to do what he wanted me to do. Stupid… maybe, but what else could I do?

“If you don’t want to answer me, maybe some time in the cells will loosen your tongue!” Before I can breathe properly, the door pushes open, and two men walk inside. They move next to me quickly, and my arms are grabbed roughly.

I try to keep up with their fast movements, but I’m at a loss. I’m so shocked by everything that I don’t know what to do. Luna Katarina’s question about her child was so specific. She shouldn’t have even known anything at all. I haven’t discussed what I was sent here to do, so how does she even know? I guess time in the cells will give me clarity… or death.