The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 16

~Dominic~

It’s been a few days since I’ve seen my mate, and I’ve had a lot to think about. I kept going over the conversation that we had, but there was no clear answer. When it comes down to it, I don’t know if I can trust my mate. Goliath is fighting against me, but as the Beta of the pack, I can’t let my judgment be clouded.

I was informed that she would be getting released today. I told everyone that I would be there for her release. I won’t be taking her to the cells, but I think being locked on my floor would be best for now. Aston and Katarina still aren’t sold, but they are letting me be the one to decide.

I walk into the clinic to find Danny waiting for me. She’s sitting in a wheelchair in the lobby. She has a nurse next to her and nothing in her hands. Someone gave her a black sweatsuit to wear along with some slippers. “Hi.” Her voice is small and quiet, but I have a feeling that isn’t the real her. She also looks haunted, and she didn’t look that way the last time we saw each other.

“Hey. Did your discharge go well?” Danny nods her head, her eyes looking past me.

“Yeah. I just need to make sure that I rest and have a checkup in two weeks. I figure that the doctor will come to the cells to see me.”

No cells for mate!

Goliath, I never planned to put her in the cells. You know that. She’s going to our floor. Goliath has been in a huff for days. We’ve been back and forth about things, but can’t come to an agreement. He wants us to let Danny have free rein of the pack. He doesn’t think she should be limited in her access. He has complete trust in her, and I can’t even be mad at her.

Danny is our fated mate, and it’s no surprise that Goliath trusts her fully. If I weren’t the Beta of this pack, if I didn’t have the background that I do, I think I would trust her without hesitation as well. This isn’t about me, and it isn’t about Goliath. This is about the good of the pack and Katarina, especially.

There are still people who are interested in getting close to her because she’s a gold wolf. Some out there still believe that they can take her and make her bend to their will. Fated mate or not, I would hate myself if my carelessness cost her life or worse. Regardless of how Goliath feels, he needs to understand the importance that we hold in this pack. He has to be ready to sacrifice all for the good of others.

I slightly shake my head to break me out of my thoughts and focus on the present. I move toward Danny, moving behind her. “You won’t be going into the cells. Can you walk, or do you want me to push you?” Danny huffs and stands up abruptly. She pushes forward, stomping to the front door.

Our mate has a little fire in her veins. I like it.

I do too, so she shouldn’t be locked away. We can’t dim her fire. I sigh and cut my link with him off. I can’t keep having the same conversation with Goliath. He has to understand what’s at stake and be willing to defend it to the end.

~Danny~

I storm out of the clinic with as much fury as I can muster. I’m still a bit weak because of the almost starvation and then the beating before getting here. I regained a little strength, but it hasn’t all come back yet.

As soon as I get outside, I’m almost lost at the feel of the sun on my skin or the fresh air in my lungs. I may have been held at a camp, but everything was different, and we definitely stayed as secluded as possible. This feels like it used to before my life turned to sh.it.

I start to move before stopping. I realize I have no idea where to go; no idea what direction will take me, where it is that I need to go. As much as I hate it, the truth is that I have to rely on my fated mate to show me the way. All I want to do right now is get as far away from him as possible.

I sense him before I see him walk out of the clinic. I’ve already been pacing, and I don’t stop for him. He walks past me and away from the clinic. Mona whimpers in my mind, making me roll my eyes. I guess I’m meant to follow him, so I do just that.

I have to hurry to catch up to him, though I stop right behind him. I look around quickly, making sure no one is nearby and no one is paying attention to us. “Are you stupid?!” I’m whisper-yelling because I don’t trust that Brackston doesn’t have ears everywhere.

Too bad for me that I’m so busy looking around, I’m not paying attention in front of me. A concrete wall halts my forward progress. As soon as I feel the impact, my body starts to move backward. I brace myself for the fall that I know is going to make my ass sore, but it never comes. I focus and find sparks on my lower back. His hand found its way under my top. My mate steadies me and makes sure I’m back on my feet. I waste no time pushing away from him, straightening out my clothes. “You should really be more careful,” I say, saying nothing and avoiding looking at him. “You were questioning my mental capabilities?” I looked…. yes, I looked up and f***k! That was a big mistake.

His white shirt is tight and hugs every muscle he has. His arms are crossed, which makes his muscles that much bigger. His tattoos are calling to me. I just can’t seem to find the oxygen my lungs need, which is crazy since I’m standing outside.

I tear my eyes away from him and try to steady my breathing. I turn my head back, keeping my eyes focused above him and off to the side. “Yeah. You aren’t taking me to the cells, so you must be stupid.” I feel his body heat get closer, but I refuse to move or look.

“Why don’t you tell me why you feel you need to be in the cells, hmmm? I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on.” Oh, for the love of the Goddess! His warm breath is fanning my body, and he’s close enough for me to smell the mint from his mouth. My body is doing things that I don’t like and don’t need right now.

I dig in deep and find the strength somewhere. “Can we go, please? We can’t talk out here.” I move around him and resume walking until it hits me again. I have no idea where the hell I’m supposed to be going. I stop and move to the side, standing sideways. I cross my arms and look at him. He’s turned around now, but he’s staring at me instead of walking. I gesture forward with my hand. He chuckles and shakes his head. His arms drop, and he walks past me. It isn’t going to be easy to avoid the mate bond.