The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 29

~Katarina~

I run through the woods, my feet not moving fast enough. I’d much rather have Hope make this journey, but she’s struggling right now. Our pup is gone, and Hope is going feral.

I continue through the woods, chasing the scent that was left behind. The scent is familiar, and I know who it belongs to. I have to hope that I can get to them before they get too far.

I feel a crowd of people following me. I know that they are chasing me through the woods to give me support. I stay focused on the road ahead. I can’t afford to cut my focus because I might lose my chance to get my child back.

I jump over a fallen log and duck under a hanging branch. My lungs are squeezing, and my breath is coming out in short spurts. I want to stop moving… I want to stand still and catch my breath. I can’t do that, I can’t stop.

I find another burst of energy and push forward. I burst through a canopy of leaves and branches and find myself stumbling into an open field. Ahead, I see a group of wolves. They are facing the area I just came from, and they are on guard, teeth bared.

I slow to a stop and set my stance. I count the number of wolves and try to figure out if I can end them on my own. My support is probably 5 to 10 minutes behind me, and so much could happen in that time.

The wolves in front of me move around, trying to anticipate my next move. They part enough that can see past them. That’s when I see it, that’s when I see how I ended up right here, right now.

Danny is standing next to a man, someone I don't recognize, but it feels like I've seen him before. He pulls her toward him and places a kiss on her lips. She doesn’t move, doesn’t push him away. He pulls back and turns them so they are facing me. There she is, my pup is in her arms. Danny has my pup.

She doesn’t look at me, but I know she can sense me. I call out to her, but she doesn’t respond. The wolves in front of me snarl and reposition themselves to cut me off. She turns her body and takes off, her hand in his.

I sit up quickly, my body drenched in sweat and my breathing heavy. I place a hand on my chest, feeling my rapid heartbeat beneath my fingers. I look around the room, the terror threatening to eat me whole. Please, Hope… please tell me that wasn’t what I thought it was. Please tell me that was a bad nightmare.

It was a premonition. My heart stops, and my breath stalls in my throat.

It can’t be… it just can’t be. There’s no way that was a premonition, which means that Dominic was right. He said his mate was hiding something and might be dangerous. If Hope is right, she’s dangerous and needs to leave this place.

I throw the blankets back and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I have to get the warriors, and I have to get her out of here. Maybe I need to have her sit in the cells first so I can monitor her communications. I have no idea who that man is, but it seems like she’s already hooked up with someone.

Hope is pacing in my mind, anxious to protect our pup. My anger is trying to get the best of me, but I’m fighting against it as best I can. Before I can get up from the bed, sparks erupt on my arms. My mate has a tight hold of me and is rubbing his face up and down my shoulder. “The bond is exploding with your emotions. Want to tell me what has you so worked up?” I take deep breaths in an attempt to soothe my anger so I can relay to him what I saw.

It may not happen.

Hope, we have a traitor in our pack, and she’s here for our pup. She needs to leave! She’s dangerous! Hope doesn’t deny my words, but she isn’t necessarily on board with acting on our premonition right this moment.

I let myself lean back against my mate in hopes that our bond can soothe me. Before I can get a hold of myself, I feel a pull. My body feels like it’s moving in the wind, and I can’t stop it. I’m no longer in the room with my mate. I’m flying fast to somewhere unknown.

As quickly as I started to move, I stop. I look around to find myself on a bed of the softest grass I’ve ever felt. There are lush trees and rocks around me. I can hear the babbling of water somewhere in the distance.

I slowly stand, unsure whether the ground will be steady. Everything feels as real as it would be if I were really outside. I know that I’m not, but this is so life-like. “Hello, child.” I turn so quickly that I almost fall. I’m able to catch myself just as her face comes into view. I immediately drop to my knees and bow my head. Her laugh is so light and fills me with warmth. “Please get up. That is never necessary from you or your bloodline. Remember, I’m not your superior… you are my equal.” I slowly rise to my feet, nervous to be in her presence.

This is my second time meeting Selene, and it feels like the first. We never spoke again after that last time, but I’ve felt her presence all around me. She’s a goddess, and I don’t think that I will ever get used to being able to talk to her.

“S… Ssssselene… What am I doing here?” Her smile is almost blinding, and I’m having trouble keeping my eyes on her. It’s all a lot to take in, if I’m being honest.

“I’m sorry to pull you away from your realm, but I thought we should have a chat.” I wonder if she wants to talk about what I saw in my sleep. Maybe she wants to talk about Skye.

Before I can move, I feel something hit the back of my knees. I look down to find a stump that’s covered in ivy. Selene has one behind her, too, and I watch her graciously sit on it. I follow suit, hoping that I don’t embarrass myself in front of her. “You know, I was never able to talk to your mother before she came to stay with me. I hated what happened to her, and I hoped that you would have better luck in life.” Hearing her mention my mom brings sadness. I know that she died when I was so very young, but she was my mother, no matter how little time I was able to spend with her. “I’m so glad that you were able to meet your fated mate, and I’m glad that he remained such a good person.” I smile at that because my Aston is an amazing person, and I’m thankful to have been blessed with him.

“I wish I could have known her. I always wondered how my life would have been if she hadn’t been taken away from me at such a young age.” Selene nods and reaches over to gently pat my leg. A feeling of love and comfort washes over me, and it’s a strange feeling.

“I wanted to talk to you about the premonition you had.” My mind flashes back to that, and I’m immediately upset. I can’t believe that we let her in our pack, in our homes, and she plans to betray us. “Careful, love. Everything isn’t always so cut and dry in life.”