The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 28

~Dominic~

I haven’t seen Danny since we spoke, and I hate it. I’m trying to give her time to settle into this pack’s day-to-day life. Well, that’s only a partial truth. When it comes down to it, I’m hoping that she feels comfortable enough here to tell me what she’s hiding.

I hate to accuse my mate of anything, I do. I just know what I feel, and I feel that she’s hiding something from me. I have to make this pack’s safety my priority, and the only way to do that is to get to the truth. I won’t make the same mistakes I made before. I did some horrible things, and I never want to repeat that.

Mate. I sigh and close my eyes. Battling Gideon has been a special hell. All he wants to do is get close to our mate. I get him, I truly do, but I just can’t do that right now. I need to be sure that she’s safe for this pack, my family.

A clap on my back makes me focus. “Beta Dominic.” I nod, but don’t say anything. Wayne is a trusted warrior here, and he’s a good wolf. I just feel weird because of everything that went on when King was alive. I still feel like I have a lot to answer for. “How are you?” I’m startled by his question.

It isn’t just that I stay away from most pack members, feeling the need to punish myself. It’s also that many don’t really talk to me much. I can’t really blame them after everything, but here we are. “Uh, I’m good. How are you?” Wayne plops down next to me and leans back on his hands.

“I’m really good. I’m kind of excited. I saw that we have a guest on packlands. She’s beautiful. I think I’m going to try to-” I don’t hear anything else over the roar of Gideon in my mind. Wayne scrambles to his feet and takes a few steps away from me.

I swallow and try to pull in my emotions. “I… I’m sorry.” I take a few stabilizing breaths before continuing. “Really, I didn’t mean for that to happen.” Wayne isn’t saying anything, but he’s looking at me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve.

“What the hell, man? What was that?” He leans in slightly and looks at me. “Is she… is that girl your mate?” I don’t respond, letting my mind run. I guess that’s the logical conclusion that one would come to. There’s no reason to respond like that if the mate bond isn’t part of the deal. I swallow the lump in my throat and try to focus.

“Uh, ye… yeah.” Wayne steps back and looks at me.

“I’m sorry, man. I had no idea, I mean no one announced it. She’s been by herself when she’s been out and about and she has no mark that I can see.” I shake my head.

“It’s complicated.” Wayne nods.

“Say no more. I’ll spread the word.” I jerk forward to tell him not to do that. I try to explain that it isn’t necessary, but Wayne disappears before I can get the words out. Gossip spreads fast around here. I’m sure it will take no time for everyone to know I have a mate on packlands.

I sigh and let my head fall into my hands. The situation was complicated enough in the first place, and now it’s going to be worse. This is the mess I was trying to avoid.

~Danny~

I throw the covers back, forcing myself to face a new day. I sigh and push my body to get out of bed. After that video call yesterday, I’ve concluded that I can’t stay in the room all day anymore. He has too many eyes on me, and I don’t want anything happening to my brother.

It doesn’t take me long to shower and dress. I don’t have a lot to choose from, but the pack was kind enough to get me some clothes to tide me over. I’m not even sure if I can ask Dominic to get me more because he doesn’t trust me, and he’s made that very clear. I can’t even blame him for that because I wouldn’t trust myself either.

I open the room door and peek out. There’s no one in the hallway, but I’m not surprised. Dominic is usually up when it’s still dark outside, and I know he comes back late. I don’t know if he stays out late on purpose or if he’s really working.

I venture into the kitchen and open the fridge, looking for something to make. He may not be here much, but he keeps his food stocked. “You know breakfast in the packhouse is pretty good.” I jump at the sound of the voice in the room. I turn around fast to find Katarina looking at me.

“Lllll…. Luna. What… You… I’m sorry I didn’t see you there.” Luna Katarina steps forward.

“It’s okay. I actually came to check on you. I’m sorry that I hadn’t before. That was an oversight on my part.” I shake my head.

“It’s okay, I get it. You’re busy running a pack.” Luna Katarina shrugs.

“Busy or not, it wasn’t right. You are a guest here and more than that, you went through something that… wasn’t normal. I should have made sure you were good.” Luna Katarina walks further into the room and looks around before sitting at the table. “You’ve spent most of your time here since we found you. I assume you’d be sick of looking at these walls already.” I shrug, not really knowing what to say. “I’m sorry about your imprisonment. I tried to talk Dominic out of it since you are his mate and all.”

“He’s doing his job as your Beta. I don’t begrudge him anything. I would probably do the same thing.”

“But you’re his fated mate. That, alone, should afford you a bit of trust wouldn’t you think?” I look away, the guilt threatening to eat me alive.

“Fated mate or not… Dominic is doing what he has to do and I’m okay with that.” I turn back to find Luna Katarina leaning back in her chair.

“You are an enigma. It feels like there’s more to you than you’re letting on.” I look down, guilt gnawing at my stomach.

“Doesn’t everyone keep some things to themselves?” Silence blankets us to the point of suffocation. I look up and immediately wish I hadn’t. The look coming from the Luna is enough to unnerve even the strongest Alpha.

Luna Katarina stands and slowly walks over to where I stand. Before she passes me, she places a hand on my shoulder. “We are an open-minded group. Anything that’s troubling you, you can lay it at our feet with no worries. Please, trust that.” She pats my shoulder before walking past me and leaving the apartment.