The Beta's Blood: Rewritten

Chapter Seven

The soft creak of the door wrenched Ace awake. Her heart leapt into her throat as instinct took hold. In one fluid motion, she rolled off the bed, landing silently on bare feet. The thin sheet she’d wrapped herself in slipped to the floor, pooling at her ankles.

The room was steeped in shadow, washed in faint slivers of gold from the streetlight filtering through the blinds. Every corner felt too still. Too dark.

Her wolf stirred, bristling under her skin. Someone’s here. Ace pressed her back against the wall, her senses sharpening. The hum of the air conditioner. The muted rumble of a car passing outside. Then, the unmistakable rhythm of breathing. Slow. Steady. Familiar.

A tall silhouette stood in the doorway. Before she could move, light spilled into the room. “It’s just me, Ace.” The voice... low, rough-edged, steady... hit her like a jolt. It was Felix. Her pulse faltered. The tension in her chest broke, replaced by a wave of relief so sharp it left her trembling.

“Felix?” she whispered. Her voice cracked around his name. He stepped into the light, looking weary but solid. His auburn hair mussed, and faint bruises lining his neck. Relief turned quickly to guilt.

She stumbled forward, halfway to him before she stopped herself. After everything she’d done... after everything he’d endured because of her... how could she dare to reach for him now?

“I’m so sorry,” she breathed, words catching on her throat. “For everything.” Felix didn’t hesitate. He crossed the space between them in three strides and wrapped his arms around her. His chin rested against the top of her head, his warmth seeping into her chilled skin.

“Although I am heartbroken,” he murmured against her hair, “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, Ace.” Her eyes burned. His forgiveness was too much, too soon. “I don’t deserve that,” she whispered. He just held her tighter.

When he finally pulled back, she noticed how pale he looked beneath the soft lamplight. His lips curved into a crooked smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you okay?” she asked, taking in the faint purple bruises fading along his jaw. “You’re still hurt.”

“I was born to take a few hits from an Alpha,” he said with a faint chuckle. “This isn’t even the worst week I’ve had.” She tried to smile, but it came out as a tremor.

His hand found hers. “Let me see your arm,” he said softly. “I heard you may have jumped off a balcony tonight.” Her breath caught. “How did you... did Jameson...?” Felix shook his head, cutting her off. “I was there too, remember? I had to leave and get help.” His voice dropped, rough with exhaustion. “We’ll talk about everything later. For now, we both need rest.”

He guided her back toward the bed, drawing the blanket aside. His touch was gentle, steady in a way that reminded her of the safety she used to feel around him, before everything had gone wrong.

She slid beneath the covers, the ache in her body deep but dull now. Felix lingered at her side. “We,” she repeated softly, realizing what he’d said. “You’re staying?”

He nodded. “I’m driving you to your grandmother’s pack. If you left alone, it’d raise suspicion. Besides…” He hesitated, his smile softening. “Jameson and I need space. I think we’ve both had enough of each other for a while.”

Relief and shame warred inside her. She wouldn’t have to face the journey alone but the man beside her had every reason to hate her. Felix leaned down, his hand brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. For a moment, his gaze lingered on her lips, but he stopped himself. His expression twisted. Longing, guilt, restraint all colliding. Then he straightened and turned away.

“I’ll grab a quick shower before crashing,” he murmured. She nodded, watching his back as he disappeared into the bathroom. The sound of water running filled the silence. Ace curled into the blanket, exhaustion sweeping over her like a tide. For a few fleeting moments, she allowed herself to breathe. To imagine a world where everything wasn’t broken.

The next morning came slow and golden. Sunlight bled through the thin curtains, tracing pale lines across the carpet. The faint smell of soap and clean clothes lingered in the air. “Ace,” a voice coaxed, warm and teasing. “Ace, wake up.”

Her lashes fluttered. Felix’s face came into view. Close, gentle, the morning light catching in the flecks of gold in his eyes. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” he said, smiling softly.

For a moment, she just stared. The easy curve of his smile. The faint bruise still there on his neck. The calm he wore like armor. It frustrated her... the way he could look so composed when her insides were chaos.

“Felix…” Her voice was barely a whisper. “Are you sure it’s okay for you to drive me all the way to Grandma’s?” He reached over, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered just a second too long. “Yes. Why? Don’t want me here?”

“That’s not it.” She shook her head quickly. “I’m grateful you’re here. More than grateful.” Her eyes flicked away. “I just feel guilty. I am guilty.” Her breath hitched. “I slept with Jameson, Felix.”

The confession hung in the air like smoke, but he didn’t flinch. He just nodded, his expression unreadable but kind. “I know, Ace.” Silence stretched between them, heavy but not cruel.

“I’m sorry,” she said. He sighed softly, gaze dropping to the blanket. “I’m sorry too... for leaving when I did. For not keeping you safe.” “No.” She shook her head. “Don’t blame yourself. I made my own choices.”

He caught her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Let’s not do this to each other. No matter what happened, we’re still friends. That’s what matters most.” The sincerity in his voice broke something inside her. She felt tears sting her eyes, but she blinked them back.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “We’re still friends.” Felix smiled faintly, then leaned back against the headboard, shoulders sagging. “Alpha Kaine suspects nothing. Jameson’s agreed to keep quiet. For everyone’s sake. But it’s best you stay away. At least until after…”

He hesitated. She didn’t need him to finish. “Until they’re mated,” she said, her voice small. His silence confirmed it. The words hit her like a physical blow. She turned her face away, eyes blurring. The thought of Jameson marking someone else... marking Emily... made her stomach twist.

Emily. “Does Emily hate me?” She asked softly. “Will you tell her I’m sorry?” Felix’s jaw tightened. “We decided not to tell her... everything,” he said carefully. “It’s better that way. She’s not angry, but it’s not easy knowing your betrothed... is in love with someone else. Especially someone so close.”

“I understand,” Ace murmured. Her voice was quiet, steady, but her hands trembled in her lap. Felix’s hand came to her cheek, the touch featherlight. “I know this is hard, Ace,” he said gently. “It’s hard for me too. Knowing…” He swallowed hard. “Knowing he had you when you and I... Well, we were something.”

Her breath caught. The words sliced through her chest. “I’m so sorry,” she said again, barely holding herself together. “I didn’t mean to...” He pulled her into his arms before she could finish. “I know,” he murmured into her hair. “How can I blame you when I set the stage? I invited them. I never thought Jameson would actually come.”

She clung to him, guilt flooding her veins like ice. Felix leaned back, his gaze meeting hers. There was pain there, yes. But also a strange, quiet acceptance. “Let’s just take it one day at a time, okay?”

She managed a fragile smile. “Alright.” He smiled back. Small, weary, real and pressed a soft kiss to her hair. For a while, they stayed that way, two souls wrapped in fragile peace amid the wreckage.

Then Felix drew a deep breath, steadying himself. “We should get moving,” he said. “The road ahead is long.” Ace nodded, rising slowly. She crossed to the window and looked out at the pale morning light spilling over the parking lot. For the first time in days, she felt something like direction...

Before she turned away, she whispered a prayer to the Moon Goddess.

Give me strength to move forward.

Forgive me for what I’ve broken.

Grant peace to the one who still holds my heart.

When she looked back, Felix was already at the door, keys in hand, waiting for her. Nothing since her eighteenth birthday had been easy. The universe seemed determined to test her strength and her heart.

As she shouldered her bag and followed Felix out into the light, she realized something painfully simple. Adulthood wasn’t freedom. It was consequence. And every step forward from here would be paved with the pieces she’d left behind.