The Beta's Blood: Rewritten

Chapter Sixteen

The night air was a living thing. Sharp, electric, biting. Every breath Ace took felt like glass scraping her lungs, but she didn’t care. The high from the game still pulsed in her veins. Laughter, cheers, and the echoing sound of wolf whistles rippled across the stadium, the celebration stretching into the surrounding trees.

The field lights burned bright as moons, turning the snow at the forest’s edge to molten silver. Winter Moon had won. And the pack was buzzing with victory.

Ace watched the surge of wolves gathering around their Alpha. Kai standing tall, surrounded by grins and clapping hands. His voice carried through the night, smooth and calm, offering praise, shaking hands, congratulating players.

Even from a distance, he seemed effortlessly in command, both part of them and somehow apart like the eye of a storm that never lost control. Ace’s heart lifted for them, for this sense of unity she still couldn’t fully claim, and then she turned, quietly slipping toward the edge of the crowd.

Freedom was only a few steps away. Or it had been. A firm but gentle hand caught her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?” The voice was low, edged with a teasing command. She didn’t even have to look to know it was him.

Ace sighed, turning halfway toward him. “Home,” she said lightly. “Away from all the people who want to shake my hand like I scored the winning touchdown.” Kai’s mouth curved. “You’re part of this pack, at least for now Ace. Which means you stand beside me. Congratulations by association.”

She gave him a look that was equal parts amusement and resignation. “You do realize I’m terrible at small talk, right?” “Lucky for you, I’m excellent at it,” he replied smoothly, releasing her arm only to gesture toward the crowd. “Come on. Thirty minutes. Then you can flee back to your quiet little cabin.”

Thirty minutes turned into nearly an hour. The night stretched endlessly as Ace found herself pinned beside Kai, caught in the swirl of faces, names, voices. He introduced her to everyone. Warriors, farmers, patrol captains, half the high school football team and each time she shook hands, said something polite, she smiled but was genuinely tired.

When she finally managed to glance toward the exit, her phone buzzed in her pocket. The name on the screen made her heart stumble. Felix. She hesitated and excused herself. Then, with trembling fingers, she answered.

“Hey.” His voice came through soft, familiar, with that same warmth that had always undone her. “Hey yourself,” she murmured, turning slightly away from the crowd. “You sound like you’re having a good time,” he said lightly, and she could almost hear the smile in his tone.

“I’m at the high school game. Winter Moon won,” she said, laughing softly. For a moment, it felt easy, like before everything had gone wrong. “Oh, good for them,” Felix replied. Then after a pause: “If you’re busy, I can let you go.”

Her smile faded. “No. It’s fine. I want to talk to you.” There was silence, a soft, familiar silence, before he said quietly, “I miss you, Ace.” Her breath hitched. “I miss you too,” she admitted. The words barely audible.

“It’s not the same without you here. Even the air feels off,” he said, voice threaded with emotion. She walked away from the noise, down the empty stretch of bleachers. The wind stung her face, but it helped her keep her composure. “So… how is everything? You haven’t told me much lately.”

Felix sighed on the other end. “We’re trying to get back to normal. It’s been rough, but we’re managing. I saw your mom today. She misses you. A lot.” Ace’s chest constricted. She pressed her hand to the cold railing. “I miss her too.”

They lingered there, the distance between them palpable even through the phone. “Ace,” Felix said gently, “I’m glad you’re doing okay out there. You sound… lighter. Like you’re finding something for yourself.”

Her throat tightened. “I don’t know if I’d say that. I’m trying. But sometimes it feels like I’m just pretending to be part of this life.” “You’re not pretending,” he said firmly. “You’re just healing. But don’t forget you’ve still got people back home who care about you too.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I haven’t forgotten.” The conversation faltered, both afraid of saying too much or not enough. “I should probably get going,” she murmured finally. “Yeah,” he said, his tone softening again. “Just promise you’ll call sooner next time. I like knowing you’re okay.”

“I will. Promise.” “Goodnight, Ace.” “Goodnight, Felix.” The line went silent. Ace stayed still for a long time, phone clutched in her hand, the cold pressing against her skin until she finally sank into the driver’s seat of her grandmother’s car. The leather was cold and cracked under her palms.

For a moment, she simply let the quiet wrap around her. Then the tears came, slow and hot, slipping past her guard. She tilted her head back, arm draped over her eyes, trying to breathe through it.

Knock. Knock.

She jumped, wiping her face quickly before turning toward the window. Of course. Kai stood there, his hair slightly mussed from the wind, his breath fogging in the cold. “Can I help you, Alpha?” she said, her voice too sweet to be genuine.

He grinned. “You can give me a ride home.” Her brows rose. “Don’t you have a car?” “I have several,” he said dryly, rubbing his arms for effect. “They’re all at home. And it’s cold.” She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Get in before you freeze to death.”

He climbed in, bringing the scent of pine and cold air with him. “Don’t look so excited,” he teased, buckling his seat belt. “I’m thrilled,” she said flatly, starting the engine. His smile faded as he studied her face. “Are you okay?” Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.” “I said I’m fine.” The silence that followed was gentle, not demanding. Finally, she sighed, eyes on the road ahead. “I just… miss home sometimes. My mom’s kitchen. My brother arguing about everything. The smell of the lake. The noise. My friends.” Her voice softened. “It’s strange. You can be surrounded by people and still feel like a ghost.”

Kai’s voice was quiet when he answered. “I know that feeling better than you think.” She looked at him, surprised by the honesty there. “Being an Alpha,” he continued, “means people look at you but not always see you. The bond, the duty, the expectation... it can feel like a cage. You start wondering who you’d be without all of it.”

Ace swallowed. “That’s… surprisingly relatable.” He gave a soft laugh. “You expected something else?” “I expected you to say I should toughen up.” “Not tonight,” he said. His tone was soft, thoughtful. “Tonight, you’re allowed to miss home.”

They drove in silence for a while, the road winding through the dark woods. Streetlights painted fleeting gold across their faces. Moments of light, moments of shadow. “Sometimes I hate the mate bond,” Ace whispered suddenly. “It feels like a curse. Like it takes everything from you.”

Kai’s gaze lingered on the windshield, his voice low. “You want to know a secret?” She glanced at him. “What?” “Sometimes I hate it too.” Her breath caught. “You… do?” He nodded once. “It’s supposed to be sacred, right? This perfect thing. But sometimes it traps people in lives that don’t fit them.” The honesty in his voice made her chest ache. They pulled into the pack house lot.

The car idled in the quiet. Kai reached for the handle, then hesitated. “Seriously, why do you never have your own car?” She laughed softly, the sound cracking in her throat. “You’re the Alpha. Don’t you have people for this?” “I prefer running... or walking,” he said, smirking faintly. “It clears my head.”

She tilted her head. “You ever run just to escape?” His eyes flicked to hers. “Every day.” For a heartbeat, neither spoke. “Hey,” she said finally, forcing a small smile. “If someone wanted to find a job around here, where would they start? Is there like… a magical wolf version of Indeed?”

He raised a brow, intrigued. “Looking for work?” “I’m looking for purpose,” she said. “That’s as far as I’ve gotten.” He leaned back, studying her. “You come from a long line of Betas, don’t you?” “My dad’s a Gamma. My mom and grandma are Betas. It’s in the bloodline, but not the hierarchy anymore.”

“Doesn’t mean it’s not in you,” he said quietly. She smiled faintly. “Unless you plan on marrying me off for politics, I don’t think it matters much.” His smirk returned. “Tempting thought.” Ace laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

He opened the door, cold air rushing in. “Come to my office. Sunday. After training.” Her brow furrowed. “You know I have plans Sunday.” “Cancel them,” he said without looking back, stepping out into the night. The door shut softly, leaving her alone in the dim glow of the dashboard.

Ace sat there for a long while, watching his silhouette disappear into the grand entrance of the pack house. The hum of the engine filled the quiet, steady and low. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to roll her eyes or smile. Maybe both.