The Beta's Blood: Rewritten

Chapter Twenty Four

Ace was towel-drying her hair, humming to herself, when the doorbell cut through the quiet. She jumped. “Coming!” she called, cinching her robe tighter with one hand while the other still clutched the towel.

Her bare feet padded across the cool floor of the Beta suite. “Allen, I said I didn’t-” She swung the door open mid-sentence. The rest of the words died. Not Allen.

Alpha Kai stood there, framed by the hallway light, dressed in dark slacks and a fitted sweater that made him look far too good to be casually visiting. In one hand he held a tall, expensive-looking bottle of liquor. In the other, a bouquet of stark white lilies.

His brows lifted, a spark of amusement in his ice-blue eyes as he took in her slightly damp hair, pink cheeks, and the very obvious robe.

“Does Allen… come by here often while you’re…” he gestured vaguely at her, eyes flicking away for politeness’ sake, “…not dressed?”

Ace’s brain stuttered. Then she laughed, embarrassed and flustered all at once. “No. He does not come over when I’m like this.” She stepped back to let him in. “Please come in, Alpha.”

He crossed the threshold with the ease of someone who already belonged here, the faint masculine scent of his cologne and snow-brushed air following him. He held the flowers out to her.

She blinked at them. “Lilies?” “Lilies,” he confirmed. Her eyes narrowed playfully. “How did you know I like lilies?” A tiny smirk tugged at his mouth. “I am the Alpha. I know things.” “You stalked my Pinterest board,” she accused lightly. He chuckled, the sound low. “I never gave you a housewarming gift,” he said instead, like it was the simplest thing.

That sent something warm straight into her chest. Wolves had been welcoming her, sure. Food, help, respect, invitations, but this… this was thoughtful. Personal. Like he hadn’t just made her Beta out of convenience. Like he actually saw her.

“Well, thank you,” she said, voice softer than she meant it to be. “Really.” She took the bouquet into the kitchen and opened a cabinet. Nothing.

Right. She’d bought furniture, storage bins, lamps, a gaming shelf, and twelve different glass-food containers… but not a vase.

“Of course,” she muttered, grabbing a tall glass instead and filling it with water. “It works,” Kai said behind her, leaning on the island, watching her. “And the liquor,” he added, lifting the bottle, “is so I fit in.”

Ace turned, hair still damp, robe tied, holding flowers in a drinking glass, and grinned. “Oh, you are not going to fit in,” she warned. “Game night is for singles.” “Mhmm,” he murmured, unconcerned. “You invited me.” “My grandmother forced me.” “Semantics.”

She squinted at him, failed to keep a smile from breaking, and finally rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna go throw on clothes before more people show up.” “Yes,” he said too quickly, clearing his throat. “Do that.”

She darted into her room, heart beating a little harder than it should. Why was she nervous? It was just Kai. The same Kai who’d cried in her suite two nights ago because his mate wouldn’t love him back. The same one who let her drive him around in her Challenger. The same one who let her tuck him into her bed. And yet… robe.

She changed fast into ripped black jeans, a soft cream sweater, hair half-up with loose waves. A little mascara and gloss. Not too much. Not that she cared what anyone thought. Okay she totally cared what everyone thought.

When she stepped back out, the suite was already starting to fill with noise. Allen arrived first, arms full of snacks, his grin stretching from ear to ear. “Beta Ace!” he cheered. “I brought chips, dip, soda... oh. Alpha. Hi.”

Kai’s lips twitched. “Allen.” Allen’s eyes flicked between them like well this is interesting, but Ace clapped her hands. “Shoes off at the door, please! And feel free to open the freezer, it’s all game-night inventory.”

More wolves trickled in, Brad with a loud laugh and a loud shirt, two unmated she-wolves, three young warriors, Jessica’s cousin, plus a couple of single males Ace had met at the community center. The music was low, the lights warm, the kitchen island covered in bowls, cards, and a stack of board games.

And, of course, every single unmated woman in the room noticed the Alpha within five seconds. They circled him like he was the last piece of chocolate. Kai was polite, charming even, that smooth Alpha charisma radiating off him, and every time he spoke, the other males’ chances plummeted.

Brad appeared at Ace’s elbow, face pained. “Can you do something about Kai?” “What do you want me to do, Bradly?” she asked, sipping from her water bottle. “Make him go sit in the corner. They’re not even looking at us tonight,” he hissed dramatically. “This is singles night.”

“He is kind of single,” Ace pointed out. “He’s mated.” “He’s unhappy mated,” she muttered. “Ace,” Brad begged.

She sighed, gave him a sympathetic pat, then looked across the room at Kai. He was laughing at something Allen had said, head tipped back, eyes bright. He really did look happy. Relaxed. Like this was what he’d wanted all along: to be with her people.

She strode over, grabbed him by the wrist. “Borrowing the Alpha,” she called to the room. “Try not to fight over him.” She tugged him toward her bedroom and shut the door behind them. He looked around, one brow arched. “Alone at last,” he teased.

“Don’t start,” she said, pointing at him. “Game night is for singles.” “Which in a way I am...” “Technically. Emotionally, no.” He grinned, unrepentant. “I wanted to hang out with you.” Her mouth opened, then shut. That was… fair.

“Then you’re with me all night,” she said finally. “No charming the she-wolves. No showing off your Alpha jawline. Sit next to me, laugh at my jokes, pour drinks when I ask, be useful.” “Yes, ma’am,” he said, eyes gleaming. “I can do all of that.”

He took one subtle half-step closer, his warmth seeping into the narrow space between them, his gaze dropping to her mouth for half a second. Her breath caught. She cleared her throat. “Good. Now act normal.” They stepped back out like nothing had happened.

The night rolled forward in waves of laughter. Games were started, rules were argued, drinks were poured. Someone put on music from ten years ago and everybody yelled the lyrics.

Brad ended up on the couch with a girl from hunting patrol. Allen kept trying to convince Ace to be on his team because “you cheat and I love that for us.” Kai stayed right beside her like he’d been assigned the post, hand occasionally brushing her back as he reached for something, shoulders bumping when they laughed.

At some point he held up the liquor bottle he’d brought. “Wanna do a shot?” he asked, voice low, eyes mischievous. Ace eyed him. “One.” “One,” he promised. They tapped glasses. The amber burned down her throat.

She coughed. “Ugh. That’s too smooth to be legal.” “I brought the good stuff,” he said, smug. “For Beta-level parties.” “I can’t get drunk, Alpha,” she warned, setting the glass down. “This is my home and I respect the sanctity of my bed.”

His head tilted. “What does happen at these parties?” She gave him a look. “Things.” “‘Things,’” he echoed, amused. “And I’m not trying to wake up to three warriors and a she-wolf on my couch again,” she added.

“Actually, if I lock my bedroom door from the inside, can you help me unlock it later?” He blinked. Then smiled slow. “You don’t know how?” She scowled at him. “No. I grew up where doors locked normally.” “Come on.” He nodded toward her bedroom again.

They stepped inside. He shut the door. The music and laughter outside muffled instantly, turning the room into a warm, quiet bubble. He moved behind her, close enough that she felt the heat of him through her sweater.

“Reach up,” he said, voice brushing her ear. She reached, fingers skimming the top of the frame, and there... a small straight key, tucked where only staff or high-rank would know. They locked the door then stepped back outside.

He took her wrist gently, guiding her hand down to the knob. “Push it in here,” he murmured. “Turn. That’s it.” The lock clicked open. “And now,” he said, taking her hand and placing the key back up top on the door frame, “you can boot everyone out of your room and still get back in.” She laughed, thrilled by something so small.

“Thank you.” “Anytime,” he said, looking at her with a softness. “ACE!” Allen bellowed from the living room. “SHOT WITH ME!” Ace rolled her eyes but smiled. “Duty calls,” she said, and Kai chuckled, following her back out into the crowded room.

The hours blurred with music, card games, dares, someone spilling soda, someone else cleaning it before she even asked. Wolves trickled out in twos and threes, calling goodnight, promising to text about brunch. By the time the door closed on the last couple, the suite was quiet again, just soft music and the faint scent of spilled liquor.

Ace started gathering cups. “Here,” Kai said, already rolling up his sleeves. “I got it.” They worked side by side, moving in easy sync, tossing bottles, wiping counters, loading dishes. It felt… domestic. Comfortable. Like they’d done it a hundred times.

When they finished, he pulled the bottle back out and set two shot glasses down. “Just one more,” he said, smile crooked. She huffed, but her eyes sparkled. “Fine. But this is the last last one.” They tapped. Liquid sloshed.

“Alpha!” she squeaked, catching the spill with her fingers. He only shrugged and downed his. She tipped hers back. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Unknown.

Something in her, loosened by warmth and alcohol and the safety of the night, snapped. “You know what? I’m tired of this,” she muttered, swiping to answer. “Please stop calling-” “Ace.” The voice hit her like a punch. Low. Familiar. Too familiar.

Her breath hitched. “Jameson.” Across from her, Kai went very still. “I’ve been calling for weeks,” Jameson said, his tone rough around the edges, like he’d been pacing. Guilt, anger, longing, everything she’d shoved down lit up at once. “Is… is everything okay? Are my parents okay?”

“They’re fine,” he said quickly. “Everyone’s fine.” Relief gusted out of her. “Okay. Okay. Then why-” “Because I’ve been trying to reach you.” His voice dipped, a thread of hurt in it. “I want you to come home.” The words froze her in place.

Home. Her eyes flicked around the suite... the flowers he’d given her, the games still stacked, the faint smell of everyone who’d just celebrated with her today. Her chest tightened.

“Home,” she repeated, barely above a whisper. Kai, hearing it, moved closer, lowering himself beside her on the couch, shoulder to shoulder. His eyes asked the question. “I’m fine.” She answered.

On the other end of the line, Jameson exhaled harshly. “Is that… Alpha Kai Linden?” For a second, Ace almost snapped don’t say his name like that. “Yeah,” she said instead. “But Jameson, I thought you knew... I live here now. I took a Beta position.”

Silence. Then: “What if I offered you a better position?” Ace blinked. “What? No. Jameson, I could never do that to Felix. And I like what I’m doing here. I-” “Come be my Luna, Ace.” The room spun.

She stared at nothing, brain scrambling. “What about Emily?” She whispered. “What about your father? What are you even-” “Just meet me,” he said, low and urgent now. “We can talk. I’ll explain everything.”

“I live on the other side of the country,” she said, voice climbing with disbelief. “I can’t just meet you. This is my life now, Jameson. These are my people. Kai is my Alpha.” “Is that why?” Jameson growled. “Because of him?”

“What? No! It’s not-” She pressed her palm to her forehead, feeling the liquor and the emotions collide. “Listen, I’ve had a bit to drink, so this isn’t the best time... maybe we can talk tomorrow or I can put in for a vacation in a few months...”

“Are you penciling me in?” His voice snapped, sharp with hurt. “I’m your mate, Ace.” The words stabbed. Tears pricked her eyes. “You were my mate,” she said quietly. “You’re not my mate anymore.”

Silence. Then, faintly, like he was talking to himself: “It’s worse than I thought.” Her stomach dropped. “What’s worse? Jameson-” Then the line went dead.

Ace stared at her phone screen, empty and black. Her throat closed. She pressed her hand over her mouth, shoulders trembling once. “Was that…” Kai began gently. “My mate,” she whispered. “My… ex-mate. I don’t even know what to call him anymore.”

She laughed, but it was hollow and thin. “Why would he call from a blocked number? I can’t even call him back.” Kai watched her carefully, jaw tight with protective fury he tried to hide. “Do you want me to-” “No,” she said quickly. “No. This is… mine.” He studied her for another moment, then nodded.

“Well, Alpha,” she said after a beat, voice shaky but trying to be light, “you should probably get going. You’ve got another flight out tomorrow, don’t you? And I should… clean up or cry or both.”

He didn’t move right away. “Are you going to be okay?” he asked, softer than she’d ever heard him. She nodded, blinking away the wetness. “Yeah. I will be. I just… I need to think.” He gave her that look he always gave her now, the one that said you don’t have to think alone, but he respected her words.

“Alright,” he said, voice low. “Link me if you need anything.” She walked him to the door. He paused there, turning back, eyes lingering like he didn’t want to leave her in this state. “I mean it,” he said. “I know,” she whispered.

Then he stepped out into the hall, the door closing with a soft click behind him. Ace stood there for a long moment, phone in hand, suite quiet, lilies glowing faintly on the counter. The room still smelled like laughter. But her heart… her heart was a storm.