The Betas Forbidden mate

rambling

"What do you think ash will say about our mate?" Onyx asks.

Honestly, I'm more worried about what the council will do. There's no way in hell I'm giving up our mate. We just found him. Council be damned—I'll fight anyone who tries to come between us. The thought alone has Onyx pacing restlessly inside my head, his possessiveness feeding my own until it's difficult to focus on anything else.

A sharp fingernail taps my forehead, snapping me back to reality. I force myself to focus on the situation in front of me and take a slow breath. One step at a time.

"Zion," I say, "how would you feel about me staying with you for a while? Since you can't come to the pack house until you're done shedding, I could set up a tent nearby. That way you won't have to be alone."

Zion smiles bashfully and gives me a small nod. Relief immediately settles over me. "I know this is a lot all at once," I continue. "Werewolves tend to be pretty possessive when it comes to their mates. Most of us move the bonding process along fairly quickly, but I'm willing to give you as much time as you need." I hesitate before adding more quietly, "Just don't keep me waiting too long."

The words slip out before I can stop them. I just want to be near him.

He's rambling again, but I don't mind. I could get used to listening to that beautiful voice of his. It's mesmerizing, and that's saying something coming from a siren. We've spent the last few hours talking and getting to know one another. I've answered all of his questions, though some of my responses have been intentionally vague. He doesn't seem to mind. Truthfully, I'm enjoying every moment of this. The longer we sit together, the stronger the bond between us seems to grow. It's subtle but undeniable, like an invisible thread winding tighter with every conversation, every glance, and every smile.

Night falls, and the temperature begins to drop. White clouds form with each breath I exhale. Across the river, Zion watches me carefully before finally speaking.

"It's too cold for you, Xia. Maybe you and Onyx should head inside. We can meet back here tomorrow if you'd like."

A low growl rumbles from my chest before I can stop it. "I'm not leaving you out here by yourself."

"I'll be fine. My body's made to adapt, especially in colder temperatures."

"The cold is the least of my concerns," I mutter.

His brow furrows, but I don't elaborate. There is absolutely no way I'm leaving him out here alone. This territory is filled with unmated wolves. The thought of one of them wandering too close to my mate is enough to make my hands shake. Onyx isn't helping either. Ever since finding Zion, he's become impossibly possessive.

We must stay close and protect out mate

I understand exactly how he feels."Look," I say, softening my tone, "if it'll make you feel better, I'll go grab a tent and set up nearby. I'll even build a fire."Zion studies me for a moment before finally nodding. At least he's realized I'm not taking no for an answer.

"I'll be back soon."

Reluctantly, I force myself to leave and sprint toward the pack house. I dart into the storage closet where we keep supplies for hunts and long-distance travel, gathering everything I need as quickly as possible. Every minute away from Zion already feels too long.Lost in thoughts of my mate, I barrel out of the storage room and slam directly into someone.

Hard.

"Sorry," I mutter automatically, moving to continue on my way.

"XIA!"

I freeze.Damn it ash only uses his alpha tone when he's pissed off.Slowly, I turn around to find my best friend and Alpha glaring at me with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Where the f**k have you been, dude?" Ash demands. "I've been looking for you all day."

Ash is the last person I want to deal with right now.

"I've been out." His eyes narrow.

"What do you mean, out?"

I rub the back of my neck. "I, uh... found my mate."

Even though I practically whisper it, I know he hears me.For a few seconds, he just stares.Then a massive grin spreads across his face.

"You found your mate?"

Before I can react, Ash crashes into me and pulls me into a bear hug. A growl tears from my throat before I can stop it, and I immediately shove him away.Ash stumbles back, both hands raised in surrender. "Whoa. Easy there. What's your problem?"The guilt hits almost instantly. I know he didn't mean anything by it, but ever since meeting Zion, the thought of another man touching me makes my skin crawl. Mate instincts. Onyx is entirely too pleased about it.

"Sorry," I mutter. "I'm a little wound up."

Ash laughs and waves it off. "No worries. You're my best friend." Then the grin returns. "So where is she? I'd love to meet the she-wolf who's managed to wrap my brother around her finger this quickly."

I wince.

"Well?" Ash presses. "Come on, don't leave me in the dark. Is she hot? Ask her if she has a friend."

I roll my eyes. Some things never change.

"Now is as good a time as any to tell him about our mate," Onyx says.

Unfortunately, he's right.If Ash reacts badly, Zion isn't stepping a foot further into this territory. Not until I know he'll be safe.

"Let's talk in your office."

The teasing instantly disappears from Ash's face. Something in my expression must concern him because he nods without argument and turns toward the stairs.

"Okay."

I've been mind-linking my beta all day. At first, I was annoyed that he wasn't responding. Then I got irritated. Now I'm worried.Xia is many things, but unreliable isn't one of them. If he isn't handling pack business, he's usually buried in a book somewhere. The guy practically lives in his room. For him to disappear without a word is completely out of character.

It's the middle of the night, my stomach is growling, and sleep is the last thing on my mind. The redheaded omega sprawled across my bed shifts beneath the blankets, letting out a soft sigh.I glance at her and immediately feel guilty.

Nice girl.Wrong guy.I give her shoulder a gentle shake.She groans and swats my hand away. "Leave me alone."

"Gladly."Her only response is another irritated groan.I climb out of my king-sized bed and stretch. Note to self: f*****g she-wolves in their own rooms. It would save everyone a lot of trouble.

Still hungry, I head downstairs toward the kitchen. Halfway there, I hear movement coming from the storage closet. Curious, I change directions.Good thing I do.Because moments later, I nearly collide with none other than my missing beta.

XIA

I Follow Ash upstairs, I tighten my grip on the duffel bag slung over my shoulder. Every second spent away from Zion has me growing more anxious. Onyx is no better.

Hurry up.

We can go back to zion as soon as im done talking to ash.

Then talk faster.

I roll my eyes internally.Ash drops into the chair behind his desk and studies me carefully. The joking expression he wore moments ago is completely gone.

"Okay," he says. "What's going on?"

I close the office door behind me before taking a seat across from him.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

"Xia."

I sigh."My mate isn't a she-wolf."One of Ash's eyebrows rises.

"Im listening."

"He's also not a werewolf either."The second eyebrow joins the first.

"Okay..."

I drag a hand down my face."This is where things get complicated."Ash leans back in his chair and folds his arms across his chest.

"Now im really interested."

I glance toward the window, wondering how Zion is doing. The urge to run back to him is almost overwhelming.

Our mate is waiting.

I know.

Then why are we still here?

Because this conversation matters.Onyx grumbles but reluctantly pulls back.

When I look back at Ash, he's watching me with open curiosity.

"Xia."

Right.No more stalling."My mate is a siren."

Silence.Absolute silence.Ash blinks once.Twice.Then he starts laughing.I don't join him.The laughter gradually dies and his grin slowly disappears.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Ash sits back in his chair, staring at me.

"I thought sirens were extinct."

"So did I."The room falls silent again.After a moment, Ash rubs a hand over his jaw.

"You're serious."

"Dead serious."

"Well"

That is not the reaction I expected.

"Huh?"

Ash shrugs."What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know. Something dramatic maybe?"His mouth twitches.

"Congratulations?

"Slowly a grin spreads across his face.

"You found your mate im happy for you"

Relief hits me so hard I nearly slump in my chair.

"You don't care?"

"I care," he says. "But not about him being a siren."

The tension in my shoulders eases slightly.Ash leans forward.

"What kind of siren?"

I blink."What?"

"Come on. If mythical creatures are suddenly showing up in our territory, I'm allowed to be curious."

Despite everything, a laugh escapes me.

Then Ash's expression softens."You're happy right?"

It's not a question.I think about Zion sitting beside the river.His quiet smiles.The way he listens when I speak.The way Onyx settled the moment we found him.The answer comes easily.

"Yeah I am."Ash smiles.

"Good."

The simple sincerity behind the word catches me off guard.

After a moment, his expression grows serious again.

"The council is going to lose their minds."My smile fades.

"No kidding."

"What are you going to do?"

"Whatever it takes."

Ash studies me for several long seconds before nodding."Then you've got my support."

Emotion lodges unexpectedly in my throat."Thanks."

"Don't get sentimental on me."

I snort.

Ash points toward the door."Now get out."

"What?"

"Your mate is waiting."

A grin spreads across my face.

"You're the best Alpha ever."

"I know, hey xia. If your mythical fish boyfriend has any single friends, send them my way."

I flip him off.His laughter follows me all the way down the stairs as I race back toward the river and the mate I've already grown far too attached to.