The Beta's Secret Mate

Maya

Maya peered through the thin fabric that served as a curtain, shielding the happenings in the room from the eyes outside. She could barely make out her mother who was lying weakly on the bed. She had never seen her so helpless. She always thought that woman was the strongest she had ever met. Now seeing her there, lying helplessly, made her realize she was just as human as everyone else.

She looked back at the pack members who were present there with them. She could tell it was very bad with the looks they all had on and it made her fear increase. She wanted to rush into the room and lay down next to her mom, holding her as tightly as she could but her father had instructed her to wait outside.

Straining her ears, all she could hear were whispers. She couldn't make out what they were saying to each other. If only she had gotten her wolf, she could overhear their conversation but that wasn't due till some more years and it made her all the more angry.

She slowly walked back to an empty chair and sat down, her eyes fixed to the floor. If only one of her wishes could be granted at the moment, it would be for her mother to survive, to break through whatever was wrong with her. She needed her, she still needed her mother a lot. She loved her father just as much as her mother but she felt more comfortable sharing personal stuff with her mom than her dad.

How was she gonna cope if her mother was to leave her there alone? Having just her father wouldn't be the same as having both parents. She felt a streak of tear run down her left cheek. Wiping it off with the back of her palm, she heard her name “Maya!" Called softly by her dad.

She slowly got up, exchanged glances with the pack members, before proceeding to the room. She pushed the curtain aside and stepped in. She looked up and standing by the door was her father. He looked as though he had been crying. She couldn't believe her eyes. Never had she seen him shed a single tear or look so pitiful in her young life.

She had been trying to be so strong but if her father could let out the hurt he was feeling, who was she? “Maya" She heard her mom's weak and husky voice call out. She turned toward the bed and could barely recognize her. She made her way to her and sat by the side of the bed.

Her mom looked thin. She was different and what was more distinct was her eyes. It remained blue, the color of her wolf eyes. She felt her mother's hand slowly grab hers. She looked up at her face and saw tears rolling down the sides of her eyes. Seeing her mom cry brought down her defenses and she broke down in tears, letting it all out. “It's okay my little wolf" Her mom's calm voice spoke up.

“Are you going to be okay?" Maya asked amidst tears.

“Hopefully" She smiled warmly at her. “I need you to be strong for me little wolf. I need you to be strong for your dad and I need you to be strong for the pack" Said her mom, staring directly and intently at her daughter. “Can you do that for me?"

Maya sniffled and then nodded her head slowly. “Yes"

“Good... when I'm gone, they are gonna need you. Look... Look at them" She urged

Maya turned and saw her father and the rest of the pack standing outside the room. She sniffled and turned back to face her mom. “They are all gonna need you and you have to be there for them. That's why you have to be strong for me" Her mother stated.

“I will... I will mom. I will be strong for you and them" She bobbed her head, fighting back the tears.

“Good. That's my little wolf. I love you so much" She patted her face.

(Present Day)

Maya stared at the river, sitting on all fours as she was fully shifted. Her white fur bent slowly to the direction of the wind and her blue eyes shone brighter under the full moon. She stared deeply at the river where they had wished her mother farewell. The same river where most of the wolves burial rites were carried out.

As she stared at the still waters, her mom's words kept ringing in her ears, telling her to be strong. She knew that's what she needed right then. Come morning, she was off to her new home, to a new mate she hadn't searched for. So much could go wrong and she knew it. She wished she could just run away right there and then. Run far away, as far as her wolf could take her but she couldn't and even if she could, she wouldn't.

She couldn't possibly abandon her father and her pack. It was up to her to save them now. Who's gonna do that if she's gone? She could also feel her wolf fighting every thought she had about it. With a loud howling sounding from the other side of the river, Maya stood up, looked up at the full moon and soaked it all in before turning and running off into the woods. She ran fast and free, enjoying the last bit of freedom she knew she was gonna get.

***

Loud howling could be heard coming from every direction of the woods. Alpha Diamond scaled the little bush fence in front of him and kept on running, pushing his wolf harder than he had done before. His red eyes were full of uncertainty and worry. He ran faster, navigating through the woods as though it was his playground.

He needed to clear his head and him shifting and running wild during the full moon was what he desperately needed and now that he was doing it, he saw he was still plagued by the troubling thoughts. The thoughts placed in his mind from the visit he made.

Ever since he visited the old one and got the warnings, it has been hard to get a good night rest. He was constantly worried and constantly trying to decipher what the old one meant. Was he gonna be betrayed by someone close to him? Someone from his pack or what? What war was coming and how was he suppose to avoid it? What decisions were the old one taking about? All these kept running through his mind.

He scaled a cut down tree with his mind clouded. So much so that he didn't notice or realized the scent of a wolf present around him. As soon as he scaled the tree, he bumped into the other wolf. They both clashed and dropped to the earth, rolling. Simultaneously, they both bounced to their feet, facing each other angrily.

From their scent, they both recognized each other. Alpha Diamond couldn't believe it. From all the wolves running around in the woods during the full moon, he had to run into his future mate. He stared directly into her blue eyes and she did the same. The moment he took a step forward, she turned and took off.

He stood there, deciding not to go after her. After all she was gonna be his when the sun comes up. He snarled lightly and turned, continuing to his direction. The direction of the river.

***

Coming out of the barn, Maya put on her jacket and began heading for the house which was situated some metres from the barn. Removing the dirt from her hair, she sighed with frustration. It was always surprising how she always managed to get dirt on her hair after shifting.

She got to the front of the house and noticed a car parked by the side. With furrowed brows, she listened into the house and could make out the voice. She took a deep breath and started for the door whilst wondering why so early.

Maya pushed the door open and immediately set eyes on Cane standing by the couch and talking to her father. Cane turned to her direction and flashed her a smile. “Welcome. We've been expecting you" He started. “Did you wrestle with a bear?" He asked, pointing at the dirt on her.

“Why are you here?" She retorted

“Have you forgotten our arrangement? We agreed after the full moon... It's time. I've come to take you to your new home" Cane smiled softly.

She wanted to say something else but then glanced her father. She sighed and nodded. “Fine. Give a minute to freshen up and get my things" She replied instead and then proceeded toward the stairs while beckoning for her dad to follow her.

“Well. You're about to begin a new phase of your life" Cane added.