True Beta

Cold River

James’ POV

“So what do you think?” Deacon had sat in his chair after handing me a tumbler of whiskey. Delilah had left not soon after our little talk, saying she would give me time to think about it.

“I think your wife is a genius, but I’m not sure how Ky or Axel are gonna react.” I downed the cup in one go.

Lilah knew I was having trouble finding my Beta and Gamma, it was hard for me to trust anyone and even though my pack was bound to me, they still had their own trust issues and nightmares that could haunt anyone at any time.

“Ky needs to be out of the house. I love him because he’s my baby brother, but he’s not doing anyone any good, beating the s**t out of our warriors. He needs a purpose. Axel would do whatever it takes to protect Brea. You’re his brother, even if it’s just by bond.”

“You’re just willing to give me your top fighters, just like that?”

“Just like that. I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of Alexander or Blackwood. Raymond is a cocky bastard, and he doesn’t like being told no.”

I nodded. I could tell that none of the males in that pack were excited about letting my little mate go. But she was mine and I would do whatever it takes to protect her, and her pup. Thinking about her pup had me smiling. Every time I touched her belly, he went crazy and did black flips. He would stick his little body out of Brea’s belly and rub it against my hand. I don’t know why he was bonding with me, but Gray was already willing to shred someone who dared hurt him. Gray kept telling me the pup didn’t have to be his blood to be his son.

Gray would trust anything Delilah said was a good idea. She would never hurt anyone and had prospered as Luna. She knew that Boston, Axel’s wolf, would follow her or me through the fire if he needed to. He would do anything to protect his family, just like our family would do anything to protect him.

What do you think, mutt? Is Boston good enough to be a Beta?

Boston is an Alpha, but I have spoken with him, he is willing to bond with us and submit. To protect mate and pup.

And Ky?

Ky relies on his instincts. He can be reckless and hotheaded, but he would make an exceptional Gamma, with training.

We need our ranks closed. With Alexander coming and Blackwood. We can’t afford a misstep. Our mate needs us. So does her pup.

Our pup. He bonds with me. I feel him. He is ours, just as is Brea.

“I say, let’s do it,” I laughed. I kept looking at the door. My body itched to be near my mate. Even though we just acknowledged each other as mates, I could already feel the mate pull. Until she was marked and mated, I would want to be close to her. Even then, it might be worse.

Deacon called Axel and Ky. They were released from Blue Harvest and were quickly bonded to me. During the blood ceremony, I felt myself getting stronger. I was strong because I was an Alpha, stronger still because of all the experiments Dylan had done, but this power was the power of a fully ranked pack. My pack would be stronger because I had filled the ranks, and stronger still because I had filled the ranks with three Alphas.

Delilah had also written a check to help us build on our pack lands, and she had already called the contractor of the packhouse and instead of six months, our home would be completed in three. She had gone out and bought Brea maternity clothes and even got a few outfits for our son. I thanked her, and, much to Deacon’s chagrin, hugged her. She was like a sister to me. I had never had a single s****l thought about Delilah and now that I had my mate, I couldn’t imagine having any of anyone else but her.

I smiled as I thanked them and went to my room. Brea was sleeping soundly, a soft snore coming from her. Her honey-colored hair was sprawled out on the pillow behind her. I quickly changed into a pair of sweatpants and climbed into bed with her. She rolled into me and sighed contentedly. She opened her eyes and her beautiful hazel ones met mine. I smiled at her. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I could already feel my heart beating only for her. I wrapped my arm around her tiny waist, and our pup stuck his little foot out of Brea’s tummy, causing her to groan.

“Hey, be nice to your momma.” I rubbed his little foot. He stuck it back in and I smiled. I was falling in love with him too.

“He’s never moved so much.” She scooted up to a seated position. “What did the Alphas want to talk to you about?”

“Oh, we’re now an official pack. We’ll have to get a name and everything.” I smiled and rubbed her belly softly, our pup put his body up to my hand.

“Who is going to be the Beta and Gamma?”

“Axel will be Beta and Ky will be our Gamma”

“Are they mated?” She asked curiously.

“Axel is. Lacy’s a sweet girl. They found each other not long after we got here. She’s Gamma Jackson’s little sister.”

She nodded. I could tell she was tired. Her eyes were drooping. I pulled her back down to lay with me. I rolled onto my back and pulled her to my chest, sleep taking us quickly.

As I woke up, I felt my body grow stronger. It coursed through my body like a river. I could hear all of the wolves, not just the human parts but the wolves themselves. I spoke to a few of them as I tested out my new power. What was this?

Beta to True Alpha. We are strong enough to protect our mate. Gray said as he spoke to different wolves around Blue Harvest. It didn’t matter if they were in our pack or not, we could hear them all. Including our Alpha, Athena.

What does that mean?

We are not just Alpha now.

Brea was still sprawled across my chest, her hair was all over her face and she had a little drool on the corner of her mouth. Even when she looked like that, I could feel myself falling deeper in love with her. She was absolutely beautiful. I moved a piece of her hair from her mouth, she twitched her nose and sighed. I smiled. I stared at her until she snorted herself awake, jolting from my chest.

I threw my head back laughing at how adorable she was. It felt nice laughing like that. I hadn’t felt so free in so long. Even though it had been nearly two years since we left Dylan’s lab, I had kept myself busy to keep the nightmares away, but sleeping next to this drooling creature had me healing in ways I didn’t think possible. I wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, causing her to blush.

“Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?” I tucked a stray piece of hair from her eyelash.

She nodded, her blush getting deeper.

I chuckled at her, “Let’s go have breakfast and then we can head home. Maybe we can talk to our new Beta and Gamma and come up with a name for our pack.”

She granted me a huge beam of a smile. She rushed into the shower, completely forgetting to grab clothes. I laughed again. I changed quickly and sat on the phone sending a text to a warrior telling him to get the pack ready for a meeting. Hearing the shower turned off, I shifted myself around on the bed, so my back was facing the door. Brea opened the door and quickly ran to the closet to change. When she came out, she was in a pair of jeans and a blue knit sweater that hugged her belly.

I held my hand out to her and led her down to the dining room. I usually knew they never had breakfast with the entire pack unless there was a visiting Alpha, and I couldn’t help but stand a little straighter at the respect they were giving me. Most packs I had visited didn’t mind me being there helping with rogues, but they didn’t recognize me as an Alpha. A pack as strong as Blue Harvest showing me respect would in turn demand respect from other packs.

Ky, Axel, and Lacy were all sitting at a table with Deacon and Delilah along with Deacon’s parents, who were each holding a twin on their lap. Alpha Michael from Red Rock had come as well. It wasn’t surprising Delilah had been traveling back and forth to make up for lost time. She had spent 17 years away from her family. She also had a brother who had taken over as Alpha, but his mate was pregnant, and I could understand not wanting to be separated from her at such a time.

“Alpha Michael, it’s great to see you,” I spoke, holding the chair out to Brea.

“You too, Alpha James. I heard you found your mate!”

I beamed at him, “I did. Alpha Michael meet Brea. She’s from Blackwood”

The smile that was playing on his face fell quickly. Everyone knew about Raymond's reputation. He looked at Brea, his eyes zeroing on her large belly. She shifted closer to me. I kissed her forehead.

“There are a lot of things wrong with that pack. I’ve already called the council to investigate,” Delilah said.

Michael just nodded.

“What about Alpha Alexander?” I said. I put my arm around Brea’s shoulders, “There’s no way this is legal.”

Deacon shrugged, “He was unmated and so was Brea.”

I growled softly, “He knew she would get pregnant. There is a reason she-wolves in heat are kept away from unmated males. It was intentional.”

Deacon’s eyes flashed black, a low snarl coming deep from his chest. Delilah let out a commanding growl. We both submitted and Michael laughed. He thought it was hilarious to see us submit to his daughter. She raised an eyebrow at him, and he shut up quickly. The twins thought we were the greatest thing in the world, as they were just giggling about.

We finished breakfast. Like usual, Brea hadn’t said much, but she ate and I would take the small win. I loaded up the truck and helped load a moving truck for Ky and Axel. Once we got back to our pack, we would have to find them each a cottage until the packhouse was complete. Delilah gave Brea her number, but we found Brea didn’t have a phone. I made a mental note to order her one immediately. Axel nodded. He sent a link to Lacy, who was on her phone in an instant.

Lacy, would you mind taking Brea to the mall? Lilah gave her some clothes, but she still has at least a month left of her pregnancy and we don’t have a lot of things for the pup.

I would love to, Alpha!

I smiled. We said goodbye and headed home. Brea was exhausted by the time we pulled up to our small home. I carried her inside and put her in our bed. Ky and Axel were getting familiar with the territory. I met them on the porch, handing them each a cup of coffee. Boston had scented every tree he could find. I rolled my eyes.

“Got the scents of the pack and everything?”

They both nodded. Ky was pulling on his sweater, “Where’s Brea?”

“Exhausted.” I sat on the swing. “Anyone have any ideas about a name? Now that the ranks are closed, we need a name.”

“No, but I do have a question?” Ky asked. “Is it always so cold?”

“Not all year-round. The tide is bringing in colder air.” I said, rolling my eyes, he was a werewolf. Why did it matter how cold it got? Our bodies usually ran at 100 plus.

He nodded, “What about Cold River?”

I looked at Axel, he nodded too.

Great one thing down Only a million more to go.