True Beta

Strength in the bond

Brea's POV

“Perfect!” Lacy clapped her hands together. We looked over the banner we had set up for Reese’s introduction. We moved around making sure all the centerpieces were perfect before the DJ came and started setting up. The catering staff had been mulling around most of the afternoon helping us get set up.

We ran through our checklist, double-checking that everything would be prepared for dinner. Lacy sent me off to get ready, taking a babbling Reese from me. I stopped in the kitchen checking if the staff there needed anything, before going up to our apartment. I took my time in the shower. Making sure I shaved my legs and underarms. I washed my hair. Thoroughly conditioning. Turning the water off, I jumped back squealing. I hadn’t noticed James had come into the bathroom and was holding a towel out for me.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He wrapped me in the towel and kissed my forehead.

I pulled the towel tighter around me for a second before loosening it and dropping it to the floor.

“Brea, what are you doing?” His eyes trailed over my body. His chest was heaving as his eyes settled on my chest.

I didn’t say anything as I stepped closer to him. My hands were on his chest and ran over his shoulders, wrapping my arms around his neck. He stiffened as I brushed my nose over his mark. I ran my nose over it, Lei purring as she scented her mate. James wrapped his arms around my waist as he pulled me closer to his chest. He picked me up by my thighs and carried me to the bed. He tossed me softly onto the bed, ripped his shirt off before he settled between my legs. He crashed his lips into mine, his kiss hungry. He growled softly as he bit my lip, making me gasp. His tongue swept over mine, a soft moan escaped my lips. I felt his manhood grow harder as I lifted my hips to him. My own body was heating up from his touch.

James ran his hands down my body just over my c**t. He broke our kiss as his eyes searched mine, asking for permission. I moaned and lifted my hips so his fingers would brush my c**t. His fingers rubbed circles onto me before parting my lower lips and sliding into my hot center, I moaned deeper as James pumped me. He kissed me softly, moving down my jaw to my neck. He licked over my mark, nibbling softly before he slowly pierced the skin. The orgasm built and rolled through me slowly. James’ own groan joined my moan as he came. He licked over my mark, causing me to shiver. He pulled his fingers from me, and I whimpered, missing him already. He brought his fingers to his mouth, tasting my juices. He closed his eyes and groaned again.

“f**k, you taste so good, Brea.”

I pulled his lips to mine. I kissed him deeply, tasting myself on his tongue. There was a knock on the door and James growled.

“WHAT?!”

“Alpha, the former Gamma of Blackwood, is here. He’s demanding to talk to Luna,” Ky said. I could hear the smile in his voice.

I whimpered again, James kissed my forehead, “Get dressed, my love, and we can continue this later.” He stood up and pulled on another shirt from his dresser.

I jumped out of bed and went to get dressed. I pulled my beige sweater knit dress on with my black stiletto pumps. I blow-dried my hair, leaving it in waves. It had gotten longer. It was just past my shoulders. I quickly did my makeup before double-checking myself in the floor-length mirror.

James had opened his mind to me, and I saw my father standing in front of the packhouse. Like usual, his sandy brown hair was cut short, his beard was expertly trimmed. He wore a black suit with a silk blue shirt and black tie. My mother was shaking beside him in a blue dress with black pumps. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a tight bun. I opened the door as James held his arm out to me. I took it and he left me to stand at the top of the stairs.

“Gamma Langston, why are you here?” James bellowed.

“I am to speak to my daughter.” Father bellowed back.

James growled at his disrespect. This was his land, and he wouldn’t be disrespected in front of his pack. I tightened my hold on his arm and he looked down at me, his eyes softening.

“Father,” I spoke. “Let us go into my office and speak.”

James turned us around and quickly led us to Lacy and my office. Axel stood behind James with Lacy on his left. Ky posted himself near the door, his arm wrapped around Kara's waist, ready to pull her behind him at any second. James sat in my chair, pulling me to sit in his lap. He rubbed small circles on my back. He could feel my nervousness through our bond.

“What is it you want, Gamma?” James asked, just as my parents sat in front of us.

“I wish my daughter to take her rightful place as Luna in Alpha Alexander’s pack. She bore his heir and it is only acceptable for her to have the title of Luna in her son’s rightful pack.” Father deadpanned.

Axel snorted. Ky growled. Maverick was surfacing and no one would try to fight him back. I held my hand up to him.

“My rightful place is here. With my mate. My son’s rightful place is wherever he wishes it to be when he is of age.”

Father inhaled sharply, “Your son deserves to be raised by his blood. He deserves to be bonded to his pack!” He stood up, throwing the chair backward behind him. My mom gasped, snapping her eyes shut.

I stared at her. I remember when I was that afraid of my father. I remember wishing my mother had been strong enough to protect me. I loved her, but I would never be weak again. I would protect my children from him. No one would ever hurt my children the way she allowed people to hurt me.

“I am his blood. His pack is full of people who love him and will protect him. Alpha Alexander rejected him and me. The council has terminated his rights to my son.” I stood up, “If that’s all you wanted, then please excuse us. We have prior engagements.”

Father sped to reach across the table, grabbing my hair. His eyes were black. Before I could make a noise, the pressure on my skull was released, my father was pinned against the wall. Ky had his canines at his throat snarling. James pulled me into his chest, checking my head for any blood.

“I could kill you for that and there is nothing anyone could do.” James growled “Axel throw that piece of s**t in the cells. Call Raymond and tell him to come to get his Gamma before we eliminate another one.”

I pulled away from James, looking at my mom who was clutching her chest. I held my hand out to her and she took it. I helped her stand up and pulled her to James' office. Lacy gave her a bottle of water from the mini-fridge, as Kara leaned against the desk.

“Mother, are you okay?”

She nodded.

“Before Raymond comes to collect Father, would you like to meet my son?

Her eyes lit up as she nodded her head vigorously. Lacy grabbed Reese from his playpen. He learned to roll over the course of the week and we didn’t want him to roll out of the stroller. Lacy handed him to my mother. A tear rolled down her face.

“He looks just like you.” She whispered. “Beautiful.”

I smiled. “He's got your green eyes.”

She sniffled. She rocked him softly, smelling his hair. It was my favorite thing to do too. I wanted to tell her that she could leave Father and come live with me. She would be protected and possibly be granted a second chance, but I knew she would never leave Father. She was so afraid of what would happen if she did. She never got pregnant again after me, but she was able to leave him. She was raised in Blackwood and spent 30 years with her father. She didn’t know how to take care of herself. She relied on him for everything. She ate when he did, slept when he said she could, spoke when spoken to.

“Mother, would you like to come to his introduction?”

“I don’t think-" She started, but was cut off by James.

“Gamma Langston is safely in our cells. Raymond said he would collect you in the morning.” He came to kiss my forehead.

She nodded and we led her to the courtyard where the pack members had gathered. We thanked them all for coming and quickly introduced Reese as the future Alpha. James signed the adoption papers and the council member notarized them. It was official.

Pack members came to congratulate us. I felt them before I heard them. There were rogues. James immediately started barking orders as Lukas led me and Reese back inside. Lacy followed behind us, holding Kara close to her. My mother was trembling as I held her hand. I gave her Reese and shifted quickly, racing through the woods snapping the necks of rogues as I went. Lei was furious. They were too close to her pup. We sniffed out James, going to stand beside him as Ky and Axel had cornered a rogue up against a tree.

“Who sent you!” Gray growled, his True Beta aura rolled off him in waves.

“I don’t know! We were paid anonymously. There was a bag of cash and instructions to attack. They said we could kill everyone except you, the Luna, and her pup.”

Boston snarled, his heckles raised.

I growled deeply, turning on my paws and speeding back toward the packhouse. I found one of James's old shirts by throwing it on as I made it up the stairs to the safe room. I banged on the door yelling at Lukas to let me in. No one answered. My heart started to pound as I tried scenting my son. I knew Lacy wouldn’t let him out of her sight. I followed her scent upstairs to her apartment, but her scent smelled wrong. Blood.

I burst through the door. Kara had shifted, snarling at a rogue whose muzzle was covered in blood. Lacy was on the floor, her leg badly bleeding as she clutched to Reese. I tore a piece of her shirt to wrap around her leg before going to help Kara with the rogue. As soon as I shifted, a limping Lukas grabbed the rogue by his scruff and swiftly snapped his neck. He sank to the floor. Kara pulled her brother by the scruff to her side, whimpering. She picked his face and he nudged her softly. His breathing was shallow.

“Get him to the healers and I’ll call Mya,” I ordered. “Lacy?”

“I’m okay. It’s already healing.” She sat up, keeping her leg as still as possible.

Reese was bundled up in her arms, not making a sound. I kissed his head softly and his eyes fluttered shut.

“Where’s my mom?” I asked.

Lacy's face dropped, her breath hitched in her throat, “She… your father got her. She pushed me into the room and ran in the opposite direction. Your father and some rogues scented us, but he was only interested in her. Lukas tried following but we were overwhelmed. I couldn’t shift and protect Reese… Luna, I'm so sorry.”

I closed my eyes before a tear could spill over. If Father had her, there would be no limit as to what he would do to her. Even if I never saw her again, it was nice to know that during it all, she had made sure Reese was safe. I took deep breaths before opening them again. “She protected her grandson. It’s better this way.”

Lacy nodded.

I called Mya, asking her to get many doctors. James had already started bringing the injured into the main dining room. There were about 30 injured and only one warrior died. Though we were small, we were strong. During the chaos, my father had escaped but that was something we would deal with later.

James pulled me into him, kissing me deeply. He pulled away when my chest became tight and I needed air. “Are you okay, my love?"

I nodded, burying my face in his chest. My body was suddenly exhausted. James picked me up and carried me to our apartment. Setting me on the counter, he turned on the water. He kissed me softly as he pulled his shirt over my head. Picking me up and settling me on his lap, he leaned me against his chest in the warm water. He ran his hands up and down my back, soothing me. I quickly fell asleep.

Alexander’s POV

I threw yet another punch at the wall. My office had more holes than was necessary, but my plan had yet to come to fruition.

I wanted my son. I wanted James weak. I would kill his pack first, then mate his b***h. Only after he saw everything he loved being taken from him, would I kill him. It would teach every Alpha a lesson. I was not to be toyed with. I did not count on the fact that his rogues would be stronger. He had only about 150 pack members and the rogues I paid only killed one. I had not expected Gamma Langston’s b***h to help her daughter. She would be severely punished. He was a good traditional man. He had only marked his breeder because she was going to leave him and take the pup. He had regretted it. Especially since the pup turned out to be that b***h Brea. Useless.

She didn’t even bother to writhe under me as I eased away her heat. It was as though she was ungrateful. I helped her. I bred her and now she had my son. She thought she was worthy enough to be able to raise an Alpha pup.

“Alpha, should we try again?” My Beta, Benjamin asked. He was not like me. He was in love with his breeder and had allowed her to mark him. Their bond though strong, I didn’t like it.

His father had died when he was young, so his mother raised him to love his mate. I was raised that women were meant to be bred and nothing else. My own mother had given my father 3 pups before her wolf receded, and she got sick and died. He found another she-wolf and she gave him 10 more. My own sister was wolf-less, and my stupid half-brother had followed her. When the b***h failed to shift, she was of no use to anyone anymore. I did not tolerate useless wolves in my pack.

“No, they will expect us to try again,” I growled. “We will wait. Call the eldest council member and petition once again for that b***h. If she is forced to come, then she will bring my son. Once I have my son, I will slit her throat and throw her back at that so-called Alpha.”

He nodded and bowed before he left. I would get my son back if it’s the last thing I do.