The Beta Series: The Redeemed Beta

Chapter 4

My mom happened to be clear-headed for once, and she had Khalid with her. I guess she was taking him out for ice cream. I really think she knew what he wanted from me and allowed him to have that. I have no proof, but I can feel it in my bones.

Anyway, he came after me in the house. He backed me into a corner, telling me how beautiful I was. He told me that he had been watching me for a while, and he wanted to be the one to introduce me to being an adult. He said that Mom often can’t do anything for him, and he needed an outlet. It was important for a warrior to stay clear-headed.

I had to run away from him, and I thought I wouldn’t be able to fight him off. I had a dagger that I’ve kept on me for a while, and I used that to stab him in his side. It wasn’t a silver dagger, but it did do a little bit of damage. That prompted him to beat me almost to death.

When I woke up in the hospital, I was cuffed to the bed. He accused me of attacking him, unprovoked. No matter how many times I tried to tell my story, no one would listen. I was going to be put in the cells and left there.

I guess Mom felt guilty about everything because she came to the hospital one night. I was no longer cuffed to the bed, but there was always a guard outside the room. She threw me a bag and told me to leave. She told me to never come back, no matter what happened. She also pushed Khalid at me and told me to take him with me. She didn’t want to have the responsibility of caring for a child.

That’s how Khalid and I ended up on our own. I don’t even know if my mom is still alive, and frankly, I don’t really care. A nice rogue couple found Khalid and me, but that didn’t even last a day. These rogues intercepted us, and they killed the couple, taking Khalid and me with them. I was made to be a servant, doing anything and everything in their camps. It’s a blessing that I haven’t been assaulted yet, but I’m sure my luck there is running out.

I sign and throw my body back, landing on the dirt floor. I stare at the top of the tent, just trying to figure out how my life became so messed up. I feel like if my father hadn’t died, my life would be so much better right now. “Your lazy stance tells me that you have everything memorized, no?” I hurry and sit up, keeping my head down.

Brackston is a scary individual because he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care if you are old or young, a woman or a man. If you cross him, or he feels that you have something that can benefit him, he will act accordingly, even if that means killing you. I’ve witnessed that a few times after the nice couple was killed.

Brackston’s presence fills the tent, and his aura suffocates me. I’ve caught him looking at me here and there. He’s looked at me like he can’t wait to have a piece of me. He hasn’t tried to take me yet, which I’m grateful for. He says that he will wait for me to beg him for it. He’s crazy if he thinks that will ever happen.

I’m not so sentimental that I’m waiting for my fated mate. If I’m being honest, I lost my virginity at 15, before my life took a nose dive. I was seeing this guy at school, and we decided to take things to the next level. We didn’t last, but I didn’t care because I was with him willingly, so no regrets.

I feel some pressure on my head, and that startles me. Brackston is suddenly next to me, playing with my hair. I have no idea when he walked over here, and I curse myself for being so lost in my head. “You know you get more beautiful the older you get.” I say nothing, hoping this doesn’t last long. He moves in closer, running his nose along my head. “I’ve wanted you for a long time now.” I feel his hands slowly move down my arm, and my stomach turns. His touch makes me sick, but what can I do? When his hand reaches mine, he pulls my hand away from my body. Before I can move, I feel my hand pressed against his jeans. There’s a hard object under my hand, and I shudder when I realize what it is.

Brackston chuckles at my reaction, and it takes everything in me not to pull away. “The job I’m sending you on could be the end for you, but that doesn’t have to happen.” He grinds against my hand and runs his nose along my neck. His hot breath is on my skin, and it feels like fire instead of warmth. “You can not take the job at all if you agree to be mine.” No, no, no, no. “I will take you as my mate and mark you right here,” he says, licking my marking spot to emphasize his point. “If you become mine, no one would touch you, and your brother would be well taken care of.” He licks me again before pressing a kiss to the same spot. “Think about it.” His arms wrap around me, and his scent chokes me. He smells like dirt and burnt popcorn. Sounds horrible, right? Try actually smelling it and not being able to get away from the stench.

I shut my eyes as he moves away from me. I don’t want to see him or look into his eyes because I’m scared my composure would crack. I feel disgusted and vile right now. I wish I could scrub his touch and lips off my body.

As soon as I hear the flap of the tent, I slowly open my eyes. I can’t stop the tears from leaking onto my cheeks. I don’t know what I did to anger the Moon Goddess, but it must have been something big. This life I’m living is horrible, and I’m not sure how much more I can take. One thing I know for sure is that I will never choose Brackston. I’d rather risk my life on this job than to become his. I will take the job, and I will just have to figure out how to get Khalid away from these monsters for good.