Fated To The Beta

I keep watching the alarm clock, ticking down the minutes. Every second coming closer the more nervous I get, wondering if Mateo is asleep. After running into him on the stairs, I know if he saw me leave, he would alert Ezra. Yet, I said I would meet her, and from what Mateo said, she would be already waiting for me when it was 11:40 PM. I carefully unwrap Ezra’s arm from around my waist before climbing off the bed.

“We will need to shift to get there on time,” I tell Kora.

“Sure, that’s a great idea! He will be more furious we shifted than he would be of us meeting her, Kat.”

“No one will be up this late, and we are far enough from the border patrols,” I tell her. She didn't seem happy, but also didn't say no either. I quietly sneak down the hall walking to Mateo’s room before listening for movement. I can hear him snoring, so I know he is asleep.

“Let's go,” I tell her, as we creep down the stairs, making sure to avoid the third step that creaks sometimes when weight is put on it.

Walking through the house as quietly as possible, I go to the door leading out the back before stripping my shirt off, knowing Kora will carry it for me. I shift, the transition getting easier each time as I feel my muscles bunch before releasing, my bones snap, and my face morphs.

Kora shakes out her fur before stretching her claws and digging them into the earth, she grabs the shirt in her mouth and moves through the yard before stopping. We look at the house to ensure no lights had suddenly turned on.

None come on, so we dart toward the treeline.

In wolf form, it is so much quicker, Kora is lithe on her feet and fast, extremely fast when allowed to be let loose. Her paws barely make any sound on the dirt as she moves smoothly through the forest, weaving in between the trees. I feel like nothing can catch us, the moon shining between the leaves energizes us, and the longer we are outside the stronger we seem to be getting.

When we reach the river, Kora stops, dropping my shirt while having a drink. The moon shines down on us, and she shivers as she laps at the river's cool water. It feels as if the moon is smiling down at us and warming us.

Hearing a twig snap, Kora lifts her head and looks up just in time to see my mother step out of the trees. She too has brought a shirt with her and I can tell it is one of my father’s by the fact it says ‘dad is the best’ on the front.

“She is magnificent,” my mother whispers, looking at Kora. Mom points to the moon and we follow her finger and look up. “The more you're under it, the more you glow. Your mother used to glow so bright just like the moon, and her wolf’s eyes reminded me of the stars, just like yours do.” She makes her way over. “Your wolf is just like hers. You probably feel stronger too on a full moon, no one will be able to outrun you, no one will be able to catch you. The moon is like a battery source, a never ending life force for you, that is why they call you a Lunar wolf."

My mother bends down in front of us, rubbing Kora’s face. Kora purrs, rubbing her face in her hands and my mother leans down, kissing her furry head. “You will protect her when I no longer can,” my mother whispers. She stands and I shift back before retrieving the shirt and slipping it on. Turning around, my mother hugs me before pulling me toward the river. She sits on the grass and I sit beside her.

“Did you find dad?” I ask and she nods, running her fingers through her long hair, before laying on her back staring up at the sky, I lay beside her.

“Yes, he is staying at his colleagues place for the night, said we can talk tomorrow,” she says, and I grip her hand, she squeezes mine in return. “I knew one day everything would come out, knew one day he would turn his back on me,” she sighs.

I don’t say anything, instead just let her talk, let her get it off her chest.

“I did love her Kat, she was my sister and my best friend. Just my jealousy was stronger. I never wanted her to die, but once I saw her hurt, I panicked. I knew your father would hate me so I covered it up,” she whispers the end part.

She turns her head to look at me, and I smile sadly, unsure of what to say.

“There is something I need to tell you, Kat, but please remember I wasn’t in the right mindframe when I agreed.”

I pull away from her before sitting up and looking down at her. Her words instantly have me on edge. She sits up, draping her arms over her bent knees and stares at the water.

“Jackson helped cover it up on the promise I gave you to him. I had no intentions of giving you to him though. I honestly didn’t think he was serious, but when you came of age, he told me he was going to tell the pack he was banishing you so your father wouldn’t know, then he was planning to lock you away. I told your father we needed to leave before he could banish you, and well, obviously, we came with you. I had to make sure we got you away, so I asked your mate, knowing it was the one pack Jackson feared. I told your father I asked the others because he was worried about coming here. I knew this was the safest place, Jackson fears Ezra because—”

“Because of his wolf,” I answer for her and she gives me a sharp look.

“You know, he told you?” She asks, and I nod my head.

“Yes, he told me, and I have dealt with his wolf a few times. He isn't so bad,” I tell her and she seems to think.

“Stay with your mate, Kat. He can protect you. Jackson won't give up. He needs you, not only because of his daughter but Darian asked to have you. When we left, I got a text message saying he wouldn’t keep you prisoner, that Darian agreed to mate you, so you could be free. I knew that was a lie though. You would never be free from him, Kat, especially if Darian gets his paws on you.” I nod, thinking of the vile Alpha’s son. He is a cruel and an arrogant asshole. I nod, leaning back against her.

“Ezra needs the scrolls, mom,” I tell her and she squeezes my shoulder.

“If I had them, I would give them to him, but after your shift, I panicked and destroyed them. I knew if your father actually read them, he would know I lied about there being a curse on childbirth. I should have come clean, but I was scared about losing him, you are gone now and he is all I have left,” she whimpers.

“You destroyed them?” I stare at her. Shit, Ezra is not going to like that.

“I’m sorry, Kat, I know I have been a terrible mother lately. Fear makes you do stupid things sometimes,” she explains, hanging her head. She is right. Everyone reacts differently when scared of something.

“Dad mentioned before our fight that you had a discussion about going into heat?” She chuckles, changing the subject.

“Yeah, what is up with him being around for the awkward talks? I swear he enjoys embarrassing me,” I groan and she laughs.

“Yeah, I think he does, Pumpkin,” she snickers and I nudge her with my elbow.

“Dad said you never went into heat. Is that why you couldn’t have kids?”

“Yes, I don’t produce pheromones or have ovaries. I have most of the parts just not the important ones, being a twin to a Lunar wolf cost me a lot of things Kat, one of them being able to have children, I was a very sickly baby my dad said, spent months in the hospital after I was born from issues surrounding the birth." She notices my silence and shrugs and nudges me, “Isn’t so bad, I feel bad for you. Every few months having to go through that.”

“For the rest of my life?” I ask with a wince.

“No, only till he knocks you up.

“Great, unless I get pregnant I have to suffer,” I grumble and she laughs.

We sit and talk for a bit and I know I have to get back before Ezra notices me gone. I shift and she follows me to the treeline out the back of the house, watching to make sure I get home alright. I climb the stairs on the back verandah.

I wave to her, telling her she can go. She ducks her head before darting off into the trees while I sneak back inside the house. Creeping up the stairs, I am relieved, they're both still asleep and no one noticed me sneak out.

“We reek of her scent,” Kora warns me, and I sniff my shirt. I go to the bathroom on the bottom level before stripping off and showering, tossing my shirt in the basket for Marge to wash. I shower quickly before wrapping myself in a towel and heading back to bed.