Chapter 165 My Beta
949words
I was relieved when I saw Beta Don heading my way. I had always preferred actual warrior work to the wine and dine life of an Alpha, and right then, I was more than ecstatic to switch places with my second in command. He nodded. "Alpha," he said under his breath. "What's wrong, Beta?" I demanded through gritted teeth. I saw the way his brows knitted together and the sheer nerves written across his face. He ran his hand through his hair and heaved a sigh. "We fucked up, Alpha. I'm not sure how it happened, but the borders are compromised. There are no tracks anywhere, but their scents are everywhere."
I couldn't hold back my frustration. We had known something was off earlier, so none of this hit me by surprise exactly. "Fuck," I said, and before I realized it, my fist was flying into the wall. Bad move, Alpha, I scolded myself internally as I stared at the hole now marking the wall. So much for remaining calm and collected under any circumstances, right? Pack members glared over at me, none willing to stare too long. Titus picked up on their lingering eyes, and he was furious. He wanted to get out to the borders and rip apart whoever had compromised them. Beta Don stood behind me as he continued, "It gets worse. The scent of one of our pack members is all over too—they must have assisted for the borders to become compromised."
I kept staring at the gaping hole in the wall. "Another inside job?" I asked, although I already knew the answer to my own question. Beta Don didn't respond, but I felt his gaze cast downward as he nodded slowly. I took a deep breath as my mind ran frantically—my pack might be in danger. "Evacuate the pack. Code red for all. Those willing to fight move toward the borders until further instructions. Women and children are to be escorted to safety. We've had enough blood on our hands lately," I instructed.
Within moments, I knew Beta Don had sent out the order. Shifters began to shift in the middle of the ballroom and make their way outside the packhouse, while others grew emotional and held onto their loved ones. They were right to say their goodbyes—you never knew when today could be your last. Not that I intended it to be anyone's last; this was my pack and my territory, which meant only one set of rules applied here: mine.
I tried to send out a mind link to Adeline, realizing I hadn't seen her or her friend since they had stepped out of the ballroom. When the mind link went radio silent, I couldn't help but start to panic. "Where the fuck is Adeline?" I questioned my warriors. Responses came one after another, with no one having seen Adeline since she entered the ballroom for Sophia's presentation. "Find the Luna—ensure her safety at all costs, men. We believe she could be carrying the future heir of Midnight Moon," I explained to them over the link. I hadn't wanted my pack to know until it was confirmed, but right now, I needed to find her and know she was safe. My potential pup wasn't even born yet, and I couldn't seem to keep either it or my mate safe. The warriors went silent on the mind link, but I heard distant mumbles. I could feel their excitement through the link, but it was laced with worry and fear. "Let those nerves carry you forward as you ensure your Luna and future Alpha are protected," I announced before turning to face Beta Don.
He stood before me dumbfounded as he stared through the crowd of shifters. He was frozen in place like a damn statue instead of a Beta ready to defend this pack. I watched as his teeth extended from his mouth and he pounced forward, a growl leaving his chest as he stampeded through the crowd. The crowd all stepped back, surrounding Beta Don in awe while gasps echoed through the room. "Mine," he said. His proclamation was followed by a voice all too familiar: "Mine." Sophia stepped toward Beta Don like she was stuck in a trance. My mind reeled as the realization hit me—how could I have been so stupid? My Beta was my sister's fated mate. The two of them glared at each other with such admiration and lust, a feeling I remembered too well. There wasn't a more raw and pure feeling than the one shifters experienced when they found their one true mate.
Beta Don's wolf became possessive over his mate, growling at everyone to step back while taking in a deep breath of Sophia's scent. I knew his wolf was memorizing her scent, a vital part of mating. I watched as the two of them melted into each other's embrace, cursing myself knowing how much harder it just became to strip the two of them away from each other in the midst of a potential attack. I let out a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess that I could convince them of the dangers ahead before I approached the two of them. They didn't seem bothered that I had just come near as they continued to glare at each other in adoration. "Beta..." I started.
Beta Don released a growl as his canines pierced further through his gums. His wolf saw me as a threat to his mate. "Stand down, boy," I demanded using my stern Alpha voice. Beta Don continued to stare at me a second longer, golden flakes flashing through his eyes until his wolf finally retreated. "S-sorry, Alpha," he stuttered out.
