A/N: The vault Beta Jared was held in.
Tobago: The Crescent Wolf Pack
Beta Jared's POV (Surprise)
I awoke to complete darkness. I was cold. It took me a second to realize I was lying on the cold concrete floor, naked. I could hear the distance sounds of desperate howls and tortured screams. The smell of blood and burning flesh was in the air. I didn't have to look far for the source. Blindly touching where I felt the pain, part of my right leg had burns that were caused from sliver and it was still bleeding. A wound like this one is fatal to normal werewolves but to me, it'll just be difficult to walk for the next few hours. The stronger a wolf is the faster their body will fight off the sliver.
Focusing I felt the presence of four pack warriors close by.
'What the hell happened?' I mind linked them.
Before any of them could answer the sound of steel turning, shifting and unlocking one click at a time echoed around me. Then after the final click light slowly crept in growing stronger as two of the guards pushed what I now realized to be a vault door open.
'Wait what?'
Then it clicked the vault, the sliver, the screams and howls. I was in the dark room but not just any section. I was in the restricted area. As my thoughts raced I barely acknowledged the guards opening the cell and telling me what I already knew while tossing me some jeans. Quickly slipping them on, I walked out as quickly as my burnt leg would let me.
My quick strides surprised the warriors but they let me be, after all I was no longer a threat to the pack. However it didn't do my wound well as it started bleeding more prominently leaving a trail of blood behind me but it didn't matter. For the first time in my life I lost control and my wolf took over. I don't remember what happened but one thing was for sure, Alice. I need to know she is safe. I need to confirm her well being with my own eyes. To make it worst, since I woke up I could feel an emptiness in my heart right where Alice's presence should be. Following her scent I prayed to god Alpha didn't finally get his way.
Even though I choose Britney it wasn't always like that. There was a time when all I could see was my true mate. Turning sixteen I realized Alice was mine but she was only twelve at the time and she wouldn't be able to recognize me till another four years so I waited patiently watching over her and while I never hurt her I never stopped others from doing it either. I would always have to deal with my angry wolf afterwards but that was the sacrifice I had to make so that the Alpha wouldn't find out that I, his Beta was the mate of his runt. It worked, until Alice turned sixteen.
When Alpha found out he tried to kill her, it was also when he realized he couldn't unless he wanted to also lose his Beta. It was then he had me make Britney my substitute mate. Watching Alice get hurt all the time killed my wolf. I on the other hand grew indifferent. I guess over time I began to understand Alpha's point of view. I was a Beta and she a runt, it made no sense for us to even be mates. I started to accept Britney more and more all the while ignoring my wolf but I could never forget Alice. Her presence was always there in my heart. However right now that same space was empty and despite it being what I had wished for it doesn't feel as I thought it would. Instead it hurts and I'm nervous, afraid even. I can't think about anything but her safety and for the first time in a long time I agreed with my wolf.
With those thoughts I limped outside and into the garden. Walking pass a couple flower beds and along a flagstone path I finally reached my mate. Sitting on a garden beach eating chocolate pudding not her favorite but a close call, she loves everything chocolate. As she ate another spoonful a soft smile grew on her face, at first I thought it was because she sensed me. I was about to step out of hiding from behind a tree but stopped when she spooned another mouthful. I quickly realized she didn't know I was here. Even though she was practically human the mate bond between us was just as strong as any other. She should have felt me by now, or is she ignoring me? Why?
The last thing I remembered was watching her sit on the docks by herself. I was taking a run when I picked up her scent. My wolf over powered me since in that form we had equal power. He sat us down from afar admiring our mate but when he tried approaching her I drew the line. That was the closest I would allow us to be. As soon as I sensed Britney I took back control and shifted into my human form. It was too dangerous for me to be around her in wolf form since I knew my wolf would try to hurt her. We have been together many times before but this time was different. My wolf was angrier than usual. It must have been because he was interrupted from his true mate by my mate. I was fighting him but I could feel my claws coming out, my eyes were golden however I was still in control but then just like that, I lost. The last thing I remember was a blinding pain in my heart right were Alice's presence should be. However Alice is fine, she is just sitting there smiling at her chocolate when I just recovered from shifting into my lycan form.
Something wasn't right. She should have been right outside that vault door waiting, worrying instead she seems to have not a care in the world. The fact had arisen a perplexed feeling inside me, I shouldn't care but I did. Damn my wolf is influencing me too much. I just need to talk to her then I'll see how worried she was about me. I thought as I limped out of my hiding spot and right in front her line of vision catching her off guard as she looked up at me in shock.
"Hi" I greeted her.
"Hi" she responded softly staring at her pudding.
"Listen I'm not sure what happened but-" before I could explain myself she raised her hand signalling me to stop, well that's different normal she never interrupts me or any other pack member for that matter. Then putting her pudding aside she spoke.
"I'm fine and not just about that one incident but with everything." She spoke coolly.
"Okay... I think. Wait what did happen? If I took on my lycan form that means your life was in danger but you seem fine." I questioned in a lighter tone unconsciously taking a few more steps to come right in front her. Standing so close to her I can feel the emptiness I woke up with dull into a light pulse.
"Like I said, I'm fine. Nothing happened." She spoke yet again staring at me intently, it was like she was trying to tell me something with her eyes, something she didn't want to say out loud.
"Oh good, my wolf came on time to save you." I spoke relived that she was completely fine however it felt weird, why was I so relieved?
"No you didn't." She spoke flatly. She seem a bit annoyed now, surely I wasn't the cause, was I?
Now I was a bit worried as my eyes scanned her over yet again to make sure she was okay.
"Alex saved me and before you ask, she stopped your lycan from hurting anyone too." She said with a hint of admiration.
Wow I guess that's the power of a royal. I breathed another sigh of relief knowing she was indeed fine, even though I felt like crap. Glancing down I realized I was creating a pool of blood under me but the bleeding was easing up. Alice too following my action looked down but instead of being concerned or worried she just took a step back so that the blood wouldn't get on her.
"You should go to the doctor Alpha wouldn't like it if you leave blood stains everywhere." She spoke looking at my wound indifferently before turning to leave.
I was so shocked by her behavior I didn't realize she was leaving. It hurt that she didn't care, a lot more than it should. With every step she took away from me the pain came back more and more until it felt like an empty hole, like a part of me was missing. I didn't even realize what I was doing until I felt the warm shocks of the mate bond and her sweet scent around me.
I closed the few steps she took away from me and wrapped her into a tight hug. Being almost human she didn't hear me until it was too late. Unlike that time on the beach, this time she struggled. Pushing and fighting for me to let go. At first I didn't realize as I was too busy enjoying the feeling of having her in my arms and the fact that the emptiness I felt before had disappeared completely. Having her like this felt right.
Only when she bit my shoulder with all her strength did I realize she was trying to get out of my embrace but it felt like a kitten at play. Pulling back but not letting go I can see an annoyed look on her face, she didn't like this one bit but why? I'm her mate she should feel happy in my arms. Her eyes glimpsed in relief at something behind me and before I know it I was pulled off her and thrown across the garden hitting a tree then sliding to the ground.
I was still in a daze so I wasn't sure when I glimpsed red eyes in front of me. Just as quickly, they turned black and I wasn't sure anymore if I did see right. I needed that throw to wake me up. What was I doing hugging the runt. Get a grip! Don't let your wolf control you.
Standing up I dusted off myself to face the Royal who now seemed less angry. She must have noticed my change in attitude. She then turned and called Alice over.
"Did you tell him?" she questioned sternly.
"Well I tried, I don't think he understood." Alice spoke timidly staring at the ground.
Unconsciously a soft growl erupted from within me. I didn't like the royal being that strict with Alice. It went unacknowledged as the royal continued to stare Alice down.
"Okay maybe I didn't explain anything to him. I just don't know what to say okay." Alice confessed. Is she talking about me what does she need to explain?
"Are you still unclear about what you feel for him?" The royal questioned.
"No, I know what I want now. I just don't know how to explain it." Alice spoke while taking a glimpse at me. So they were talking about me more than just that but Alice's feelings for me. I was actually a little curious, what does she think of me?
"Then tell him what you want. You don't need any big explanations. Just say what you need to." The royal said as she took a few steps to the side so Alice could speak to me face to face.
Taking a few steps towards me Alice spoke.
"I saw what you were doing in the woods with Britney." She spoke matter of fact, it didn't seem to bother her but I however felt a small amount of shame erupt within me. She saw us.
"At first it hurt but now it doesn't. I came to realize you were right in choosing Britney, I wasn't enough. I am too weak. Something happened and now I'm fine. It doesn't hurt anymore. You can't hurt me anymore. I can now accept you and Britney being mates. I think you guys would be good together. I will also try to find my own happiness. I hope your mate can make you happy." She finished with a soft smile.
It was something I wanted her to say all along or at least I thought I did. Somehow it doesn't feel right. In fact it felt wrong, very wrong. That pain within my chest intensified with her each word but what really hurt was when she referred to Britney as my mate. I didn't understand why suddenly it hurt so much. Since I fully accepted Britney I never felt this much pain, why now? Is it because Alice is finally letting me go? My eyes turned golden as the howls of my wolf echoed inside my head, he was heartbroken as he retreated to the depths of my mind.
Just then Alpha came outside with Britney beside him. The royal then turned to him.
"You heard everything right. Let Britney take her mate inside." She spoke calmly while all three of us stood with slacked jaws shocked that the royal was acknowledging Britney as my mate. Blinking twice Alpha gently pushed Britney towards me just as I heard the royal tell Alice they need to talk in private.
As Britney wrapped my arm around her shoulder it felt different. The touch of her skin wasn't as soft or as warm as Alice's. She didn't smell as nice either. Swallowing those useless thoughts I wrapped my arm around my mate's waist and finally took a good look at her. She was smiling, looks like she was happy the royal was letting her be the Beta female but why didn't I feel as happy as her? Damn wolf always pushing his feelings on me.
. . . .
Emma POV
After much careful thought I finally came up with the right test for my mate to prove he accepts humans. Some might think the test was too extreme but it is what needs to be done in order to tell if he truly embraced his nature.
In werewolf society twins share a soul and hence have the same mate. They are a rare occurrence because about 80% of the time the stronger fetus will consume all of their weaker twin's supernatural powers. When this occurs one twin will be born with power almost equal to a Beta and the other will most likely die or if they are strong enough they survive to be born human. It was extremely rare for werewolf twins to be born of equal power. Hence the reason why there were not many werewolf twins.
Using this to my advantage I had come up with a plan. Alex was my werewolf alias. Everyone from the supernatural knew that name. Emma however was only known and used by those I trusted fully, my friends and my family who were only just a hand full of people.
The plan is to appear in front of my mate as Emma, not a royal but as a human. No mask, no power, just myself. The human twin of the famous right hand of the council and his 'other' mate since twins share a mate. Sure I would have to lie but it was the ultimate test. If he can accept a human mate it truly meant he is good enough to be an Alpha but more importantly, to be my mate.
After the couple and the Alpha had left I placed a few spells right around us just for safety before I revealed my plan to Alice.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Alice asked shocked and worried.
"It must be done." I spoke solemnly.
"You don't know Alpha Jake like I do. The only reason he is so submissive with you right now is because you're powerful. You are much more than the dream mate he always wanted." Her voice grows soft as tears fill her eyes, right before she started pleading to me.
"He will kill a human you just so that he wouldn't have to be bound to a human." She whispered as her tears rolled down her cheeks.
"It's a risk I have to take." I spoke soberly as I hugged her to ease her crying before continuing.
"We both know he can't kill me, so you don't have to worry about that. He is my mate and I will give him the benefit of the doubt. I really hope he passes this test because if he fails life as you know it will change. The Crescent Wolf Pack will gain a new Alpha."
. . . .