2: The Beta’s Burden

HARPER

“Harper!” My sister’s voice rang out, halting me in my tracks. Her tone was cheerful, and it coaxed a smile onto my face. Grace and I were as close as two siblings could be. She was my family, my pack, and I couldn’t have asked for a better sister.

But, her constant meddling in my personal life was a price I had to pay for our closeness. She was always nudging me to find a decent she-wolf and settle down. I won’t lie, the idea was appealing.

The dream of having a mate, kids, a family of my own with a woman I could love and trust completely was something I yearned for. But, given the circumstances, it seemed like a far-fetched dream. Being the beta to Axel, the most ruthless alpha around, didn’t leave me with much free time for dating.

I had seen Axel do some pretty intense stuff, overcome impossible odds, and take what he wanted. I was his right-hand man, so trusting others was a challenge, knowing what I knew, and how others perceived me. I craved the dream, and my wolf enjoyed companionship.

But, it would settle for no one but its true mate. I had resigned myself to the fact that I might never find her. But, as it turned out, I was wrong. I had found her. In a vampire.

“Why are you up and about so early?” I asked Grace as she bounced up to me, grinning.

She motioned for me to keep walking, so I did. We were on our way to Axel and Layla’s place. Layla was Axel’s perfect match. She didn’t take any of his alpha nonsense. She was a true luna, and I respected her.

Initially, when Axel practically abducted Layla from the hospital we were robbing, I thought it was a foolish move. But, it worked out, and Layla was slowly changing Axel. He was still fierce, still a jerk at times, but the way he looked at Layla, the way he thought twice before making decisions, showed his transformation.

Grace’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Hey, are you even listening to me?” she asked, nudging my arm.

“Layla was feeling a bit uneasy this morning. She thought she was having contractions. She’s close to her due date. I was coming over to check on her, and if you two were heading out to Red, I was going to offer to stay with her,” Grace explained.

I frowned. Grace was deeply involved with the pack births and even those of other species. She was passionate about helping those with hybrid children. Layla supported her and helped her research and fund projects for medical care. But, with Layla heavily pregnant, she was taking a step back.

“If she’s close and there’s concern, we can change our plans,” I suggested.

Grace smiled and lightly bumped my arm. I looked down at her, raising an eyebrow. She was grinning. We both had the same hazel eyes, but my hair was a dark chocolate brown, while hers was a much lighter shade.

“You’re such a softie, Harper. If only they knew,” Grace teased.

“I’d have to kill them,” I retorted.

She laughed, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Well, I don’t think we need to postpone anything just yet. Let’s see how she’s doing first. We really need this treaty with Red to be solid. We can’t afford to have all the territories around us gang up,” Grace said, sighing.

We both sidestepped a large puddle on the ground. The rain had just stopped, but the sky was still a threatening gray, hinting at more rain to come.

“We do need it,” I agreed, sighing.

Grace was silent for a moment, and I could feel her mood shift.

“Have you talked to Axel about her yet, Harper?” Grace’s question made me wince internally. She had caught me looking at Sierra’s picture and assumed I was seeing someone. When I finally told her who Sierra was and the complications involved, she was taken aback. But then she said we’d figure it out, she’d help.

She didn’t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. Sierra wasn’t just some random vampire I could kidnap without anyone noticing.

“No. He has enough on his plate. Besides, what can he do? Nothing. Just let me handle it, Grace. I don’t need you complicating things,” I told her sternly as we approached Axel and Layla’s house.

Grace laughed.

“Me? Harper, you’d be lost without me. We’re a team, remember? Maybe I’m not the strongest physically, but I’ll fight where and when I can. Especially for you. And who knows, maybe she doesn’t even want to be there? You haven’t even talked to her,” Grace accused.

I let out a sigh.

“This time, Grace, there’s no easy solution. It’s not a simple situation. I’m handling it,” I said firmly.

Grace’s smile faded, and I saw the fire in her eyes, the hidden warrior within her.

“You’re not handling it!” Grace snapped, surprising me with her sharp tone. “I can tell you’re not sleeping. I see you lost in your own world, especially at the hospital when you think no one is watching. I see it, Harper. I’m worried about you. Do you know what happens to our kind when we deny a true mate? It can drive us to become our animals and hunt down what is ours. It has happened before, and if you keep suppressing your feelings, it’s going to happen to you. I won’t let you be at the mercy of vampires if that happens. Omega or not, I will do something. I will fight for you, with you, but damn it, don’t make me fight against you,” Grace said harshly.

I met her gaze and knew she meant every word. She was my true family, and I was lucky to have her in my life, even if she was annoying at times.

“Grace, once we secure this treaty, I’ll be able to handle it better. Trust me, all right?” I told her as we stopped at the door.

We stared at each other for a moment, her eyes seeing more than I wanted to reveal. She turned toward the door, mumbling something. Before we could knock or try to open it, the door was flung open, and there stood Axel.

Axel’s commanding aura was something I’d grown accustomed to, so much so that his forceful push didn’t even faze me. He was an alpha, and so was I, in my own way. Being an alpha wasn’t just about leading a pack, it was also about your personality. I was content to follow Axel, to be his beta. He was stronger, and I respected him.

Grace, too, was unfazed by Axel’s demeanor.

Axel’s face was set in a hard expression, one I recognized all too well. It was the look he wore when something was bothering him, when he was ready to lash out at the world for no apparent reason. I had a hunch he was worried about Layla.

This was uncharted territory for Axel, a man who had trained himself not to care too much in the past.

“Finally, did you take a leisurely stroll around the block first?” Axel’s voice was sharp with irritation.

I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow as I met his gaze. Grace pursed her lips, and Axel glanced at her before grumbling and turning away. We both knew that was his version of an apology, and he knew my look was a warning to keep his temper in check.

I wasn’t even late, and Grace had only just been called. Hell, I wasn’t even here for the Layla situation, but I was ready to help now.

“Axel, don’t you dare start yelling at anyone. Please, just don’t.” Layla’s voice floated out as we entered the house and shut the door behind us.

Grace quickly headed toward the living room, where Layla’s voice had come from. I followed her. We were both healers, and so was Layla, but it’s not always easy to heal yourself.

Axel had moved to sit on a chair next to the couch where Layla was reclining. She looked exhausted, but otherwise okay.

“I brought a few things. If you want to go to the hospital and use their equipment, we can. I think that might be a smarter move,” Grace suggested with a smile.

“That’s exactly what I said,” Axel grumbled, earning a look from Layla.

“I want to be checked first. I don’t need the whole pack gossiping and crowding the hospital. I can’t stand how wolves are. It’ll just stress me out more,” Layla insisted.

I knew Layla didn’t like being the center of attention. If the twins were coming early, news would spread like wildfire. Are you kidding me? Axel was the alpha, and Layla was his true mate. They were practically celebrities in the wolf world, and in many other places too.

I knew Axel was secretly worried about someone trying to harm her or their children. Layla would be a prime target for anyone wanting to get to Axel.

“Well, let’s see. Since Harper is here, he can check too. How does that sound?” Grace suggested, placing a hand on Layla’s stomach.

I didn’t mind checking. I knew it would put Axel at ease. He trusted us, and I was sure it would help Layla too. She closed her eyes and shifted slightly.

“I think I’m really close. I don’t think it’s going to be two more weeks,” Layla confessed.

Grace was silent as she examined Layla. She pulled out a stethoscope to listen, moving it around before listening to Layla’s heart and breathing. I stepped forward, giving Axel a small smile.

“So, you’re not going to bite my head off if I check her, right?” I joked.

Axel’s gaze slowly met mine. I saw Layla smile at my words. She was used to our banter by now. We were more like family than colleagues.

“Sometimes, Harper, I just want to punch you in the face. Just check her,” Axel retorted.

I laughed, and both women seemed amused. It said a lot that Axel would let me check Layla. There was a reason Grace had been chosen as Layla’s primary caregiver. Axel didn’t trust anyone else, and he didn’t want another man touching her.

As primitive as it was, he just couldn’t bear the thought of another man touching Layla so intimately.

“No water break though?” Grace asked.

Layla shook her head. I was just feeling her stomach. This was a first for me. I’d never helped deliver a baby before. Grace and a few others at the hospital had. We also had several midwives in the territory who specialized in different species and their births.

Grace oversaw them, and they answered to her. It helped ensure they were following standard practices. Most species were very similar, with only the duration of pregnancy and a few other variables differing.

“No, but it felt like cramping. I have this dull ache in my lower back right now. I feel sore,” Layla admitted.

I could feel a shift in her energy, and the babies’ energy was different from the last time I’d touched her. If I were a betting man, I’d bet she was going to go into labor really soon. Grace continued her examination, asking a few more questions.

“I know you said that your water hasn’t broken yet, but I’d like to check if you’re dilating at all,” Grace said.

Layla shifted a bit, and I stepped back. This was something I could step out for. Axel looked as stoic as ever, but he reached over to touch Layla.

“While she checks, Harper and I need to talk,” Axel said.

Layla nodded, and I moved to go out into the main hall. I saw Axel lean in to lightly kiss her temple. Layla smiled, but she still looked tired. I noticed how she gripped his arm, and they seemed to share a private moment.

Axel followed me out of the room, and I felt a pang of jealousy. I wanted what they had. I envied Axel for having found his true mate. He was one lucky bastard.

“I think she’s going to have them soon. It feels like she might. Could be hours, could be a day. But the energy says it’s close,” I commented.

Axel nodded, rubbing a hand down his face. He let out a sigh, then rubbed his forehead.

“We really need this meeting. They’ve been dragging their feet, and I’m worried that Red will side with the River Coven or the South territory. That wouldn’t be good for us. Not that we can’t handle it, but we’d have to move quickly to form alliances with the fae to the east and the two other packs west of us. Otherwise, a large section of our border will be with enemies. We’re still struggling to get the North completely under control. At least the mountain range offers some protection,” Axel said, glancing back toward the living room and the soft talking.

“I know. But you shouldn’t leave her. It’s a day’s drive to the Red Coven’s center. We can do this later. They do want to make a deal with you, they’re just not making it easy. They’ll wait if we ask,” I told him.

Axel was silent for a moment. I was sure their leader wanted our mutual agreement over others. Axel was a powerful leader, and everyone knew it. Crossing him would put a lot of other places on edge.

“Staying here with her is the only option, even if it’s a false alarm. I can’t bear the thought of not being by her side. I’ve promised her I’d be here, and I want to be,” Axel confessed.

His eyes were weary, but there was something else there—something profound. His gaze met mine, the depth of his nearly black eyes contrasting with my hazel ones.

This was a different Axel than the one I’d known years ago.

“Harper, I never thought someone could affect me this much. I need to be there for the birth, to ensure she gets the rest and healing she needs. If anything goes wrong, if anything happens to Layla, I’ll lose it. I’ll completely lose it,” Axel admitted. His vulnerability was telling.

“You know I respect you, right? You don’t need to justify anything. You should be with her. I’d think less of you if you left her to deal with this alone,” I said.

“She’s worth more than you anyway. She’d probably be better off without you,” I added, watching as a crooked smile tugged at Axel’s lips.

“Asshole,” Axel retorted. I knew the dark humor would help distract him from his worries.

“So, what’s the plan? Do you want me to make the call? I can handle everything,” I offered.

Axel glanced back toward the living room, then back at me. “What if I asked you to go in my place, to negotiate? I trust you to make the right decisions. If Adis has a problem with me not being there, then maybe I’ll just start taking matters into my own hands. I’m getting tired of playing nice,” Axel declared. His trust in me was flattering, but the responsibility of negotiating a treaty without him was daunting.

“Are you sure? I don’t know…,” I began.

“Harper, shut the fuck up and just do your job. You already handle half of my responsibilities and know what I want. If anything happened to me, you’d be second-in-command. So, do you want the promotion or not?” Axel challenged.

We both turned our attention to the living room as Layla let out a soft groan. Axel was ready to rush to her side.

“Of course, I’ll do it if that’s what you want,” I agreed, just as Grace called for us. We both sprang into action.

“Good, then it’s settled. Just let me know who you want to accompany you. And don’t worry—if they try anything, I won’t hesitate to retaliate,” Axel assured me. His words brought a dark smile to my face.

It felt good to have this kind of brotherly bond with him. I’d do the same for him. As we reached Grace and Layla, Layla had managed to sit up.

Her shorts were slightly bunched up as she leaned forward, breathing heavily. She seemed to be in considerable pain, and Axel’s frown deepened as he felt it through their bond.

“She’s only dilated a couple of centimeters. I think we should head to the hospital to monitor her. We’re short-staffed and it’s early, so we can get there before the news breaks,” Grace suggested.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the media still lurked, ready to spill the beans on those in power.

“I’ll get the car,” I said, turning to leave as Axel helped Layla to her feet.

Layla let out a small whimper, and Axel wrapped an arm around her for support. Grace was right there with them. I glanced back to see Layla clutching her stomach.

“I think my water just broke,” Layla announced. Her shorts were soaked, and fluid was trickling down her legs. I didn’t need to see any more.

I knew where the keys were. I was already in the garage, starting the car and opening the garage door. I opened the car doors just as Axel carried Layla out.

She protested about being carried, but it was half-hearted. I suspected she was relieved not to have to walk. Once they were settled in the car, Grace hopped into the front passenger seat and turned to check on Layla.

“Good thing we came over, huh?” Grace said with a small smile.

Layla just nodded, breathing heavily. I’d never seen anyone in labor before.

She seemed to be handling it well, but it made me nervous. How did women’s bodies cope with this? I had nothing but respect for them, and for those who chose not to have children.

This was no small feat. Looking at Axel’s face, I wondered who would handle this better.

“We’ll enter through the north side. They should have a few rooms ready there.”

“It’ll be easier to keep the paparazzi at bay,” I suggested.

Axel nodded in agreement. Layla let out a slow breath, the pain seemingly subsiding for the moment.

I hoped for her sake that the labor wouldn’t be too long or difficult. And for Axel’s sake, I hoped he could handle a screaming Layla. I would have laughed at the thought if I didn’t know how intense he could get.