Beta Xavier Costa.

Eleanor Amato - POV

“I am sorry that you should hear this from me.” Marquez apologized, but I didn't say anything. My eyes burned, and before I knew it, tears started flowing down my cheeks and formed dark patches on the purple dress that I was wearing.

I thought after crying myself to sleep last night, I wouldn't have left any more tears to shed, but how wrong I was. I averted my glance and looked down at my fingers, unable to face Marquez right now. He must think I am weak.

I heard the chair scrape on the floor before I felt his warm hand on my shoulder, where he lightly squeezed it. “The moment I saw you last night, I knew that you are not like her.”

“I guess Xavier thinks otherwise,” I mumbled, still not looking up.

“He will have to come around. But you should show him who you are, Eleanor.” Marquez encouraged, and even though it sounded like a good idea, I was not so sure about it. I have no idea what went wrong with his first chance mate that made him hate the concept of a mate, so what if I do the same thing?

“I think I will figure it out,” I said, and when I looked up, I saw a smile on his face.

“You are a strong wolf. I know you will figure it out.”

“Where is Xavier? I didn't see him in the morning.” I asked Marquez, and he briefly glanced at the clock before he focused back at me.

“Since it's nine right now, he must be in his office. Usually, he starts his training at five in the morning, and he comes back home and freshens up before going to the pack house to have his breakfast and then continues his beta duties.” Marquez listed out his morning routine, and I nodded my head, making sure to keep it in mind.

I got up from my place, and this made Marquez step aside. “I know he didn't accept me as his mate, but I am still the beta female of this pack, right?” I asked Marquez, and he nodded his head. “So, what are my duties here?” this made a genuine smile appear on his face.

“I thought you might take a few days to come out of the shock you were in, but looks like you are tougher than I thought.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked him with a frown on my face.

“Sam wanted me to go and check on you this morning. But since you are already ready to get down to business, I guess we might have to just go and meet him.” Marquez said, and I nodded my head.

“What are we waiting for? Let's go.” I said and started walking out of the kitchen.

“Wait! you haven't even eaten anything.” Marquez pointed out, but I shook my head.

“I am not hungry,” I said before I walked out of there. Thanks to last night, I still remember my way to the pack house, and when we arrived, I waited till Marquez came before we walked into the house. He led me through the same hallway I took yesterday before we stopped in front of the same door that my mate walked out of last night.

“This is Alpha Derek’s office,” Marquez said before he knocked on the door. A couple of minutes later, we heard a light come in, so Marquez pushed the door and entered.

“Marquez, there is a rogue…” Alpha Derek stopped midway when he finally raised his head and realized that Marquez wasn't alone. “Eleanor?” he asked, sounding shocked before he looked at Marquez again.

“Alpha Derek, it's nice to officially meet you,” I said and slightly bowed my head in respect.

“I am happy to meet you too, Eleanor,” he said and remained quiet again. A tense silence enveloped the room, and I knew that he wanted to ask me about my mate's situation.

“You don't have to walk on eggshells around me, Alpha Derek. Xavier has made it pretty clear that he does not want me.” I spoke and looked out through the window behind his desk. “And I have come to accept my fate,” I whispered.

“I am so sorry that this happened to you, Eleanor. I tried talking some sense into him, but he was too adamant not to listen to me.” Alpha Derek said, but I shook my head.

“It's all right. Anyway, I came to speak to you about my beta Female duties.” I asserted, and he nodded his head before he gestured for the chairs in front of him.

“Please take a seat both of you.” He said, and Marquez and I walked towards the chairs and took our seats. “I guess Xavier must have told you that the reason he agreed to keep you around was because we are trying to form alliances with other packs.”

“I am aware of that, Alpha Derek.”

“Well, if we want people to believe that you two are really a couple then I guess you might have to get more involved with the pack. My pack does things a little differently. The beta female role is quite important, and I hope you take your job seriously too.” Alpha Derek asked, and I nodded my head.

“As long as I am here, I will make sure I do my job to the best of my ability, Alpha Derek.”

“Great, so I have already allocated your office in the pack house. Your duty is to have meetings with all the newly mated werewolves in this pack and help them arrange their mating ceremonies. Also, you might have to help them find houses.”

“Sure, I can do that,” I said, and Alpha Derek nodded his head.

“Do you know how to fight?” he asked me, and I nodded my head. Even though I am not an expert like the warrior, I can pretty much hold a fight of my own. “Great, you will have to be on patrol duties either with the beta or the gamma, and finally, you will have to help out at the pack hospital at the maternity section.” Alpha Derek listed out, and I nodded my head.

I guess all of that can be done.