Beyond Beta's Rejection

Elias

“Oh my goddess, Elias?” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My sister rushed towards me and threw herself at me. I pulled her into a hug and she began crying. She was all skin and bones and looked tired but it was my sister. I recognised her scent immediately. But how could it be? It had been over fifteen years since she was taken, not to mention that we saw her body. We buried her. But she was right here, in my arms. I pulled her away slightly to look at her. Her blue eyes, almost identical to my own, sparkled with tears as they streamed down her face.

“Lily?” I asked, “Is it really you?” She grinned and nodded.

“Yes baby brother, it’s me,” she said. “Oh my goddess, I thought I would never see you again.” She buried her frail body into mine again and I took in her scent. I felt tears slipping down my own cheeks. I had so many questions, but right now I was just happy that my sister was here, in my arms.

“Erm, Elias?” I looked up to see Harper inching nearer to us. She looked apprehensive, so I smiled to put her at ease.

“Lily,” I said to my sister, and she looked up at me. “Lily, I want you to meet Harper, my mate.” A look crossed her face, probably confusion, but then she smiled and turned to Harper.

“We’ve met,” Harper said with a smile, “sort of.” She reached her hand out, and I felt Lily flinch back into me, before she straightened out.

“You’re the angel, right?” she asked “I heard your name a lot over the years. You are quite the boogeyman to those men.” I saw Harper’s eyes widen, and she looked up at me before forcing a smile on her face.

“Well, I’m no angel and I’m certainly not anything to be afraid of,” she said reassuringly.

“No, I can see that,” Lily said a little sharply, then she turned to me.

“You’re her mate?” she asked. “I thought her mate was one of the demon ones.”

“Yes,” I nodded to her and her eyes widened a little, “Lily, I’m a demon b***d, but it’s complicated.” She stepped back from me with the look of fear on her face. She shook her head.

“No Elias. They are evil, you can’t be evil,” she stuttered. I smiled, hoping to reassure her.

“I promise, Lily,” I said, holding my hands out in front of me. “I’m not evil. I promise I will explain everything.” She looked like she was going to say something when I heard struggling from behind me.

“YOU b***h!” I looked around to see Damien struggling with the guards. He was glaring at my sister and trying to get free. “You tricked me you f*****g b***h,” he yelled. I looked at Lily in surprise and saw the look of fear on her face.

“Oh my goddess,” she cried, “Please, no don’t hurt me again.” I turned on Damien, a growl ripping from my throat. He hurt my sister? I stepped forward just as he broke free from the guards and rushed at Lily. But before I got another step forward, I heard another louder growl and something pushed past me and barrelled straight into Damien. I rushed forward to see Marcus repeatedly punching Damien in the face. I tried to grab him but he threw me off and continued his assault.

“Marcus,” Harper called as she rushed forward to help. Tommy and Alex also joined us as between us we pried him away from a now unconscious and bloodied Damien.

“Marcus,” Harper snapped as he snarled at us to let him go. “Marcus, listen to me.” Harper closed her fist and punched him in the face. He snarled at her but then stopped with a look of shock on his face.

“He hurt her,” he snarled.

“I know,” Harper said, “But we can’t kill him, not yet. It could hurt Louise and the baby.” Harper’s words seemed to get through to Marcus and the fury drained from his eyes. He looked back towards Louise who was cradling Lily as she sobbed.

“Marcus, go see to your mate, she’s terrified” Harper said, and I looked at Marcus in shock. Mate? What? I felt like I had missed some vital information here. I watched as Marcus immediately turned his attention on Lily and rushed over to her. He quickly swooped her into his arms and cradled her against him. She began sobbing louder as she clung to him.

“Don’t worry Marcus,” Louise said as she handed Lily over,” Damien’s days are numbered, I’ll kill the bastard myself once this one is born.” she rubbed her stomach and smiled at Marcus and Lily.

Harper turned to the guards who were standing by Damien.

“Take him to the cells,” she said, and they nodded. “Make sure you put him in one next to our other guest.” I inclined my head and Harper smiled. Why would she want Colton and Damien next to each other?

“The cells have been rigged with audio,” she said. “If they talk, we’ll know what they say.” She winked at me and I grinned.

“Good girl,” I said as I pulled her into my arms and kissed her forehead. She snuggled into me before looking up at me.

“Hopefully it will work,” she said and then snuggled back into me. I felt as she pushed her weight on me and the tiredness through the bond. It had been all full on for the last couple of days and it was starting to catch up to her.

“You should rest,” I said, and she hummed against my chest. Her eyes were closed, and she was already falling asleep.

I looked over to see my sister cradled in Marcus’ arms. She had stopped crying and seemed content as he stroked her hair. Harper looked up at me and smiled.

“So yeah,” she said, “Marcus found his fated mate.” I looked over again.

“And it’s my sister,” I said. Harper nodded. Then it hit me, “Of course, fire” I said and Harper looked confused. “Marcus said he could smell fire,” I grinned, “That’s Lily’s scent. Wow, he could scent his mate from so far away. It must be a strong connection between them.” I smiled at the couple. I couldn’t think of anyone better for my sister, I knew Marcus would look after her and protect her with his life.

Of course, ten minutes ago my sister was dead. Or at least I thought she was. Harper looked over like she sensed my thoughts and nodded.

“I think we need answers,” she said. She nodded at Tommy who looked around at the five girls standing to one side.

“Why don’t we all go inside, Tommy said, “And then we can talk. Doctor Roberts is on his way to check out Louise-”

“I don’t need checking out, I’m fine,” Louise interrupted and Tommy threw her a frustrated look.

“He’s checking you out,” he said, his Alpha tone coming through. Louise just rolled her eyes and headed into the pack house. Harper chuckled as we headed in after her. Alex was herding the five girls in, but they were resistant until they saw Lily walk in.

Tommy took everyone to the third floor living room, and we all settled down. It wasn’t long before Doctor Roberts came in. Harper’s mum, Alice Chambers and Caroline Stokes came in with food and started fussing over the girls. I tried to hold on as long as possible but I had too many questions.

“Lily?” I asked my sister. Caroline looked over at my sister with a strange look on her face. I couldn’t quite decipher it, but Lily seemed to look uncomfortable. She glanced over at me and forced a smile on her face.

“Where have you been all these years?” I asked, and she shrugged. A sad look crossed her face.

“I’ve been with the Circle,” she said. “I spent the first five or so years locked up in some dungeon they had, but then they decided I was worth something. I was told I would be put to work.”

“Put to work?” Harper asked and Lily nodded.

“They have me on the journey when they have the girls. I was told to keep them calm and amenable,” she said. “If I didn’t, then I would be the one that was punished, so they didn’t hurt the product.” The last part was hissed and Marcus growled.

“I’ll f*****g kill them all,” he growled and Lily smiled at him.

“From what I saw, you already did,” she said and Harper shook her head.

“I highly doubt that we got them all,” she said.

“How would you know? You don’t know what I have been through,” Lily said with a sharp tone. I could tell that Harper seemed taken aback.

“I didn’t mean any disrespect,” she said. “I just meant that the skin trade is a high value one for The Circle, I find it odd that there wasn’t more protection on you all.” Lily sighed and placed her head in her hands.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I am just feeling so drained right now. I have just wanted this nightmare to be over for so long.” She turned to Marcus with tears in her eyes. “I know you all have more questions, but I am so tired. Can we talk more later?” Marcus nodded and then looked at me.

“I think the girls could do with resting too, then we can find out what packs they are from,” he said. I nodded and looked over at Tommy.

“I don’t want to assume,” I said, but he nodded.

“No, of course they can rest here. I will find my father and explain what has happened and we will get the Council onto everything.” He turned to the girls, who still looked terrified. “You are all safe and welcome here. Please rest up and we will contact your families as soon as we can.”

Marcus stood up and scooped Lily into his arms. She clung to him like he was her lifeline.

“I’m going to take Lily to my room,” he said, and I smiled. I watched as he walked out of the room. Slowly everyone filtered out of the room, until there was just Harper, myself and Caroline in. Caroline kept looking towards the door where everyone had gone.

“Are you okay?” Harper asked her, and she smiled brightly.

“Of course dear,” she said. “I just didn’t expect Lily to visit today.” She then headed out the room muttering to herself. I narrowed my eyes at the door and Harper sighed.

“What does she mean, visit today?” I asked and Harper shrugged.

“I don’t know, maybe she has got herself mixed up again,” she said. I nodded, the answer seemed reasonable but there was something niggling in the back of my head that told me there was more to her comment.