Beyond Beta's Rejection

Harper

I must have been exhausted after everything over the last few days. Elias and I got back to our room, and I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. If I dreamed then I didn’t remember it. I could tell that it was almost afternoon by the time I woke up alone in bed. I stretched and felt Elias’ side and it was cold. Had he even come to bed? I looked around the room, but it was very much empty. With a sigh, I crawled out of bed and headed into the bathroom for a shower. My worries over Elias were getting worse. He seemed to be acting more strange as time went on.

I had showered and dressed and was just getting ready for the day when Elias walked into the room. I smiled at him but he headed straight into the bathroom and closed the door without a word. He came out five minutes later and came over to me.

“Morning beautiful,” he said, and I smiled as he kissed my forehead.

“Where have you been?” I asked and a strange look crossed his face.

“Just out for a walk,” he said dismissively, before changing the subject. “I bumped into Tommy on the way in. He wants us to meet in his office as soon as we can.”

“Okay sure,” I said, “I’m ready anytime.” Elias nodded and took my hand and we left the room and headed down to Tommy’s office.

We could already hear shouting before we got to the door. I looked at Elias and rolled my eyes as Samual’s voice was loud and clear through the door. He chuckled and opened the door. Samual turned and glared at Elias.

“It is customary to knock before entering the Alpha’s office,” he snapped.

“Well, technically it is his office,” Tommy snapped back and Samual turned back on him.

“Yes, so I heard. I am not happy about that,” he said and Tommy sighed and sat down in the chair behind the desk.

“You have made yourself abundantly clear, and repeatedly,” he said and Elias growled low in his throat. I squeezed his hand but could feel his dominance seeping through the bond.

“Feel free to challenge me for it, old man,” he growled at Samual. Samuel growled in response and I shook my head and sat down on the sofa.

“When you have both done measuring each other’s d***s,” I said and Tommy snorted a laugh before trying to hide it with a cough. Elias frowned and shook his head. He came to sit down and looked at Tommy.

“I plan to give you the pack,” he said and Tommy nodded.

“I know,” he said and then glared at Samual, “As I have told my father, I want to sort out the bond between Louise and Damien first. So I can claim my mate and the pack’s Luna.”

“I don’t see why you have to wait,” Samuel huffed and Tommy sighed.

“Because my main concern is my mate, and my child,” he replied sharply.

“If it even is your child,” Samuel muttered under his breath and Tommy growled.

“You know she is,” he said, “And you know how I know.”

“All I was asking is how did that scrote Damien think that the child was his?” Samual asked and I shrugged.

“We could just ask him,” I said. “Isn’t that what we are here for? To figure out what to do with Damien.” Tommy nodded and smiled at me.

“In part, yes,” he said. “I was just trying to arrange for the safe return of the captive girls to their packs.” He looked at Samual pointedly, “Apparently without the help of the Council.” I stared at Samual in shock.

“Seriously?” I asked, “Are you kidding me?” He shrugged and sat down in one of the chairs.

“I don’t see how it is of the Council’s concern,” he said and I had to stop my jaw from dropping.

“It is the concern of the Council, because it is our job.” I looked over at the new voice by the door and saw Drake standing in the entrance.

“I didn’t know if you even worked for the Council anymore?” Samual snipped. Drake laughed as he walked into the office.

“I rather think the Council needs my input more than ever right now, don’t you, guardian?” he said and Samual growled under his breath.

“Yes… Well…” he stuttered, and I grinned at Drake.

Drake turned my way and smiled. Elias growled, and I squeezed his hand. All this male testosterone was beginning to give me a headache.

“I have spoken with Brighid this morning,” Drake said. “I have updated her on what has occurred, and she is making plans to come to the pack so that we can get this seal fixed.” I nodded and smiled. It would be nice to get this dealt with and finished.

“We will need to initiate the young witch into the Order officially first,” Drake carried on, “But I have been speaking with her and she seems to be coming to terms with her experience to date.”

“I should spend some more time with her,” I said. “Maybe I could give her some training with her blade.”

“Yes, I think that would be good for her,” Drake said with a nod, “I would include young Mr Alex in the training too.”

“Any reason why?” I asked, and he smiled.

“He seems to have taken a shine to the young lady,” Drake said, “And with his Gamma ranking and his mother’s connection within the Order, I think he could be a fine Warrior for the Order.” Wow, how much had I missed? I felt guilty for not spending time with Brianna, but I wanted to change that.

“Fine,” I said with a smile, “I’ll see if they are both available later today.”

“Splendid,” Drake said.

“I think before you run off to do that,” Samual said, “We should be dealing with the matter at hand.”

“Which is?” I asked. Tommy sighed, and I glanced over to see him rubbing his eyes.

“The demon bloods on the border have increased significantly,” he said. “They seem to be moving into some sort of formation.” He looked at me and Elias. “I am starting to get really concerned about their numbers.”

“I can have some more men come from the other packs,” Elias said. He was technically Alpha of eight different packs. We had visited each one in the last six months and they were all thriving. I even saw Donna Tobbins in one of the packs and she had found her fated mate and was very happy.

“That will help,” Tommy said. “I think we will need to see what information Chambers has as well.” Elias stiffened slightly beside me but then nodded.

“I would be happy to work him over,” he said and Tommy looked concerned.

“Actually, maybe Harper could take a shot,” he said and then looked apologetic at Elias. “I think that after this morning Damien might not be as co-operative with you. Plus, I need him alive until Louise has the baby.” I narrowed my eyes at Elias.

“You went to see Damien?” I asked, and he shook his head, although he seemed anxious and wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“I erm…” he said and Tommy nodded his head.

“I get it man, I really do,” he said, “I want nothing more than to see that d**k disappear too, but I would rather you didn’t destroy the audio equipment while beating him.” My eyes widened and Elias looked uncomfortable.

“Elias?” I asked, and he shrugged.

“Maybe I went a tad overboard,” he said with a nervous laugh. I looked at Tommy and nodded.

“I will go with Elias and see what Damien has to say, if anything,” I said. I knew that Elias wouldn’t want me going on my own and this way I could keep and eye on him and use the mate bond to keep him calm, hopefully. Tommy nodded and smiled.

“Thanks Harper,” he said. “Also, I know you are busy but would you drop in on Louise? She isn’t doing so well and I think a friend would help.” I nodded and smiled.

“Of course I will, I’ll grab Katie and we can go and see her later on today,” I said, and he smiled his thanks.

“There is one more matter to address,” Samual said. Tommy g*****d, and I looked at Samual expectantly.

“No now dad, I told you to drop it,” Tommy said, rubbing his eyes again.

“What?” I asked and Samual looked at Elias.

“It’s your sister,” he said and Elias straightened up a little.

“What about my sister?” he asked sharply.

“I think we should be cautious with her,” Samual said and Elias growled. “All I am saying is that she has been with the Circle for fifteen years, it is only reasonable to be concerned.”

“I actually agree,” Drake said, “I am not saying anything will come of it, but I think maybe you should spend some time with her, Elias. I am sure that such a time as a captive could be highly traumatic. It is worth seeing how her mind is at the very least.” Elias nodded but I could tell he wasn’t happy about people being suspicious of his sister.

“Ok I will talk to her,” he said.

“Great,” Tommy said. “I will set up sleeping quarters for the additional warriors and hopefully we can get everything back to normal sooner than later.” I grinned at him.

“Worried about the big due date?” I asked, and he grimaced.

“She is due any day and I don’t feel prepared in the slightest,” he said and I smiled.

“Don’t worry,” I said. Although I wasn’t so sure myself. I mean what else could go wrong?