Beyond Beta's Rejection

Harper

I stared at him for a moment. I didn’t know what to say. He kept eye contact the whole time.

“Would you prefer to speak to the other one?” he asked in an amused tone.

“Erm, yes,” I said, although I knew I sounded uncertain, even to me. The demon chuckled but then nodded his head and I watched as his eyes bled back to the golden hazel of Colton’s eyes. His smile looked a little nervous but hopeful.

“I thought you might believe it if you heard it directly from him,” he said.

“I don’t understand,” I said, “How can he no longer be his master? I thought the demon b***d was connected to the horseman it came from?” Colton nodded.

“We are,” he said, “It’s not just the demon itself, it’s every part of us. But something happened that meant that we could, if given the choice, renounce our master and follow another.”

“And that is?” I asked, the frustration growing. Colton’s smile widened.

“The rise of another, more powerful master,” he said, “One that is closer to our master’s master.”

“So there is another player in town,” I said out loud, although I was musing more to myself. I looked at Colton, “And this other, more powerful master? They are dangerous?” Colton grinned and nodded.

“To some, yes,” he said, “But for some of us, this is a chance to be something more than a vessel for the tainted b***d.”

“Is this person related to why you say Elias is dangerous?” I asked and Colton frowned. He looked thoughtful for a bit but then nodded slowly.

“You know, kind of,” he said. I sighed in frustration. I could tell he was being purposely vague, and it was beginning to annoy me.

“So this danger is the one you are warning me about?” I asked and Colton shook his head.

“Nope,” he said, and I growled again.

“Colton!” I exclaimed, and he sighed.

“Your mate is a danger to you,” he said again, and I glared at him. “It would be best that you kept away from him. If you complete the bond with him, then everything is lost.”

“Complete the bond?” I asked, the frustration coming back, “Colton are you f*****g with me? You know Elias and I have already completed the bond. I swear to the goddess that if this is just some jealous attempt to f**k with our relationship, I will be the one to beat you.”

“I really like this version of Harper,” Colton said with a chuckle. “I do miss my sweet little strawberries, but this one is feisty.” I rolled my eyes and turned around to leave.

“Screw this, I’m done,” I said.

“He’s acting strangely, isn’t he?” Colton asked, and I froze. “Is he forgetting things that have happened? Or Losing time?” I turned back and faced him. He nodded his head with a grim smile.

“I guessed he was gaining more control when he redecorated the cell next door with Damien the other day,” he said. “But I already knew that he was here. When you and your mate came to my cell. I saw him in his eyes.” I shook my head.

“What?” I asked. I was starting to get a really bad feeling.

“Does he talk about his demon?” he asked and I nodded.

“Yeah,” I said

“Has he told you that his friend feels different recently?” he asked, and I nodded slowly.

“You know why, don’t you?” I took a step back and shook my head. I didn’t like where this was going. Colton tilted his head to one side with a curious look.

“Have you spoken to his demon recently?” he asked. I felt a cold shiver run through my body. “Did he feel different to you?” Colton stepped close. He was watching me like he was searching for something.

“Harper, you know what I am trying to tell you, don’t you?” he said, and I shook my head. No, I didn’t believe it. I wouldn’t believe it. I suddenly felt like I needed air, like I couldn’t breathe. It had been so long since I had suffered a panic attack. But here I was, almost gasping for air. Colton was by my side in a second and he snatched my wrist up. I yelped as he clasped my hand and began to run the circles on the back, between my thumb and finger. I could feel my mind trying to shut down against what Colton was telling me.

“What the f**k,” I heard Tommy’s voice as my own personal hell rushed through my ears. “Get your hands off her, now.” I could feel the sensation from Colton as he brought me back from the panic attack. Then his touch disappeared, and I heard a crash. My eyes unblurred and Tommy was standing in front of me with a look of concern on his face.

“Harper, are you ok?” he asked, and I nodded my head quickly. I looked behind him to see Colton on the floor against the wall, rubbing his head. He glared up at Tommy’s back.

“You didn’t have to throw him across the room,” I said and Tommy grunted. “He was trying to help.”

“Tommy?” We both froze at the voice from the next cell. “Tommy, please I need to talk to you.” Tommy growled as Damien pleaded in the next cell. I could see his wolf appear behind his eyes and I reached out to try to calm him down.

“Don’t let him get to you,” I said as Tommy continued to growl under his throat.

“Tommy, please,” Damien called. “It’s about Louise.” Tommy snarled and ripped past me out of the cell.

“Don’t you dare say her name you piece of s**t,” he snarled. I heard the beeps from the keypad.

“No, you don’t understand, it’s about Lily,” Damien said seconds before I heard a crash next door. I blew out a breath, ready to remind Tommy that he couldn’t kill the weasel yet when Colton looked up at me in shock.

“Lily?” he said, and I stopped.

“Yeah, what about her?” I asked as another crash sounded next door.

“If Lily is here, then you need to listen,” Colton said, sounding worried. “Seriously Harper, if she is involved then it’s worse than I thought.” I narrowed my eyes at him but another crash and a yelp of pain pulled my attention.

I ran out of the cell and called for Greg. I ran into the other cell just as Tommy was throwing Damien across the room again.

“Tommy!” I exclaimed. He swung round and growled at me. I glared back at him.

“Stop for goddess sake,” I said and his wolf retreated from his eyes. I ran to Damien to check that he was still conscious. He was, although he was covered in b***d. Part of me was starting to feel sorry for the bastard. Greg came running into the room, but stopped in his tracks when he saw that the danger was his own Alpha.

“Erm…” he said, and I shook my head with a grin.

“Help me get him to the bed,” I said and Tommy growled. “Oh be quiet,” I snapped at him. “If you can’t control yourself, then go sit in the other room and wait.” I could feel his glare on my back as Greg and I got Damien onto the small cell cot. He laid back on the bed and thanked me. I shook my head and got a drink from the small sink. I handed it to him and he took a small sip and winced. Finally he looked up at Tommy.

“I know I deserved that,” he croaked, “And more. But I promise I was misled.” I quirked my head and looked between Damien and Tommy.

“Misled?” I asked, “What do you mean?”

“The whole thing,” he said. “Right from when your guy took over as Alpha. I ran to the Circle for help, and they said they would deal with it. But then Nathaniel turned up, and all hell kicked off.” he coughed up a little b***d and I looked up at Greg.

“Get Doctor Roberts down here,” I said and his eyes glazed over.

“I’m fine, honestly,” Damien said, and I rolled my eyes.

“I’m not taking any chances,” I replied, “But don’t worry, it’s not for you. If you die, then it could harm my best friend and her child.”

“That is what I was trying to tell you,” Damien said, “About the child.” Tommy growled at the mention of his unborn pup.

“She is my child,” he growled, and I turned and glared at him.

“I know that now,” Damien said with a nod. “But I was led to believe that the baby was mine. I was told that I had to fight for my child.” Tommy growled again, and Damien held out a defensive hand.

“Please, I’m trying to explain. I was told that because she wanted me to overreact. She wanted to get you here,” Damien said to me, “She knew that if your best friend was in danger that you would come back to rescue her.”

“She?” I asked, “She, who?” Damien looked at me with sorrow in his eyes.

“Lily,” he said, “She wasn’t a captive of the Circle. She is a high-ranking member of the Circle.” My eyes widened in shock.

“What?” Tommy growled, “Are you sure?” Damien nodded. I looked up at Tommy and he met my eyes.

“Louise,” I said, and he nodded.

“I have to-” he started, but I shook my head.

“Just go,” I said, and he turned and ran out of the cell, just as Doctor Roberts came in. Doctor Roberts tutted at the sight of Damien and opened his bag.

“What about Louise?” Damien asked, and I narrowed my eyes at him. He sighed. “It might have been an arranged thing, and it might have been hell, but she was my wife for nine years, and is technically still my mate. I do care about her.” I tried to stop the low growl in my throat but I could tell from Damiens look of fear that I didn’t suppress it enough.

“Please,” he begged. “If Lily has any interest in Louise, then please keep her away. That woman is crazier than half the Circle members I have met.”

“She’s been trying to keep Louise away from people,” I said with a sigh, “Telling her that people are poisoning her food, and trying to steal the baby.” Damien shook his head.

“But why would they want to…” then he looked at me and nodded. “The baby is Tommy’s isn’t it. It’s one of you, a guardian?” I gave him a grim smile. The guy looked heartbroken, even if he was a d**k, I still felt the sadness rolling from him.

“Sort of,” I said, “We think she could be the next Divine Warrior.” Damien shook his head.

“That’s not possible, unless-” There was a cough at the door and I looked up to see Colton standing there. s**t, in my rush I had forgotten to lock his cell door again.

I jumped up and herded him back into his cell. He chuckled as I pushed him into the room.

“Don’t worry Strawberries,” he said, “I have nowhere else to go.” I closed the door and made sure it was locked and then called for Greg again.

“I need to check that Tommy and Louise are okay,” I said, “Can you watch Damien until the doc is finished and make sure he’s secure again?” Greg grinned and mock saluted me.

“Yes ma’am,” he said, and I rolled my eyes.

I made my way down the corridor and up in the elevator. I wanted to make sure that Louise was okay, but also needed to think about what Damien had just told me. I knew that part of me was trying to ignore Colton’s words about Elias as well. But one crisis at once I guess. I headed through the woods towards the pack house and was just about to come into the clearing when I saw movement by the house. I focused on the shadow and recognised Lily. She was looking around as she walked down the stairs of the pack house. I ducked down in the bushes and watched as she headed into the woods on the south side. Where the hell was she going at this time of night? Or morning, because I was sure that it was already pretty close to getting light. I sighed quietly to myself. There was only one way to find out, I thought as I followed her into the woods.