His Plump Mate (Book 1: The 'His' Series) novel Chapter 545

Aric POV

After the cleanup, I went to my room to shower. My mind is reeling. I looked at the back of my leg. I looked at the mark I always thought was my birthmark. It turns out, it’s the hunter's mark. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. No one has seen it, because I’m usually in pants, and after shifting, I put on sweatpants.

Even if someone has seen it, I don’t think they would know it’s a hunter’s mark either. I wash the blood and grime off me, but I stay under the hot water. Everything I thought I knew about my life has crumbled in the past month.

Paul didn’t kill Iris. I thought I didn’t have any more family, then I found Sinclair and discovered we are half-siblings, not full-siblings. The man I thought was my father wasn’t, and his family didn’t take Iris and me back then because of me. I’m a half-breed. As a beta, that can’t be good news for me.

I’ve worked hard to make a name for myself, and now that may get stripped from me. I don’t think Isaiah is that kind of an Alpha, but I’m still getting to know him. He hasn’t been in the pack long, and he might see me as a threat. I don’t even understand how I had a wolf, and my sisters didn’t. They were full-blooded wolves. I’m the half-breed.

I turned off the shower, dried off, and got dressed. I’m moving slower than I should, and I know part of it is exhaustion. We lost warriors today. Even though they were traitors, it shows the pack has been significantly impacted. We are going to be hard-pressed for recruits now.

I make my way downstairs and head towards the dining hall. Once I opened the door, the room went quiet. Everyone else is now weary of me. Isaiah came up to me and clapped my shoulder.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m about as good as I can be considering the shit I just found out,” I replied.

“This pack is aware that you are the beta, and I’m not demoting you or kicking you out of this pack. I want to say that upfront so you don’t have to wonder, okay?”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

“Come on, let’s get you some food.”

We walked towards the table, and I saw Sinclair sitting there. I put my hand on her shoulder, and she looks at me. Marks are on her neck.

“Who did that to you?” I asked threateningly.

Sinclair smiled. “It’s nothing, brother. Sit and eat.”

“It’s not nothing. Someone put their hands on you, Sinclair. Tell me who did it.”

Isaiah clapped my shoulder. “It was a misunderstanding between Adrian and Sinclair. Adrian apologized to Sinclair, and the entire room really. My dad went to talk to him outside.”

Adrian did this?

“Why?”

“He saw me and wanted to know where Ronan was. His anger was misdirected, Aric. I handled it, and I forgave him. Amber is in a coma. It’s bad. He wasn’t thinking straight. Come eat,” my sister said as if this were a normal day.

Well, it’s not a normal fucking day. We were almost massacred today. We had traitors, revelations, three huge ass bonfires, and if not for Blackstone, then Ironclaw would cease to exist. Now someone has the nerve to put his hands on my sister? Fuck no!

At that moment, the dining hall doors open, and I see Adrian and Austin. I’m fucking furious. Before I could stop myself, I lunged at Adrian and punched him in the face.

“HOW DARE YOU HARM MY SISTER!?” I screamed.

Adrian didn’t fight back. Austin, Aiden, and Isaiah are all holding me, though.

“Let me get some ointment for you at least,” Adrian said.

“Mali will have me healed in a little while, Adrian. Stop overcompensating. Sit down and eat. You need to get back to Amber.”

He sighed again as his eyes lost their light. He just nodded and sat down as the omegas brought him food. After that, the rest of dinner was unremarkable. That was until I heard some whispering about me.

“I hope the Alpha is sure about Beta Aric.”

“What if he decides to turn?”

“He’s a good beta. I agree with Alpha.”

“But this whole event could have awakened something inside of him.”

“Over a fight? That would have happened ages ago if that was all it took.”

“Was it the final straw?”

“You guys are worrying for nothing. I trust our beta.”

It warmed my heart to know that there are people defending me. It also saddens me that there are people who don’t. I stood up and addressed everyone.

“Everyone, I have something I’d like to say,” I began. “I know you are nervous. I wasn’t aware my father was a hunter until today. But that doesn’t change who I am. I’m still Beta Aric. I’m still loyal to this pack and our alpha. I’m always trying to come to terms with this revelation. I’ve been there for all of you. Be there for me now.”