Not just the Beta (Oriana and Slade) novel Chapter 137

Ana

She could no longer justify hiding from Slade and his unit. Not if Londyn was Yuri’s Mate, she couldn’t keep them separated from each other; it wasn’t right. She didn’t mind keeping herself apart from them, but not Londyn. Her life had been hard and coming into what she was; a complete nightmare.

Having a Mate and one that Ana knew was actually a nice person, would be good for Londyn. Yuri had done nothing to her. She had seen how annoyed he and Palmer had looked up there on those steps that day, and Palmer had tried to tell her they’d not known. She’d just not been in the right frame of mind to listen to any of them that day.

Londyn was already attracted to him, and Ana knew she was going to lose her sister to that pack. A part of her already knew that if Londyn went, so would Zara. Their bond was so very strong. That just left Maddie, and it was now entirely possible that Maddie would wind up mated into that Alpha Unit as well.

Once again, she foresaw herself being alone. She was going to lose everything to that pack. She stood in her room and looked down at Ocean sleeping in her bed, and wondered what she had done to deserve all this. Why did that pack have to take everything from her?

Would she also lose her daughter to Slade as well? She didn’t want that, it had been seven and a half years. He’d never known about her child, and was now going to find out, and likely very soon. Her happy, peaceful life was starting to fall apart. Only this time she didn’t think running away was the answer.

She liked her life here, was well settled or had been until the last full moon, and Peirce had screwed her over in the worst way. She sighed and reached down to brush her hand through Ocean’s hair. She didn’t really know what she was going to do. The world of wolves was starting to invade her life once more.

Her beautiful girl had not said anything much over the past week, but the curiosity of being house-bound with her mother shone through at times. Ocean may only be seven, but she understood what was going on around her. That her mother had left her home long ago, not told her father about her, and now they were holed up inside the house with wolves roaming about.

It was likely Ocean had already realised what was going on, pretty bloody obvious considering Maddie, Zara and Londyn were all still out there, and it was just the two of them not leaving the house, and she was asked to be quiet at times.

She likely understood that it was her own father, and his unit, that were here in town searching for her mother. She was going to have to sit her down and tell her some of the truth. Ocean had liked Peirce and his daughters but hadn’t been fazed by them breaking up either. A simple statement of ‘he’s not your Mate.’ Had come from her daughter was all.

Ana wasn’t even mad about it anymore, didn’t like it, couldn’t understand it, or why he’d done that to her, hurt her like that, but she had also let it go completely. She had other more pressing problems, bigger concerns than Peirce and his cheating ways.

Though she’d heard now that his ex-wife had left him pretty much right away as well. Ana, though, had thought it was karma at the time of hearing it. Now realised, it was what the woman had likely always wanted to do to him. Break them up, and then hurt him.

A cruel woman she was, she didn’t want her ex-husband to be happy, even though they were divorced and she’d been the one to ruin their marriage in the first place. The man had been seduced by the thought of his family being back together, and then he’d been screwed over the minute Ana had found out and ended their relationship.

She didn’t understand some people, not humans, not wolves.

Sleep wasn’t coming to her tonight. She headed for the living area and found Maddie out there sitting with a cup of tea. “Can’t sleep.” Ana asked her.

“No more than you can.” Maddie replied. “I’ll make you tea.”

“No, I can get it,” Ana stated. She came back with her tea a few minutes later and sat down next to Maddie. “Things are about to change.” She murmured.

Maddie nodded, then sighed “I’ve got to tell you something.”

“Okay.”

“I looked into Slade and your home-pack the other night when you were sleeping.” she sighed heavily this time, “Just trying to find out what we were likely to be up against.”

Ana nodded. It didn’t really surprise her that much. “What did you find?” she asked simply.

Maddie sipped her tea and then looked at her. “Your brother is in the pack cells, has been there for years, from all I found been there since the day Vance was brought in and instated as Slade’s Beta. Something went down inside that pack, that made your own brother attack the future heir.”

Ana was staring at her now, curious as to what had happened, but she said nothing. What was there to say? It wasn’t her concern. “Anything else?” she asked with a shrug.

“None of them have been home in five and a half years, out searching everywhere, all over the country…for you, I believe.”

That made Ana frown, “Why do you think that?”

“They’ve got flights registered to all the places you were known to model…have been based from what I can tell, out of Boston, all flights go back to Boston. That’s where you landed right, when you left?”

“It is.” Ana nodded.

“I think Ana, they’ve been searching for you all this time,” Maddie told her, then sighed once more. “He’s not going away, Ana… he’s also not marked and mated. I’ve not seen his neck, wearing winter clothing to blend in, but I smell no venom in him. That would indicate him having a Mate, or a previous one even

“No, he was a good friend growing up. He also tried to tell me, he and Yuri didn’t know what was going to happen that day.”

“Do you believe that?” Maddie asked.

“I don’t know. I would suggest you ask him yourself, if he turns out to be your mate. Maybe have Zara right there to feel him out.” She shrugged.

Maddie snorted now, seems that amused her and her mood lifted in a single second. “Gamma verses Gamma, that could be interesting.”

“Hmm, considering Zara’s opinions on Gammas, and how she believes the Goddess made the females. more powerful, and can charm both men and women… I also doubt, coming from that pack, Palmer would think Zara would have any effect on him at all.”

“An interesting battle of wills,” Maddie nodded. “I might just do that. Who do you think will win?”

“Zara…she’s got the upper hand and, being a rogue for so long, her instincts are keen. She also actively uses her charm all the time. I’d be willing to bet Palmer only uses his when it’s necessary.” Ana stated, He’s 25 and Zara is 24, so basically using it for the same amount of time. But I’d be willing to bet she has way more experience in the use of it, to get what she wants. He’s unlikely to think she’ll affect him either.”

Maddie nodded. “What are your concerns right at this minute, Ana?” she asked.

Ana leaned back in the lounge, “I don’t know, to be honest. The only thing I do know is I have to sit down and talk to Ocean, tell her what’s actually going on.” Ana sighed.

“I think that’s a good idea too. But she already suspects what’s going on, I think.” Maddie nodded.

“I think that too. Why I need to tell her. Because he’s going to turn up here and knock on that door at some point.”

“Agreed, though not likely until he understands if myself, Zara and Londyn are witches or wolves. One doesn’t go messing with witches without magical retaliation. Which could well be in the form of a curse on his wolf, his unit or his entire pack. Yuri would have felt how unusual the land the house sits on is, it doesn’t feel wolfen, but definitely otherworldly. He would have picked up on that right away.”

“Mm, only likely recognise it if they’ve ever set foot in a fox pack before.” Ana nodded.

“I don’t think he’s picked it up, what it is,” Maddie commented. “Likely they are still debating about it, hence why they haven’t come knocking on the door yet tonight.” She nodded.