Beta's Lover

Chapter- Twelve

ALISTAIR

I stood there, watching her walk away unable to understand the situation. I don't think I had said something to offend her. What if I did?

Running a hand through my hair, i turned around to go back to my house not knowing how to handle the situation. I wanted to go to her and talk it out but I was afraid it might seem to her that I was forcing myself on her.

"What happened?" Jazmine asked forehead creased as her eyes followed past me towards Mackenzie. Arthur came to stand beside her with hands in his pocket.

"Uh, nothing. She wanted to be alone," Hands in my pocket, I shrugged my shoulders, nonchalantly.

But I was anxious internally.

"Alright. You going home?" She questioned, eyes looking back at me.

"Yes. Goodnight, Bye," I answered and slightly slapped the back of Arthur and he responded with a nod of his head.

On my way to my home, I kept thinking trying to figure out what caused her to be angry with me.

Maybe it's the teasing? But if she was annoyed, she would have said something... right?

Blowing air out of my mouth in frustration, I transformed into my wolf and decided to get over with my work first. I had to patrol the allotted area of the pack today which involves the borderline as well. So with her still lingering in my mind, I ran through the forest and started observing the area for any sign of trouble or any intruders. During my patrolling, I realized I never told anyone about finding my mate- Mackenzie. My wolf shared the same happiness as me at the thought of announcing my mate to my friends and the pack. Letting everyone know, that I found her rather late but I did. A growl escaped my mouth with my claws deep in the ground as I remembered their insults. But the anger soon vanished as my wolf reminded us of our mate- her blue eyes looking at me with curiosity and annoyance. Smiling to myself, I shake my wolf head and focus back on my job.

"Beta. We found one of the civilian women walking into the woods," Austin's voice rang in my head, making me go slow on my paws but my eyes remained focused as I looked around the area continuing on my work.

"Which woman?" I questioned, unbothered by the information.

"Uh Beta, I don't know her name. But she is the taller one and she is going deeper into the forest. I am going after her," As soon as he completed the sentence. I came to a skid stop and felt a growl escape my throat.

My mate.

"Tell me the location. And you come to patrol my side of the area, I will look after my mate," I couldn't help but be possessive about her so I let him know about us.

"Oh. Congratulations Beta! She is heading towards Lyra Lake,"

I was already running in the direction of the lake.

"Keep this a secret and arrange clothes for me nearby," I ordered him before focusing on my mate.

What had happened for her to come out of bed in this hour of the night?

Did she miss someone back home? Or Is she going to escape!!??

All kinds of scenarios ran in my mind but at the last thought, I felt a pang of hurt in my chest. My wolf felt angry and upset over the situation. But I calmed us down knowing we have to be careful with her. She doesn't know anything about us and it would only complicate things if we showed her our real self now. As I neared the lake, I slowed my pace and transformed before locating the clothes and her simultaneously. I wanted to walk over to her in my wolf form to bring her any sort of comfort but unfortunately, I can't. My wolf was large enough for her to get her scared at first glance. Quietly and without making any noise, I changed into the clothes and watched her clearing the bench to sit on. Running a hand through my messy hair, I leaned against the nearest tree at a few distance from her and observed her with arms crossed over my chest.

Her short black hair danced with the wind but she didn't care about it as she kept looking forward and for a minute I did too to see what she was staring at. But I found nothing except the darkness of the wild, which made me frown.

Wasn't she scared alone? What is keeping her from sleeping in peace?

When I was lost in my thoughts with my eyes on her, suddenly she stood up alerting me as well. I took a few steps forward, muscle twitching with anticipation, claws already out, and eyes furiously looking around for any danger but saw nothing. Confused with her reaction, I looked back at her to find her hands shaking making my eyes go wide with surprise. She seemed to be looking for something or someone despite anyone's presence except me. But I was sure she couldn't feel I was there near her. Worried and anxious, I decided to break my silence and come out of the shadows after withdrawing my claws.

"Mackenzie?" I kept my voice low and gentle so as not to scare her.

Her head whipped towards where I stood, blue eyes open wide and mouth open slightly. Her look of desperation and hope morphed into disappointment and hurt, which left me confused as hell.

"Are you okay?" Closing the gap between us, I questioned her.

She sighed and sat back on the bench. I looked at her hunched-down figure and couldn't help but lightly caress her head and quickly withdrew my hand. The simplest of touches seemed to be a lot for me. I felt my heart beat fast and my wolf was howling in happiness to touch her mate. She didn't respond to my touch but just sat there with eyes cast down. Licking my lips as I gulped down the desire to touch her skin and feel her against me. I sat down at the other end of the bench, giving space to her as much as possible, and glanced at her but then turned my face forward.

I didn't want to invade her privacy but I had no choice now, I didn't want to leave her when she was all alone. So the least I could do was not to observe her and just be there for her. We sat in silence for a while, I had so many questions pop up in my head but I couldn't ask her now. We were not that close and more importantly, she wasn't comfortable with me opening up about herself, yet. After some time, I was shooing away the mosquitoes with my hand when I heard her take a deep breath and felt her eyes on me.

Did I annoy her again?

Feeling guilty, I slowly turned my face toward her to find her looking at me with no expression. It made me frown and scratch the back of my head.

"Ah sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your alone time, I happened to stumble here and found you in distress so I approached you" I explained before she got more upset. Blue eyes searching mine for an answer that I don't know of.

"It's fine," she murmured, facing forward into the darkness.

"Are you okay?" I questioned her, hoping she would be honest with me for once.

"Yes," her one-word answer resonated sincerity so it was enough for me.

Nodding my head with a smile on my lips, I leaned back on the bench.

"Do you like sitting under the starry night with no thoughts in your head?" I asked her, curious about her.

"Yes. It's peaceful," her voice mumbled softly.

Sneaking a glance at her, i found her in a relaxed posture which hugely relieved me. Making my inside fill with happiness.

I was able to bring some comfort to my mate.

"Did I offend you earlier? You seemed upset and left without listening to what I had to say to you," I never knew that I was capable of speaking gently. My hands pressed down on my knees as I gauged her reaction now. Maybe I might get my answer from her expressions if not from her response. I had to ask her before the frustration and curiosity ate me away at night.

"I am sorry about that. I- I just had a lot going on and with the situation earlier I was confused about what to do. I didn't want to offend anyone but it felt like I was. I wanted to make sure-" My eyes were focused on her all the time as I listened to her with all ears. She seemed to be finally opening up to me but she stopped abruptly and blinked her eyes as if she was in a daze and looked back at me, frowning, I raised my eyebrows to which she looked down at her hands. She was fidgeting with the ends of her sleeves.

"I am not upset at you or anyone. I don't feel comfortable around strangers," she said, closing the statement there. It felt like she closed off herself again.

From the past few days, I had gotten to know, that she is a closed-off person with a lot of secrets hidden behind her cold facade but deep down I knew. Don't ask me how. I just knew she had a soft spot for the people she cared about. So now that's what she was doing, closing herself with me. There were several walls between us, that I needed to break to reach down to her heart. But for that to happen, I have to be patient with her.

After all, I was no one to her. I was just a stranger to her.

Heck. Even saying that stings.

I only hummed in response but kept my eyes on her for a while before I looked away.

I guess I will be busy now.

I have to make her feel comfortable with us. I have to make her mine.

"We should head back," She muttered, standing up from the bench, and dusting herself.

Nodding, I started walking behind her with my hands stuffed in the pants. My eyes focused on her back, as I thought of things to do to bring her closer to me. After a while, we saw the building where she was staying come into view.

"Thank you," she turned back, her blue eyes held some emotion but before I could point it out, she started walking away.

"My pleasure, dear," I responded, as she approached the door. Opening the door, she entered without sparing me a glance.

Cruel.

"I will surely make you mine, my dear," I smirked, kicking the pebble with my feet as I looked back at the building. Picturing her beautiful face again.

Another sleepless night.

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