The Beta's Salvation

TWELVE

SKY'S POV

Standing on the wrap-around porch, I gazed out at the rolling landscape, trying to take deep breaths. The vast expanse usually brought me comfort, but tonight, it felt like a bitter reminder of my isolation. The moon hung low and heavy, casting an eerie glow over the fields that seemed to stretch into infinity. How had my only remaining family turned out to be so cruel and twisted? Why had the moon goddess seen fit to give me a mate who seemed just as heartless? A cold breeze whispered through the tall grass, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt a deep pang of disappointment—things were turning out exactly as I had feared. I knew I shouldn't have let my guard down, even for a moment. I knew better than this; it was just like them to kick me when I was down.

As I stared into the distance, my eyes caught the flicker of lights and the distant hum of laughter. Narrowing my eyes, I smirked slightly, seeing some of the pack members heading into the woods. They were around my age, maybe a bit older, carrying beer, booze, games, and speakers slung over their shoulders. Their excitement and cheerfulness radiated even from a distance, and it sparked a tiny flame of rebellion within me. The woodland parties had always been my refuge, the one reason I'd stayed in the pack as long as I had. Watching them now, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, the night could still be salvaged.

"We always did like a good party," I mused to Evie, who was still silently sulking inside me. Her hurt mirrored my own—deep and raw. We had both hoped, foolishly, that Z would defy the odds, that our story could somehow have that fairy tale ending. But his agreement to ignore me, to cut me out, had shattered that fragile dream.

"You think it's a good idea?" she whispered, half to herself, half to me.

"Why not?" I replied, a hint of daring creeping into my voice. "Sitting here moping isn't going to change anything. Besides, maybe it's time we remind everyone who we really are.”

Evie stirred, a flicker of her old spirit igniting. "Maybe you're right. Let's show them we won't be broken."

"Absolutely. The party can't get started till we get there anyway," I grinned, feeling a reckless surge of defiance. Maybe this was exactly what I needed—a night to forget the pain and just be Sky, not the Alpha's wayward sister or a rejected mate, but just me.

Silently, I headed down the stairs, following the partygoers through the long grass. The damp earth softened my footsteps, and the cool night air was filled with the scent of wildflowers and pine. I let my hands brush against the long, moist blades, the sensation grounding me, reminding me of days long past when I would follow Neo and Z on their adventures. The chatter reached my ears, the men talking about how much of a ball-breaker the Alpha was—my brother. It was clear they didn't like him, nor did they respect him.

"They could lead a pack of their own if they wanted," Evie thought, listening to their confident, vibrant tones. These were fit, charismatic men who had the strength to challenge the status quo.

"So why don't they challenge Neo if they despise his rule so much?" Evie asked, like me, sensing that more was going on here than we were led to believe. As I moved closer, blending into the shadows just on the edge of the lively group, I pondered their reasons.

"Fear? Loyalty?" Evie offered, and they were adequate options, but something told me it was more...

"Or perhaps they, too, are waiting for the right moment, just as we are—waiting for a sign to change their fates," I mused cryptically. Maybe they needed a catalyst, someone to ignite the spark of rebellion simmering beneath the surface.

Evie hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps tonight is the night destinies collide."

Tonight, under the cloak of darkness and the wild freedom of a pack party, I felt a connection to these rebels, a kinship in our shared discontent. Tonight, I wasn't just going to attend the party; I was going to see if these potential allies could be part of the change this pack so desperately needed.

"You know we can sense you back there, right?" someone shouted out, alerting me to the fact the party had stopped moving and stood in the long grass ahead, their heads turned to look at me.

"You think I care?" I laughed, trying to play down my shock. It had been a long time since I had spent time with wolves, and perhaps I had forgotten a few key things.

"Like the fact they have super hearing," Evie chuckled, her mood lifting slightly.

"And strength," I groaned inwardly as my eyes landed on a shirtless man with a keg over his shoulder, a layer of sparkling sweat coating his spectacular body, distracting me from any rational thought I may have had. His muscles rippled under the moonlight, each movement a graceful display of power.

"Skyla?" someone to the right gasped, their voice vaguely familiar, but my eyes were somewhat distracted by strong abs and tanned skin.

"That's me," I admitted with a lopsided smile, seeing the eyes of the shirtless man watching me with amusement.

"Want me to put a shirt on, sweetheart?" he laughed, the muscles in his chest rippling under the motion. The way he called me 'sweetheart' made my somewhat icy heart swoon.

"Goddess, no," I breathed, flicking my eyes back down once more to the artwork that was his chest before narrowing them on his dark orbs. His eyes held a mischievous sparkle, challenging and inviting all at once. "Wouldn't want to deprive the ladies of your hard work," I grinned with a wink as I approached, slapping him gently on his bicep. His skin was warm under my touch, sending a small jolt up my arm.

"Ladies?" he laughed, shaking his head as his free hand draped over my shoulder and pulled me to his side and into the woods. The scent of pine and something uniquely him enveloped me, intoxicating and dangerous. I heard the parry of voices behind me as they all spoke of how my return was unexpected.

"Did you know she was back?" someone asked softly.

"Why would I?" a male voice barked, his tone cautious.

"You work in the main house," someone else muttered, their voices low like I wouldn't hear.

"Apparently, they have forgotten what wolves can do, too," Evie grinned inside my head, a challenge for me to remind them.

"I clean the plates. I don't write in his journal for him," the male snapped moodily. My lips lifted into a grin as I turned to look at those having the conversation, committing their images to my mind. If they worked at the main house, maybe they could help me in sifting through this s**t show.

There were three males and one female. The first male was tall and lean, with sandy blond hair that fell into his eyes and a scar tracing his jawline—a testament to battles fought and survived. His blue eyes were sharp, darting around as if assessing threats. The second was bulkier, with dark skin and a shaved head, his arms crossed over a broad chest adorned with intricate tattoos that seemed to shift in the shadows. The third male had a boyish face, freckles splashed across his nose, and eyes that held a hint of mischief.

The female, however, intrigued me the most. She stood slightly behind the others, almost sinking into the background, hardly noticeable if not for the fiery red hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of flames. Her green eyes watched me warily, a flicker of recognition passing through them. She was petite but held herself with a quiet strength, her hands clenched at her sides as if restraining herself from stepping forward.

"So, is someone else bringing more beer?" I asked, tapping the keg on the muscle man's shoulder.

"No. That's plenty," they laughed, eyeing my petite form with curiosity.

"For me? Yes... But what will you drink?" I laughed, my words met with deep chuckles that broke any ice and fears they might have had about me.

"You guys are about to see what a real party looks like," someone mused, their words clearly aimed at my presence. Tilting my head back around, I eyed the individual. It was the red-haired female I had noticed a minute ago. Somehow, she seemed to have found her feet and voice within the entourage.

She stepped forward, her gaze meeting mine with a mixture of challenge and curiosity. Her lips curved into a sly smile. "It's been a while since we've had a party with real entertainment."

"Do I know you?" I asked, pulling away from the sweaty, sexy creature I had entwined myself with. There was something familiar about her, a nagging feeling at the back of my mind.

"Yes, I dated your brother for a while," she offered, a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. There was a hint of bitterness in her tone, an undercurrent of something unsaid.

"Lucy?" I asked, my mind whirling at the possibility that I may have just stumbled on my brother's undoing and the key to my freedom.