The Beta's Salvation

Two

SKY POV

Luckily, the remainder of the three-hour car ride had been painless. Neo had remained silent, no doubt sulking over the fact I wasn't jumping for joy at being dragged back to the pack, and I had imagined hundreds of ways I could kill my big brother. Things had always been like this between us. I was the annoying little sister he never wanted and certainly didn't ask for; he was my big brother. Who, until I left, I had idolised and wanted to spend every minute with.

My father and I were close growing up, and I did not doubt that if I had gone to him and told him about Z being my mate and Neo's offer, he would have kicked Neo's ass and demanded we be allowed to find our way. But honestly, the second Z paused even for a second to contemplate my brother's offer... I was done.

I knew my worth!

At least I did back then!

"I truly do just want what is best for you Sky!" Neo relented as we pulled up to the packhouse. Scoffing, I turned to look at him through strained eyes and nodded sarcastically.

"Sure!" I laughed as the car rolled to a stop outside the packhouse. It hadn't changed at all since I was a kid. I sat in the car, refusing to budge. The view in front of me was nothing short of breathtaking. Nestled in the forest, the packhouse looked like something out of a rustic fairy tale. The large wooden structure, with its numerous chimneys and intricate design, reminded me of a grand ranch. Fields stretched out around it, dotted with wildflowers, and a stream slipped through the lush greenery.

I hated how much I had missed this place. The sprawling estate had a rugged charm, exuding a sense of wild freedom that was hard to find anywhere else. It was large and imposing, yet somehow inviting, with its pathways winding through well-kept gardens and over quaint bridges. Memories of my childhood flooded back as I stared at the familiar structure.

I could clearly see a younger version of myself, Neo, and Z running around the grounds. Neo never wanted his 'snot-nosed sister' tagging along, but I always found a way. The sound of a car door slamming pulled me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the driver's side and saw Neo walking around the car.

"Come on." Neo yelled. With a smirk painting my lips, I lifted a chipped black nail and flipped my d**k of a brother off before I quickly locked the car doors from the inside, glaring at him through the glass.

"Immature," he moaned, rolling his eyes as he pulled out the keys and clicked them to unlock the car. I immediately locked it again, my childish defiance kicking in. He was wrong if he thought he could drag me back here without a fight.

"You are going to break the bloody electrics." He growled, unblocking it again, but I was quicker, slamming the lock back on.

"I know." I purred, unbothered about his pathetic rental car.

"I swear to the goddess I should have left you in that cell." He muttered, clicking the car key to unlock his rental car again.

"Probably." I laughed, my finger poised to lock it again, but I paused as the packhouse door opened; I knew before Z strolled out that it was him. I could smell him, and Evie was howling like a f*king lunatic.

"Stop." I seethed inwardly, but her howls just got louder and more desperate.

"Mate!" she boomed, making me wince.

"No!" I growled back, "He is just our waste of space.." My breath caught in my throat seeing him step onto the porch.

"Ex." I finished swallowing to ease my suddenly dry throat. He was as gorgeous as ever—muscular, tanned, and covered in tribal tattoos. His dark hair gleamed under the sunlight, and his mix-matched eyes landed on me with a mix of frustration and something else I couldn't quite place.

With my eyes defiantly watching Z, I locked the car again; I knew I was, in fact, being immature, but f**k it, I had earned the right to protest a least a little.

"Skyla, open the f*cking door," Neo commanded, his patience clearly waning.

"Make me," I shot back, my eyes never leaving Z's beautiful face.

"I need him." Evie mowed.

"No, you want him. We need no one!" I corrected her because he was the last person I wanted to see, and the feeling seemed mutual. His jaw was set in a hard line as he approached the car.

"You're not making this any easier," Z said, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. "Perhaps.."

"Yeah, because I am gonna do as you tell me.. pr*ck!" I snorted, cutting him off. Sitting back in my seat, I rested my feet on the dashboard with a bit of borrowed strength from Evie. My eyes, however, remained glued to Z and the entertainment in his features.

"Oopsie!" I grinned as I scuffed the plastic.

"Let Neo pay for the damage. F*ck him, fu*k Z, f*ck everyone." I laughed to a still purring Evie.

"Sky, this isn't a game," Neo interjected. "Can't you talk some sense into her, Zeke?" Neo moaned like a petulant child.

"I know better than to tell Sky what to do." Z laughed, making my eyes tighten at the way he looked over at me, my lips lifting just slightly in delight. His eyes flashed to mine, catching the pleasure his words had given me, his lips twisted into a smile, causing anger to boil inside me at the fact I had been around this knob for a few minutes, and he was already working his magic on me.

Without thinking it through, I unlocked and pushed the car door open, taking the steps up to him. His eyes lowered to my chest, and I was quickly reminded of the skimpy top and shorts I had worn to the club last night. Having been arrested and then picked up from the station this morning, I hadn't had time to change or even consider it.

"Is this what women in the city wear for breakfast now?" Z laughed, his eyes lingering a second too long on my bare thighs. "I guess I should know you well...

"You know nothing about me." I snapped, concluding whatever snarky comment he was planning. His lips pulled tight again, the amusement replaced with judgment.

"Yes Ma'am." He replied cockily. Our eyes danced with an unspoken challenge that neither of us was seemingly willing to accept.

"I am nowhere near old enough to be called Ma'am," I replied harshly, my eyes never leaving his.

"What would you like me to call you?" He replied coyly, "Little demon still feels fitting."

"f**k. You." I hissed, hating how easily my old pet name rolled off his tongue and had my thighs clenching.

"No?" He laughed, his arms crossing over his chiselled chest. F*ck he was sexy, bigger than I remember.

"I would rather you kept my name out of your lying mouth.. better yet.. don't talk to me at all!" I barked, feeling triumphant at the pain that exploded behind his eyes.

"Enough!" Neo screamed the sound enough to shatter glass. I revved myself up to say more, but the sound of Neo approaching had me simmering down.

"Happy to have me home, brother?" I muttered, glaring at Neo.

"Ecstatic," he replied dryly. "Let's go inside."