The Beta's Salvation

Six

Zeke POV

"So who was it?" I asked my sister May, knowing that someone had upset her and that she needed to work it out.

"It doesn't matter now." She muttered that she had agreed to go on a date with a guy and that last night was the big night. I didn't like that she had hit 'that age' where dating was not just socially accepted but expected. She was all the family I had, and I wanted to wrap her up in cotton wool, mostly to save me from having to break pack members' legs for mistreating her.

"Z." She moaned, letting me know I was not paying attention.

"Sorry." I chuckled and returned to doing my big brother duties of listening to her recount her disastrous date. And like every big brother who had to listen to how his sister was mistreated, my fury grew with each word.

"He spent the entire night talking about you, Z," May expressed, her voice tinged with frustration. "It was like he didn't care about me at all. He just wanted to know everything about you and your job. He didn't even ask me anything personal. It was like I was just a stepping stone to get to you."

"Who was it?"

"Does it matter," she groaned. "I am going to start dating a tinder like the humans or some shit."

"Language." I cautioned. She may be old enough to swear, but she would always be my baby sister, and I didn't need or want to hear that foul language tainting her lips.

"UGH!" she giggled dismissively. "My point is. He was using me. I am so fed up of being your baby sister." I clenched my jaw, feeling the familiar protective anger rise.

"That's unbelievable. Sweetpea, you're amazing. Any guy would be lucky to have you. The fact that this jerk used you like that makes my blood boil." I heard her sigh and knew she was relaxing just a little.

"I know, Z. But it still hurt. I thought he liked me for me, but he was just trying to get closer to you."

"Give me his name," I instructed, my voice stronger than before. "I'll make sure he never bothers you again."

"No, Z. I know you. You'll cause trouble. I can handle it." She, like me, was

determined to make her own way, and now, I had asked, she would only dig her heels in. May was always resolved to handle her own s**t. But it didn't mean I couldn't try.

"Please, I love you. You're all I have. Tell me," I begged, needing to protect her. As I walked past the Alpha's floor where Sky was staying, her scent penetrated me completely. It was a mix of wildflowers and rain, something I could never forget.

"Are you still there?" May sighed, bringing me back to reality.

"Sorry, Sweetpea, I'm here. You have my attention," I tried to refocus, but Sky's door flew open, almost knocking me off my feet.

"Mate." Payne moaned instantly as she stood there, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Who are you talking to?" she demanded, jealousy evident in her tone. She made a grab for the phone, and for a moment, I considered explaining it was just my sister. But seeing her like this, seeing that she cared, made me hesitate. Instead, I let her jealousy fuel my own amusement. A d**k move, but if it melted that cold heart of hers, did it matter?

"Easy there," I said, dodging her hand. "You're truly curious, aren't you?" sucking in a sharp breath as the very unique and addictive scent of Sky's arousal wafted from her room. I felt Payne fight for control of my body. Never had he wanted anything as badly as he did Sky right now. And as much as I wanted her to, I knew better than forcing her hand and letting Payne and Evie take over. She would hate me more than she did now, and I would stand no chance of winning her back.

"Z, I asked you a question." she snapped furiously. Sucking in another long breath, I held her gaze as her lips pursed into an adorable pout. f**k she was beautiful when she was angry.

"Don't play games with me, Zeke," she snapped, her voice sharp. "Who is it?" I knew she was furious as she never called me anything but Z; I was always Z to her. Unless she was mad... and given the way her cheeks were puffed, her voice tight, she was indeed pissed.

"Just a friend," I replied, keeping my tone light with difficulty as her unique scent filled the hallways and invaded my senses.

"What was she doing?" Payne demanded to know why she smelt of arousal.

"I can guess." I announce with a smirk. She made a grab the phone again, her fingers brushing mine. The contact sent a jolt through me, and I couldn't help but feel the heat rising between us. Unable to hold back, I grabbed at her hand, pausing to look at it. My lips twisted with delight seeing her fingers still coated in what could only be her sweet honey.

"MATE!" Payne, my wolf, was howling in my mind, demanding that I claim her. I might not be able to claim her, but I could make a move and force her to react. Lifting her fingers to my lips, I took a hard sniff of that deliciousness.

"Well, what do we have to hear?" I asked, holding her hand steady despite her fighting my grip. Without another word, I lifted her sleek digits to my lips and sucked them clean. My eyes locked on hers, mischievous intent swirling in my eyes.

"You still taste so sweet, little demon," I mused, dropping her hand. Now, why don't you tell me who you think it is?" I challenged her, wanting to see just how much she cared. Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I don't care who it is," she lied, her voice trembling slightly, her breathing still hard from the shock of my move. "I just don't want you causing trouble." she lied.

"Trouble? Me?" I teased, stepping closer. "Why would I do that?"

"Because that's what you do," she shot back, not backing down. You cause trouble." I smirked slightly, hearing the tremble in her voice. My eyes narrowed on hers, showing the pure white hues of Evie.

"Well, hello there, beautiful." I acknowledged her wolf like I always had. I leaned in, the scent of her arousal driving me wild. "and perhaps I am, but only for you, Sky," I whispered, my breath hot against her ear. "Only for you."

She shivered, and for a moment, I thought she might melt into my arms. But then she pulled back, her walls going up again.

"Don't flatter yourself," she said coldly. "I don't care who you talk to."

"Sure you don't," I replied, watching her closely.

"Whatever. Just stay out of my way, Zeke." She rolled her eyes, clearly not convinced.

With that, she turned and walked back into her room, slamming the door behind her. I sighed, turning my attention back to May on the phone.

"Sorry about that, Sweetpee. Where were we?"

"Sounds like you've got your hands full." May chuckled.

"Yeah," I admitted, my mind still on Sky. "You have no idea."