His broken omega mate

Chapter 2 - You can't be serious!

Ruston’s POV

Grinning as I left her room, just before a shiver ran down my spine at the sound of Melody’s voice. This was going to be one hell of an interesting situation to deal with.

“I’ve been looking for you. You weren’t on the training grounds.” She pouted, and I slid my arm around her tiny waist as we made our way to where the rest of the ranked members were training.

“I had to give one of the omegas a shirt I wanted washed for tomorrow.”

“Oh? Why didn’t they pick it up from your room?” Her full lips pouted as her eyes slowly moved up from my chest and finally made contact with mine.

“I had it in my cupboard. It must have stained somehow. Anyway, how was your day?” I distracted her and thanked the goddess that she was superficial enough to be distracted easily.

Valerie’s POV

Over the next couple of weeks, Ruston didn’t keep his interest in me much of a secret and continuously popped up everywhere, even to his father’s dismay!

“I don’t care what the damn pack rules say!” The door flew open right in front of me. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. The Beta had ordered coffee, and the tray nearly flew out of my arms when Ruston came flying out of his father’s office.

“I … I was told to bring coffee.” Ruston’s fury instantly disappeared, and he took the tray from me.

“Now would be the wrong time.” He sighed and rolled his eyes when he heard his father behind him.

“WHAT is she doing here?!” The Beta pointed in my direction, and I instinctively lowered my eyes.

“She brought us coffee.” He turned around with the tray. I didn’t know what to say and turned to walk away when I felt a strong hand grip my wrist.

“Stay, this concerns you.” Ruston’s voice shuddered through my body and I sent a small prayer up to the heavens, hoping the Moon goddess would listen to me for once …

“I’m in love with Valerie, father, and I want to ask her to be my mate.” My eyes shot up, and my look of shock was reflected in his father’s eyes.

“You can’t be serious!” We said in unison, and Ruston looked from his father to me and back.

“I am. I’m being dead serious.”

“Son, we have to talk about this!” The Beta’s hands were waving all over the place and his face was bright red. I was scared he might burst a vein in his head when I noticed one popping out on the side of his forehead.

“I agree with the Beta, Ruston. You need to rethink this.”

“See! She doesn’t want you! Stop this foolishness and let the girl go!” His father’s Beta tone shone through his voice, and Ruston had no alternative but to let go of my arm. I mumbled a quick apology and disappeared down the passage, convinced that they heard my pounding heart.

How could he? He was definitely NOT my mate! I didn’t want someone who was not my mate! I didn’t want a damn mate! I would never have a moment's peace. Other ranked members would never accept this, surely. This couldn’t happen! Trying to hide away in the shadows would be impossible after this!

I was relieved when I entered the dining room and found that Ruston wasn’t there yet. He was probably still in the meeting with his father. What on earth was he thinking? I grabbed a serving tray and was so distracted that I didn’t notice Melody and her crew snickering, and the next moment something stopped right in front of my foot and the tray filled with cold cuts went flying out in front of me, landing right on the chest of the Alpha!

I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me whole when I saw the Alpha’s face turn bright red with anger just before he shouted my name. Closing my eyes, I got up and got ready for whatever might be coming my way, and I wasn’t disappointed when I felt strong hands dig into the sides of my arms.

When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of Alpha and Luna’s table, and I kept my eyes pinned to the floor. There was no use in trying to explain that someone tripped me. The few times I did get into trouble over the years, I learned that they didn’t accept any kind of excuse you might have to give.

In fact, if you talked at all, you just aggravated them even more …

“You stupid little b***h! I take it, there is no use in asking you what happened?” There must not have been any guests at the pack house because he wasn’t holding back. “I know what happened. Your nose is so stuck in those damn books of yours that you aren’t paying proper attention to your job! Where do you think those books are going to get you, huh?! If you think it will elevate you to a ranked member …” He stopped mid-sentence, and I heard his heavy footsteps move around to my side of the table.

I closed my eyes and prayed that he was not going to do what I thought he was going to do, but a sudden gasp ripped through the dining room that made me look up. Ruston’s hand was gripping the Alpha’s wrist mere millimetres from my face, and the Alpha was looking murderous!

“Ruston!” I heard his mother’s half-hysterical voice as she rushed over, and his father was not far behind, apologizing to the Alpha.

“Don’t you dare!!” Ruston glared at the Alpha, ignoring his parent’s protests.

“Ruston! Apologize this instant!” His father growled, but Ruston didn’t let go of the Alpha’s wrist and I turned my gaze back to the floor. If I ran, I would make things worse for myself. My punishment would definitely be far worse than just staying there and taking whatever Alpha planned on dishing out, then a pair of sparkling blue shoes caught my eye.

“Alpha, it was my fault. I accidentally put my foot in her way. Please, don’t punish Ruston!” Her fake innocent voice nearly made me choke. Of course. Melody would do anything to get Ruston’s attention! Even put herself in harm's way. Stupid girl!

“This does not concern you!” Ruston growled at her, and I prayed again for the earth to swallow me. No matter how much he apologized after that, that’s if he apologized, I would be the one to pay the price in the end, and this time it would be publicly!

I stepped up, feeling as if I was in a dream, and I put my hand on Ruston’s, feeling his grip release. The anger didn’t disappear from his face, and Melody huffing next to him didn’t go unnoticed. Oh, goddess, what the hell was I doing?! I couldn’t believe what my body was doing, and then when the words came out of my mouth …

“I apologize, Alpha.” Making eye contact for a moment before I lowered my eyes. “I should have looked where I was going. Please, don’t take this out on the Beta’s son.”

“What are you doing?” Ruston growled between his teeth.

“The right thing.” I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I had to try and save a situation that would have become much worse for me, and I didn’t want to lose my place at the university! “I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit.” I stepped back, keeping my eyes on the ground.

“My love, she did apologize, and Melody did say that it was an accident. Please, can we finish our dinner? I still want to visit Angela.” I almost breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of Luna’s sweet voice.

“Fine! See that it doesn’t happen again, or I won’t be as lenient! And you!” I didn’t know who he was talking to, and my heart sank. “Take care that your son doesn’t overstep his boundaries again!”

Oh, bugger! This had embarrassed the Beta! After his discussion with Ruston … this was NOT going to end well! I waited to see their feet disappear when I heard what I’d been dreading since I overheard Ruston talking to his father.

“Alpha, I want to announce that I will be courting Valerie as my future mate.” Oh, for f**k’s sake!!!