Torn Between Alpha and Beta

Chapter 2: Unworthy

Carter's POV

The moon hung high, spilling silver light across the snow-dusted clearing. The packhouse was alive with laughter and music—another victory celebration. Inside, they were drinking and bragging, their howls loud enough to rattle the windows. I should’ve been in there with them, basking in the glow of it all. That was what an Alpha-in-training was supposed to do.

Instead, I was pacing the edge of the forest, every nerve on edge.

“Go to her.”

The voice of my wolf, Kale, rumbled low in my mind, more growl than words. He was restless tonight, prowling beneath my skin like a caged predator. I could feel the weight of his disapproval, his frustration at the distance I kept putting between us and her.

Ruby.

Her name flickered through my mind like a matchstrike, quick and dangerous. I forced it away, clenching my fists until my knuckles ached.

“I can’t,” I muttered under my breath.

“You can,” Kale argued, his tone sharper now. “You choose not to.”

I stopped pacing, running a hand through my hair. “You know why.”

Kale growled, his anger rippling through me. “Because your father said so? Because of what the pack expects? When have you ever cared about their rules?”

“This is different,” I said, my voice low and tight. “This is about the pack’s future. My future.”

Kale scoffed. “Your future feels empty without her. Don’t lie to yourself.”

I clenched my jaw, shutting him out before he could say anything else. He wasn’t wrong, and that was the problem.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and headed back toward the packhouse, trying to focus on anything but the ache that had taken up permanent residence in my chest. I’d spent years perfecting the art of ignoring it, of pretending I didn’t notice the way her laugh made the world feel lighter or how the scent of her hair could stop me in my tracks.

Because none of it mattered. It couldn’t.

My father’s words echoed in my mind, cold and absolute. “An Alpha must mate someone worthy of the pack. Strength breeds strength, Carter. An Omega will only weaken you, and the pack.”

I’d heard that speech a hundred times, long before I even understood what it meant. And now, every time I caught myself looking at Ruby for a second too long, it was his voice I heard, drowning out everything else.

But tonight, something was different.

I had seen her by the stream earlier, her dark hair falling into her face, her hands raw from the icy water. She hadn’t noticed me at first, and for a moment, I’d just stood there, watching her. She looked so small, so fragile, but there was a quiet strength in her movements that I couldn’t tear my eyes from.

And then she had turned, and her eyes met mine, and I’d felt it: the pull, sharp and undeniable.

“Carter!”

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see Liam jogging toward me. He was one of the other Alphas-in-training, cocky and always too loud. He clapped me on the shoulder, grinning.

“You’re missing the party, man,” he said, his breath reeking of whiskey. “Come on, they’re about to start the sparring matches.”

“I’m not in the mood,” I said, brushing past him.

Liam frowned, falling into step beside me. “Not in the mood? You, of all people? What’s going on with you lately?”

“Nothing,” I said tightly.

“Bullshit,” he said, laughing. “You’ve been acting weird for months now. Distracted. Moody. Let me guess, girl trouble?”

My jaw tightened, but I didn’t answer.

“Ah, that’s it,” Liam said, his grin widening. “Who is she? Is it that blonde from Silverfang we saw at the last summit? Or,wait,is it that Omega? The quiet one? Ruby?”

The sound of her name on his lips made my wolf bristle, a low growl building in the back of my throat. I forced it down, glaring at Liam.

“Don’t push me, Liam” I said, my voice sharp enough to make him blink.

“Okay, okay,” he said, holding up his hands. “Didn’t mean anything by it. Relax.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. “Just drop it, Liam.”

He gave me a curious look but didn’t push further. “Fine. But you’re still sparring tonight. The pack needs to see their future Alpha can take anyone down, even after a few drinks.”

I didn’t answer, watching as he sauntered back toward the packhouse.

Kale growled in my mind. “He’s right about one thing. You’re distracted. All the time.”

“I’m handling it,” I said, though the words felt hollow.

“You’re running from it,” Kale snapped.

I didn’t have an answer for that.

By the time I reached the packhouse, the party was in full swing. The main hall was packed with bodies, the air thick with the scent of sweat and alcohol. Laughter and howls echoed off the walls as wolves traded stories of the hunt, their voices brimming with pride.

And then I saw her.

Ruby was near the corner, her arms full of empty plates she was clearing from a table. Her head was down, her dark hair shielding her face, and no one seemed to notice her as she moved quietly through the chaos.

Except me.

My chest tightened, and Kale growled softly. “Go to her.”

I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. But my feet were already moving.

“Ruby,” I said, my voice barely audible above the noise.

She froze, glancing up at me, her wide eyes catching mine. For a moment, I saw a flicker of something in her gaze: surprise, maybe. Or hope.

“Carter,” she said softly, shifting the plates in her arms.

“You don’t have to do this,” I said, nodding toward the plates.

Her brow furrowed. “What else would I do? It’s my job.”

“You shouldn’t have to clean up after them,” I said, my voice harsher than I intended. “They don’t even notice you.”

She flinched, and I cursed under my breath. “That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s fine,” she said quickly, turning away. “I’m used to it.”

The words hit me harder than they should have, and I reached out, gently grabbing her arm. “Ruby.”

She stopped, but she didn’t look at me.

“You shouldn’t be used to it,” I said quietly.

She laughed, the sound bitter. “Why does it matter to you, Carter? I’ve been doing this my whole life. It’s what Omegas do.”

I let go of her arm, my hand falling uselessly to my side. “It matters because you deserve better.”

She turned then, her eyes narrowing. “Do I? Because you sure don’t act like it.”

The accusation in her voice cut deep, but I couldn’t argue. She wasn’t wrong.

“I’m trying to protect you,” I said, my voice low.

“By ignoring me?” she shot back. “By pretending I don’t exist?”

My wolf growled, restless and angry, but I forced myself to meet her gaze. “You don’t understand, Ruby. This isn’t about what I want.”

She laughed again, shaking her head. “Of course it isn’t. It never is.”

“Ruby—”

“Forget it, Carter,” she said, cutting me off. “I’m tired. I just want to get through tonight without another lecture about how I deserve better.”

Before I could say anything else, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Kale growled furiously in my mind. “You’re a coward.”

I closed my eyes, letting the noise of the packhouse drown out the sound of my own thoughts.

“You’re a coward,” Kale repeated, his voice a low snarl. “You love her, and you’d rather break both your hearts than fight for her.”

“It’s not that simple,” I whispered.

“It is.”

I opened my eyes, my gaze scanning the room until I caught a glimpse of Ruby near the kitchen, her back to me as she worked.

“It’s not that simple,” I said again, but even I didn’t believe it anymore.

And as I stood there, watching her slip back into the shadows, I realized Kale was right. I was a coward.

But I didn’t know how to stop.