Skaydal - Unsettled Beta

Zack Tension was high and I shifted from one foot to the other as I waited for my orders. When Grayson finally turned to me and Steven, I could see just how stressful this situation was for him. “You two stay here,” he ordered, and I nodded as I watched him turn around and walk away. I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around all of this, but it was what it was. “Shall we see what else those two idiots know?” Steven questioned with a smirk, and I smiled. Jett and Triston were seated behind the steel desk and when we walked in, they immediately tensed up. “What…what will happen to us?” one of them asked and I frowned. “Which one are you?” I questioned. “Jett,” he said, and I nodded, taking note. “Well, I can’t say for sure what will happen to any of you, but Benjamin will pay for what he has done,” “With Sierna?” the other one asked and I slowly shook my head. I wanted to know just how much these three were involved with Benjamin and his way of leading his pack. “No, in general. We know how he treated his members,” I let that hang there for a minute while Steven stood back and acted like the bad cop. He was hovering while instilling fear in them. I found it funny because Steven wasn’t very intimidating. “The question is, did he act alone or are the three of you so loyal to him that you will do just about anything for him?” both of them flinched and I frowned. Was that reaction because they were guilty or was it something else? “Start talking,” Steven growled out, and I could see that Triston was eyeing him. “Steven isn’t a wolf, but he knows all about us,” I said as I perched on the corner of the table. “Benjamin likes to threaten everyone,” Jett informed us. “When he wants something done, he uses any means necessary,” “And you do what he wants to avoid what, exactly?” I pushed. I needed more. “To avoid him hurting our family,” Triston snapped. “To avoid him forcing himself on our sister,” I’m taken aback by that. I had seen quite a bit back at Benjamin’s pack, and I heard cries from some of the members, but overall, they had been too scared to talk against their Alpha. Steven was now frozen and the anger simmering off the two brothers made me step back. “Good enough reason, I’d say,” I mumbled as I turned my back on them. I didn’t have any family, no one other than Grayson and his parents, so I couldn’t quite put myself in their shoes, but I did understand. If I had to guess, I would think that I would do the same thing. “So, you do what he wants to protect your family?” I need them to confirm this because everything has changed. I was ready to get them severely punished for helping Benjamin, but if what they said was true, I had to help them. “Yes,” Jett confirmed, and I nodded before I turned back around to face them. “Then I will fight for you,” both of them gaped at me in surprise, but it is short-lived when Steven suddenly rushed out of the room. “Will you really fight for us?” Triston asked softly and I nodded. “Why? We helped him,” “It doesn’t matter what you did, it’s the reason behind your actions, it’s the reason I will fight for you if it comes to that,” “If it comes to that?” Triston echoed and I smiled. “Our Luna…surely you remember Sierna?” I then asked curiously. They both nodded, but clearly, just because they knew her, didn’t mean they knew her. “I highly doubt she will allow any of you to be punished. She was raised in that pack. Hell, she ran away from that pack so…” I let my voice trail off as I leaned against the wall. This whole thing was a nightmare and while I remained silent, Triston and Jett whispered to each other. They were both worried about their brother, Mato, and although I hadn’t met the male yet, I would inform him about my promise. I would fight for them if I had to. The door was still ajar and suddenly there was a smell so intoxicating that it made my head spin and my wolf perked up. “Mate, mate, mate,” my wolf chanted, and I straightened up. Steven entered the room and I deflated. I already knew he wasn’t my mate. However, as he stepped aside, a tall male walked in. His golden eyes were on the two men, and I instantly knew that this was Mato. Like a man on a mission, he charged toward them, but he abruptly stopped and sniffed the air. It was subtle, but because I was watching him so closely, I noticed the tiny action. He turned to me, and I held my breath. I had never seen anyone as gorgeous as the man in front of me. Tall and well-built with short brown hair and golden eyes. His nostrils flared as we held eye contact and when he ran his tongue over his top lip, I followed the movement. “Are you ok, Mato?” someone asked, and the moment was gone. Mato snapped his attention back to his brothers and within seconds they were embracing each other. The elders were next to barge in and suddenly the spacious room felt small and uncomfortable. I was, however, relieved to see Sierna and Grayson when they entered, and her face lit up when she saw me. Jacob, the leader of the elders, went around the room, introducing everyone to everyone, and I did my best not to stare at my mate. I couldn’t believe that after all this time, I had finally found what I had thought I would never have. Mato avoided looking at me too and I hated that I noticed. “I’m sure you are already aware that these three were blackmailed into helping Benjamin,” Jacob said to Grayson, who nodded. “We will leave their punishment to you, Alpha Keeton,” Jacob then added, and I stood up a little bit straighter, ready to fight for these men. “Is any punishment necessary?” Sierna asked softly and I couldn’t help it, I shivered. I knew she wouldn’t let anyone punish them. “They were acting against their will and, ultimately, I have Mato to thank for saving me,” “The decision is yours and Alpha Keeton’s,” Rian said, and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes. Clearly, the decision had been made because Grayson would do whatever Sierna wanted. Within reason, of course. “What about…Uncle Ben?” Sierna then asked and I once again found myself taking a peek over at Mato. This time, I caught him looking at me and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face even if I tried. He hurriedly looked away and I felt my chest puff out in pride. He was as affected as I was. I noticed Grayson was looking at me and I quickly tuned back into the conversation happening around me. “I think that’s it,” Grayson said, and I cursed myself for being distracted. I had no idea what had been said and I just pretended to agree with whatever was going on. “Please just let us know what happens with him,” he quickly added. “Of course,” Jacob reassured him before they left us alone in the room. The air was thick with awkwardness and I wasn’t sure if that was me or not. “Sierna…what do you want to do?” Grayson questioned his mate and I found myself holding my breath even though I knew she wouldn’t commit them to any harm or punishment. Sierna turned to the three brothers and smiled. “Would the three of you consider joining Alpha Grayson’s pack?” she asked them, and I breathed out in relief. However, that was short-lived when I realized what she had just offered. Mato would be in Skaydal. What did that even mean? I wasn’t even sure how he felt about me and, since he didn’t acknowledge us being mates, I had a feeling he didn’t want me. Sadness settled over me as that became a possibility. It was possible he was waiting for me to make a move, so I shoved that emotion down as quickly as I could. “In fact, I’ll be asking all of the members because Grayson is my mate and I think we should merge the two packs,” could she do that? I should’ve been paying more attention earlier. Clearly, I had missed out on something important. “I think that would be great,” Mato said as he glanced over at me out of the corner of his eye. Not only were his eyes on me, but so were Grayson’s. It took everything in me not to react. “Yeah, we agree,” the other two brothers spoke up. “Well, then, let’s thank the hotel management and go home,” Grayson announced with a smile, and I pushed myself off the wall and stormed out of the room. >> I avoided everyone once we had returned home and yet, Grayson ordered me to put together a list. That kept me busy at least and I didn’t cross paths with Mato again. Not until I had to knock on the door of his new home. The door opened and I put on a fake smile. Jett eyed me suspiciously before he stepped back and allowed me to enter. I had a feeling Mato had probably told his family that we were mates. “You here to see Mato?” Jett asked and I cringed. He did tell them. “Ah, actually I’m here to see all of you,” I said quickly as I glanced around the open space. Not a lot of the members had been willing to bring their belongings with them. Not mundane things like furniture and the Crown family were clearly one of them. The living room was bare and while the kitchen was clearly a space they used often, I didn’t notice anything personal. “All of us?” Jett frowned as he came around to stand in front of me. “For what?” “Ah…um…” I coughed loudly and shook off the nerves that shivered through me. I wasn’t that type of person. I was confident and sure of myself. Always. Not this time though. Just the thought of seeing Mato again made me both excited and nauseous. “Grayson has me putting a list together,” I finally managed to explain. “Guys! Zack is here!” he yelled out – the echo of his voice confirmed that the rest of the house was unfurnished - and my eyes widened. Why had he said my name like that? The sudden sound of running footsteps made me take a step back. Carmen – who I already knew was their little sister – was the first to come running into the living room. Triston was next and then their parents. The look on their faces made the excitement disappear and the sickly feeling intensified. They thought I was here to claim my mate. Mato was the last one to come into the room and our eyes instantly connected. The electricity vibrated throughout my whole body and the scent of him had my mouth watering. “Ooh! The sparks! Look at them go!” Carmen squealed and the moment was broken as Mato turned away. “Zack is here to finish off his list,” Jett ground out and I watched as each one of them deflated. Mato didn’t bother sticking around and even I was disappointed in myself. Way to go me!