Charlie & Her Beta

Ten

Donavan Walked into his father's office and saw that him and Beta Nolen were in the middle of a conversation, so he took a step back and turned to leave. “Donavan, Alpha and I were just finishing up. You don’t have to leave.” Beta Nolen called out to him while standing. Nolen bowed slightly to his Alpha before walking past Donavan in the hall with an unreadable expression.

Donavan takes a seat in the chair Beta Nolan just left and lets out a sigh. “He hates me doesn’t he.” he says out loud to himself, knowing he loathes himself for what he’s done, how can his mate’s father not hate him. “I should check on Charli, just to make sure she is processing everything ok.” He says, still speaking more to himself than to his father.

“You will do no such thing unless you really do want Beta Nolen to hate you.” Alpha Desmond tells his son plainly. “She is still a part of this pack, and I’ve heard she hasn’t been going to class the last week or so, which has made me worry.” he tells his father who leans back in his chair and lets out a loud breath.

“Everything has already been discussed between Beta Nolen and myself regarding the rejection. Your mother and I offered compensation, which is the common practice with rejected mates, however Beta Nolen turned it down, he prefers to support his daughter himself, which is within his rights.” Alpha Desmond pauses for a moment before he starts speaking again.

“Nolen only requested that we don’t require her to attend your succession or wedding ceremonies and that if we have need to see or speak to his daughter, we inform him or Reid first which I agreed too. So, you need not worry yourself about her well-being, Charli is well cared for.” The Alpha tells his son. Donavan took a moment to let his father's words sink in.

In all reality he just wanted to see her and have her scent of jasmine and honey fill his lungs one last time. He’s looked everywhere, waited at the park after practices, waited in his SUV outside her house, frequented the pack grocery store and hung out in front of the movie house just in case she happened to stop by but he hasn’t even caught a glimpse of her shadow in passing.

Donavan let out a frustrated sigh and stands to leave. “Donavan, I know you’ve been looking for her, and you need to stop.” His father tells him with no emotion. “You made your choice son now accept it and move on” he adds, and Donavan turns and sits back down in the chair rubbing his face with his hand, feeling defeated.

“I didn’t know it would be like this; I can’t stop thinking about her.” He admits to his father and his father tries to approach him with a little more compassion. “I understand this is a difficult time for you, take a few days to process it if you need too, but you can’t go on like this son.” He gives his son a moment for his words to sink in before asking a follow up question.

“When is Sara due to arrive?” Alpha Desmond asks and Donavan takes a deep breath before answering his question. “I postponed it until next week.” He tells his father. “Why did you do that?” The Alpha asks, hoping that this Sara girl will help bring his son back to some semblance of normalcy. “I didn’t want to hurt her . . .” He whispers sadly and a silence settles between them.

“Charli isn’t here Donavan.” He was hoping to not have to mention it to his son but here they are. “What?! Why?” Donavan asks his heart flooding with emotion, and he takes a moment to try and rein it in. “Why isn’t she here father?” he asks again calmly, and his father gives him a sad look, he didn’t realize just how much his son was struggling with the rejection, until now.

“Because Son, it wouldn’t be right for her to have to remain here and watch while you and Sara start a life together.” He pauses for a moment then continues. “You both need space to be able to move on.”

Donavan looks down at his hands feeling hollow inside. His father's words stir up an anger inside him. He doesn’t want her to move on without him and now she's gone! He takes a breath trying to quill his growing anger. He thought that after the rejection his feeling for her would fade at least a little, but it hasn’t changed. ‘Maybe they did it wrong’ he questions but doesn’t want to bring it up to his father especially as unstable as he is right now.

“Alright father I’ll work on it.” Donavan tells him getting up to leave his father's office again. “Donavan, please don’t seek her out. You are the future Alpha of this pack and I’m sure you understand the repercussions of going back on our word. It will affect the entire pack if you can’t let this go. Isn’t that why you rejected her in the first place.” His father reminds him and Donavan nods as he makes his way out.

“For the Goddess’s sake.” the Alpha curses, upset. He knows his son well enough to know that he is not going to let it go. He picks up the phone and gets his secretary on the line. “Get Alpha Able on the line and make arrangement to have his daughter Sara come for a visit and I want it all done by tomorrow.” he commands before slamming the receiver down.

Donavan walks down the park trying to clear his head. He knows the choice that he made but he has long since begun to regret it. ‘If I could just see her one last time, I could let her go.’ he thinks to himself shoving his hands into his pocket. He knows his father is right.

He can’t go back on his father's word to Beta Nolan so he can’t seek her out directly. If he could just figure out where she went then perhaps . . . “Hey man, you ok?” His friend and future gamma John jogs over and walks beside him. “Yeah, of course.” He lies his mind currently occupied with thoughts of how to get to Charli.

“Is there something I can help with; I noticed you been a little out of it the past few weeks . . .” John says carefully not wanting to upset Donavan but worried for his friend. “Actually, yeah have you happened to see Reid around lately?” Donavan asks, knowing John and Reid are close friends.

“Uh yeah, He’s been MIA for a few days, but he should be back now, he said something about helping his sister pack for Academy. I didn’t think she was old enough yet but shows what I know.” He says shrugging and Donavan smiles. “Thanks, man actually that was really helpful.” He tells him and pats him once on the back.

“Wanna grab something to eat? my treat.” Donavan asks and John nods, “Sure Alpha I’m always down to hang out, my cars right down the street if you want me to drive.” He offers. “Sure.” he says turning to walk towards the car