The Missing Beta

Chapter 40

~Katarina~

Aston has settled next to me, and we’re both breathing heavily. I really can’t believe this has happened. We are marked and mated. Aston is my fated mate, and I gave myself to him. I’ve wished for both for so long but never really believed it would happen.

Sparks erupt on my hand as Aston grabs it and brings it to his lips. His mouth is slightly wet and warm. My body responds to this simple kiss, and I groan. I turn my body toward Aston, and he does the same. “Are you okay?” A smile grows on my face. I reach out with my free hand and run a finger down his face.

“I’m amazing. Are you okay?”

“Best night of my life.” We both laugh at that, but it’s a freeing laugh. It occurs to me that it may be time to tell Aston what he actually signed up for. I probably should have told him before this happened, but can anyone blame me for going for it instead? A sigh escapes my lips. “What’s wrong?”

Where are you, Katarina?! Sh.it! For a minute, I forgot all about King.

I’m busy. I’m sure you have more important things to worry about.

I’m at your house, waiting for you. You had better get here now before I have to come looking for you. As much as I’m itching to be defiant, I don’t think letting King search for me right now would be wise. If he finds us together, well, that’s a sh.itstorm I’m not prepared for.

Whatever.

You have 15 minutes. I cut the mindlink and sigh again. I lean into the sparks on my face, not wanting to let them go.

“Is everything okay?”

“He’s waiting for me.” This time, Aston sighs, and I completely understand his sentiment. “If I don’t get home, he’ll come looking for me.”

“I thought we were in a ‘fu.ck King’ mood.” I chuckle softly.

“We are, definitely. I just think we should talk before taking this act on the road.” I stand up and look for my clothes to get dressed. “I swear that I meant everything I said. You are mine now, and I’m yours. That changes for no one. Just be a little patient with me, please.” Aston pulls me down and gives me a kiss that damn near makes my knees buckle.

“That mark on your neck is from me so I will wait for you as long as you need. You’re mine, always.” He kisses me a few more times before letting me go. I push myself to walk out of the poolhouse, slowly closing the door behind me. I begin the journey home, letting what just happened wash over me.

FU.CK! What are we going to do, Hope? We have just mated and marked Aston. His scent will be all over us, and the mark will be as clear as day. Hope chuckles in my head, and I fail to see the humor in our situation.

We don’t have all our powers, but we have a couple that will serve us well in this instant. I can cover our scent, mask Aston’s, and make our mark invisible to anyone who looks at us. Well, sh.it! That’s super helpful.

Go for it. I walk quietly for a bit, letting my mind wander. Do you think we made a good choice, Hope? Neither King nor Aston knows about us, so we have no idea who would treat us properly with the knowledge of who we are. We were supposed to give ourselves to King…

But Aston is our fated mate. I feel it in my bones that we made the right choice and everything will be okay.

Yeah, I kind of do too. With that, I see our house come into view with a pissed-off King pacing the porch. I take my time to walk up to the house, staying on the lawn as I watch King.

“Cutting it close, aren’t you?”

“As if I would rush to meet you. I’m not at your beck and call.”

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but I don’t like this new attitude.” You don’t want to know what was just in me. The thought makes me work extra hard to hide my laugh and smile.

“This isn’t new. I’m just tired of your sh.it.” King jumps over the porch railing, landing right in front of me. He towers over me thanks to his height, but I refuse to let him intimidate me. We glare at each other for a bit, neither moving nor speaking.

“We are getting married in a matter of days. You will be marked, made Luna, and will be all mine. I suggest you remember what that means before then. I’d hate to have to remind you once all is said and done.” King walks off, but I refuse to look back at him. I swear I must have missed all the signs, or he’s just that good at fooling me. All I know is that if I wasn’t sure before, I’m definitely sure now that what I just did with Aston was the best thing for me.

I sigh and walk up the steps to the front door. I walk inside and see my aunt and uncle cuddling on the couch. They are watching TV, and there’s love in the air. “You’re back, darling. King was looking for you.”

“Yeah, we talked, uncle.” I step into the room and sit in an armchair beside the couch. “Guys, we need to talk.”

~King~

I got as close as possible to her, determined to catch that fu.cker’s scent if it was on her. There was nothing, though. She had no extra scent on her. I guess she wasn’t with him after all. If she wasn’t with him, I wonder where she was.

Her attitude is really pissing me off, as is her mouth. I swear Katarina had never been one to be foul-mouthed with me in the past, and things definitely changed once he got back. It may be crazy to think that her change in attitude has to do with him, but I have no other options. I need to figure out how to cut that mess because this won’t be my life.

Where are you?

In the bed. What’s up?

I need to let out some steam. Bring my mate to our spot. I’m in the mood to play.

~Aston~

I’m worried about Katarina, but it's her if anyone is safe with King. I find my clothes in the dark and get dressed. It’s weird because I feel super sluggish. I’ve had s*x in that human town once or twice, but this feeling is new to me.

I slip out of the poolhouse and head to my home. The closer I get to home, the more sluggish my movements are. My feet feel like they weigh a ton, and I feel a bit light-headed. What the fu.ck is wrong with us, Dario?

I… I have no idea, but I feel off. Off doesn’t begin to cover how I feel.

The walk home is taking longer than it usually does. I swear I feel like I’ve been walking for days. When I finally get to the steps, they seem like they're as high as a mountain. I struggle to go up each step, praying that I don’t fall and break my neck.

I guess my struggle is causing a commotion because the door flies open in front of me. Mom stands in the doorway, staring at me with concern on her face. “Aston? Aston, baby? What’s wrong?”

“I… I ghlbshe…”

“EDDIE! SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH ASTON!” All I see is Mom reaching out to me before everything goes black.