The Missing Beta

Chapter 24

~Eddison~

I shift back to my human form and change into the clothes that I carry in my mouth. Just as I pull my shirt down my body, there's a whirl sound in the air. “Better than I remember.” I look up to see Topaz stepping out of a portal. My mind betrays me with thoughts of the past.

Topaz and I met at around 13 or 14 years old, and I swear it was damn near love at first sight. She was my first in all ways, and I couldn't get enough. My first kiss was with Topaz as we were floating in the air. Literally floating in the air. She was my first girlfriend and my first love, even though many adults in our lives would say that we were too young to know what love was.

Topaz and I gave ourselves to each other, and I swear, at the time, it was the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. The thing with Topaz is that she's a witch. Don't get me wrong; I had no issue with her species. She was a beautiful girl, and I had so much fun with her. Her parents were against me because they felt that werewolves were beneath witches.

Her parents did all they could to keep us apart, but we found ways to see each other. This was our favorite spot to meet because no one would find us here. Now, many would think that we ended because I found my fated mate. That's only half of the truth. “You look good, Eddie. It’s not surprising, but still.” I swallow thickly and watch her walk closer to me. My tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth, not allowing me to speak. “Cat got your tongue?” I take a slow, deep breath and let it out.

“Hey, Toep. Thanks for meeting me.” She slowly circles me, looking me up and down.

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say to me?” What can I say? What words can I find that could erase the years we have between us? They just don’t exist, so there’s really no point in trying.

“I… I don’t know what to say.” She stops in front of me and nods. I hate to be this way with her, but I’m at a loss. I don’t know what else to say to her. I never thought I’d been in this situation, but here we are. Topaz puts her hands on her hips and turns her head to the side.

“What can I do for you? Why are we meeting here?” I let my mind go back to my reasons for this meeting.

“I wanted to ask you about one of your witches. She’s been by the pack a few times to help with my son.” I recognize the moment realization comes to her.

“That’s your son that has lost his memories? I’m so sorry he’s going through that.”

“Thanks.” What’s the word that weighs more than ‘awkward’?

“So, who are we looking into? Did you want to know about Ulva, Isidora, or Chandra?”

“Chandra. Nothing happened, specifically, but Aston feels something toward her when she’s around. I know it isn’t much to go on, but he’s adamant.” Topaz drops to the ground quickly and folds her legs so she’s sitting Indian style. She’s always been so free when it comes to things like this. She always made sure she was super comfortable.

I follow her lead, letting my legs stretch out in front of me. I lean back on my hands and wait. “Chandra is an interesting one. She’s always stayed to herself. She’s a very talented witch, but I’d be lying if I said that there haven’t been complaints about her and her behavior.”

“Can she be trusted?”

“I really can’t say. I don’t deal with her much.”

“You’re the High Priestess. How is it that you don’t deal with Chandra?”

“Crazy, right? I will look into her for you. I have some questions myself, so either way, it would be beneficial.” I let my body fall back and look up into the sky. “He could have been ours.” My breath catches in my throat, and my heartbeat increases. “He should have been ours.”

“Don’t… don’t go down that path.”

“Has that ever crossed your mind? Have you ever thought about what was lost?” I swallow the lump in my throat and close my eyes. Have I thought about what could have been? Have I gone back in my mind and replayed our time together? Yeah, I’ve done a lot of thinking and pondering, but I refuse to let it dwell. Dwelling on these things will do no one any good, so why bother?

“I don’t know what to say.” A chuckle fills the air, and that hurts just as much as words could.

“Don’t say anything. Don’t worry about it. I will look into Chandra and I will contact you when I have some information. I will call through official channels so we don’t have to worry about being caught up again.” I sit up quickly and see Topaz standing with her back toward me. I use my speed to get on my feet and reach out to touch her back. She turns quickly, and I drop my hand.

“Uh, please, just contact me directly. Aston wants it that way.”

“Will your mate be okay with that?” A slight smile grows on my face.

“Yeah, she’ll be fine. Promise.” Topaz nods and holds her hand out. A portal appears, and she walks through, looking back and winking at me before the portal closes.

~Chandra~

I place the clipboard on the table and type some data into the computer. This new concoction seems to be doing well. I will have to get down to my living lab soon so I can see for myself. So far, my numbers look really good. A knocking erupts on my door, and I roll my eyes. Every time I’m into something, I’m getting interrupted. “Come!”

Yanna pushes the door open and steps inside. She glances around the room, looking nervous as always. “Uh, the High Priestess is looking for you.”

“What does that bi.tch want now?! I swear she gets one little title, and it goes to her head.” The door opens further, and the little devil stands in the doorway with a look of amusement.

“I guess you could argue that, though that ‘little title’ does carry a lot of weight.” Fu.cking stupid ass Yanna! I swear she’s dumb as fu.ck. I push back from my desk and stand to my feet.

“High Priestess Topaz, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Yanna steps out of the way, allowing Topaz to walk in. No one is really allowed in here, but I don’t keep anything damning in this room. I really don’t like all the questions, so I keep people away.

I watch her walk into the room, slowly looking around. She stops in front of my desk and puts her hands on her hips. I really want to rip her head off right now. Her title doesn’t give her the right to harass me. “Who are you really, Chandra? What are you into?”