The Missing Beta

Chapter 44

~Aston~

Fire erupts in front of me, and I dodge to be clear of it. I continue walking, though I don’t know where I am or where I’m going. I’ve been stuck here for who knows how long, and I’m sick of it. I want out, but I have no idea how to make that happen.

How do I go from having the most amazing night of my life to this nothingness? Where even am I, and where the hell is Dario? I don’t know what’s worse. This right now or being lost all those years. I’m starting to wonder what I did to piss the Moon Goddess off because I’m clearly being punished.

A bang sounds behind me, and I turn to see a flash of light. I’d imagine it’s more fire. What’s crazy is that every explosion brings a burst of pain that shoots through me. I don’t know what one has to do with the other, but I’m really going through it.

I bet my mom is losing her sh.it. I mean, I just got back after being lost for years, and here I am stuck again. Dad is probably trying to find a way to calm Mom down. I wonder if Katarina even knows that something happened to me. I hope she didn’t regret our night or our marking each other. Damn, I just want to see her again.

The darkness doesn’t let up, and I swear it’s getting darker if that’s even possible. I close my eyes as I walk forward. I’m not worried about tripping over anything because there’s nothing here. This is the most barren place that I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s funny because I can’t see sh.it, not even using my wolf vision.

I open my eyes and see a small light in the distance. It isn’t flashing like the fires have been. The light is bright and white as opposed to red. Maybe this is my way out of wherever the hell I am. I square my shoulders and walk with determination. I’m going to follow that light and find my way out of here.

~Eddie~

King?! King gave her the necklace that’s laced with black magic? King gave her the necklace intended to create a fake bond between them so he could gain powers he wasn’t meant to have? My mind is in turmoil, and I don’t know what to do. Maybe I should call Blake. He should know what his son is involved in. Don’t call Blake.

He should know what’s going on.

How do you know we can trust him?

What are you saying, Jett?

We have no idea what’s going on other than the fact that King gave Katarina that locket. Blake may know about this. Trina may be a part of it. Hell, maybe none of them know, and King is being used. The fact is that we shouldn’t tell anyone until we know more. I guess Jett has a point. Right now, we have no idea what the hell is going on or who all is involved. We need to be careful for now until we get more answers.

“....royalty.” My head snaps up, and I look at Topaz.

“What did you say?”

“I was just saying that the gold wolf is a sign of royalty. I mean, your species hasn’t had a King or Queen in a long time. It was thought that the lineage was dead. We were always told that the royal family were comprised of gold wolves in the women. I know you heard the stories of the powers that the royals used to have.”

“Yeah, but they were just stories. No one has ever seen this for real.”

“Stories always originate from something. Gold wolves, royal gold wolves, were real. They used to rule the wolves for a long time before they were targeted and killed. Katarina is royalty in a sense.” Shawna and I look at each other before looking at Katarina. She looks pale, and like she’s going to pass out at any moment.

“Let’s table this for now. There’s been a lot of information shared, and I think we all need to digest it.” Everyone nods, and Shawna stands up to help Katarina get to her feet. I watch them walk out of the dining room and turn back to Topaz. “This is crazy, ‘Z. What the fu.ck have we just walked into?”

“I don’t know and I don’t know what Chandra has to do with any of this. All I know is that you need to keep that girl safe at all costs. I’m goign to suggest you don’t bring this to your Alpha. You have no idea who you can trust.”

“Jett already said that and I agree with him. We aren’t going to talk to anyone about this.” Topaz’s face goes from serious to wistful.

“How is Jett? It’s been so long.” Topaz used to talk to Jett, and they would curl up together sometimes. He was as in love with her as I was, which isn’t the norm for a wolf. Usually, they only want their fated mate.

“Jett’s good. He’s just worried about Aston.”

“Aston will be fine. Now that I know what’s going on, I’m sure this is his body’s way to prepare for the powers that will come.”

“What powers will he get?”

“No one will know until they manifest. It’s all a waiting game. Aston should be out of this soon and we will see from there.” Topaz stands and walks toward Aston.

“How long can you stay, Z?” She stops and turns her head to look at me over her shoulder.

“Don’t worry. I won’t leave until he’s awake.”

~Katarina~

My head is spinning. So much was thrown at me, and I have no idea how I’m supposed to feel about any of it. This is crazy, and I feel like it has to be some sort of hoax or something. There’s no way that I’m royalty. It just isn’t a thing, right?

I walk through the door Shawna has open for me, and I’m instantly at ease. The scent in the room is beyond calming. I focus my eyes and see that I’m in Aston’s room. “Just lay down here and try to get some rest. I know a lot was thrown at you, but don’t worry about it now. We are here for you and will help you figure everything out.” I turn to Shawna and hug her tight. After a while, I let go and lay on Aston’s bed. I pull his pillow into my body and let his scent lull me to sleep.

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Pounding. My head is pounding, and I just want it to stop. I turn in the bed and throw a pillow over my face. Maybe it’s too light outside, and the darkness will help. Perhaps I just need to take a pill, and everything will feel better.

KKKKAAAATTTTTAAAAARRRRRIIIIINNNNNNAAAAA!!!! I shoot up in the bed, realizing why my head is pounding. King is yelling in the mindlink and must have been doing so for a while now. I throw my legs over the edge of the bed with a groan.

I grab my phone and see that I have many missed calls and unanswered texts. King has been blowing me up, and Tatiana has been a close second. I unlock my phone and call my best friend. She answers on the second ring. “Where the fu.ck are you? King is losing his sh.it right now. He’s been looking for you for two hours now. It didn’t help that Aston’s also missing.”

“What does one have to do with another?”

“Isn’t it obvious? King thinks that you’re with Aston and that’s why he can’t reach you. He’s ready to tear this pack apart to find you.”

“There’s no need. I’m fine.”

“Clearly, but WHERE are you?”

“Don’t worry about that. I will be there soon.”

“Kat, I don’t think you get it. King is v-” I disconnect the call, not being able to continue lying.

Why are you yelling in the link?

WHERE THE FU.CK HAVE YOU BEEN? I’VE BEEN CALLING AND TEXTING YOU.

STOP FU.CKING YELLING! King growls in the mindlink, but I ignore it.

I want you in my office now. Do you hear me?! NOW! I cut the mindlink and sigh. I have to go, or he’ll come looking, and that will be worse.

I clean up before leaving Aston’s room. I walk downstairs slowly and see that Aston’s still out on the couch. The witch sits with him, and Shawna is at the table. She looks up when I get close. “Are you okay? Did you rest well?”

“Yes, thank you. I have to go. King is looking for me.”

“Do you think it’s safe to be aorund him after everything?” I sigh and shake my head.

“I don’t know for sure, but I know that I have to go. If I don’t, he’ll come looking for me and we don’t want that. I swear I will be careful and I will be back.”