The Missing Beta

Chapter 16

~King~

I step out of the packhouse and look across the road. Katarina has been out there for a while now. I guess she decided to be in the front rather than the back to be seen by fewer people. She’s been pretty quiet, but I’m not surprised.

I walk up behind her without making a sound. Her head is turned upwards, and she’s staring off into space. I wonder what’s going on in her head right now. I reach out and gently touch her shoulder. Katarina jumps and stumbles back. “You scared me.” Katarina’s hand is on her chest, and her breathing is labored.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I saw you out here and I was worried. You’ve been off since the other day. Your aunt and uncle reached out to me and they’re worried about you too. What’s going on with you?” Katarina looks away again, a soft sound coming from her.

“I met with him.” I knew this; I was told this. They ran into each other and spent some time together. I can’t bring myself to be mad, though. How could I? She was his way before she became mine. His absence isn’t enough to erase that for anyone.

Please don’t think of me as any saint. A part of me was and is completely jealous, but how can I be that way under the circumstances? How can I begrudge my friend when everything he holds dear is ripped away from him?

“Are you mad?” I realize that I’ve been too quiet, and the worry in Katarina’s eyes is unsettling.

“How could I be mad at you? You and Aston were friends growing up. Yes, you two liked each other and if things had been different, there’s no telling how things would be right now. I can’t be mad at you for meeting with your friend. I just hope that he and I can do the same soon. I was able to sit with him for a dinner with my dad and his parents, but I haven’t been able to have private time with him.” Katarina wraps her arms around my waist and lays her head on my chest.

“How is it that I got so lucky with you?” I chuckle.

“You gave me a chance. That’s basically how that happened.”

“King?” Katarina places her chin on my chest and looks up at me. “I’m still scared. What if you find your fated mate?”

“I told you that I won’t.” I sigh and ready myself to confess something I’ve kept to myself. “I already did. She didn’t want me.” Katarina’s eyes get big, and the pity is there, which I was hoping to avoid.

“Really? You never said anything.” I scoff.

“I’m a future Alpha. I don’t want to admit that my fated mate didn’t want me. That makes me look so weak.” Katarina kisses my chest and pulls my head down, placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

“You’re not weak. It says more about her than you. She missed out on an amazing man and that’s on her. At least I get to reap the benefits.” I throw my head back and laugh. We will get through this, and we will be okay.

~’A’~

I blink my eye repeatedly, feeling groggy. I shift my body, hating how stiff it feels. The room is dark, so it must be night. I close my eyes and try to remember what happened earlier. The only thing that pops into my head is meeting three witches.

It’s crazy because I didn’t expect witches to look so regular. I guess you can blame movies and books. They always have witches in black dresses with big black hats. Many times, you see green faces and long noses. When it comes to that Disney movie, they weren’t green, but they didn’t look like normal women.

I throw my cover back and swing my legs to the edge of the bed. I wonder when I ended up in my bed. I swear I remember being in an office. I stand to my feet and stretch my body. I make my way out of the room and down the stairs.

I hear them before I set my eyes on them. They are sitting at the table, talking quietly. Shawna’s head shoots up first, and she smiles at me. “ ‘A’, how did you sleep? We didn’t expect you up this soon.”

“I’m a little thirsty. I decided to come get some water.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t think to leave water in your room. Just sit down and I will get you a bottle.”

“You don’t have to. I can get it.” Shawna stands and gestures to the chair.

“Nonsense. Please sit. I will get your water.” I sit next to Eddison and stare at the wall. There’s a picture there with him and me on a boat. I point to the picture.

“We caught some fish, but had to let them go. Well, until we caught that Blue Marlin. We brought it home and mom was terrified. We gave it to the packhouse and they cut it up to feed the pack.” A clatter in the kitchen catches my attention. Shawna has her hands to her open mouth. I swing my eyes to Eddison, whose eyes are glossy with unshed tears. “Is everything okay?” Eddison clears his throat.

“You remember that?”

“Of course I remember that. It was a big day and it was the first time we went fishing in-” The realization hits me. I actually remember something from my past. It’s a clear memory in my mind, like watching a movie. “I do remember that. Does this mean that the witches fixed me?”

“They did what they could. They said it would take time for memories to return, and they weren’t sure about you remembering what happened to you.” I nod, my emotions overwhelming me. It’s a crazy feeling to finally have a memory after so long. Maybe I will be able to get my life back after all. If nothing else, I can remember enough to feel comfortable in my own skin. Perhaps I can really create a new life here and be surrounded by people who care about me. Maybe I won’t be alone anymore.