The Missing Beta

Chapter 13

~Katarina~

I can honestly say that I've never really understood the true meaning of awkward until this moment... right now. Aston and I walk through the woods, and neither of us says a word. To be honest, I have no idea what to say to him.

I don't want to say too much and stress him out. I also want to be able to talk to him and learn about this new Aston. Four years is a long time, and a lot can change. I'm sure I'm not the same Katarina that he knew before.

We find ourselves in a clearing that has tree stumps that you can sit on. Aston takes a seat on one of the stumps, and I can't help but laugh. I quickly cover my mouth in a feeble attempt to silence my laugh. Aston looks at me with a frown on his face. "Did I do something wrong?” I clear my throat and quickly have a seat on a stump next to him,

"No, no, it isn't anything like that.” He looks at me with questions in his eyes, and it takes me back to when we were growing up. He has no idea how familiar this is, and it tugs at my heart. “It's just funny that you chose here to stop and sit. It's even funnier that you're sitting on that stump in particular.” Aston lifts up and looks around him before sitting back down.

“I don't understand.” I look around the area before turning my head to the sky and closing my eyes. I take a few deep breaths. It's been a long time since I've been out here, but it feels like it always has.

“This used to be our spot.”

“Our spot?” I open my eyes and look at Aston. He looks genuinely interested. As I look at him, my heart breaks. He's just like he always was and looks just as handsome. The only difference is that he's older; it shows in his features. I hate that he lost so much time that he doesn't remember who he used to be.

“Yeah, we would come out here all the time. When we were younger, it was where we would tell each other our deepest secrets. As teenagers, you would escape your groupies by coming out here. You always wanted me to come with you and we would talk here for hours.” Aston looks around again, his face softening. I wonder what he's thinking. I wonder if anything is feeling familiar.

“I had groupies?” I laugh out loud.

“That's putting it mildly. You were the future Beta and attractive. If that wasn't enough, your personality drew them in every time.” Silence envelopes us, but it isn't as uncomfortable as I'd expect it to be.

“Do you have a title here?” His question pulls me out of my reminiscent thoughts and confuses me.

“Title? Do you mean a rank?” Aston looks like he's searching for something before he shrugs.

“I guess so? I'm still trying to get a hang of all this.”

“I don't have a rank.” That isn't a lie. He didn't ask if I would one day have a rank. I don’t think now is the time to discuss my engagement to King. Aston has more important things to worry about at the moment.

“Eddison, my uh, well he's the Beta and Shawna has the same rank. You said I was the future Beta. Is that because of them?”

“Yes, it's handed down. You are ranked by blood and then you have to prove yourself to get the position from the one before you. You were excited to take over from your father. You were going to be an amazing Beta.”

“Someone else will be Beta now, right?”

“Yeah, Dominic will take over. He… well, you two were really good friends.” I feel the sadness rise in me, and my chest starts to feel tight. This is just too sad and too hard to deal with. I stand up swiftly and turn to walk away. “I'm sorry, but I… I just… I have to go.” I don't wait for a response before taking off back toward the packhouse.

~‘A’~

I watch her walk away, and I feel a pain in my chest. It isn't like a for real pain, as if I'm having a heart attack or something. It's an eternal pain, like a twinge. I don't know what it means, but it makes me take notice.

I hope I didn't say anything that hurt her feelings in any way. I enjoyed talking to her and finding out that we were friends. She's the first of my or his friends I've spoken to. I wonder when I will see the rest of them.

I take in the area I’m occupying and try to rack my brain for some type of recognition. I feel whispers of memories, but they float away before I can grab hold of them. It feels like there's a wall up in my mind that's blocking everything from me. I'd assume if the memories were lost, I'd feel an emptiness or a dark hole. “Are you okay?” My body jumps, and a gasp escapes my lips. Last I checked, I was out here alone, so I didn't expect to hear anyone speak.

I look up to see Shawna smiling down at me. I give her a small smile and nod. “I'm fine. I was just hoping that I could remember.”

“Remember?” She sits on a stump next to me, and I nod.

“I was out here with…” I close my eyes to try to remember the name.

“Katarina?” My eyes open sharply, and I stare at Shawna. Am I being watched here? Am I not as safe as I thought I was? My thoughts must have been clear on my face because Shawna smiles and shakes her head. “I can smell her here. It isn't as strong as it would be if she were sitting right here, but her scent is still in the air.” Oh, that must be a wolf thing.

“Yeah, she was here and we were walking. I was trying to remember things from before, but if feels as if there's a wall that's blocking me.”

“I can't imagine how rough this is for you. At least the witches will be here tomorrow, and hopefully they will be able to help.” I nod and watch Shawna stand. “Let's go get some food.” I nod and stand to follow her back to their home.