The Missing Beta

Chapter 17

~Shawna~

I watch everyone wrap up their training, laughing and joking with each other. I’ve never been one to really watch training before, but I have been doing so for the past two weeks. I can’t help but worry about my son.

Since the witches left, Aston has been remembering bits and pieces. Nothing about his two years gone has come up, but he’s been remembering things from his childhood. There’s still no sign of his wolf, but he still has many advantages of being a werewolf.

Aston decided that he wanted to train, and it was almost like he had never stopped. He’s been training every day and multiple times a day. I’ve been the nervous mom, watching over my son as he gets back into the groove of things. I may worry about him, but I’m insanely proud of him. “How long are you going to watch him, love?” I turn slightly to set eyes on Eddison. He led this training, and he looks the part. He’s shirtless, wearing only a pair of basketball shorts. Sweat is dripping down his torso, filling the grooves of his muscles. “Love?” I clear my throat, trying to focus on our conversation. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been; he’s still sexy as hell.

“Can you blame me? He disappeared for four years. He still has no contact with his wolf. A mother worries and I won’t apologize for that.” Eddison kisses me on my forehead, and I playfully push him back. “Ewww! You’re all sweaty.”

“Baby, you’ve never cared about me being sweaty before. If you like, I can you get just as sweaty.” My body betrays me with my core heating up. I try to smash my thighs together in a feeble attempt to stave off my desire. I don’t know why I bother, though. Eddison’s eyes turn back as he sniffs the air around us. The grin that graces his face is beyond sexy, and I can’t stand it. I clear my throat again, wishing I could douse myself with ice-cold water.

“Where’s Aston going?”

“He’s training more. He said he wants to lift some weights.” I shake my head and sigh. Eddison steps closer to me and places a hand on my back. “He wants to be a warrior, love.” I close my eyes and let out a shaky breath. I knew this was coming, but it doesn’t make the news go down any easier. “He’ll be fine, baby. He has Beta blood running through his veins. He can take care of himself.” I groan and place my forehead on Eddison’s shoulder. I know my son will be fine; I just see him as vulnerable still.

I look up at Eddison and take a step back. “I know. You need to shower before you start to stink.” I turn to walk back to the packhouse, only to leave my ass exposed. Eddison takes advantage and his slap rings. He walks past me, laughing out loud. It’s been a long time since he’s been like this, and I don’t want it to end anytime soon.

~King~

I haven’t made any effort to sit down with Aston and feel sh.itty about it. I saw him the day that I looked in on him at his parents, but I haven’t seen him since. Katarina had that talk with him, and I know she’s seen him here and there since.

What it really is, well, I have no idea what to say to him. I know he doesn’t remember a lot, and I don’t know how to navigate it. Being with Katarina right now makes me feel bad as well. “King?!” I look up to see my father waving his hand in my face. I guess I zoned out.

“Sorry. I have a lot on my mind.” I sit up straighter in my chair. “What were you saying?”

“Aston has requested to be a warrior.” Wait, what?

“He wants to… seriously? Is that, I mean, is that enough for him?”

“What do you mean?”

“He has Beta blood. Isn’t being a warrior beneath him?”

“You already have a Beta. Are you suggesting that you are going to change personnel?” The door opens and closes.

“Who’s changing what personnel?” I look and watch Dominic sit next to me.

“That’s not what I’m saying, dad.” He brushes me off and turns to Dominic.

“I was telling King that Aston wants to be a warrior.”

“He doesn’t want to be Beta?” Now I turn to Dominic, surprise all over my face.

“You are to be Beta. I mean, unless you changed your mind.”

“It isn’t that. Look, I was born to be Gamma, and that’s what I trained to be most of my life. Being promoted to Beta was only because of Aston’s disappearance. He’s the rightful Beta and if he wants it, he should have it. I’m okay either way.” That’s the thing about Dominic; he isn’t overly ambitious. His goal is to do right by the pack in whatever capacity that requires.

“Personally, I would love to see Aston back in his rightful position. The only issue is his lack of wolf. I just don’t think it would be the best idea for him to be a ranked member with that over his head. Now he can be a warrior and we can make sure he does only the duties that will best suit him. I don’t think the pack will have an issue with him as a warrior as opposed to the Beta.” I sigh and rub my temples.

“Whatever you think is best.” We sit in silence for a bit before the door opens again. Aston walks in slowly, looking at all of us.

“Aston! It’s great to see you. I’m going to let you three talk while I step out and take care of a few things.” Dad winks at me before walking out of his office. Let the awkwardness begin.