The Missing Beta

Chapter 30

~Aston~

Earlier that morning…

Go after mate. We need to be with her right now.

“Wait a minute, hold on! I'm trying to play catch up right now.”

You don't have to speak out loud, you know? Just think it and I'll hear you. Besides, if you keep going like this, they are going to keep looking at you like you're insane. I look up and see eyes on me with confused expressions. I swallow and try to school my features.

“Uh, are you okay?” I slowly nod my head, just trying to figure it all out. Shifting has brought a lot of other aspects to light, and I'm just trying to come to terms with everything.

“We are going to be heading back to the pack. Let's load up.”

Have them take our stuff, and we will run back. I have an urge to feel the wind in my fur. I chuckle at that and am met with a groan from Dario. Just do it.

“Uh, I'm going to run back. Can you guys grab my stuff?” They look at each other and laugh with a knowing look.

“Don't worry about it. We got you.” I'm already naked, so I don't have to worry about that. I take a few steps toward the woods before I stop.

I don't know the way. Dario sighs and I see him shake his head. Sh.it! I can see him.

Just give me control. I got this. That makes sense. I take another step before stopping again.

Will it hurt again?

Goddess above! Can we go?! Just think of me, and I'll take over. I do as he says, and I shift quickly. When my paws hit the grass, Dario takes off through the woods.

Present time…

Dario and I spoke the entire trip, but not much came of it. He doesn't remember any more than I do. I guess I hoped that he had a hidden part of my memory and that everything would be revealed with him in my mind. Wrong! The only new aspect was that Katarina seems to be my fated mate.

As I sit next to her, I'm compelled to pull her to me and place my lips all over her. I'm struggling to keep my hands and lips to myself. Dario would prefer that I go with my urges but now's not the time.

Forget about the fact that she's engaged to King. Forget that I'm just coming into myself again. The biggest barrier is that I seem to be the only one who feels this bond.

“I… I'm okay.” Katarina physically jolts and turns her body to me. “How are you?! You were in so much pain the last I saw you. I was so worried.” Her light brown eyes are impossibly bigger and hold a mountain of concern. I just want to pull her to me and press my lips to hers.

Do it! Shove your tongue down her throat!

Seriously Dario?! I'm not doing that. Dario huffs and plops down on his belly.

“I'm good. It's an adjustment having Dario back, but it's working out. We ran all the way back here this morning.” The smile on her face is heartwarming, and my body vibrates with energy that I can't name.

“Turtle.” Katarina turns and faces the yard. “It's been so long since I've heard that.” I relax my body and let it lean closer to her. It's a struggle to stay away, so I have to give myself this, if nothing else.

“That would be your fault. If I remember correctly, you begged me to give that name up because it wasn't Sophisticated enough. How old were you again?” Katarina sighs and rolls her eyes. She can’t hide the smile fighting to bloom, but I let her keep that secret.

“I was 13 and I stand by that.” The smile finally wins, and I swear my heart stops. “So, do you have new memories?” The mood shifts, and I take a deep breath.

“No, unfortunately. Dario brought nothing new.”

The hell I didn't! Our mate is next to us! I brought you that!

Something's off, though. Is she ignoring the bond? Did she reject Us?

No. Something is off. It feels like there's a block up or something. So what do I do now? I watch her with my best friend and say nothing? Do I tell her what we are to each other and deal with the consequences of it all?

Sparks erupt on my knee as her hand makes contact. She pats my knee a few times before removing her hand. What I wouldn't give to pull her hand back to my leg. “It will all come together; just be patient.” I swallow, willing my frenzied emotions to die down so I can stay in her presence. “Stay here. I have something for you.” There is nowhere I'd rather be right now. Katarina stands and walks away, leaving me to stew in my feelings.

It doesn't take her long to return, and she has a small box in her hand. She hands me the box, and I look up with questions. “When you… disappeared, I was supposed to give this to you. It's late, but still relevant I hope.”

I turn the box over in my hand and slowly open it. The box features an elaborate gold watch. The detailing makes it obvious that it was pricey. I carefully take the watch out of the box, feeling hefty in my hand. “Turn it over.” I do as I'm told, and it's engraved with the word ‘Dreamboat.’ As if I needed another reason to fall for this woman, I just got another one. “Do you like it?” I swallow the emotion sticking in my throat.

“I love it.”

“I wanted to give it to you sooner, but I felt that having to explain the name would take away from it.” I remember seeing her every day, and every day she called me this. It would warm my heart and cause flutters in my belly. I would look for her and wait for that to leave her lips.

I remember some girls trying to call me the same, which disgusted me each time. Only Katarina could call me that even before I realized she was my mate. My eyes have always only been on Katarina, and that was never going to change.

“Uh, I really want to hang out with you longer, but I should see my parents for a bit.”

“You haven't seen them yet?”

“No. You were my first stop.” Katarina looks away, but there's no trace of discomfort. Her hand touches my knee again, and I damn near lose it.

“Thank you for coming to see me. Do… do you want to get together later?” I finish securing the watch on my wrist and smile at her. A strand of hair has fallen in her eyes. I move my hand forward but stop short of pushing it away. I swear disappointment flashes across her face, but I'm probably seeing things.

“Definitely. I'll find you.” I stand and let my gaze linger on her before jumping over the porch railing and strolling away in a better mood than I've been in a long time.