Promised to the Beta

Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

My pulse quickens as I follow the pale gold of Henry's hair down the narrow hallway leading away from Ezra's office and into the pack library. The scent of old wood and leather-bound books hangs heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the city's ceaseless drone just beyond our hidden walls.

"Who are you?" My voice comes out more curious than commanding as I catch up to him. "Why do you need protection from our Alpha?"

Henry turns, and his smile is disarming, friendly – not what I expect from someone under threat. Blue eyes meet mine, and there's a spark, an unexpected jolt that travels straight to my core.

"Let's just say it's complicated," he says, his tone light but guarded. He's close enough that I can see the fine lines around his eyes, the kind that come from too much smiling, or maybe too much sun.

"Complicated doesn't cut it here." I fold my arms over my chest, hoping my posture conveys the seriousness that my racing heart isn't feeling. "We don't just protect anyone."

"Fair enough," he concedes, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Those blue eyes hold a twinkle of mischief now, a silent challenge. "But I'm afraid I can't divulge much more. Ezra's orders."

I scowl, frustrated by the secrecy and even more so by the way my body seems to betray me, drawn to this human who shouldn't be here. Henry steps closer, a breach of personal space that should set off alarms, yet all it does is raise the temperature between us.

"Look, Mia," he says, my name on his lips causing an unwelcome flutter in my stomach. "I get it. You're doing your job. But trust me, I'm not here to cause trouble."

"Trouble seems to have a way of finding you," I retort, but there's no bite to my words.

"Maybe it finds us both," he murmurs, and for a moment, the world narrows down to the space between us, charged with the promise of something neither of us fully understands.

"Maybe." The word is a whisper, and I take a step back, needing distance to clear my head. Henry watches me, and there's an apology in his gaze, as if he knows he's the reason my thoughts are suddenly a tangled mess.

"Come on," I say, forcing a casualness I don't feel. "I’ll show you around the place before you find any more trouble."

Henry chuckles, a sound that somehow feels like it's stroking my spine. "After you, Mia."

As we walk side by side to Ezra's office, I can't shake the feeling that this human – with his friendly demeanor and inexplicable allure – might just be the kind of trouble I never saw coming.

We stride down the corridor, my senses prickling with the knowledge that I've let my guard down around Henry. My wolf bristles under my skin, whispering instincts and cautions, but there's a new scent in the air now – one that sends a different kind of shiver through me.

Logan.

The familiar musk is unmistakable, tinged with oil from the mechanic he works at and the cologne he wears. It's a scent that's followed me through childhood, lingered in the background of every pack meeting, every training session. A constant presence that's always been just out of reach.

"Hey," comes his voice, a deep rumble that vibrates through the hallway.

My heart thuds against my ribcage as I turn to find Logan leaning casually against a locker, arms crossed over his chest. His brown hair falls into his eyes, and he pushes it back with a practiced motion, revealing a look that’s an intricate weave of curiosity and something else – something unreadable.

"Logan." The name leaves my lips before I can think better of it, betraying a hint of the turmoil he stirs within me.

"Everything okay here?" he asks, his gaze shifting from me to Henry with a protective edge that's both endearing and infuriating.

"Fine," I manage, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Just showing the new guy around."

"New guy?" Logan uncrosses his arms and steps forward, scrutinizing Henry with more than casual interest. His stance is relaxed, but there's a tension in his jaw, a subtle shift in his aura that speaks of his role as Beta. Ready to defend, to challenge if needed.

Henry nods, his easy smile faltering for a heartbeat under Logan's intense scrutiny. "Henry," he says, extending a hand that Logan regards but doesn't take.

"Logan," he replies simply, and the unspoken message is clear: You're on my turf now.

There's a beat of silence where no one moves, the air thick with silent assertions and questions. Then Logan's eyes find mine again, and I'm caught in their warm, familiar depths. "You sure you're okay, Mia?" he presses, and the concern in his voice is almost my undoing.

"Positive," I say, but it sounds like a promise I'm not sure I can keep. Logan holds my gaze for a moment longer, searching for the truth I'm hiding just beneath the surface.

"Alright then," he finally says, stepping back with a nod that feels like a concession. "I'll see you at the gathering tonight?"

"Wouldn't miss it," I reply with a tight smile, my pulse still racing.

As he walks away, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Henry looks at me, a question in his eyes that I'm not ready to answer.

"Come on," I say, my voice firmer now.

And we continue down the hallway, leaving Logan's lingering scent behind, a reminder of the complicated web of loyalty and longing that tethers me to him – to us – to the hidden world we protect.