Claiming My Beta's Mate

6

Thorn.

“Really? Why didn’t you tell them that she’s your beta’s fiancee? I heard he claimed her.” Aunt Susan says and I roll my eyes.

“You practically forced me to bring her into the pack house. I’m not going to allow you to force me to accept her. She could have said something but she didn’t.” I reply, folding my hands.

“What do you mean force? Your wolf bit her! You did that, not me! Will you really let a girl with your mark walk out of your life like that?” Aunt Susan asks.

“It was a damn mistake!” I seethe.

“Wolves do not make mistakes! You are an Alpha, and you know that. Is it because she is the daughter of an unknown rogue or is it because of the rumors about a cursed moon.” My aunt asks, blocking my path and stopping me from leaving the kitchen.

“It’s none of it!” I growl.

“Oh, so it’s your problem?” Aunt Susan says, shaking her head in disapproval.

“I don’t want to talk about this. I have so much to do today.” I say, finding my way out of the kitchen and taking the keys of my jeep. How do I explain that my wolf may have claimed her but I have no desire or patience to have a mate.

It was stupid of me to be so territorial this morning. I’m never like that and I hate it. Why did I have to get so mad because of the young man that accompanied her? I jam the door of my jeep, resting my back against the seat when the other door opens.

Emerald enters and she stares at me.

“Really? A mate?” She asks and I open my eyes, unable to have an alone time with myself.

“Hey, I just found out yesterday.” I say to her and she clears her throat.

“Your mate is a simpleton. She is just a simple omega. Are you sure?” Emerald says and I turn on the engine of my car.

“I marked her. Why would I mark someone that isn’t my mate. My wolf did that like a mad animal and my aunt, the elders of the pack saw it. I am Alpha. If I cannot take responsibility for my mate, I’m incapable.” I say, driving out of the pack compound.

“But do you love her?” Emerald asks.

I’m not sure why Emerald is so interested to know what I feel for Delilah.

“Since you have known me, Emerald, have I ever seemed like someone who gave a s**t about love? The only reason she is staying in the pack house is because my aunt won’t allow me to keep her out.” I reply, bluntly.

“So, you are not going to have a bonding ceremony?” Emerald asks, it is almost as if she is relieved.

“Do you not want me to have a mate?” I ask, swerving towards the right side of the road and she faces her attention to the road.

“I just want to find out you aren’t being forced to accept her. We don’t even know who she is?” Emerald says.

“I do.” I reply and Emerald faces me.

“What?”

“She was the fiancée of my beta. I don’t know if they were mates but if Brad had returned home, they would have married.” I say and Emerald looks at me in shock.

“I can’t believe it!?” Emerald says.

I park my vehicle at the other side of the road and I step out of the car.

“What are we doing here?” Emerald asks and I begin to walk past the windy weather.

“This is the last place I spoke to Brad. I want to ask questions if anyone saw something. I cannot believe that they surrounded him here and there were no reports about it. Our pack controls this apex of the city.” I say.

“You are talking about Brad but I can’t listen because you just told me that Delilah was his fiancée. Do you even know how twisted that sounds? Your beta’s fiancee!” Emerald goes off.

“Enough! I already explained so it doesn’t come as a surprise to you. I have told you that my aunt is the reason why she’s in the pack house. Once I figure out what happened to Brad, I will decide what to do with her.” I growl and Emerald understands that I do not want to speak about it anymore.

“Alpha Thorn! I got your message.” Daxon, a wolf who lives around the surroundings says as he rushes over to meet me.

The place is a bustling market and if Brad was taken here, someone would have seen something. He is a damn wolf! How could he be captured like a mere human being?

“Did you get anything?” I ask.

“No, nothing! I heard the reason Brad came here was because he wanted to buy flowers for his fiancée.” Daxon says and I become interested in that information.

“What else?” I ask.

“Well, he told the flower seller that his fiancée didn’t accept him yet. It seems he was having issues with his fiancée…I guess. I think we need to find her and ask about the intensity of their misunderstanding.” Daxon says.

“Thank you, continue to keep your ears on the ground.” I say and I turn my back.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Emerald asks.

“You think she had something to do with his disappearance?” I say, it’s the most obvious thing she could think of.

“Um! Are you not thinking the same thing?” Emerald asks as we enter back into the jeep.

I choose to not answer. The only thing I know about Delilah is the rumors I’ve heard and the words that come out from her sinful lips. It doesn’t add up that she could be involved with Brad’s death. According to her files, she has never really left for another state or country. All her life, she has really been bound to the Moonsdale pack. I drive to the pack house after dropping Emerald at the training center where wolves practice.

How do I even begin to ask her? Just like Emerald said, it is a despicable thing to be in a bond with my ex-beta’s mate. How can I?

“Elliot.” I say referring to the house keeper of the pack house and he hurries.

“Have you seen Delilah, my mate?” I ask and it cringes me to say.

I feel like Brad is looking down at me and shaking his head in dishonor.

“No, Alpha. She hasn’t returned home ever since she left this morning.” Elliot says.

“Okay, thank you, make sure to give me a call if she arrives.” I reply and head over to my room. I begin to focus on some work that I have to do. First, we have to choose the next Beta which means there would be an open competition and the man that fights against every wolf trainee would get the spot.

It usually takes about a month and it’s hectic. Men from all across the city and country usually arrive at Moonsdale pack to try their strengths. I yawn, looking over at the time and it’s 10pm.

I tighten my jawline. I don’t even allow my younger sister to stay out so late till it’s this time. It seems I would have to make some new rules in this house. At 11pm, I begin to get out of my office and I head out into the sitting room.

At that instance, the door opens and it reveals Delilah. I am at the staircase when the light switches on and she stares at me. I look at my watch before looking at her.

“You do realize this is my pack house right?” It’s not a brothel or night club.” I say and her brows crease.

“I’m also not a child.” She replies faintly.

I am blocking the staircase that she would have used to walk away but I don’t intend on letting her pass.

“What was your relationship with Brad like?” I ask and her face changes immediately. The change in her appearance is causing me to realize that there is something more to their relationship.

“Do you feel guilty for marking me? Is that why you are asking?” Delilah says.

Slowly, I walk away from the staircase and I begin to head over to her. I am several inches taller than her, she is like a kitten before me.

“Answer my question, Delilah?” I say and I watch as she grabs her purse tighter.

She takes a deep breath and begins to reply.

“He claimed me publicly and it was against my wishes. Brad was your beta and I guess you don’t know…but he got away with a lot of crimes.” Delilah says.

“So, you wanted him dead?” I ask and instead of replying, she tries to walk away.

“If I could kill him, I would have done it when I was eighteen. I wouldn’t have waited for so long.” She replies.

When she speaks, her eyes waver and it’s almost as if she’s on the verge of crying.