Brynn's Beta

Chapter 2--Brynn

Later that day, Mrs. Gibson asked me to pick up some supplies from one of the shops downtown. I asked a few of my friends to accompany me, but no one was available. Since I hadn’t seen Will all day, I was hoping he was off doing something for the Alpha. Plus, I didn’t have a choice. Mrs. Gibson insisted that she needed the stuff for the dinner preparation that night.

Most of the trail to the village was out in the open, but there was a part that wandered through the woods. It was a perfect day for a walk, so I took my time. There was no rush since we still had hours until dinner. Plus, the sooner I got back the sooner Mrs. Gibson would give me another menial task to complete. It was frustrating to me that I told Mrs. Gibson the skills I was hoping to develop and my strength test highlighted my gifts, yet she refused to allow me to do any of things I enjoyed and use my talents. Instead, I was stuck with labor intensive, mind numbing, busy work.

**Trigger warning: Implications of assault.**

About halfway down the path, it felt like someone was following me. I sped up, but couldn’t shake the feeling. Soon, I knew why. Will’s voice was right behind me. My heart started pounding in my chest. Before I knew what was happening, I was shoved against a tree and Will had my wrists pinned down by my sides. He was aggressively trying to kiss me. I struggled and kicked him, but he just laughed at me.

“Like that would hurt … Omega,” he sneered.

I yelled for help and he put his hand over my mouth. I bit Will’s hand and he hit me across the face. Tasting blood, I yelled again as his hand started to unbutton his pants. Right at that moment, Lia ran up and pulled Will off of me. I sagged to the ground in relief. The new girl Aspen positioned herself right in front of me and crouched down like she was going to attack Will.

Will started to approach us. I couldn’t hear anything. I was shaking and the blood was pounding in my head. Next thing I remember, Will was rolling on the ground holding his man parts, crying. Suddenly, Lia dragged him away from us. Aspen was pulling my hand to help me up and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, “let’s get you out of here.” I felt tears leaking from my eyes as Aspen let me cry into her shoulder. At least the shaking had mostly stopped.

Lia and Aspen took me back to my room and locked the door. Aspen sat next to me on the bed and handed me a tissue, “Are you ok? Did he hurt you? You’re safe now. No one will hurt you.” Aspen hugged me as I sniffled. I don’t know why, but something inside told me I could trust her.

“No,” I sniffled. “You guys got there right in time. I was lucky. Everyone knows he harasses Omega’s and tries to aggressively hook-up with them. We usually walk in pairs so there’s less chance he will bother us, but I couldn’t find anyone.”

Aspen hugged me again, but I was afraid to make eye contact. What if I messed up or did something wrong? What if she was the only one who believed me and Will came back?

“Look at me,” Aspen replied softly, “This isn’t your fault. None of it. You shouldn’t have to walk in pairs to feel safe. No means no. I’m taking care of this today. No pack member, regardless of rank, should feel threatened. You guys are important. I’ve only been here for a few days and I can’t imagine the pack functioning without you. You’re safe now.” She kept repeating the same thing, and somehow, I knew she meant it. I found her presence comforting.

“You will?” I sniffled again. My main thought was that Will would come back and try again.

“Yep. I’m going to Maverick’s office right now. How many others have had this happen do you think?” Aspen was insistent about this. She was way braver than most pack members. None of us would barge into Alpha’s office.

“At least six that I know about.”

“Got it. Do you want Lia to stay here with you in case he comes back? I’m pretty sure she could take him.”

In spite of myself, I smiled a little, “She definitely can. Lia’s one of the best warriors in the pack.”

Aspen smiled at me as she looked at Lia, “I guessed as much.” She hugged me again, “Are you sure you’re ok for now? Can I get you anything?”

I sniffled and took a few deep breaths, “I’ll be ok. It was scary.”

“It sure was. Stay here for today. I’ll figure out how to get you the day off.” I smiled again. This Aspen girl was a force and I liked it.

She exchanged a look with Lia who nodded and left my room. Lia locked the door behind her.

Lia sat next to me on the bed. “I’m so sorry, Brynn. I agree with everything Aspen said. None of this is your fault. I also don’t know the right thing to say, so I’m just going to sit here until you feel better. Want me to call your mom or anything?”

“Not yet. I just want to sit here for a while.”

We scooted back on my bed and I rested my head against the wall and closed my eyes. My heart rate started to return to normal. I felt Lia squeeze my hand as I rested.

A couple minutes later there was a soft knock on my door, “Brynn, it’s Jace. I just wanted to check on you. Are you ok? Can I get you anything?”

Jace was the last person I wanted to see right now. I walked to the door, but didn’t unlock it, “I’m fine Jace. Lia is with me. I don’t need anything.”

There was a pause. I somehow knew that Jace was still outside my door. “Are you sure you are ok? Can I … could you please open the door, just a crack?” Jace whispered.

Tears welled up in my eyes again. I pressed my forehead against the door. “I … I just need some time. I will be fine. Thanks for checking on me.”

There was another pause. “I’m here if you need anything. I’m taking Will to the cells. I promise he will never hurt you again. I left a bottle of water outside the door and I’ll have Ivy bring you some tea. I promise, Brynn. You will always be safe.”

“Thanks,” I replied with a sigh. The last thing I wanted was Jace to see me like this, but it was sweet of him to check on me. He sounded worried. I waited a few minutes to make sure he was gone and opened my door to get the water. It was actually a bottle of water and three cans of my favorite flavored sparkling water beverage. How did Jace even know my favorite flavor? Must have been a lucky guess. I held one of the cool cans against my cheek where Will hit me. I was sure there was a mark and it would bruise. I was close to getting my wolf, so it would heal quicker than a normal, but not as fast as a full shifter.

Closing and locking the door behind me again, I turned around and saw Lia smirking at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing. Jace just seemed realllllly concerned about you. What’s going on?”

I blushed, “Nothing. Today is the most he’s spoken to me in months.”

Lia wagged her eyebrows, “Maybe he’s your mate?”

I released a harsh laugh, “Unlikely. He completely ignores me 99% of the time. He’s just doing his job.”

“Right … whatever you say,” Lia teased.

I did feel better after I drank the water. Ivy appeared, and shortly after my mom popped in. They bustled around making me take a shower and put on pj’s. My mom literally tucked me into bed like I was a child and made Ivy bring me a real ice pack for my face,

“Mom! It’s two in afternoon! I’m not tired.”

“Shush. You’re my baby and something scary happened. You just lay here and Netflix and chill or something.”

Ivy and I giggled, “Mom, do you even know what that means?”

“No. I just heard one of your brother’s mention it one day.”

Ivy and I looked at each other and laughed, “Sure, mom. Netflix sounds good. Probably going to skip the ‘chill’ part today.”

My mom kissed my forehead, “Fine. Just make sure you relax. Are you sure you don’t need me to stay?”

“I’m sure. Thanks for coming over.”

My mom looked doubtful, but left anyway. “You call me in the morning as soon as you’re awake. And I’m sure your brothers and Father will be by to check on you.”

As soon as she was gone, Lia looked over at me with a smirk, “bet you would Netflix and chill with Jace …” she teased.

I threw a pillow at her, “shut up,” I mumbled as I pressed the ice pack against my face.

Ivy and Lia laughed at me while I flicked through my Netflix list looking for a suitable show. Lia was in and out most of the afternoon, helping Alpha Maverick with something, but Ivy hung with me.

After several episodes of my favorite sitcom and at least one round of snacks, there was a knock on my door. “Brynn? It’s Dr. Fagan. Alpha Maverick sent me to check on you. Can I come in?”

I sighed, “sure.”

Dr. Fagan poked her head in and smiled when she saw Ivy and Lia on my bed. “I wanted to ask you a couple of questions if that’s ok. Do you mind if Alpha Maverick or Beta Jace listen in? It’s totally fine if you don’t want them here. It’s your decision.”

I paused my show and took a deep breath. I was feeling better but I knew there would be some questions. “Is Will in the cells?” I whispered to Dr. Fagan.

“He is and Alpha Maverick promised he will stay there indefinitely. You are safe here, Brynn. We all want you to know that.”

“Ok. They can listen.”

Ivy scooted off my bed, “Lia and I are going to find some treats. You want an ice cream sundae? Nachos or tacos?” she asked, naming some of my favorite foods.

“Nachos and double caramel sauce,” I requested as they walked out of my room. I didn’t want to be in bed for this, so I crawled out and sat on the floor, resting my back against the bed, hugging a pillow. Alpha Maverick pulled out my desk chair and sat against the wall opposite my bed, while Jace sat on the floor next to me. Like right next to me, so our shoulders were touching. Maybe it was because we had been friends for so long, but I liked that he was sitting next to me. It made me feel safe. As long as Jace was around, I knew Will wouldn’t hurt me again.

I stared at the carpet, suddenly finding it the most interesting thing in the world. I couldn’t even look them in the eye. I felt so embarrassed about what happened.

“Hey,” Jace nudged my shoulder, “it’s ok. None of this is your fault. We just want to make sure we have the info we need to keep Will locked up for a long, long time. You know, I saw the bite marks on Will’s hand. I know you gave him hell. It was really brave.”

“Sure was,” Maverick added, “you sure you don’t want to start warrior training? I think you’re a natural.”

I looked up at Jace, “Really?”

He nodded, “yep. You did some really damage.”

In spite of everything, I smiled a little. It felt good to know that I hurt Will as much as I could. Jace grabbed the ice pack from my bed and gently pressed it against my cheek, holding it in place for me.

“Thanks,” I murmured, a little embarrassed by his actions.

Alpha Maverick cleared his throat, “I want you to know that nothing you say to us leaves this room. You’re not in trouble and none of this is your fault. I was just hoping you might be able to tell us what happened before Lia and Aspen found you. Just so we have all the facts.”

I sighed and leaned my head back against the bed and explained everything that I remembered from this morning. By the time I finished, Jace was growling and Alpha Maverick looked furious. He got up from his chair and knelt down in front of me, “I am so sorry this happened and that I’ve been too busy to notice what Will was doing. I promise this will never happen again.”

“Me too,” Jace whispered, “never again.”

I felt a lump in my throat and shut my eyes to hold the tears back. “Thanks,” I whispered. Jace nudged my shoulder again and squeezed my hand as he brought it up to hold the ice pack against my cheek.

“I’ll come back to check on you tomorrow,” Jace muttered, “and you have the day off again. Relax and let me know if you need anything. Anything at all.”

I nodded as I felt Jace stand up. Opening my eyes, he was at the door before I found my voice, “Jace?”

He turned, “Hmm?”

“Thanks for checking on me earlier and bringing my favorite sparkling water.” I gave him a little smile.

His face lit up with a huge grin, “you’re welcome. See ya later.”

Dr. Fagan stayed behind. As soon as the door was shut, she sat down in front of me. “Do you want me to check your face? Lia told me that she didn’t think anything else happened, but I’m happy to do a full exam or provide you with emergency contraception if you need it.”

I shook my head no. “He didn’t get …” my words trailed off and I took a deep breath to steady myself. “Nothing happened like that. I mean, he hit me, but he didn’t get under my clothes or anything.”

Dr. Fagan squeezed my knee, “Ok. I’m going to check on you a few times over the next couple of weeks. Also, when you’re ready, think about seeing a therapist. I can make some recommendations. You’ll feel better once you talk with someone.”

I nodded, “I would like that.”

“Great. I will leave you with Lia and Ivy, then. I have an open-door policy, so if you feel the need, just pop by the clinic anytime and I’m happy to talk.”

“Thanks, Dr. Fagan.”

“Anytime. Do you want anything to help you sleep tonight?”

“Not tonight. I’m feeling ok. But I’ll let you know if I want something.”

“Sounds good. Good night, Brynn.”

Shortly after Dr. Fagan left, Ivy and Lia were back with loads of snacks and drinks. We all piled back in my bed and resumed our show. Ivy slung her arm around me and rested her head on my shoulder. “You’re so brave,” she murmured, “sister from another mister.” I kissed her forehead, “thanks for staying with me tonight … sister from another mister.”

Ivy and Lia fell asleep a few hours later, but it took me longer in spite of my exhaustion. My thoughts were so jumbled from the day and then there was Jace, again. Somehow, this time, thinking about Jace was comforting and I finally drifted off remembering how warm and safe I felt while he was sitting next to me.