BELLA & THE BETA

Prologue

"I will ask this for the last time. Are you..."

"Yes, Rome. I'm sure. Asking me the same question every hour won't change my decision" Last time his ass. In the last hour alone, he'd asked four times and it didn't look like he was going to stop anytime soon. Then again, Nigel couldn't blame him. Not when he was just the messenger.

"Just so you know, I can manage the pack alone while you're away. If something happens to me, Leander is here. He can take over"

Nigel rolled his eyes "He's barely four years old, Rome"

"His mother and grandfather will guide him. The rest of the pack is also here. You have nothing to worry about"

"I know that"

"Then why won't you leave? What's holding you back?"

"Rome..."

"I don't want to hear it. You are to drop everything and leave the pack. Don't come back until you've found her" he paused, "Or him. This is an order, Nigel"

"Did Beverly threaten you? What was it this time?"

Roman kicked the chair beside him then pulled it back and sat down. Sighing dramatically. He'd witnessed the Luna threatening the Alpha more times than he could count and it always amazed him how Roman eventually gave in. Beverly Anson had changed him but Nigel didn't know if it was for the better or worse. And it was one of the reasons he didn't want to waste his time looking for his mate. He liked his life the way it was. But he also knew he had a responsibility to produce an heir. An Alpha without a beta to assist him would put the pack in danger. Which was why he'd chosen someone to mate with. A woman who would fit into his life without disrupting it.

"Apparently, she wants you to be happy"

"And you don't?"

"Exactly! I've known you longer and I'm your Alpha. I want everyone in my pack to be happy but I'm not about to dictate how you should live your lives. Who does she think she is? Your mother? You're a grown-ass man who can decide for himself whether you want to go looking for your mate or not. Why does she have to stick her nose where it doesn't belong and then kick me out of my room for pointing that out? I am the Alpha. Everything on this..."

Nigel picked up the phone and instructed Libby to clean the guest room then went back to work. Leaving Roman to continue with his rant. Ten minutes later, he looked up and asked "Do you feel better?"

"No"

"Then brace yourself because you're about to spend a month in the guest room. Beverly walked by a few minutes ago and heard everything you said" he said then smirked at the way Roman jumped to his feet.

"She did? Which part? f**k, this woman will be the end of me. You'll at least tell Leander and Addie about me. Right?"

"Tell her I'm fine. She doesn't have to worry about me" funny how they didn't like each other when she first arrived in Hell Manes but now she was worrying about his happiness. He'd come to like and respect Beverly as much as he did Roman which was a hell of a lot. She was kind and thoughtful. But most importantly, she kept Roman grounded. Before making a decision, he would think about his family then act accordingly. If anything happened to him, Nigel knew the pack would be just fine. All that was left was to do his duty and produce the next beta.

He had a plan in place.

First, he would mate with Violet and work on getting her pregnant. Since his Alpha and Luna had done it so easily, it couldn't be that hard. But considering Violet wasn't his fated mate, it could take a while. Which was why he'd planned to take a month off and get to know her. They would go on a honeymoon and hopefully, when they got back, she would be pregnant by then. After that, he would spend his time training his son to be the next beta. If they happened to have only daughters, he would pick a candidate from the kids who were Leander's age. A year or two younger would do.

Once he was done, he could then retire peacefully. He prided himself in knowing he was ambitious but not power-hungry. When his successor was ready to take over, he would happily step down.

Everything was going according to plan until she arrived. Her timing was so ridiculous that if he didn't see the genuine shock on her face, he'd think she planned everything. Why did she pick that day to arrive? Why that moment? Right before he marked Violet, her scent wafted to him. Then the bond clicked in place just as an angry roar filled the place. The next thing he knew, he was flying through the air. The moment his back touched the ground, she was on top of him.

It wasn't her strength that pinned him to the ground. And it was definitely not because he was mesmerized by her beauty. Then it had to be her scent. His wolf held him back from retaliating. That had to be the reason he hadn't pushed her off him.

"I am going to skin you and use your fur to wipe my window. How dare you? Who said you could pick someone else over me?" She looked over her shoulder to where he assumed Violet was still standing "You had better make sure I don't see you again or it'll be your last day"

"Uh, Bella? They have zero tolerance for bullying. You can't attack anyone without a reason. Get off him please" A woman with long black hair said trying to pull the crazy psycho off him. Behind her, Roman scoffed. Snapping Nigel out of whatever trance she'd put him in. He tried to get up but she slapped his chest. Pushing him further to the ground.

"You're not going anywhere until you explain to me why you were trying to sink your fangs in a neck that isn't attached to my body. You have ten seconds"

Nigel closed his eyes and prayed for patience. He'd spent less than ten seconds in her presence and he already knew she wasn't the one for him. He was going to reject her right there and complete the ceremony with Violet.

"You have three seconds to get off me, you mad woman"

"Or what? You'll make me? I dare you to lay a finger on me, mate. Go ahead..."

*****************************************