The Beta

LXII

*Rian*

+

I didn't appreciate her when I had her. That fact became wildly apparent as I watched the line of vehicles carry her away from me. If anything happened to her, I would raze the entire Rogue camp by myself. If she wasn't in my arms come seven days, the world would feel an earthquake unrivaled to anything in history.

+

"Fate gave you a brave girl," my mother said as she rested her chin on my shoulder.

+

"I wish she wasn't brave." I still didn't tear my gaze off the taillights of the last motorcycle. "I wish she wouldn't be so eager to do whatever they want just to heal Titus. She's putting herself in danger."

+

She shook her head. "You don't want that, son. If she wasn't brave, she wouldn't have lasted this long here. She would've left with the wind."

+

My fists clenched. I regretted every second I made her feel alone, every word that hurt her, every thought that put distance between us. Getting through this week would be unbearable. I wanted to return to my room and lock myself in. Yet there was still much to do.

+

"It's time for you to move into the Alpha house," my mother reminded me. "We shouldn't put it off any longer."

+

I finally turned to hug her. We hadn't spoken a word since we watched our Alpha die together. Now, more than ever, I realized how much we needed each other.

+

No longer was I the rebellious, reckless Beta of the Whitewater pack. That part of me was gone. Maybe even dead.

+

In the Beta's place was an Alpha reborn.

2