Phoenix

Chapter 10

Darnell's POV:

 I sat on the couch in the living room, looking at a picture Luna Loraina had taken. It was a picture of Bethany and I. Bethany wore a black leotard and gray leggings. She had on a blue crop top sweater, and leg warmers. We were standing in her dance studio. Once or twice I went with Bethany to her dance class. The Luna had printed the picture and given it to me. 

 At that moment, a deep, husky voice came from behind me. "You've been cold and distant with Bethany. I want to know why."

 I spun around quickly to see Beta Luke. He doesn't talk much. He usually has an almost emotionless expression on his face. He looked at me with indifference. I frowned. "Why is it any of your business?" I retorted. 

 The Beta growled as he grabbed the collar of my shirt with one hand and my wrist in his other. "Bethany is more than just my friend. She is my family. I don't tolerate those who hurt my family. I hurt those who hurt my family." My eyes were wide and I felt a shiver go down my spine. "You are hurting her. And I want to know why."

 My skin began burning. I was feeling so many emotions, I don't even know where to begin when listing them! Luke gasped in pain and let go of my wrist. I fell back on the couch and looked up at him as he held his hand.

 "What on earth....?" he mumbled, looking bewildered.

 "Are you alright?" I asked with a straight face.

 "I'm fine." Luke said, frowning. "You didn't answer my question. Why are you being cold and distant to your mate?"

 "You should put some lotion on that and bandage it as soon as you can." I said, taking my crutch and standing up. 

 "Darnell-"

 "Enough, Beta Luke. Don't test me." I declared. 

 The Beta stared at me, his eyes wide. He finally sighed. "Very well. I won't ask you again. But she deserves an explanation. She loves you. She doesn't deserve to have her heart broken."

 I didn't reply. I just walked away. I thought about his words as I limped outside. He was right....Bethany is too wonderful to have her heart broken....But I have to leave. I won't let myself get hurt. Not again. Besides....She'll get over it. She'd reject me anyway. So how is it real love...?

 I sighed heavily. I could at least spend a little time with her before I go....I gave a small smile and walked to the backyard.

 Luke's POV:

 I stared at Darnell's retreating figure. What did I just witness....? What just happened...? His eyes...His eyes turned a fiery orange-red color! His skin felt like it was burning mine! 

I would've pressed him further. I needed to find out why he was hurting Bethany. But my wolf, Orion, stopped me. It was weird....It was like...He knew something about him that I didn't. Like...He was more powerful than me. But that's impossible....right? I mean, he's an Omega and I'm a Beta.

 "You know something, Orion. What is it?" I asked my wolf. He didn't reply. "Orion, there is something strange about that boy. I know you know what it is. Now tell me." Some people might think of me as not a very nice person. Someone who's cold and possessive. And, I will agree, I am. But there's more to me than that. Just...not many people see the other side of me. They don't bother to look.

 "You will find out soon enough, Luke. But, I will say this. It's a good thing you didn't push him too far. He would have hurt you bad." With that, he cut off the connection. I stood there, wide-eyed in shock and confusion. What?!

 At that moment, Amelia came walking up. "Luke? What's wrong? Are you alright?" she asked. She then looked down at my hand. "Luke, you're burned! What happened?! Here, let me help you take care of that." She quickly led me to the bathroom, where she bathed and dressed my burned hand. I told her all about my encounter with Darnell.

 "Orion knows something. But he won't say what. He told me Darnell would've hurt me badly if I would've continued to press him."

 Amelia frowned and sat down on the edge of the bathtub beside me. "Something strange is definitely going on....Especially if Orion says an Omega can beat a Beta like you...He's obviously a strong young man. But I think it's more than that...It's the only thing that makes sense..."

 "I agree, Amelia..." I said calmly.

 Amelia closed her eyes, sighing. "Luke, please promise me one thing....If Orion is right, and Darnell is dangerous and somehow more powerful than you, please be careful...I don't want to raise this baby alone..."

 I gave her a smile and placed my hand on her stomach. "I promise, my love...I'm going to be right here by your side, raising our little daughter and watching her grow.."

 Amelia smiled and we leaned our foreheads against each other. "I love you, Luke..."

 "I love you too."

 Darnell's POV:

 I found Bethany practicing her ballet in the backyard. But, unlike all the other times I've seen her dance, she was making mistakes. She wore the same outfit from the picture Luna Loraina gave me.

 "Ahh!" she suddenly gasped and lost her balance. I hurried over and caught her before she could hit the ground.

 "Are you alright, Bethany?" I asked.

 Bethany looked at me and smiled. "I'm alright...Thank you..."

 "Bethany, I want to talk to you.." She nodded. "Bethany, I'm sorry I've been so cold and distant. I really care about you...I...I love you, Bethany..."

 Bethany smiled, tears forming in her eyes. She hugged me tight. "I love you too, Darnell..."

"Do you want to show me some dance moves now?" I asked.

 Bethany smiled and nodded. "I'd love to, Darnell." She helped me sit down in the grass and handed me her phone. "Just press play when I give you the signal."

 I nodded and watched as she backed up. When she gave me the signal, I pressed play and she began to dance. I smiled brightly as I watched. She was so beautiful and graceful...