Beta (complete)

18

We pulled up to the pack house; anticipation hung thick in the air. I don't think Titus and I could have ran any faster into the house looking for Christian. I had tried to get most of the blood off my face so Christian wouldn't be afraid but there was some caked on.

"Christian," Titus called as we entered the house. I knew he was afraid something horrible happened to Christian but he was holding himself together well as he always did.

Christian rounded the corner and ran to me instantly. Titus's relief was instant and apparent at our son's safety and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief as well. He wrapped his arms around me as best he could but to my surprise, he didn't cry. I thought he would be afraid of my appearance but he just seemed happy to see me.

"Are you okay," he asked though his voice was muffled by the sheet I was wrapped in.

"I'm fine. I'm just happy to be home with you."

"Are you going with that man again?"

"Never again," I promised.

"Good. He was mean."

"Did he hurt you?" I asked tightly.

"No," he admitted quietly, "But he hurt you."

Leave it to Christian to be compassionate. He was beyond his years in his emotional maturity. He understood things most ten year olds wouldn't. I was proud that he was so advanced because he wouldn't be fooled by anything.

"Let's go home," Titus suggested.

I nodded and let Titus pick up Christian and we all went out to the car. Zac and Rachel had already left without even letting me thank them. I would have to show my gratitude somehow but I needed a shower, sleep, and food before anything. Also, a very long discussion with Titus. I wanted to know how he found me within a day. I had expected it to take him awhile but I was home within twenty-four hours.

We drove in total silence to our house and again, he didn't touch me, talk to me, or look at me. I wasn't sure why he was avoiding me but I wasn't going to bring it up with Christian in the car.

I noticed pack warriors surrounding every corner of the house which was expected after something like this. Titus was going to be overprotective after his world was turned upside down. Serious harm could have come to both Christian and myself but thankfully, it was only me.

Once inside, Christian wouldn't release my hand. He held on tight as we made our way upstairs to his room. He seemed a little afraid of the room but I knew he would be fine.

"Are you going to be okay alone?" I asked just to make sure.

He nodded in agreement so I put him in bed and kissed his forehead. Titus stayed at the door and made no move to enter the room. He was acting really strange which put me on edge. I couldn't figure out the reason behind his silence but I couldn't help but wonder where Claire was.

I didn't put too much thought into it. I simply walked past Titus and into our room, heading straight for the bathroom. My mind flashed to the last time we were together and I wanted to return to that blissful state but that clearly wasn't happening.

I stepped inside the giant shower and watched as the black blood washed away to reveal my usual soft, light skin. I felt like the water couldn't be hot enough. I couldn't feel clean enough even though I had spent a good half hour in the shower, soaping, shampoo, everything but I could still feel his blood, taste it in my mouth. Eventually, I had to get out. I doubted I would ever feel totally rid of the crime I committed but it needed to happen. I killed him in a fit of rage but if I had tried to do it when I was calm, I would have been killed. I just prayed the Order ended with him but I doubted it. Andre was just the beginning.

I wrapped a towel around my body and blow dried my hair. I examined myself in the mirror, looking for something physically different about myself but there was nothing. I was the same Elizabeth but something inside of me had changed. I wasn't as secure as I once was. I was hardened slightly, somehow more and less emotional.

I went into the bedroom to see Titus sitting at the edge of the bed, already expecting me. I stopped dead in my tracks as he looked over at me. His expression may have been stoic but I could feel his regret almost like it was my own. I felt my stomach drop. It wasn't just regret; he felt guilt beyond anything I had ever seen from him. What could have possibly caused such a deep emotional response?

"Did he touch you?" He asked though his voice lacked any emotion.

"No," I responded quietly.

"Then why are there bite marks on your neck?"

"He drank from me but that was it."

"He didn't lay a hand on you," he asked but I had a feeling he already knew the answer to that.

"He hit me," I said as I touched my lightly bruised jaw.

"Elizabeth, I need to tell you something."

Oh God. My heart stopped and raced within a second. Had he cheated on me?

"Okay," I said carefully.

How would I react if he told me he was with Claire? Would I flip out? Would I leave him? Could I leave him? I couldn't leave Christian but what if he forced me to?

I cautiously sat next to him at the edge of the bed. He gripped my hand tightly and kissed my knuckles before taking a breath.

"I know just about everything."

I was caught off guard, "What?"

"About the way you grew up, why you were even born, your brother...I know it all. I am so sorry I never tried to learn more about you. And I'm sorry for not listening to you about Claire. I should have banned her from the start but I honestly did not think she had this in her."

I looked at the ground. I had planned on telling him about everything but I hadn't planned on when. I knew it was wrong of me to keep my past so hidden but it was shameful. I had never been wanted by anyone except a vampire that only wanted to use me for breeding. I needed to tell him everything. He thought he knew everything but he didn't. There were things only my parents, Andre, and I knew.

"That's not everything," I whispered, "The reason he was so adamant about me was because I was genetically engineered to be the most likely carrier of a hybrid."

"What do you mean," he asked.

"My parents conceived me naturally to obtain my wolf but while I was in the womb, I was injected with vampire blood. That's why I'm pale and smaller than most wolves. I hardly age and the older I get, the slower it becomes. I'm not even sure I'll ever die naturally. I don't even know if I can have children," I said as I started to cry. I was convinced he would leave me now, knowing that I did have a little bit of vampire DNA.

He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close.

"I should have told you this before we were married. I understand if you want a divorce," I said regaining some control.

"I don't care about what you are, Liz. I love you and nothing can ever change that."

"Are you sure? There is a chance I can't have children."

"That chance exists with all couples. If you can't get pregnant that's fine. We have Christian."

I couldn't believe I ever doubted him. I felt ridiculous for ever thinking he wouldn't want me because of my DNA.

"So you're a hybrid?"

"Not exactly but I'm the closest thing to it. I don't have any vampire tendencies except my intelligence and in extreme situations, I have strength I didn't know I possessed. It's the only reason I was able to kill Andre."

He nodded, "I'm sorry. This never would have happened if I came home right after work."

"Where were you anyway?"

He smiled lightly, "Planning a surprise for you."

"What kind of surprise?"

"A trip. Just the two of us since we haven't gone anywhere since our honeymoon."

I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks. Where are we going?"

"Italy. We leave in two weeks."

I smiled to myself, "You really the best husband."

"No I'm not. I've treated you-"

"You have treated me better than anyone ever has before. My parents never wanted me. They made it very clear they were only watching over me until Andre was willing to take me. My brother hasn't said a single word to me in seventeen years. You and Christian and Adrian are the only family I have ever had," I said.

"I may treat you better than you biological family but I still have a lot of room for improvement."

"I don't think so," I insisted.

He groaned, "Liz, trust me on this. I have been a shitty mate. From now on, we tell each other everything, deal?"

"Deal."







This is not the end!!!

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