Beta (complete)

23

I couldn't imagine the shame and pain Rachel experienced when she told me about her mate. How could anyone, especially her mate, do that? Her mate was supposed to be her rock. He was not supposed to pass her around. I was shocked he wouldn't have been uncontrollably jealous with another person touching her sexually. Heads would roll before anyone except Titus touched me. He would make damn sure of that. Then again, in my experience with that coven, they were so brainwashed that they would do anything and everything for Andre. It was disgusting.

I knew Rachel wasn't looking for pity from me and she wouldn't want it but I did feel bad for her. She seemed so innocent despite what she had been through. A man never showed her she could trust men which was sad because I knew she wanted to be with Zac. Their road to any sort of a relationship would be beyond difficult. He had lost his mate and hers was still alive and probably not willing to let her go. I knew exactly what was going to happen. She would get into the swing of things with Zac and finally be happy for awhile then her mate would show up and work on her emotional connection to him to get her away from Zac. Honestly, I couldn't be sure that she wouldn't go back to that. To deny her mate, regardless of his actions, would be devastating. I wasn't sure if she was strong enough to do it. I just prayed he never came for her. Zac and Rachel deserved to be happy after everything they had done for others. Zac may have been a stern Alpha but he was compassionate and Rachel was just so naive and innocent. She traveled all this way for her sister. I still wasn't sure what happened to her to cause the wounds I treated but I was sure that would be an interesting story to hear.

"Hey," Titus said as he sat next to me.

He tossed his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest. The calming sensation he always caused flooded my mind, putting a small smile on my lips.

"Where did you disappear to?" I asked.

"We're going to take out the Order."

I instantly pulled away from him and frowned but Christian's sleeping form didn't let me go far.

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't. You forget I've been trained for this," he said with a smile.

"Titus. I'm being serious."

"So am I. This isn't just about killing Andre anymore. They pose a huge threat to us an our allies. They need to be dealt with."

"But what if something happens to you?"

"You will be okay, Liz. Trust me."

I absently shook my head, "But without you-"

"Without me, you will be sad but you will take care of our children and this pack. You'll find someone else that will love you."

He was dead serious. His hazel eyes bore into mine with sincerity but I knew that wouldn't be the case. I would never want anyone but him. Sad was the understatement of the century. I would be devastated, in mourning for years. I would never stop missing him even if I did survive long enough to raise our children. I just prayed I didn't lose my mind like most did when a mate died. Just the thought of losing Titus was hard enough. I couldn't imagine it actually happening.

"When?"

"After we get back. We're still working out the logistics."

I nodded stiffly, "Promise me you won't do anything reckless. I need you, Titus," I admitted.

He rested his hand on the back of my neck and pulled me in to kiss me gently.

"I promise I won't do anything reckless."

"Seriously Titus. I only care about what happens to you," I said.

He laughed lightly, "Lizzy, come on. I don't have these muscles just for your viewing pleasure," he teased.

I rolled my eyes but laughed since he was trying to make light of the situation.

"You are so ridiculous," I said with a light laugh.

"But you love me," he said with that signature smirk that could only really be his.

"Yeah, yeah. You're still ridiculous though."

He shrugged, "Maybe. How long has he been out?" He asked, motioning to Christian.

"About an hour. I don't think he's sleeping at night."

"I know. Do you think we should do anything about it?"

I shook my head slowly, "Not yet. Lets see if he does it on his own."

"Alright. Maybe we shouldn't let him nap during the day so he's tired tonight."

"If that's what you want to do," I trailed.

"We can send him on a patrol," Titus suggested.

"No!"

"Why not? I was running patrols at his age."

I scoffed, "Titus, that's dangerous."

"Just a small one in town. Come on. He will be fine."

I bit my lip and stared down at Christian. I wasn't sure it was a good idea with everything going on but Titus was right. Christian had to learn sometime and if it was just a small one in town maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

"Who's going?"

"Brent, Jodie, and Sam."

I frowned. I would rather it be with Titus and Zac but Brent was Third in Command so I guess that was okay. Jodie and Sam were two of the best warriors; I knew they would die before ever letting harm come to Christian. Even if he hadn't been the Beta's son, they all would love Christian.

"If you're sure nothing will happen then fine," I reluctantly agreed.

He kissed me more suggestively, "I'm glad you said that."

"Why?"

"I've been waiting to be alone with you."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm," he mumbled as he trailed his lips along my jaw, just a brush, a promise of what was to come later.

This man managed to drive me crazy in the best and worst ways possible. Only Titus could tell me he was going to take on a coven then make me agree with it and sleep with him. My weakness for him knew no bounds. Only he could make sex feel new every time even though we had been together countless times in the last five years.

"Christian," I said as I ran my hand over his hair.

He tucked himself further into me an curled his legs. Both Titus and Christian hated to be woken up.

"Christian, do you want to go on a patrol?" Titus asked.

Instantly, Christian was wide awake and off my lap. Nothing could make him forget me quicker than the chance to prove himself to his father.

"Where?" He asked excitedly.

"It's just a small one in town but I think this would be a good start," Titus said.

"Really?!"

"Come on. You're going with Brent."

"Bye, Mom!" Christian said as he started to take off.

"Hey!" I called after him. He turned around and ran back.

"Make sure you listen to Brent and if anything happens, I want you to come right back here."

"Promise I'll listen to Brent," he said. I could tell he was eager to go so I kissed his cheek and he ran off.

I wished I could go with him but it wasn't customary for the parents to accompany their child's first patrol. A patrol was an opportunity for the child to establish themselves away from the parents. Abiding by the tradition didn't mean I agreed with it.

"I'll be right back," Titus said.

"I'll meet you upstairs."

He smirked, "Even better."

I hopped up and walked in front of him on purpose. I wanted him to watch the sway of my hips, to imagine what would be waiting for him upstairs. I heard a low, possessive, growl and tossed him a playful look over my shoulder as he went the opposite direction but never took his eyes off of me.

I hadn't realized how badly I wanted him until he was just out of reach. We hadn't had sex since before Andre took me and that was unacceptable. Everything had been so tense and stressful with Christian not sleeping and not letting us sleep and we still went to work every day. We should have taken time off work to just be together as a family but hindsight is always twenty-twenty. Maybe I could ask Anne to take over for a few weeks so I could spend some time with Christian before Titus and I left.

Before I could even make it to the end of the hall towards our portion of the mansion, Titus was right behind me. He pinched my butt, causing me to squeak a little. He laughed at my jump but I turned to glare playfully at him. Of course he used that to his advantage and pulled me flush against his body, crashing his lips to mine. I loved the feel of his soft, firm lips against mine. He had this way of making everything so toe-curling passionate, I could never tire of him.

"Beta?" A young girl's voice came from behind Titus.

He growled in frustration but looked over his shoulder at the girl.

"What," he demanded.

I lightly poked his chest, successfully pulling his attention back to me.

"Be nice," I scolded.

He rolled his eyes but didn't apologize to the girl.

"Alpha needs you in the library," she said timidly.

"Thanks," he muttered.

She scurried away and I secured my arms around his neck again, pulling myself to his lips.

"Go. I'll see you soon."

"Better be waiting for me in that bed," he responded with a kiss.

I laughed lightly, "Whatever you say, Titus."

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