The Beta's Mate

by Tanya Gilford

  “Then Pam really has lost her damn mind. Do me a favor, remind Pam that Annie is almost 18, not 12 anymore. She has a bad habit of forgetting how old her daughter is. Maybe the age will jog her memory on what is going on with Annie.”

  “Can you just tell me what the fuck is going on with my mate?!” I shouted. Steve’s eyes went wide then narrowed in anger.

  “Wait… Your mate?” Carol paused. “You’re a wolf… Annie’s mated to a wolf? Great, more issues. Dear boy, Annie isn’t human. Please don’t take her to the human hospital. I’ll explain when I get there, since Pam will never admit the truth.”

  “Does Anna know?”

  “Nope. Again, I’ll explain everything when I arrive. I must go and pack. Don’t say anything to Annie until I’m there. Please send someone to pick me up.”

  “I wouldn’t know what to say to her. I’ll send someone, just text me when your arrival time will be.” I replied into the phone before she hung up. I looked down at Anna, sleeping in my arms. If she’s not human, then what is she. I looked up at Steve, “turn around, we’re bringing her back to the house.”

  “What?”

  “She’s not human…” I whispered in disbelief. “The crazy aunt was yammering about things in riddles at the same time as saying not to bring her to the hospital. I snapped, but I got the answer, kind of. Anna has no idea, but Pam is hiding something.”

  “Well, shit.” Steve smiled as he made a U-turn. “Are you calling Pam?”

  “What do I say to her? Your ex sister-in-law told me not to bring your child to the hospital because in her words I quote ‘you’ve lost your damn mind.’ Among other highly praising words, not really.” I snorted. “As soon as I said mate, she knew I was a wolf. Also said that’s more problems. So, let’s think what she could be where her aunt clearly detests the idea of a wolf.”

  “Vampire, fairy, demon, siren, witch, and let’s not forget the damn elves. We don’t along with any other creature except wolves.” Steve listed.

  “She’s not a vampire or demon, we’d smell it on her. She’s not a siren, because I’ve taken her swimming before.” I pointed out. “Which narrows the possibilities down to a witch, a fairy, or an elf. Is it bad, I’m hoping which is the answer?”

  “Fairies and elves are assholes. They are more dangerous than anyone else because of the powers and abilities.” Steve replied. “With this mysterious wolf in our territory, having an unknown magical creature coming for a visit is unsettling.”

  “She’s Anna’s aunt. She cares about Anna more than Pam does. Plus, my girl won’t let her hurt any of us.” I smiled at him in the rearview.

  “Charlie…” Anna moaned as she tossed in her sleep.

  “I’m here baby. I’m taking you home to rest in bed. Your Aunt Carol is coming to help you.” I mind linked with her. She whimpered a little as she tossed to her side. I held her shoulders to keep her from rolling off my lap. I gently stroked her hair as Steve drove us back to the house. I need to take care of my mate somehow, and I just hope listening to Carol is the right thing to do. I sent Pam a quick text. “Change of plans… Not going to the hospital, Carol said you would understand since Annie is almost 18.”

  Pam’s response was unexpected, “Okay, just give me an update if anything changes.”

  I read it twice. What the fuck was she hiding? Whatever it was, I’m going to get it out of Carol when she arrives later tonight. Anna was right, Pam really goes seem to care about her at all, it’s all for show. I was in disbelief.

  We got Anna back to the house. I changed her into her nightgown for her comfort, and tucked her into bed. I paced my room for almost an hour before I went downstairs for something to drink and food.

  “How is she?” Steve asked as I entered the kitchen.

  “Same. I still can’t believe Pam… Her daughter is sick, and she just wants an update… The plan was changed by Carol, not Anna’s mom. After everything I heard and have seen over the past summer, I’m baffled. I thought she genuinely cared and loved Anna, but now I see the truth. I completely understand where all Anna’s anger came from the other night, and I owe my mate an apology.” I admitted.

  Steve let out a sigh. “I just want to know what her parents have been hiding from her. Do me a favor, when Anna goes after Pam for hiding the truth, film it for me?” Steve chuckled. “It’s going to be BIG!”

  “Whatever it is, 18 is the magic birthday for them. Something is happening, we’ve seen it.” I glanced at the clock. Carol should be arriving soon. Paul is going to text me when he has her. I brought my lunch upstairs with me, and sat down next to her in the bed.

  She tossed around a bit more, moaning uncomfortably. My heart ached for her, I wanted nothing more to know what was going on. “Charlie…” She whimpered again.

  I held her hand, watching her. My touch seemed to calm her, for she stopped tossing and whimpering as soon as my fingers touched her skin. “I’m right here. Open your eyes baby. Please, Anna, open your eyes for me. Let me know you're okay my love.” I begged her though our newly discovered mind link.

  Her eyes fluttered open within minutes after me asking her to. She looked around confused, then blinked at me a bit more. “What happened?” She whispered.

  “You had a panic attack, followed by a seizure this time, before passing out. You’ve been out for almost 10 hours now. You Aunt Carol’s plane just landed; she’ll be here within an hour.” I informed as I brushed her hair from her face with my fingers. “I need to get you food.” I remembered Carol’s instruction.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Carol said to give you food when you wake up, so I need to do that.” I insisted. She groaned, but didn’t protest. There was a light knock on the door before Sophie could breeze in. “Good, stay here with her while I go get her some food.” I instructed, before kissing Anna and rushing to the kitchen.

  Chapter 11

  Anastasia

  I stared at the open door to his bedroom that Charlie had just rushed out of. What the hell did I miss? I looked back at Sophie who gave me a wry smile before tentatively sitting down in my desk chair. “How are you feeling?” She asked nervously.

  “Confused. What happened?”

  “You sent a text to your aunt and as you opened the car door, you clutched your chest and fell to the ground. Charlie was coming out of the house as you began to fall, so he prevented you from hitting your head. That’s all I know.” She explained. “You don’t remember any of it?”

  “I remember sending the text and reading a text from Debbie, but that’s it. I just woke up again, and Charlie said I had a seizure and now my aunt is coming here.” I grabbed my phone to look at my notifications. Charlie must have answered my phone call from my aunt. I opened my messages from Debbie again trying to see what set the panic attack off, but I couldn’t recall. Debbie has been sending me the normal birthday countdown things. Every year, for the month before our birthday, we do like a birthday month challenge. Today’s challenge was to spread the love. I asked for more detail on the challenge. I guess I missed her reply. “Spread the love… Send a pic of something you love.”

  Well, that was helpful. I looked through my phone and found a couple pictures. One of Buttercup, and the other was a recent picture I took of me and Charlie. As soon as I hit send, I knew she’d be calling. “Hello.”

  “Explain, be-otch.” She demanded.

  “Aren’t they self-explanatory?” I pondered out loud. “I’m sorry my response took so long, I guess I had a random seizure today and just woke up ten hours later. I have no idea what happened.”

  “Well, I was talking about the second picture, but are you okay? How are you feeling?” She peppered me with the questions. “Did you go to the hospital? Who’s helping you? Can I do anything?”

  “Shut up and let me answer…” I groaned into the phone. “I’m feeling okay. I don’t think I was brought to the hospital. Charlie and his friends are helping me, and my aunt Carol is on her way to the house as we speak. And
before you get upset, I promise to tell you all the gossip on Saturday when I don’t have a history exam to study for. Also, when I don’t have people checking in on me every ten seconds.”

  “You better. I’m dying to hear about this romance… You know how I live vicariously through you. By the way, I want a better picture of you and your lover boy. That one was a bit blurry.” I rolled my eyes at her, she wanted to make sure I was telling the truth about me and Charlie.

  “Noted babe. Talk to you later.” I replied as I hung up the phone. Charlie walked in carrying a tray full of food. I snuck a quick picture of him to send to Debbie, as I smiled up at him. “Thanks hon.” I said as I looked over the tray of food. Grilled Cheese with tomato soup, and a bottle of water, and a glass of homemade sweet tea. My stomach let out a loud growl as I eyed the food greedily.

  “Eat up, your aunt will be here in about 25 minutes.” Charlie told me.

  I found no need to protest over the food. Sophie excused herself and hurried out of the room as Charlie took a seat on the bed next to me. He kissed my neck as I tried to chew. “I love you Charlie, but please let me eat.” I complained.

  “I was so worried about you. I’m just glad you're awake.” He confessed leaning back against the headboard. He reached out and began playing with my hair that was in my high ponytail. When I was finished eating, I moved the tray off the bed to the floor before turning my attention to him.

  I straddled his lap, as I pressed my lips hungrily against his. I needed him more than anything right now. He grabbed my hips as I began to rock them on him. I fumbled with the button to his pants, before I undid it. I tugged at the top of the pants until he reluctantly lifted his ass so I could slide them down his legs. When I moved back up to sit on his lap I was satisfied with his erection. I did that to him, no one else but me.

  I slid him into me with a moan of pleasure from both of us. I closed my mouth over his as I began to rock my hip back and forth on him. He trailed his lips down my neck and across my collar bone as I ran my hands up his torso and over his biceps. His hands tightened on my hips, to guide me to a faster pace. “Ride me like a running horse baby. Fast and hard. Just like we both like it. Be in control.” He growled through his teeth.

  I shifted my knees to get a better angle on him, grabbed his shoulders and began gyrating up and down his length at a fast pace. After a few minutes, my eyes were rolling back, and my head fell backwards heavily as pleasure built in me. “Oh, Charlie… I’m going to cum.” I cried. He tightened his grip moving both our hips faster together. I grabbed his hair in my fists, pulling his head into my chest. He motorboated my chest as my orgasm burst through me. “Oh, Charlie-eeeee…” I cried out as my core tightened around him.

  “ANNA!” Charlie called as his own release came. I rolled my hip a few more times, while I kissed him passionately. “It’s been a while since you’ve taken control.” He commented. In fact, the last time I was in complete control like this was that night at the bonfire. I kissed him again and climbed off of him.

  “Thank you for my food, and for you.” I teased.

  He pulled his pants back on. When he sat down on the bed next to me, he pulled me to him by wrapping his arms around me. I leaned my head back against his chest. Just then my aunt came bursting into the room. “Well, it smells like my timing is good. Wouldn’t want to interrupt that.” She started wrinkling her nose up. “Annie, come downstairs to the guest room they put me in, we need to talk.” I got up and followed her down the stairs. Charlie was right behind me. “Young man did I stutter when I said for Annie to follow me?”

  “No, ma’am but I feel I need to know what you’re going to tell her.” Charlie answered.

  “If she chooses, she can tell you.” She snapped. She looked at me, “what is it with you and wolves? The other one was nothing but trouble, and this one is nosy. I’m so tired of hearing wolves claiming that you’re their mates. It wasn’t true with the first one, and I’m sorry honey but it probably isn’t true this time.” She grabbed my hand pulling me into the room, and slamming the door in Charlie’s face.

  “I’ll tell you everything later. I love you Charlie, and I know I’m your true mate.” I told him through our mind link. I hope it worked.

  “I love you too Anna.” Charlie replied.

  “Annie, sit down. I’m sorry if I upset you, but we have a lot to cover. I figured your mother would have begun to tell you about who we really are, but I guess I was wrong. She gave up her true identity years ago, and yet my brother is the one who paid the price.” Carol grumbled. She dropped a suitcase on the bed. “I was worried I wouldn’t get this as a carry-on.” She explained as she opened the zipper and flipped the cover over.

  “I don’t follow.” I replied.

  “You need to be extremely careful around these wolves. Many try to manipulate our kind into doing things for them. When you turn 18 you’re going to have a major change, and currently your body is showing symptoms of your change happening before your 18th, probably because you're involved with a wolf. You develop your powers at 18. You my niece, are showing signs of being more like me and my parents.” She explained as shimmering yellow wings appeared on her back and she began to hover over the floor.

  “Excuse me… What?” I was baffled.

  “You’re a Fairy. You, your mom, your dad was, and I am all fairies. Though your mother chose to forget it, your dad and I didn’t. Your dad had the ability to heal others, not himself. I have the ability to fly obviously, but also see someone’s truth and future through touch. Your mom could grow things, that’s why her gardens are so prosperous. Though your mom and dad don’t have wings. I take after your grandmother, and you will more than like too. There are many abilities that you could possibly develop, but only time will tell.” She made a clucking sound as she pulled out an envelope. “This is from your father. He wanted me to give it to you on your 18th birthday, but it is close enough.”

  I took the envelope from her and turned to the door. “Thank you, I’m going to need time to digest this news.”

  “The letter will help. I promise, you dad always knew how to explain things to you better than anyone else.” Carol assured me. I smiled with a nod and headed out the door.

  I took the letter upstairs to Charlie’s room, to find it empty. Good, maybe I can sit for a minute and try not to freak out over this bombshell. I opened the envelope, unfolded the letter and began reading my dad’s last message to me:

  My Dearest Annie,

  If you're reading this then I’m not around to tell you any of this in person and I am deeply sorry for that. Happy 18th Birthday baby girl. I hope you find love and happiness in your life. I’m also sorry I sent you to live with your mom when I got sick, but it was better for you not to witness me wither away. I never really had cancer, nor did I ever really go for surgery. I’ve been slowly dying since your mother left me for a human. Please, don’t hate her on that information, let me explain before you blow a fuse baby girl.

  There is no subtle way to tell you this, so I’ll tell it to you straight. You’re a fairy. We live among humans and other magical beings. Your aunt is always on guard around others who are not fairy or human, but don’t let her influence your views. Some of us have wings, others do not, but we all have powers. Each person is unique and has a different ability, they manifest in various ways. All fairy magic is powerful, and there are some who seek to use our powers for evil. Trust your gut, if it sounds fishy, don’t do it. You’re like me in the aspect of always needing to help those in need, but I know you also have your aunt’s skepticism about things.

  Upon your 18th birthday, you may experience some unexplainable issues. Your aunt used to get panic attacks and seizures, I had dizziness and blackouts, and if memory serves, you mom used to fall asleep for days at a time. I pray you have your mother’s experience over ours since they were terrible. Either way, they are scary but know they are your abilities developing. Once your abilities are fully developed, everything will stop happenin
g. You’ll know because your body will tell you. You will be able to feel the energy of your power in you. I have asked your aunt to help you learn to control your power whatever it may be, so you’re not in this alone.

  Now to explain to you about what I said in the beginning of the letter. Once a fairy is married, they are bond to that person spiritually. Your mother and I had an arranged marriage that our parents wanted. We did our best to love each other. When you were six, she lost our second child. He was a stillbirth. It devastated both of us, but your mom wouldn’t allow me to help her heal. She used the loss of our son as an excuse to leave our marriage. When she met Bo, she came to me and told me they were going to marry for love. I couldn’t change her mind, nor could I stop her. You're stubborn and headstrong like your aunt and your mother. As soon as she married Bo, our marriage bond was broken. I couldn’t marry anyone else, because I truly did love your mom. I never knew she never really loved me until she left. With my spirit broken by her breaking our marriage bond, my life became a clicking clock. I never really knew how long I had, and that’s why I kept pushing you to visit your mom, have some sort of a relationship with her. I hoped that you would one day see the young woman I married and fell in love with, I still hope you get to see her like I did. As time moved on, I felt my powers waning, which told me my time was coming near.

  After I sent you to your mothers to ensure your wellbeing, I began to write this letter to you, and I hope I get to finish it. I have also begun to collect various items for you and put them in a small cigar box. Your aunt will give this to you with an explanation for each item after you develop your powers no matter what they are. I am so sorry Annie. I wish we had more time together, but I hope one day you find true love. I mean true love, and you will know it, because he will be your world. He will protect you and cherish you even on your bad days, and we both know you have then. Your aunt Carol will help you know if he is your true love or not. She has the ability to see the truth and future. I will tell you right now, stay away from that guy Sal. He’s dangerous baby girl, your aunt saw it once when he was over for dinner that night.