A Mate for the Beta:

by E A Price

  Numbly she put her own hand in his, which seemed to swallow it up. “Ummm Briers, Livia Briers, but my friends call me Liv.”

  “It’s nice to meet you... Liv”, his voice rumbled through the station, there was an odd smile on his lips. The touch of her hand made his body hum.

  “Umm, you too Sheriff”.

  “Alec.”

  “You too Alec.” Her cheeks almost burned bright red as Alec gave her an appraising look from head to toe.

  She bit her lip and Alec groaned inwardly. “I’m really sorry I didn’t come to see you sooner.”

  He looked at her confused. Did she know she was his mate? “What do you mean?”

  “To talk to you about Iris.”

  Alec mentally slapped himself round the head. Of course that was why she was here. She had seen Iris shortly before she disappeared and Liv had come to make a statement. Which also meant his woman, his mate, was Emerald Cole’s niece. And also a witch.

  “Of course.” Said Alec brusquely. “Let’s go to my office to talk.” Yes, get her alone, get her somewhere private, tell her she’s your mate and ask her to bond...

  Liv giggled. Alec finally noticed he was still holding her hand. He dropped it swiftly. She was a little disappointed, the rising warmth that swept through her at his touch abated. Although she had feared that if he had held on for much longer the warmth would have kept rising and then exploded into something much more pleasurable and extremely embarrassing.

  Alec glanced at the reception desk and was pleased to note that Carrie was absent. He ushered Liv back to his office, his hand lightly pressing on her back.

  Gabe looked at her with some interest as they passed but quickly got back to work when Alec glowered at him.

  Alec directed her to a chair and then sat behind his desk. He figured the desk was a good safety precaution, she couldn’t see the embarrassing bulge in the front of his trousers and it could act as a barrier if he tried to pounce on her. Although his wolf thought that pouncing might actually be a good idea.

  Her scent wrapped itself round him, teasing, tempting him. He wanted to rub himself over her, to bathe in her scent. He inhaled deeply; the vanilla was intermingled with desire. Her desire. He could smell the honey starting to weep from her sex. Both man and wolf felt insufferably smug at that thought. She desired him.

  She watched his indifferent expression closely, trying to sense what he was feeling.

  Liv. He had called her Liv. She said that was what her friends called her, well it was true all five of them do. He had immediately called her Liv. She was happy, but she couldn’t silence the nasty little voice inside her completely. So what? He’s friends with just about everyone in town, including a lot of other women...

  She felt the happiness that had been blossoming wilt, although that didn’t abate her rising lust. She could feel how wet she was getting between her legs under his intense gaze and was worried he would notice. Liv shifted nervously and crossed her legs. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and licked her lips. He eagerly tracked every movement of her body.

  He tried to sound comforting, to put her at ease, but he was afraid of losing control and his tight control made him sound cold. “So, why don’t you tell me what happened with Iris?”

  She explained that Melody had been volunteered by Emerald to help Iris bake some pies. Iris provided pies for the Honeypot Diner. Liv had wanted to give Iris some cuttings for her garden and so had offered to drive Melody there. They arrived about 3pm and Liv left at about a quarter past.

  No, Iris had seemed the same as normal. No there was no indication that either Iris had planned to leave or that she might be in danger.

  “I don’t know what else I can say, it was just a normal day really.” Alec nodded and jotted down what she had said.

  Liv shuffled in her chair. “Do you have any idea what might have happened to her?”

  He stared at her for a few moments before leaning back in his chair and exhaling. “Honestly no, we’re completely stumped.” He considered his normal spiel, telling her that they were pursuing leads, but it was too much like a lie and he couldn’t bring himself to lie to her. His mate.

  She gave him an encouraging smile. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out, I have total faith.” She almost rolled her own eyes at how sappy she sounded.

  God she was adorable. He smiled tightly at her. Every movement cost him. His wolf was determined to break free, to push forward and claim their mate. But Alec kept him at bay. The wolf would have jumped her and ravished her there and then if he had his way. Alec was most worried by the fact that it was starting to sound like a good idea and he might also enjoy that.

  “I just need a few details and then I’ll get you to sign your statement, just for the record. Full name?”

  “Livia Mildred Briers... I hate my middle name.” His jaw muscle ticked. He’s probably annoyed that I’m taking up his time, she thought.

  “Age?”

  Is it really necessary? “Oh, umm, 21... it was my, umm, birthday a couple of days ago.”

  Fuck she was young, he was 35... “Happy belated birthday.”

  Her cheeks pinkened even more. “Thanks.”

  “How did you celebrate?” Did your boyfriend take you out?

  Okay... “Oh I didn’t, I never celebrate my birthday

  “Why not?

  “We just never have in my family, besides I’ve never been much of a partygoer.”

  Good, parties lead to drinking, drinking leads to the loss of inhibitions, which leads to sex... “No, me neither.”

  “I’d rather stay at home and curl up with a book.”

  He almost groaned. She was perfect for him. So utterly perfect. His jaw ticked and he felt a drop of sweat slide down his forehead. He wanted her. He wanted this woman right here and now. He wanted to claim her and take her to his house and never let her go. Starting to sound like kidnapping...

  His gaze was cool, but she still felt herself melt underneath it. She needed to get out of there before she turned into a puddle or worse clambered over his desk and tried to molest him. “Are we finished?”

  Yes sadly they were. Alec hesitated, should he tell her she was his mate now? His wolf was urging, no demanding, that he do so but... he didn’t want to scare her. He was a bit tightly wound at that moment, so it might be better if he waited until he had calmed down a little.

  “Yes, I just need a signature and then we’re done.”

  He purposefully didn’t get up, she was forced to come round the desk and lean down to sign. He held painfully still as one of her breasts brushed over his shoulder.

  She needed to get out quick, being so close to him was making her vibrate and she was worried that her legs might just buckle at any moment. He smelled lovely. Like a spring morning, fresh and earthy . She wondered how he tasted...

  She stepped back with a sigh. Being so close to him was shredding her last nerve. Even his cold detachment turned her on. What was wrong with her?

  Alec rose, towering over her. She thought his height and bulk would be intimidating, but he was just breathtaking. He made her feel so petite and delicate. Not something she was accustomed to.

  Alec didn’t want her to leave but couldn’t think of a real reason for her to stay. “Thank you for coming Liv.” He said lamely. “It was really a pleasure to meet you.” His voice was laced with genuine warmth. He put his hand out to her again.

  She placed her little hand in his and gifted him with a sweet smile. “You too Alec.”

  They clinched their hands together for an inordinate amount of time. Both worried the other found it weird but neither wanting to lose each other’s touch.

  With his other hand Alec pulled a card out of his shirt pocket. Briefly letting go of her hand he pushed the card into it and quickly clasped both of his over it.

  “If you hear anything about Iris, or if have any other problems please call my number... any time. Call me.” His voice was almost pleading. At last, with a small tormen
ted groan, Alec dropped her hand.

  “Thanks.” She pushed it into the back pocket of her jeans, unconsciously drawing attention to her rear. It really was lovely he thought, his manhood swelling painfully. “Will you let me know if you hear anything about Iris too?”

  “I will, I promise.” He gave her a lopsided smile and her insides did flip flops.

  “Thank you.” She considered hugging him goodbye but thought that might be a bit much.

  “I’ll walk you out.” He placed his hand on her back gently. She gave a satisfied little shiver and allowed him to lead her back out to reception.

  Alec tensed as he looked round for Carrie. Thank god she was still absent. For once he was sincerely thankful that she was crap at her job.

  Gabe looked up and smiled at Liv but didn’t say anything. Alec narrowed his eyes at the handsome young Deputy. He didn’t like other men, other wolves, looking at his mate, he felt anger course through his body at just the thought of her being ogled by another, which worried him a little...

  When they reached the front door he dropped his hand. She lingered, a nervous expression on her face. She opened her mouth to speak but at that moment the door burst open and was filled by the Alpha Adam.

  She started. He was certainly an imposing male, but then again so was Alec. Alec didn’t intimidate or scare her though, he made her tremble for a completely different reason.

  Adam grunted a hello at Alec before lowering his eyes to Liv’s curvy little body. He grinned wolfishly.

  He gently raised his hand toward her. “Adam Grey, Alpha.” He said smoulderingly. Cocky bastard.

  She smiled timidly shaking his massive paw. “I know, I’ve seen you around. I’m Livia Briers, please call me Liv, I live at the boarding house with my aunt Emerald.”

  The Alpha’s eyes flickered for a second at the mention of her aunt, but his smile remained intact.

  “It’s very nice to meet you. Sadly I don’t think I’ve seen you around town, I’m sure I would have remembered.” He gave her an appraising look and winked at her.

  Alec simmered with rage watching the Alpha. Alec’s wolf snarled and demanded release, this other wolf must be challenged! How dare he? How dare he touch our mate? How dare he talk to her that way?

  No, no, no! Adam just didn’t know who she was. Once he explained Adam would back off. He better...

  But what about Liv? Would she throw herself at him like so many others had? The Alpha was a bit taller than him, six years younger and definitely better looking. Alec hadn’t cared before today but suddenly those facts grated on him.

  Liv blinked at the powerful Alpha stood in front of her. He was gorgeous, like a Greek god brought to life. She knew that women practically lay down at his feet, enchanted by his good looks, easy going personality and obvious strength of will. But he did nothing for her. He couldn’t compare to her Alec, who was better in every way possible. Damn, she had to stop thinking of him as hers...

  She pulled her hand away. “I really better get going.” Turning back to Alec she said, “it was nice to meet you.” She held her breath hopefully, waiting for a response.

  Alec mumbled a response but refused to even look at her. After being so aloof earlier she had thought that he was finally warming to her. She must have been mistaken. She tried not to let her disappointment show.

  Adam opened the door smiling widely at her. “Bye Liv.” He placed his hand on her back, much as Alec had done earlier, to guide her through. She tensed a little at his touch but he didn’t seem to notice.

  She walked out quickly, a couple of tears falling down her cheeks. All she could hear was a low rumbling sound as she left.

  *

  Alec stared at the clock adorning the wall of his office. It was 11.30pm. His shift ended an hour and a half ago.

  The thought of going home to his empty house made him agitated. More agitated than he already was. It had never felt empty before today. Before he met Liv.

  He should go for a run. He was restless. His wolf was restless too, prowling through his mind howling at him. The edginess he felt within worried him. He didn’t want to lose control again...

  Alec had fought hard to get where he was. His parents had been murdered when he was 13. Killed by reckless hunters whilst they were running in their wolf forms. Alec had gone wild, leaving his pack to hunt the men who had taken his family from him. After he had killed them his pack had refused to allow him back. He was on his own. He had become a rogue.

  He had drifted from town to town becoming increasingly violent, spending more and more time as his wolf. His humanity slowly started to slip away.

  Eventually age 19 he had ended up in the town of Rose. He had tried to attack a human but had been stopped by the Alpha, Gideon. Gideon had seen potential in him, taking him in hand and teaching him discipline, training him as a Beta. Alec had learnt how to control his considerable anger. He became a model of restrained rage.

  Alec had been content with his life and everything he had achieved in the pack until that moment. He was proud to be Adam’s Beta. The two of them were like brothers. The old Alpha, Gideon, was more like a dictator than a brother. He ruled with an iron fist. As grateful as he was to Gideon for taking him on and training him as a Beta it was a good day when Adam took over.

  Gideon was too prejudiced to be a great leader, he allowed his hatred over anyone different to himself to fester and infect the rest of the pack. Things in the town had been improving since Gideon’s death. The human leaders of this town now had a healthy respect for the pack and their abilities, one of the reasons that the job of Sheriff had been offered to him – a wolf. They were finally making inroads with the humans and, to a lesser degree, the witches in this town.

  Speaking of... His thoughts turned back to Liv. He was embarrassed by the way he had acted when he met her. He had barely been able to restrain his wolf and so had been detached and cold, then when he finally managed to be a bit more friendly he had let his jealousy over his Alpha take over and had almost shifted in front of her. As she said goodbye to him his wolf had clawed so much control from him that he could barely form words.

  He groaned and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. She was the prettiest creature he’d ever laid eyes on. Petite but curvy, with milky skin, deep blue eyes and lush pink lips. He’d felt like a teenage boy who’d just seen a naked woman for the first time. He only prayed she hadn’t noticed his obvious arousal.

  She was his mate. He was certain of that. There could be no doubt. She belonged to him. He knew it from the moment he realised that scent belonged to her. He had been rock hard since that moment, and thinking of her again was making the swelling downright unbearable.

  What was he thinking? She was fourteen years younger than him; she was only just old enough to drink. She was young and vibrant, what would she want with an old wolf like him?

  After all the things he had done did he even deserve a mate? He had never even considered taking a mate before today. Since the age of 13 he had lived alone and found that he preferred it that way.

  He had no problem cooking, cleaning, doing laundry. When he needed sexual release he went to the bar and found a willing partner. There were no end of women keen to take him to bed. He’d been around, that was for sure, but none of them lasted for more than a couple of months. If he found them becoming clingy or worse trying to tell him they loved him he ended things. He preferred to be alone. Or at least he thought he did.

  He picked up his pen and tried to concentrate on the mountain of paperwork before him, but found that his thoughts kept returning to her. Maybe he should take a cold shower in the locker room. Maybe he should ring Liv and ask her to join him. She could kneel in front of him and slip his arousal between her full pink lips, he could enjoy taking her lush body against the shower wall. She would wrap her legs around him and he would push his thick shaft into her sheath. She was a tiny little thing, he imagined that she would be tight and the feeling of being inside her would be glorious. He pushed his
palm against his shaft to try and move it to a more comfortable position. He really ought to stop thinking about her.

  He didn’t know for sure but he suspected from her scent that Liv was a virgin. The thought that he could be her first and her last lover made him swell with pride, and the fact that she would be the mother of his pups even more so. Then again she might not be a virgin, it wouldn’t change his feelings for her of course. A beautiful woman like her, there was any amount of young men in this town who would happily have took her to bed, and sunk their dicks into her beautiful... His hands shook with rage and he snapped the pen he was holding. He’d kill anyone who had dared touch her!

  The all too familiar feelings of white hot rage returned. Feelings he had managed to repress for years. He felt them earlier that day too, almost challenging his Alpha.

  He was ashamed at how after Liv had left he had almost attacked Adam, thankfully he had reined himself in before it was too late. But how on earth was he supposed to react to another wolf flirting his mate?

  He knew Adam had only done it out of instinct, he didn’t have any real interest in Liv. He wondered if other wolves felt the same way toward their mates. Crazily possessive. When they met he had done little other than stare at Liv, he must have looked like a loon.

  Thankfully Adam hadn’t taken offence at his outburst. But would Adam be able to ignore it if he truly lost control? All of his energy had been spent stopping himself from dragging Liv down to the floor and mating with her right then and there. He had nothing left to make sure his rage was kept in check. What if he did something worse next time?

  For a brief moment he panicked. What if she did something to anger him, would he able to stop himself from hurting her? His wolf snarled at the idea. He calmed himself. No he could never hurt her. She was probably the only person in town he wouldn’t hurt. Not physically anyway...

  He shook his head. How could he even consider trying to bind that beautiful young woman to him? She deserved so much more.

  He should deny her. He shouldn’t claim her. He should leave town and let her get on with her life. The thought of her being with anyone before she met him tore him up - could he really allow her to be with someone else now that he knew what she was to him? No, he knew he couldn’t.