A Mate for the Beta:

by E A Price

  A throat was cleared. Very loudly.

  They both snapped their heads round to see the Emerald glaring at them in annoyance. “If you’ve quite finished,” she snapped.

  Liv flushed. Alec took a deep breath, willing his swelling to go down. Lost cause with his mate stood only inches from him. He sighed and took his mate’s hand, leading her to the house.

  It was then that Liv noticed the boxes and suitcases piled up outside. A few of the witches were looking out the windows of the house with interest.

  “Emerald, what’s happening?” Asked Liv softly.

  Emerald looked at the couple before her with contempt. “You have chosen to whore yourself out to a wolf. You are no longer part of this Circle. You are no longer my niece. I cast you out.”

  Alec snarled at Emerald. Liv held onto Alec’s hand tightly, willing him not to lose control. “Emerald, do not talk to Liv that way. She is my mate and deserves respect.”

  Emerald laughed hollowly. “You disgusting old wolf. You seduced and defiled my innocent niece, do you really think I have any respect for that?”

  Liv almost choked at the vile words. Alec’s wolf bellowed, impatiently fighting for release. His fangs and claws extended but with Liv clinging to his arm even his wolf would not force the shift, for fear that she might get hurt.

  “Emerald please...” Whined Liv.

  “Take your things and get off my property.” Hissed Emerald. “Neither of you are welcome here.”

  Melody came out of the house. “Surely this isn’t necessary, I mean what does it matter whether she’s mated to a wolf? She’s still one of us.”

  Emerald tried to quell her with a look but Melody jutted her chin and stood her ground.

  Liv sighed. “No Melody it’s fine, I kind of expected this. Alec please let’s just get my stuff and go, it’s what we came for anyway right.”

  Alec’s amber coloured eyes bore into Emerald but he nodded and together, with Melody’s help, they collected all her things and loaded them into his SUV.

  Melody, much to Emerald’s fury, gave Liv a small hug and said she would see her around town. Liv gave a wistful glance at the house that used to be her home, and realised she wasn’t going to miss it at all. She would still see the few friends she had there in town. Her happiness at being with Alec outweighed any remaining feelings of sadness.

  She gave a small wave to Kayleigh and Dena who were watching through the window, and they waved sadly back.

  Without looking at Emerald she turned away she got into the SUV. She squeezed his hand and said, “could you take me home?”

  His wolf, so angry just a few seconds ago, almost purred like a kitten. Home, their home. Now and forever.

  *

  When Alec finally arrived at the Bennett house it was to find his Alpha pacing impatiently. After leaving the boarding house Alec had taken her home where they quickly unloaded her things and Liv found something a bit more appropriate to wear. He had then dropped her at the station, much to Gabe’s relief Liv had offered to cover Carrie’s job, so he no longer had to.

  Alec still hated the idea of leaving her, but he did have a responsibility as Sheriff and pack Beta, so his own jealousies would have to be put aside. Besides he trusted Liv, everyone else on the other hand...

  Alec jogged over to him. “Sorry, there was a problem with Emerald...”

  Adam impatiently interrupted him. “Doesn’t matter, I need to show you something.”

  Adam led him round the Bennett to the garden. Jake and Mac were stood outside the green house sporting matching grim expressions.

  “In here.”

  Alec looked into the greenhouse and was met with a horrific sight. It contained the dead and mangled body of Iris Bennett. Mystery solved.

  Chapter Ten

  They spent a few hours processing the scene. Don the pack tracker was brought in to scent what he could, he said he caught a few things but would have to follow them and check them out first.

  The state of Iris’ body was brutal. She was twisted and bloody, it looked like she had died in an awful lot of pain.

  After doing everything they could they returned to the station. On entering Alec was greeted by the smiling face of his beautiful mate, his heart constricted at the thought of the sad news he had to impart.

  He took her back into his office and told her as gently as he could. She was shocked and wept on his shoulder while he held her tightly. After a while she said she was okay and insisted on returning to the front desk.

  Alec wanted to take her home but Liv said she wanted to be near him and needed something to occupy her. They both diligently worked throughout the day, Alec popping out to the front desk more times than he ever had in the previous years. They stole brief kisses and caresses, each time hiking up their considerable arousal.

  On returning home, their desire at a peak, they hurried to the bedroom and made love and cuddled for over an hour. When their stomach’s started to rumble they both laughed and decided to forage for food.

  Alec offered to collect a pizza but Liv declined and said she would rather their first meal as a mated couple be one she prepared. Alec sat and watched as she fried some chicken, mashed some potatoes and put together a salad.

  Alec sighed with happiness as she moved around the kitchen with grace and ease, like she’d always been there. He was captivated by the movement of her soft curves and her sweet voice as she told him about her childhood, her life in Alexandria, being friends with Ed (Alec growled considerably at this portion of her story), and her parent’s sad death.

  As they ate Alec told her about growing up in his old pack in Kentucky, his parent’s murder and his subsequent thirst for vengeance. He told her everything about the things he had done, not holding back anything. He hated the thought that she might think badly of him but didn’t want her to rush to bond with someone who was hiding things from her.

  She didn’t think less of him. She loved him more. She kissed him passionately and told him so before dragging him back to the bedroom to show him.

  In between bouts of love making Liv started to unpack her things. Alec watched her from the bed as she hung up her clothes. He pointed out the items he loved, the items he wanted her to model for him, and the items he didn’t want her to ever wear outside of the house again. The idea that she might be seen by another wearing a bikini was absolutely intolerable to him, his wolf howled in agreement.

  When she unpacked her underwear Alec was overcome. He leapt out of bed and took her against the wardrobe.

  They continued on in this fashion until Liv, thoroughly exhausted, called ‘uncle’ and fell asleep in his arms, much to both her man and her wolf’s content.

  *

  15th September

  Alec felt his mate move against him. She stirred, wriggling closer to him. He felt his sex spring to life. Slowly he placed kisses on her forehead, eyebrows, cheeks and finally lips.

  She sighed and he kissed her deeply. His sex pressed into her almost painfully. Suddenly wide awake she kissed him back and ran her fingers through his hair. “That’s quite an alarm clock you’ve got there.”

  He opened one glittering amber eye and smiled at her mischievously, “did you say alarm cock?”

  “No, I definitely did not.” She giggled but then gasped as she felt him harden and grow even more.

  “Really? Because I think you might be on to something there.”

  She licked her lips and he groaned as his penis twitched.

  A loud banging at the front door surprised them both. He hesitated not wanting to leave the warmth of their embrace.

  Alec sniffed. “It’s Don, a member of the pack. He’s been trying to follow the scents we found near Iris.”

  A look of sadness washed over her and he wanted nothing more than to plunge into her and bring her pleasure, to mask the pain of losing her friend.

  Grudgingly he pulled away from her and she mewled at the loss of contact. He pulled the covers back over her. “Don’t move.�
�� He ordered.

  Quickly he threw on a t-shirt and jeans, mindful of his raging erection. He found Don outside leaning against the porch rail nonchalantly.

  “Well?” Barked Alec. He had no time for pleasantries.

  “I got a scent of a wolf, not one I recognise. Couldn’t follow it though. Adam’s got people out scoutin’. The wolf’s still here we’ll find it.”

  Alec looked back toward the bedroom. He could smell his mate’s arousal. It called to him. Yet... he had a responsibility to his pack. “You give me a few minutes I’ll...”

  Don held up his hands. “Don’t worry, we can manage without you. Let someone else do the heavy liftin’ for a change.”

  Don moved as if to leave but paused. “So... you’ve mated a witch?”

  Don’s voice was neutral but Alec drew himself up to his full height, ready to attack at the first indication of aggression toward his mate. “Yes.”

  Don stared at him, his eyes cold and betraying nothing. “The Alpha know about this?”

  Alec balled his hands into fists. “Yes.” He hissed.

  Don sighed wearily. “You’re a lucky guy. Lucky to have found her, and lucky you got Adam for an Alpha.” He stared into the woods for a few moments before returning to look at his Beta, a look of sadness in his eyes.

  Unexpectedly Don clapped Alec on the shoulder. “Congratulations, you’ll make a good father.”

  “What?!”

  Don chuckled softly. “Smelled it the moment I arrived. Don’t expect she knows yet, don’t worry I won’t breathe a word.”

  With that Don ambled back to his truck and took off. Alec wondered briefly at the pain Don had shown. In all the years Alec had known him he had never seen Don with a woman. Perhaps he had lost his own mate.

  Ice cold fear stabbed him, the thought of losing Liv was unbearable. He knew he wasn’t strong enough to survive that. Especially now that he knew she was pregnant. Fear and excitement coursed through him in equal measure.

  She was having a baby, his baby, their baby. He didn’t care whether it was a pup or a witch. All he could imagine was a cute little blonde girl, just as pretty as her mother.

  His wolf was prancing around like a puppy but soon stopped when the realisation hit him. The baby would mean that Liv wouldn’t have any magic to protect herself. Witches weren’t able to practice during pregnancy, it was a defence mechanism to stop them injuring their unborn child, the same reason she-wolves couldn’t shift.

  They needed to bond immediately. The connection would make her stronger, and he would be able to sense her if ever she was in danger.

  He was annoyed that Don had scented the pregnancy before him. His wolf was hanging his head in shame. Then again Don was the best tracker in the pack, he was more attuned to subtle shifts in scents. And Liv had been pretty distracting.

  He strode back into the house slamming the door behind him. He stopped short when he found his little mate sat on the couch grinning in between eating a muffin.

  He sidled over and sat next to her, he brushed his fingers over her cheek. “I thought I told you not to move.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I have to get out of bed sometime.”

  She was wearing one of his shirts. He pulled at the collar to get better access to her neck, kissing the mark he had already placed there. “Who says I need a bed...”

  He caught one hand up in her hair pulling her head to the side for better access and massaged her breasts through the shirt with the other. He tugged at her nipples one at a time and she whimpered. He moved his hand down, smoothing over her stomach. He smiled at the thought of his pup already growing in there.

  He continued going until he reached her sex. He pushed his fingers through her folds and rimmed her entrance. The juices already flowed from her. He pinched her shoulder with his teeth and then soothed it with his tongue.

  Gently, oh so gently, he pushed a finger inside her and teased her. “Bond with me.” His voice was muffled by her shoulder but still hoarse with desire.

  She felt the first fluttering of upcoming release within her and her heart was pounding. “Was that a question or a demand?”

  “Bond with me. Please.” He said shortly. He added two more fingers to her channel, quickening his movements. He pushed his thumb against her nub.

  She gasped and clutched at her shoulders. Her release was gaining ground with every twist and turn of his fingers. When he began rubbing his thumb back and forth she came undone.

  “Yes... yes... bond... please... now.” Her inner walls throbbed and grasped at his fingers, as her body shook.

  He lifted his head to look at her. His eyes were amber. “You’re sure?”

  Carefully not wanting to disturb his fingers she glided onto his lap, straddling him. Her cheeks were flushed from the orgasm. She kissed him, and softly bit his lower lip whilst slowly pushing up and down on his fingers. “Yes, more than anything. I want to be yours.”

  “You already are. “ He kissed her back hard, demanding entrance. His tongue mercilessly possessing her mouth. His wolf howled and demanded Alec bite her, and cement the bond between them.

  He deftly pulled his fingers from her and started to lift her. She dug her hands into the back of the couch. “Thought you said you didn’t need a bed.” She said innocently pressing kisses along his jaw.

  “Won’t you be more comfortable...”

  She reached her hands down and began unbuttoning his jeans, eagerly freeing his huge shaft. She wrapped both hands around and began stroking him. He groaned and grabbed her waist. “Liv...”

  She pushed herself up and directed his cock to her entrance. She moaned as the fat head touched her. Her whole body was on edge, waiting for another release, another wave of pleasure. She slowly descended over him taking him in inch by inch. He was so big it took her a few tries until he was seated completely inside her. She bit her lip as her sex stretched for him and rolled her hips lightly.

  “Fuck... Liv... I can’t hold on...” His fangs had already dropped, his wolf was itching to bite her.

  She rubbed her breasts against his chest and whispered in his ear. “Don’t.” She contracted her inner muscles around him and he growled tearing the shirt she wore away from her

  He gripped her hips tightly and began lifting her up and shoving her down on his cock as he pushed upwards into her. He set a fast, hard rhythm. Already throbbing from her first orgasm her inner walls clung to him fiercely as his huge girth rubbed roughly against them. He seemed to get even hotter and bigger each time he pumped into her. She was quickly caught up in another climb toward a climax. Pleasure boiled within her.

  He bent his head and took one of her breasts in his mouth, sucking and nipping before moving on to its twin. It sent tremors straight to her sex and pushed her over the edge. He clamped his fangs down on her right breast and she screamed throwing her head back. The pain and pleasure sending delicious shockwaves throughout her.

  He held still within her, enjoying the massage her channel was giving him as it trembled with the force of the orgasm. He lapped at her breast swallowing her sweet blood. He tended the wound, quivering within her as he waited for her to calm.

  Her breathing began to slow and she opened her eyes to look at him. She smiled and rolled her hips, delighting in the feel of his shaft still as hard as steel embedded within. “I love you my sweet.”

  He grasped her thighs and abruptly he pushed off the couch only to kneel down. Carefully he lay her back on the coffee table, his penis still firmly insider her. He hooked her legs over his arms and pulled out of her to the tip then rammed into her. She gasped and he did it again over and over. Each time eliciting a small moan from her.

  He pounded into her hard making her beautiful breasts bounce up and down. She raised her arms over her head and clutched the edge of the table.

  His breath became erratic and his thrusts jerky. The pressure built within him. He unhooked her legs and climbed up over her so he was flush against her body. She snaked her arms and
legs around him and he kissed her strongly, pushing his tongue in and out of her mouth mimicking his shaft.

  She gasped as she felt herself begin to shudder. Quickly he released her mouth and sank his fangs into her shoulder, biting deeply, bonding her to him. She cried out his name as she was flung into ecstasy. The orgasm shot down his spine and he exploded within her. He withdrew his fangs and threw his head back, the sweet taste of her blood on his tongue. “Mine!” His wolf roared in agreement.

  They felt each other’s orgasm and touched each other’s minds. Feelings of exhilaration and happiness drifting between the two of them. He thrust into her riding out the waves of bliss until finally he was depleted.

  He panted into her shoulder and licked the bite to seal it. He felt her heart beat slowly start to settle. He made to pull away from her but she sealed him to her body.

  “Don’t go, not yet. It’s lovely.” She whispered.

  Love and contentment soared through her to him. He relaxed back into the warm comforting folds of her soft body and sighed. “I love you angel.”

  *

  She felt completely drained. The bonding had been intense. She reached out and felt Alec’s feelings. He was exhausted but he felt peaceful and also something else... humble. Humble that she had chosen to bond with him. God she was lucky.

  She felt his inner wolf chuffing at her. It hit her – she had never seen his wolf! She was mated and bonded to a wolf shifter and she had never seen him shift. They would have to rectify that and quickly.

  After they had recovered he had carried her to the shower where they had washed each other, making sure they got every inch.

  After he carefully dried her off and wrapping her in a large bath towel he carried her to the bed, gently laying her down. A few moments later he joined her wearing a towel around his bottom half. His torso was delightfully exposed and she began to tease her fingers through the light dusting of hair on his chest, tracing his scars.

  He turned on his side to look at her. “That was incredible...” He breathed.