The Beta's Unwanted Mate

Everything felt heavy when my body was submerged in the water. The lake was deep, but it wasn't as deep as my thoughts and the scars engraved into my body. I used to love the night, the darkness, and everything. But the scene was immediately painted with pure horror when red blended in. I wasn't breathing as I held my breath while underwater. I didn't want to die of drowning, but at the same time, I also didn't want to be killed at the hands of my enemies.

When I realized that my pack left me and I was being chased by the gamma wolves of the Ire Wolf Pack, the thought of welcoming my death felt like a shot in the head.

It was scary. As an omega, it didn't surprise me, but it was fucked up tonight just when I realized that they made me their scapegoat. They ran away, without me. Lonely, it was. If it wasn't for their greed for power, surely none of this would have happened.

They caused chaos by attacking the Ire Wolf Pack because of our Alpha's jealousy of them being so powerful. It was shameful, but I couldn't say it to his face. If only I had weapons, I wouldn't hesitate to get out of here and fight the ones chasing me, but I felt so helpless right now. I only got myself, and if I didn't hold on to my hopes of survival, I wouldn't surely get to witness the sunrise again tomorrow.

One minute had passed, and I knew I couldn't hold my breath any longer; I immediately swam up to the top of the water while still ensuring they wouldn't notice me. My mouth was opened as I gasped for air. My heart was beating at an absolutely fast rate when I decided to take a quick gaze at the wolves who were just meters away from where I was. The shadows of a small bush in front of me helped me hide as I tried to count how many were them.

"Did you find her?" one of the men shouted.

"No," another one replied. "But I'm sure she's just around. They usually make the weak ones their scapegoat, so there is no way she managed to run away that far. We should just keep looking."

My breathing fell into deep, rapid breaths. My whole system was shaking, and I didn't know what to do besides hiding in the water. I felt cold, but I'd rather be numb than show up. My vision stayed on them, and I watched how they started moving around... not until I noticed some odd and strong presence that suddenly started to linger around. It instantly made me feel more anxious than ever.

I gulped. I was so curious about whoever was the one that was giving me such feelings until a man in a sleek beta uniform showed up. My brows furrowed. He went to one of the males and started a conversation with him. While he was doing that, on the other hand, I couldn't stop wondering who he was. This sudden burst of emotion deep within me appeared just as soon as he stepped into the scene. My mind was bugged, and I felt like I was going insane. My mind was blank, and I didn't have any idea why. He was alluring, and there was something in the back of my mind telling me that maybe he was— I immediately stopped.

Everything went silent when I saw how his dark piercing eyes found their way to mine. I gulped. What... the... heck... My eyes widened as I felt how my cheeks started to heat up. I almost couldn’t breathe, and it was like I was frozen into place as we continued exchanging gazes. It almost felt like an insult, especially when he didn't even look surprised while looking at me.

The cold night wind blew. The same shivers went down my spine. Without any hesitation, I immediately decided to jump back into the water. It was a strike of an adrenaline rush; both of my arms and legs struggled to move for a short second. I don't even have any idea about where to head, but one thing's for sure, I don't want to stay in the same place.

"Hey, We found her! All of you! Move! Catch her!" Their loud voices filled the whole place. Seconds continued to pass by as I strived to move. It was too late to realize that there was nowhere for me to hide. They proceeded to shoot arrows at where I was.

In the first seconds, I was full of glee when I managed to avoid all of the arrows until some man precisely let go of an arrow that unfortunately shot me in my left thigh. A harsh groan immediately went out of my mouth. I struggled for breath and decided to put my head out of the water to breathe; some water entered my mouth and went down to travel to my stomach. Tears escaped my eyes as my blood started to blend with the water. I felt sick because of it. I was sure I was about to drown and die, not until I heard a loud and strong splash of water that resounded from behind me.

My body felt stiff, and even if I wanted to move and save myself, I didn't manage to do so. A rough and big hand managed to grip my right arm tightly. I immediately felt weak. My heart was beating so fast inside my ribcage when I turned my head and saw that it was the man from earlier. I was breathless. He was still staring at me with the same piercing eyes; until he brought me with him in the next short moments. I eventually found us on the ground... with me in his arms and him being so angry while shouting at the man who shot me in my thigh.

A ghost of a smirk drew on my lips. How interesting... Painted with the vaguest shades of sorrow, a glint of gold nonchalantly slipped. I finally met him...

My mate.

The tree was withered and dead until an unknown soul came in and gave it a warm embrace... it blossomed. The wind blew my hopes away, and I was almost ready to welcome my death until he came and took control of the scene. It was odd initially, but thoughts about trouble came to mind when I realized who he was.

As far as I could recall, he wore a uniform that only beta wolves from a pack could wear. He held a strong position in the pack, and I was sure he was putting himself at risk because of his help to me. Even now, after minutes had passed since I woke up, I still couldn't stop thinking about the possible things that might happen if we both didn't turn out to be mates. My head still aches while thinking about it. Stuff will probably go my way, and surely, it'd be my loss. Minutes had passed since I discovered myself waking up in someone's room. The window on the right corner of the room was slightly opened, which made the cold breeze of the wind enter and make the curtains dance with the rhythm of the night.

The whole place was quiet, and the slight noise coming from the window was what could only be heard aside from my currently heavy breathing. The walls were painted with a vivid color of grey. There was also a carpet and a small chandelier hanging on the ceiling. I could also see a giant walk-in closet and different types of Beta uniforms hanging outside. Way back, I could only remember passing out while being in his arms.

When I woke up, I noticed that my leg was wrapped with a bandage and was already cleaned, I was already wearing a set of clean clothes. I immediately looked for him when my eyes opened, but I couldn't find him anywhere in the room. My vision then went to my pale and numb hands and stayed on them. I felt stiff sitting on the bed because even if I wanted to move, I didn't manage to do so.

Silence managed to conquer the whole room as seconds continued to pass by not till a sudden clicking of the doorknob took over and broke the silence. It immediately caught my attention and made me look at the door. The door opened, and I saw him enter. My forehead creased. His vision immediately darted toward the bed, and when he saw that I was awake, his eyes lit up with interest.

"You're awake," he uttered slowly as he closed the door behind him.

I didn't even try to avoid his gaze and watched him sit near the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked. “Sorry for the inconvenience earlier, I apologize for not getting your permission. Since you had fainted, I brought you here, made some of our maids clean, and replaced your dirty and wet clothes," he added. It was a breath of relief when he uttered those words.

"I'm thankful for the help you have given me," I started.

He stopped as he looked at me.

"Though it's unnecessary since I'm going to die anyway," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He looked so serious and intimidating, which gave me a hard time to talk. I could see how his lips went from a small smile to being in a thin, grim line. For some reason, it made me nervous.

"Don't worry; I won't try to pull you under my situation. Just reject me; I can take it," I finally finished what i wanted to say which caused his forehead to crease. "Why are you thinking like that?" he asked, which caused my mouth to drop wide open in shock. It's common sense, but his sudden intriguing question made me think about my words. Wasn't this how I was supposed to think? "Because it is my fate to die after being a scapegoat?" I asked curiously and he puffed air before saying, "Well... that'll be changed now."

What did that even mean? "You are only saying that because of that mate bond," I said trying to convince myself while my heartbeat was at a normal rate, but when he went to move closer, it was almost like a dream and it started beating faster. He held my hand and said, "Raya."

My eyes widened.

I was having a hard time processing what just happened, and now that he managed to say my name. How in the world did he even my name? "No one's going to die. You weren't going to die, and that's for sure," he stated. "Did you think that I could just let them kill you? No. I want you to live your life longer with me,"

That... That was too— "I talked to the Alpha and asked if it was possible to spare you from being a scapegoat. But I haven't told him yet that we're mates, “he finishes.”And?" I asked not wanting to get my hopes up. He took a deep breath before he replied. "He said that he wants to talk with you," The night wasn't that long.

What he said lingered in my mind the whole night. Some maid brought me dinner in the room, and I ate alone. I didn't even think I could sleep because I was busy thinking about what would happen once I met the Alpha. When he left the room, I sat still on the bed, thinking about our conversation. Going back, I don't feel that sleepy because I just woke up. The chances of me falling asleep again is low but never zero. It was then that I found myself sleeping soundly in his comfortable bed.

The next morning, I woke up with the warm sun rays hitting my face. I stretched my arms before proceeding to rub my still, sleepy eyes. When I stopped and opened them, my soul almost left my body. "Good morning," he greeted. I shrieked. He was sitting in front of me, wearing casual clothing. My face heated up. That wasn't very comfortable.

"Sorry, I seemed to have caused you a fright,” he said which caused me to look away.

"W-What time is it?" I asked, trying to divert the topic.

"About nine-thirty, It’s still early if you would ask me," he answered.

My lips pressed to each other before I moved and tried standing alone. I was just doing fine, but when the wound on my thigh suddenly ached, I lost balance, and he immediately caught me by my waist. His touch immediately sent electric shocks to my core.

After some minutes, I moved inches away from him after standing tall on my own. I swallowed hard, still avoiding his gaze. "What time will I meet the Alpha?" I asked with a shaking voice.

"He didn't set any specific time, but he said you should be by his office after lunch. I will guide you,” he said formally and with a serious tone. Hmmm... I licked my lips before I decided to face him finally. "Could I ask you something?" I said. I caught him looking silently at my half-opened lips before he finally replied.

"Yes?" he answered sounding unsure, but I ignored it because my question was awkward. Really... awkward.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you know my name?" There, I said it. It would surely still be much better to hear it exactly from him. I still want to know his answer even though I already have my conclusions.

"Oh, right! About that..." he started. "We sought information about you from the pack you came from," he was saying more, but after the first sentences, I became bothered.

A memory of Gael entered my mind. When his guy friends forcefully took him, and I was left alone in the woods, wounded and weak, I could only recall him screaming while calling my name that night. Wonders about what he's probably doing right now came flooding my mind. I just hope that he's doing fine. "So... are you fine with it?"

My vision went back to him as confusion arose deep within me. "Huh? Fine with what?" I asked back, not having any clue about whatever he was saying.

"About meeting the Alpha," he answered.

"Ah yes, yes. I’m fine with it,” I said in a heartbeat.

A moment of silence passed between us after that. We just stood right in front of each other while trying to avoid each other's gazes. But I got sick just after a minute and decided to break the growing silence and let my curiosity get the better of me. "I still have one more question."

His eyebrows rose as he looked at me.

"Hmm?" I let out a short breath before finally saying it. "What's your name?"

He looked away. Seconds passed, and when he looked like he didn't even have plans upon giving me any answer, I became ready to tell him that it was fine if he didn't want to. But it was enough to carve a smile on my lips when he did. "Cassius," he finally said.

Some type of euphoria hit me after hearing his answer. Cassius. His name would surely be engraved on me for a lifetime.