Page 48 of Overcoming the Beta

‘I have to agree with Kelsey.’Zane looks at me through the rearview mirror.

‘What? We’re just giving a friend a ride back home. Nikki is just my friend.’I look over to see Nikki sleeping soundly pressed up against the SUV’s window. Deep inside I know that this is wrong, her sitting so close to me. I should have ended things with her months ago, but every time I tried… I ended up fucking her instead. I’m not even sure why, I don’t love her… hell, I don’t even like her most of the time. She’s annoying as hell. But somehow, she knows exactly what to do to keep me coming back for more. It’s not just her… there’s Cindy too. She’s a human girl I met a year ago. I don’t know why, but I can’t stop myself when it comes to them both. I know it’s wrong and I feel guilty about it. Maybe it’s because I miss Kate, but I wouldn’t miss Kate so much if I would go home every weekend like I promised her I would.Fuck.

‘You need to end this shit with this crazy bitch and the human too. It’s just a matter of time before Kate finds out, and shit hits the fan.’Zane mindlinks.

‘How will she find out? Kelsey, are you going to tell her?’I look at the back of Kelsey’s head.

‘No, I promised I wouldn’t. You have my loyalty.’Kelsey puts his head down. I know I’ve put him in a tight place, making him choose loyalty to me over his sister.

‘It doesn’t matter anyways; I’m done with both Nikki and Cindy.’I mindlink.

‘I hope so.’Zane looks at me through the rearview mirror. These two don’t understand what it’s like being mated so early in life, then being so far away from their mate. They’ll never understand the guilt I feel afterwards, knowing I’m betraying someone who loves me.

The rest of the ride back home is quiet… except for the sounds of Nikki’s snoring. When we pull up in front of the packhouse, I wake her up before unloading her shit on the front steps of the packhouse.

“What? You’re not going to help me bring this up to my room?” Nikki puts her hands on her hips in protest.

“No, I’m not.” I snap, closing the back of the SUV. Nikki scoffs and stomps her foot. “You forget, I’m not your boyfriend or mate. You were nothing more than a mediocre fuck… that’s it. And we’re done. Understand me?” I don’t wait for a reply, I turn and get back into the SUV. There’s nothing that her and I need to talk about further.

Zane drives me to the cottage that Kate and I are sharing this summer before we go back to college. The cottage is located just outside the training grounds and is usually used as a guest cottage. Luna Martha arranged for us to have it all summer, since we will be moving again in the fall. Walking in I can smell her delicious sweet floral scent. It engulfs me like a warm hug. I take a deep breath and blow it out as a fresh wave of guilt hits me like a pile of bricks.

“Where do you want this shit?” Kelsey snaps.

“Right there is fine,” I point to an area by the sofa, “I’ll take care of it from here.” I snap back. Zane rolls his eyes at the two of us. My relationship with Kelsey is very strained. He’s been pissed at me for months, we barely speak anymore. When we do, it’s nothing but arguments. He has every right to be pissed, I’m fucking around on his sister. I’d be pissed too. If I’m being honest, Zane is not pleased with me right now either. Really can’t say I blame him, he has always treated Kate like a little sister.

As soon as Zane and Kelsey leave, I take note of all the personal things that Kate has put into the living room, including her collection of her favorite movies. I smile then walk into the kitchen. The dishwasher is going, so I know she has been here recently. Looking in the cupboard and fridge, I see that both are fully stocked. I grab my bags of clothes and head for the bedroom. The bed is made and smells so fresh. I put away my clothes and see Kate’s clothes are in the closet and chest of drawers. Looks like she has been busy making this a home for the two of us. Seeing everything she has done for us, a pang of guilt hits my chest.

After putting away my things, I head to the packhouse. I need to grab a couple of things from my old room and meet up with my father before Kate gets home from school. She has just a little over a month left of her senior year before she graduates. We have arranged it so that she can live off campus at the boarding school and still attend classes. All high school age pack members attend the boarding school, which is located about twenty minutes from the packhouse. The boarding school prepares us to be more independent of our parents. I haven’t lived with my parents since I was fourteen. During summer breaks, I moved into a room on a lower floor in the packhouse. Same with Zane and Kelsey.

“Ian!” My father greets me as I walk into his office.

“Father!” I embrace him.

“Nice to have you back in the territory.” He pats my back.

“Nice to be back. I just wanted to check in with you before I grab the last of my things from my old room. I want to get back to the cottage before Kate gets home from school.” I take a seat in a chair in front of his desk.

We chat for an hour or so about school, Kate, and life. Normally he’s jumping my ass for something, but today his mood seems light.Odd.After my meeting with him I head upstairs to my old room to gather the last box of stuff I have in there. Walking in I see the room has been cleaned and is ready for the next occupant. The only thing in here is a single cardboard box of mementos.

“Ian,” a familiar high-pitched voice says from the doorway.

“Go away Nikki. I thought I made myself perfectly clear. I’m mated… we’re done.” I keep my back to her then I hear the door shut and lock.

“I just want five minutes of your time.” She runs her hands along my back.

“Stop!” I growl then spin to look at her. I can’t stand to even look at this woman. “Leave!” I snarl before grabbing her arm and leading her towards the door.

“Ouch, Ian, you’re hurting me.” She spins out of my grip. “Five minutes, that’s all I ask.” She rubs her arm where I grabbed her.

“No. Fuck this… you stay, I’ll leave.” I grab my box and head to the door. Before I can unlock the door, Nikki slams her body between me and the door. “I don’t want to hurt you, but if you force my hand I will.” I snap, grinding my teeth.

“Don’t be silly, you could never hurt me.” She holds the doorknob with one hand while the other runs from my chest down to my abs. I slap her hand away before she reaches the zipper on my jeans. This is the same bullshit she does every single time.

“Move,” I demand.

“I have a proposition for you,” she whispers seductively.

“Move,” I demand again.

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