Beckham POV
"Beck" Stacey calls out as I place a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in front of Lily. "We're in the kitchen Stacey." When she steps into the kitchen I notice her eyes, don't meet mine. "How are you feeling, Lily bear," she asks, taking a seat next to my daughter. "I feel better auntie Stacey. My belly doesn't hurt anymore" my daughter says in her cute three-year-old voice. "That's good Lily bear. Maybe later when auntie gets back, I'll take you to the park" she says.
"Hey, what happened with the appointment? Are they interested?" She mumbles something, covering her mouth with her hand. "What did you just say, Stacey?" "They took the larger and nicer of the three apartments," she says. "What do you mean they took the apartment? Its only eleven. How were you able to show them the apartments and get all the checks done in two hours? Besides, I assumed you would talk to me before you made an offer."
"I need you to listen before you get upset with me," she says. That's the worst thing she can say if she doesn't want me already expecting the worst. "What did you do, Stacey?" "Lily bear daddy and I are going to go into the living room to talk. You eat your sandwich." My daughter eyes us both before she takes another bite of her PB&J. I kiss her forehead and follow Stacey. "Spill it" I say as soon as we are out of ear shot.
"They aren't like other renters. They're wolves" she says, and my whole body stiffens. Gideon pushes to the surface but stays silent, which isn't like him. "What did you just say?" "You heard me, Beck. They are wolves. You'll be happy to know that the shielding spell worked. They had no idea I was a wolf. "
I'm on my feet and pacing the room trying to control my outrage that she would put us at risk. "Stacey, what the hell were you thinking?" She winces because despite not yelling she can hear the anger in my voice. "Are you going to let me explain before you start acting like an a** or do you just want to continue to rant?"
Gideon laughs and I put a block up not wanting to deal with my pain in the a** wolf. "Fine, explain to me why you thought it was a good idea to offer an apartment to wolves after everything we have done to keep ourselves hidden."
"One of those wolves is my mate. Now I'm doing everything I can to stop Calista from going back to that apartment building and claiming what is ours because I love you and I wanted to speak to you first. So do you want to sit so we can talk or are you going to continue to pace and act like an a**hat" she says. I expect Gideon to bristle at her disrespect, but he doesn't which means he agrees with her.
I take a seat on the couch across from her. We sit in silence for a minute and I know she is giving me a chance to apologize. "I'm sorry Stacey. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I know you would never put Lily or me at risk but I'm scared to death about our old life touching our new one." She reaches out and grabs my hand.
"I understand Beck. I left my life behind too, because you and Lily are my only family. I would never do anything to put either of you in danger, but I also want my mate. He is the most handsome man I've ever seen. His dark black hair and chocolate brown eyes had me nearly melting on the spot." I make a face of disgust, but the corners of my mouth are turned up. I remember the feeling of seeing your mate for the first time and I hate that Stacey had to hold herself back.
I want her to be happy. "Alright tell me about the wolves." She takes a deep breath and I know I'm not going to like what she is about to say next. "I think they are running from something or someone. I can sense that they are pack wolves. They don't have the scent of a rogue. Especially Emmett, he smells like oranges and vanilla. All I could think of when I inhaled his scent was the most delicious creamsicle and wanting to lick."
I cut her off. "Alright, that's a little too much information for your brother-in-law to hear" I say and she laughs. "What about the daughter? How old is she?" "She looks to be around eighteen or nineteen, but I couldn't sense her wolf, so maybe I'm wrong" she says. "Beck, I don't think they are a threat to us." "What about what they are running from Stacey? I expect you'll want to spend more time with your mate. Maybe you can get him to open up about why they moved to this small town in the first place."
"I'll try but, Beck, I don't want to keep this from him for long. I don't want him to be upset that I hid who I am from him. Besides, Calista is going to be unbearable until we place our mark on his neck," she says. "I understand, and I know how strong the urge is to claim our mates. I'm happy for you Stacey. I hope he is a good guy, because if not, I'll deal with him personally." Stacey growls before she covers her mouth with her hand.
Her cheeks blush pink, and I throw my head back and laugh. "Calista doesn't like me threatening her mate." She shakes her head and I smile. "I'm sorry Beck. We didn't mean too" she starts to say, but I cut her off. "Stacey, you don't need to apologize. Gideon may be an Alpha, but you are one of the few people that could call us out on our sh*t, and he will happily take it."
Reese POV
As soon as Bryce leaves my office, I can feel the panic rising in my body. Bryce never told me he rejected his mate until now. F**k its Logan. Obviously, Logan never told Addie, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know what happened between me and Bryce. I can't have the pack finding out how much I f**ked up with my mate and their Luna.
Bryce and I were always careful when we were together. I need the pack to believe that Rosie has always been my one and only. "Maybe you should have kept her as your one and only, and we wouldn't be in this situation," Fallon says before he blocks me out. I know he's right, but I can't go back. I won't have her embarrassed by my actions when she returns to the pack.
I vow to make sure she knows just how wrong I was, and that she is the only one I love. I'll beg her forgiveness on my hands and knees. I won't lose her. I know she still loves me and her wolf will want her mate. Once I find her, we can move forward doing exactly what the goddess wanted. Running the pack side by side and loving each other. I will worship her the way I should have.
A few minutes later, there is a knock on the office door and Logan steps inside. "Sir, you wanted to speak with me." Most pack members call me Alpha despite not bearing the title yet, but Logan doesn't. "Yes, have a seat. We need to talk." He takes the seat in front of my desk. "I just wanted to check on you Logan. My sister tells me that your fated mate rejected you. I can't imagine how awful that must have been."
His relaxed features tighten and his jaw ticks. "No need to cause yourself concern sir. I believe the goddess will punish those that hurt their mates, don't you" he asks. Fallon is pacing in my mind and my control is hanging on by a thread. "Of course, I agree. Logan who rejected you?" "I think we both know the answer to that question. Bryce made his choice and it wasn't me. Since we are talking about mates. How is Rosie? Addie and I are very concerned about her," he says.
I growl, and a smug smile crosses his face. "No need to worry about my mate and your future Luna. She is perfect and mine." He stands and something flashes in his eyes. "You don't have to worry Reese. I won't be telling anyone my mate preferred you over me. I'm just going to stand back and watch every f**ked up decision the two of you have made blow up in your faces and enjoy every moment of it." Without another word, he turns leaving my office. What a f**king mess.