Beckham POV
"What the hell is wrong with you" Gideon growls at me as I speed away from the house. "Gideon, I really don't want to do this right now." "Well, to f**king bad. You hurt our mate. You need to go back and make things right." "I can't, Gideon. Don't you think it killed me to see the pain in her eyes, because it did? We can't have another mate. Have you forgotten everything that happened?"
"I have always been proud to be your wolf, but right now I'm not. You don't get to be a coward because of some misguided guilt or loyalty to our first mate," he says. "Losing Deborah almost killed us, and we have Lily to think about. She is more important than any chance we have at happiness with a new mate. We failed to protect our mate. Is that what you want for Rosalyn?"
"Bullsh*t" he growls, and I bristle at his gruffness. "I loved Deborah and Aurora as much as you did. They will always hold a place in our hearts, but Rosalyn is our mate now. You need to make peace with the fact that you can't change the past," he says. I pull onto a dirt road that leads to a large lake. I park and make my way over to a large rock that overlooks the water. Gideon is silent, but I know he is far from done. My mind wanders back to the day I lost Deborah.
Flashback
I kiss my very pregnant mate on the forehead, telling her how much I love her, before I leave our room to meet with my father. I've been avoiding him like the plague since I marked Deborah. He wasn't happy that I accepted an omega as my mate and future Luna. I am in line to become the next Alpha of the Blue Crescent Pack, but my father is being ridiculous about my mate being too weak to stand by my side.
I knock on the office door. "Come in," he says, and I push the door open. My step falters when I notice my father isn't alone. Corey, my father's Beta, is seated next to his daughter Corrine. "Have a seat, Beckham. We have a lot to discuss." I take the open seat that faces my father and I don't spare Corrine another glance.
"Now, Corey and I have discussed the situation with the omega, and we believe we have come up with a solution that will make everyone happy." I growl at his disrespect toward my mate. "Watch how you speak about my mate, father." "Beckham, you are to be the next Alpha of the pack. You cannot have a mate that is of such a low rank. Corrine is willing to become your chosen mate and Luna. She is even willing to allow you to keep the omega as a mistress."
This time my growl shakes the walls. "How dare you even suggest such a disgusting thing. Deborah is my mate and the future Luna of this pack. She was chosen by the goddess herself. Are you suggesting you people know better than our creator?" "Enough, Beckham, I will not allow an omega to become Luna of this pack" he says.
A hand on my forearm draws my attention away from my father. "Beck, I will be a good mate and Luna. We will have strong pups. I can give you an heir that is worthy of becoming the next Alpha of the pack. I will even allow you to visit the omega weekly to satisfy your wolf as long as she knows her place," Corrine says. I pull my arm away from her with disgust.
I'm just about to tell them they can stick the title and solution up their a**es when Deborah's panicked voice has me on my feet and heading for the door. "Beck, my water broke" she says. I ignore my father as he calls after me. As soon as I reach our room, I scoop Deborah up in my arms and take off toward the pack hospital.
When we reach the hospital, the pack doctor rushes over to us. "Alpha" he says. "My mate is in labor." He directs me to lay her on the gurney, and they start to wheel her through a set of double doors. "Alpha, stay here until we get the Luna comfortable. Then one of the nurses will come get you" he says. "She is not the future Luna of this pack," my father says from behind me. I turn and face the man that has been my only parent since I was ten years old.
"The doctor and nurses will take care of the omega and her pup, Beckham. We need to finish our discussion," he says. "Our discussion is over, father. I would rather be a rogue with my fated mate than an Alpha with a chosen one. Gideon and I will never have another mate. We choose Deborah and nothing you say will change our minds."
Before he could speak again, a nurse comes out to lead me to my mate's room. "How are you, my love," I say as I take the chair next to her bed. "I'm better now that you're here. I'm scared and excited, Beck." "Me too, my love, but I know the goddess is watching over you and our pup." I'm not sure how much time passes when our beautiful daughter comes into the world screaming like a banshee.
Watching my mate feed our pup makes warmth spread throughout my chest. A half an hour later, the door pushes open and Stacey pokes her head inside. "Is it alright for me to see my niece" she asks with a smile. "Of course, come in sissy and meet Lily, your niece," Deborah says. We sit around just enjoying spending time with my pup until a firm knock interrupts the moment. My father steps inside, followed by Corrine.
I'm on my feet and standing in front of my mate and daughter. "Leave, you aren't welcome here" I say. "Watch how you speak to me boy. I am the Alpha of this pack. I've given you time to spend with the pup and your mistress. Now you need to reject the omega so we can arrange your ceremony with Corrine." Two growls from behind me make me smile.
"How can you stand there and be such a ba**ard? My mother would be ashamed of the man that you have become. My daughter is your first grandpup. You either accept my mate and pup or we will break all ties with the pack, and you can make Jayden the next Alpha."
I watch my father's eyes darken and Gideon pushes forward. "No matter what happens, Beck, protect our daughter and know I will always love you," Deborah says through our link before all hell breaks loose. My father lunges toward me. We are evenly matched, but my need to protect my mate and pup gives me the upper hand. I'm able to force him back, and he falls on his a**. "Stacey get Lily out of here," I link her.
Movement to my left distracts me, giving my father an opportunity to land a punch to my jaw. I'm able to stay on my feet, but I turn just in time to see Corrine attack Deborah. I grab for her, but my father wraps his arm around my neck, cutting off my air supply. I watch helplessly as Corrine grabs Deborah by the throat. I begin to shift but it's too late. I watch the light leave my mate's eyes and feel the bond snap.
My father releases me and I fall to my knees. "I know your upset son, but it had to be done. The pup will be placed in the orphanage. Corrine will give you more pups, and she will make you forget the omega." This time I give over control to Gideon and watch as he grabs that heartless b**ch by the neck. One swift movement and we drop her lifeless body to the ground before I whirl on my father.
"Beckham, what have you done?" "What have I done? What have you done?" "I did what was necessary for the pack. You were too weak to see what was best for the pack's future." "You killed my mate." I take steps toward him. "If you kill me Beckham, the pack will never stop hunting you. Corey and your brothers will make you pay for what you have done here today."
I extend the claws of my left hand and grab my father by the throat. "I pray the goddess gives you exactly what you deserve" I say before I rip his throat out. His hands grab at his throat trying to stop the bleeding, but it's no use. I drop him to the floor and turn to Deborah.
I walk over and fight the urge to lay down next to her and let the broken bond consume me. If it wasn't for Lily I probably would. I press a kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, my love. I will always love you and no one will ever replace you in my heart."
Flashback Ends
The tears flow down my cheeks as I let myself feel the pain that I often bury inside me. How can the goddess expect me to accept another mate when Deborah never had a chance to live or care for Lily? I drop my head into my hands and the pain in Rosalyn's eyes haunts me. I at least owe her an explanation. I may not be able to be her mate, but she needs to understand that it's not about her. She is perfect. Hopefully, the goddess will give her a second chance with someone that isn't so broken.