| KALEB

The safe house came into view just as the sun began disappearing behind the tops of the trees surrounding the clearing where the safe house lay. It wasn't as large as the former pack house, but since our numbers had been significantly diminished there was enough room for everyone. My relief at seeing the structure was palpable.

When we reached the safe house, the remaning wolves who survived the attack began pouring out to greet us. My wolf who'd been quiet since our rescue, finally emerged from the deep recesses of my mind. It was comforting to finally be able to feel his prescence. I couldn't help but to look for the familiar faces of my alpha and luna I only to be heartbroken once I remembered their fate. My wolf let out a mournful whine as pitiful whimpers escaped his jowels.

The woman who acted as a mother figure for me and the man who remained a contant figure of care and protection were no longer here. I felt like I lost my mom all over again. When my mom passed away in the last fight between our pack and the witch coven, Luna Eden made extra sure that I was cared for. As luna it was apart of her job to take of the pups, especially I the ones with no parents, not that there was a lot of us. Still, she treated us all as if she had birthed us herself. She was always there for me and I wished more than anything that I could have protected her.

Alpha Drake was the father I never had, always over protective and kind. Because I was an omega he babied me as if I was still a pup. I admit I was a bit of a rule breaker, I was always out past curfew in my meadow. When I would sometimes get caught by patrolling enforcers and dragged to the Alpha, he would still scold me like any other wolf but my punishments were never as harsh.

I couldn't really wrap my head around the fact that they were gone. I didn't want to wrap my head around it. I wish I could live in denial, believing that everything would go back to normal.

Back to when we were eating the luna's special extra saucy spaghetti in the dining room before all this shit started. If I could rewind time... I don't know what I'd do different. If I even could change my actions, would it really impact the course of events? Probably not.

The crowd gathered around us offering clothes once we'd shifted back. Zev blocked me from view with his rediculously large body as I got dressed before shifting and pulling on the sweats that had left for him.

You could tell the the pack was surprised to see Josh. After Alpha Drake had ordered everyone to be on the lookout for him I guess they assumed he betrayed the pack. Not that I blame them. We all did. The young beta was currently attempting to stand on his own in order to not seem as weak as he looked. Darren was having none of it. As soon as he was done pulling up the shorts provided to him he pulled Josh into his side. Josh managed to glare weakly at his mate but said nothing.

Once everyone was in human form and clothed Darren addressed the pack.

"We were successful in rescuing Kaleb and we killed Larken along the way, " he began, his voice booming through the air in the clearing. There was happy murmuring and a few claps and cheers, but they quieted down when he started speaking again. "I also found my mate, your former beta and now Lunos [A/N: I don't care if it's incorrect I like the way it sounds.] Josh." The alpha stated proudly, practically beaming. The surprise from seeing Josh turned to shock. The new Lunos was blushing profusely but held his head high despite having most of his weight being supported by his mate. There were audible gasps before the pack started applauding and exclaiming their congratulations to the new alpha couple. Darren waited til they calmed down a bit before continuing.

"Unfortunately, the true culprit behind all this devastation has evaded us once again. Jared is still on the loose and something tells me he's not finished yet. Until he has been delt with, there will be a strictly enforced curfew, all able bodied enforcer wolves will be on round the clock border patrol and everyone else will be fortifying the house or finalizing evacuation measures for the pups." A fire seemes to fill the gazes of my pack mates as well as a lust for blood. They seemed more than willing to do whatever it took to defeat our enemy. "We were not prepared the last time we were attacked. This time we will them." He growled in conclusion inciting a howl that grew in ferocity as more wolves joined in the frightening chorus.

I couldn't help but to tilt my head back, letting loose a howl of my own, my wolf doing the same as our voice melded with the others. As if he couldn't help himself either Zev let out a thunderous roar, adding a truly terrifying element to the melody of our joined howls. No one flinched at the boistrous sound, if anything the howl only increased in intensity.

It was a unifying action amongst wolves, a form of communication over vast distances, a rallying cry that brought us all closer together but also a warning to all those that heard it. That we would not simply roll over when they came bearing aggression towards us, instead we'd face them head on and obliterate them if they'd dare to challenge us.

The sound died a few moments later as a sense of solidarity settled over us as well as determination.

Darren dismissed everyone and they jumped into action, divvying up tasks amongst themselves as they prepared for the inevitable attack that was sure to happen.

Darren beckoned us over as he made his way up the steps of the porch. Encasing my much smaller hand in his, Zev led me towards the ebony alpha and his mate. We followed them into the house that was sparsely furnished but had all of the essentials.

The four of us made our way down a hallway before stepping into an office. Darren sat seat behind it before pulling Josh into his lap. The poor boy practically became the color red. I couldn't help but aww at them in my head. I was overwhelmingly happy that they'd found each other. Josh glared at me playfully as if he could read my mind. Telling me to shut up with his eyes before rolling them.

Sitting in the chair infront of the desk Zev tugged me into his lap. I couldn't help but to curl up I under his chin, reveling in his warmth. His arms wrapped around me like boa constrictors as he rest his chin atop my head, practically encasing me with his body.

"We have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks,"

Darren began, the stress he'd hidden from the pack seeping into his words. "I'll have my hands full with overseeing everything." He sighed pressing his head onto Josh's shoulder. Josh gave the arm wrapped around his waist a reassuring squeeze.

"I'd be glad to help if I can." Zev offered, causing Darren to lift his head and look him in the eye.

"Thank you, Zev, I would offer you the position as my new beta but, I know you'd decline." Darren stated humorously Zev laughed and the sound caused a smile to pull at my lips.

"You're right. As fond as I've grown for this pack, it isn't within my nature to be a part of one. Even now the desire to take my mate somewhere all to myself is overwhelming."

"I know the feeling, " Darren murmured causing Josh's cheeks to go bright red. "I would like to put you in charge of border patrol during the day, Pierce will take over at night. I trust the two of you the most with overseeing the pack's security." Zev nodded.

The talked for a bit longer as Josh and I lounged sleepily on their laps. Josh seemed to have melted against Darren as he leaned back against his chest, eyes half closed in content. The looked perfect together. Like two puzzle pieces. I wonder if this is what people saw when they looked at Zev and I.

"Your room is the one on the third floor, on the hallway to your left. There's no one else on that floor." Darren informed us when I asked where we'd be staying. "I know you're probably just as exhausted as I am, rest up, the real work begins tommorow."

I felt Zev shift me in his arms as he stood up. Darren got up as well allowing Josh to stand on his feet before walking us to the door. Zev and Darren were in the middle of saying their good nights when I looked over my mates shoulder at Josh, noticing that he remained rooted in the spot Darren left him. A look of apprehension marred his features. It wasn't hard for me to figure out what the problem was.

This would be the first time they were alone together for over a month. It was probably nerve wracking for Josh. I could see the nervousness in his blue eyes. Without thinking about it, I wiggled myself out of Zev's arms- more like he set me down gently once I started squirming- and made my way over to my friend.

"You'll be fine," I murmured encouragingly, giving his a soft smile. I can't say that he looked convinced but some of his apprehension seemed to have eased away. Still, I couldn't help but to try and comfort him further. "He's your mate and he wants you. He's here to comfort and protect you and if he doesn't, I'll personally kick his ass myself." I said as a growl entered my voice.

Josh had protected me when we were held captive by Jared and now it was my turn to return the favor. I was happy to see the mirth that entered Josh's eyes.

"You hear that Darren, be careful or you'll have a pissed off omega on your ass!" Josh joked as the color finally returned to his cheeks. Darren walked over, pulling his mate into his chest from behind and encircling his arms around his waist.

"Duly noted." Darren husked in his mate's ear, a playful lilt to his voice. Faster than Josh could keep up with, he pecked his mate on the cheek. It seemed as though Josh created a new hue of red as it crawled up his neck and cheeks. I giggled at the sight. Shaking his head as if to clear it, Josh gave me a lopsided grin.

"Good night, runt." He teased.

"Good night, Josh." I responded with a goofy grin of my own as Zev's arms wrapped themselves back around me.

Bidding the couple a final farewell, Zev carried me out of the office, making his way towards the staircase.

It didn't take long to find the room Darren was talking about. Once we did, Zev placed me on the bed as he went about searching for clothes. Once he found some that fit him and I, we made our way to the bathroom, which was connected to the room.

I quickly stripped myself of the clothes that had been given to us upon our arrival, eager to get the dirt and grime of the past few days off of me. Turning on the shower head, I jumped under the spray with Zev following in behind me.

I couldn't help the sigh of satisfaction that escaped me at the feeling of the hot water sliding down my skin. After a moment we took turns rubbing each other down with soa and shampooing each other's hair. It was a calming activity, one that I had missed. When we were done we rinsed off and stepped out of the shower.

As always Zev dried us off before we got dressed and headed back into the room.

Curling up under the cover Zev pulled me into his chest and fell asleep soon after planting a kiss to my forehead. I lay awake a little longer, not quite able to find sleep. For some reason being in his arms tonight felt different. I felt warm all over- no, not warm.

I felt hot.

Before I could think further into it, I slipped into the world of dreams.

Thanks for your patience and support! I love and appreciate you all so much. I know many of you want to know the exact release date of The Alpha's Beta but all I can say is the first chapter will be posted after the conclusion of this book and since I don't know when that will be I can't give you a definite date. I would also like to say that TAB will be a lot shorter than TTO because it will consist of lot of fluff instead of drama. I see it more as a treat to my fans rather than an actual novel, I'm sorry if that disappoints any of you. Another reason TAB will be shorter is because I have other novels I planned to write in this universe with events that occur after those in TAB. That being said it will be 15 chapters at the most (knowing me it'll probably be longer than that considering this novel was originally intended to be only ten chapters long 😫😧😩).

As always, thanks for reading and please post your thoughts on the chapter and predictions for future chapters in the comments, I love reading them.

-J.T.

Houses are seen as a part of territory meaning if a new pack takes over the old one must find or build a new place to live. They can be bought, sold or handed down or built from the ground up.