Page 35 of Star-crossed Betas

“Is that?” he asks, looking over his shoulder at me, his eyes widening in panic.

“Shit! I think so. Shift and hide.” In the blink of an eye, his grey wolf form is a blur in the opposite direction, and he dives into the large overgrowth. I shift too, but before I can run and meet whichever wolf is heading our way, they’re already approaching.

“What are you doing out here?”my dad asks as he enters the small clearing.

“Couldn’t sleep. Went for a run,”I reply, trying to get my heart rate to slow down. The only thing currently in my favour is the wind blowing my scent away from him. “How come you’re out?”I ask. I was certain he and my mum were asleep when I snuck out.

“Your mum has extra patrols out since the announcement.”The announcement being that Jasper and Jade are expecting a baby. Our pack has seen a rapid decline in pups being born in the past ten years. The fact Jasper’s baby is most likely to carry on the Alpha line has everyone on edge until they’re born. Our pack is one of the few where the title of Alpha has remained in the same family for over twenty generations.“It’s not safe for you to be out running at night, off our land. I’m heading back. Coming?”my dad asks. I fight the urge to look over my shoulder towards where Cee is hiding and just nod my head at him.

I follow my dad back to the cottage, trying to keep enough distance between us so he doesn’t scent Cee on me. When the skies suddenly open up, and we’re hit by heavy rain, I’ve never been so grateful in my life. I’ll still need to scrub myself down in the shower, but at least this will lessen Cee's scent all over me.

Connor Kelly

Fuck, fuck, fuck! That was way too close. We were thinking with our dicks and almost got caught. Maybe we did get caught, for all I know. I’ve no idea who the wolf was and whether they could scent me on Fee. I run home as fast as I can. I need to get to my phone so I can speak to Fee and find out what happened.

I shift back at the downstairs entrance to the block of flats I live in. Fortunately, they’re all owned by a wolf in my pack, and he changed the locks so all the doors are opened with a code instead of a key.

Keys are particularly annoying when you’re shifting back and forth. I type in the code, and the main door opens. I leg it up thestairs two at a time, feeling the cold air against my naked body and immensely grateful I run at a very high temperature. When I buzz in the second code to get into my flat, I immediately dive across the room to check my phone.

Fee:I’m so sorry. It was my dad but I don’t think he scented you. Are you ok?

I let out a sigh of relief and take deep breaths to get my heart rate to slow down. It’s okay, we’re okay. Nobody found out. We have to be more careful,but nobody found out.

Me:I just got home. Are you still awake?

Fee:Yeah. I wish I could call you. When can I see you?

Me:I get back from NI on 4th Jan. Working through to the 9th but could see you that night? Don’t have to be anywhere on 10th.

Fee:I’ve got a match on morning of 10th but fuck it, I’ll make it work. I miss you so much, we can’t keep on like this :( xx

Me:You’re right, I miss you too. Will find a way to see you more. I’ll take on less work or something. I love you

Fee:You know it’s not only about how much you work. We’ll talk properly when you get back xxx

We’ll talk properly when you get back? That cannot be fucking good. We’ve been together for three and a half years, but the past year has been the most challenging.

I went into business with my cousin Mikey, and we’ve had to work some intense hours to get it off the ground. I’ve frequently been working seven days a week, and we’ve been lucky if we’ve had more than two or three hours together before one of us needs to get home again. I know it’s not sustainable, but I don’t know how to fix it.

Me:We’re okay though aren’t we? You’re not leaving me?

My heart pounds, and I feel sick. Ugh, I sound so insecure, and I hate it. In the past six months especially, Fee has been talking more about wanting us to come out to our packs, and I’m worried my time is running out. I haven’t even told my da yet that I won’t be marrying Will. I don’t even breathe while I watch the bubble at the bottom of the screen as Fee types.

Fee:We’re obviously not ok babe. We never see each other, I can’t even call you right now because my family could hear. But no, I’m not leaving you. I love you and I’ll always love you. We just need to come up with a better plan xx

My breath whooshes out of me in relief. He’s not leaving me. I’ve no idea how I’m going to fix this, but I will. Fee moves into his own place soon; at least then, we can call and video chat without risking anyone overhearing. It’ll help bridge the gap when we’re apart. It has to.

Me:I love you. I promise we’ll come up with something xx

Me:Why was your dad out btw?

Fee:Mum has been organising extra patrols. Was going to tell you tonight actually, Jas and Jade are expecting, new baby Alpha heir incoming xx

Me:Wow. You’re gonna be an uncle, makes you sound old lol

Fee:The idea of little Alfie being an uncle is funnier. He’ll be thirteen when the baby is born xx

Niamh:Setting off now, will be there in twenty x

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