Page 20 of His Temporary Alpha Mate
The elves stood guard outside as I stayed where I was. The shock was just too much for me. My brain felt like it was in overload as my heart was shredded.
All I could think was, “why would The Luna betray me like this?” I’d tried my hardest to be a good shifter, trying not to complain at being born a beta when all I wanted was the ability to have a family of my own. I so desperately wanted to be an omega. I’d have given anything to be in Tate’s position.
Tate. Did I imagine the fear and doubt on his face? Did he even want to be an omega? He was so fucking ungrateful!
I don’t know how long I stood there before Chase appeared by my side.
“Hey, Dally-do, the office needs you. Are you feeling okay?”
Unable to respond as I slowly tried to pull myself together, I just stood there.
Chase wrapped an arm around me. The gesture was comforting. At least my alter appreciated the side hug, but it wasn’t what I truly needed.
“I’ll call Lark.”
“No.” All I could manage was a faint protest.
“Come on, Dal, you need someone better at comforting than me. You and Larken are close now, right?”
I shrugged. The fog was lifting as panic, sharp and hot, sliced through me. Showing weakness like this was so unattractive. Larken wouldn’t want me anymore if I were a huge, hot mess. Only one of us could be all needy at once.
Of course, Chase didn’t listen to me and called Larken quickly. The alpha must have been nearby as he came running up to me just minutes later as I stood with Chase holding onto me.
“Hey, Dimples, Chase. Everything okay?” Lark was clearly getting a vibe as his voice was soft and his eyes searched my face for clues.
Not giving me the time to think up a lie, Chase launched into an explanation. He didn’t even get to the end of it before Larken wrapped his arms around me in the tightest hug. It honestly felt like he was trying to squeeze all my broken pieces back together.
“It’ll be alright. I know it’s not fair, but who knows? This might be a test.”
The words, “a test” echoed through my mind. I clung to it as my hands came up to clutch onto Larken.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
”—“ Larken’s response was stolen as Roan and Hiroshi hurried onto the scene. We stepped apart. The loss of the touch had my raccoon grumbling. They ran past us, unseeing, in their animal forms. A charcoal wolf and a stunning tiger.
We both caught the change in scent at the same time. I felt Larken stiffen. There was a momentary expression of shock, then pain, before a mask slipped into place.
Roan didn’t even notice us as he waited outside the clinic, and Hiroshi went inside alone.
It was my turn to comfort Larken. I took his hand and threaded our fingers together. “I’ve got you.”
Larken mustered a smile for me. “And I’ve got you. Dal—“ His words cut off as Roan went inside.
The pack link was silent. Like me, I think everyone was in shock. I had at least been somewhat prepared about Tate changing designations because Chase had told me. Honestly, I should have been expecting a pregnancy announcement. The rest of the pack were unaware of everything on purpose.
I didn’t know how long we all stood there just watching the clinic. Blake had moved, waiting outside of the doors. He ignored us, his focus on what was happening inside, as he watched the clinic.
It only felt like moments when a roar rang out.
“Asher!” Chase yelled. Blake’s eyes met his brother’s. Chase nodded in answer to whatever he had been told over their family link, then he called for more guards to be ready as the familiar figures of Roan and Hiroshi backed out of the clinic, a raven flying above them.
Hiroshi, still in tiger form, stopped next to our Alpha, Roan flanking him.
If he didn’t want the baby, no one would make him carry it to term, right?
The stray thought had Roan’s mental voice. Tate didn’t want the baby? How dare he refuse such a gift?
I kept my feelings and thoughts locked down tight.
