Page 42 of A Second Chance for the Beta
Ella closes the mind link, and I can’t help a sigh escaping my lips. Everything had been going well for the first couple of weeks Charlie spent with us, but ever since she started school here a few weeks ago, things have gone downhill.
It’s not like she is being terribly delinquent, but she tends to get into fistfights with boys a lot, and she also gets hurt… a lot.
Part of me wants to approve that she stands up against other kids, and that she doesn’t allow anyone to walk over her, but I know she seeks out these confrontations, almost as if she waits for them to provoke her. The therapist says that all we can do is be patient and reassure her over and over again that we are there for her, that we won’t leave her no matter how much she messes up.
I just wish I could help her.
I wish she would trust me. I know she doesn’t, not yet, but she is part of my family now, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make her feel safe with me.
Training ends without any more incidents, and I’m glad I can wrap it up without any of my warriors having additional questions. Probably helps that it’s shortly before lunch. I don’t even wait for them all to have left before I grab my phone. Ella has already messaged me, saying she is at the school nurse with Charlie.
“Dante.”
I spin around when I hear Liam’s voice behind me.
“I shouldn’t be able to sneak up to you like that,” he says.
Technically he isn’t wrong, though as my alpha he certainly has his ways to outsmart me.
“What’s wrong?” he asks with a frown. “How come you are still here after training and not meeting Ella?”
I sigh, and he instantly catches on. “Charlotte?”
“She punched someone at school again,” I say.
Liam sighs. “Well, at least she stands up for herself.”
“We both know there is a thin line between standing up for yourself and just unleashing your anger.”
“That’s true,” Liam agrees. “Do you think it’s because of her friends, because of Ty and his little gang?”
“I’m not sure. Austen is a good kid, and she hangs out with Gisela too.” I pause. “Ty is definitely setting her up with bad ideas. Last time I heard him talk about sneaking out, and I’d hate it if he got Charlie to do that.”
“Have you talked to her?” Liam asks.
“Ella did, but it ended with Charlie getting mad and yelling at us.”
“So how do you normally react?” Liam wants to know.
“We tried different approaches,” I admit. “We tried to be super understanding; we tried to be strict. We always talk. Ella tried to put her foot down once, but it’s difficult for her too. In general it works better with Ella taking it up with Charlie.” I pause, feeling my chest clench slightly. “I don’t think Charlie likes me much.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Liam says. “I think she just doesn’t know stability, and the way her life changed so drastically is making her spiral. I also don’t think you and Ella are doing anything wrong. For what it’s worth, I feel like you are doing all you can.”
“I just don’t know what to do anymore,” I say. “I know something is wrong, but she won’t share it with me or Ella. On top of that, we still haven’t found the mercenaries.”
Liam frowns. “The fact that they went into hiding is truly concerning. I don’t know what they want to achieve and why.”
“It feels like they were spying on Ella and me,” I say. “And waited for Ella to find out about Candy and Charlie.”
“I came to the same conclusion,” Liam says. “It might be someone from Ella’s past, or rather from her father’s or sister’s past. Someone who knew Candance and who also knew Charlie exists. I will research more in that direction.” He pauses. “Do we know anything about Charlie’s dad?”
“Unfortunately, we don’t.” I sigh. “And the many threats and questions make the situation even worse. I think it’s another reason Charlie lashes out against us.”
“What does your family therapist say?” Liam wants to know.
“To be patient,” I answer. “But that’s not enough for me. I refuse to believe that I can’t do anything.”
“Then how about we try something new?” Liam offers.
