Page 9 of A Second Chance for the Beta
“It’s just a baby,” I say, dumbfounded. My parents groan, but Beta Vincent just laughs.
“Have you ever seen a baby?”
“No,” I say. Why would I?
Vincent smiles. “Then now is the day.” He nods towards us, and we step through the door. He grins. “He has been crying nonstop, so be prepared.” He leads us to a broad room, lit in a warm and gentle light. Luna Flora is lying in the bed, a tired but happy smile on her lips as she eyes the noisy little bundle in her arms.
Alpha Elden is here too. I didn’t know he would be here when we came. He is tall, broad, and a bit scary. “Erwin and Sonya.” He smiles slightly. “You came.”
For the next couple of minutes, my parents both fawn and fuss over the little thingy in Flora’s arm, although the little thingy screams its lungs out. I don’t quite understand. I would have been more excited if it were a baby elephant or a little duck.
“The aura is so strong already,” Dad says, amazed.
Alpha Elden nods. “He is my firstborn and a direct heir to the crown. We knew he would be born strong.”
“He will have extraordinary gifts,” Mom says quietly.
Alpha Elden looks a bit worried. “He has so many burdens to carry already.”
Meanwhile, Luna’s gaze wanders around until she finds me. She looks at me warmly. “Come closer, Dante.”
I swallow nervously and politely step closer. I can feel my dad’s hands on my shoulders, squeezing them softly as he nudges me closer. I bend down a bit to get a glimpse of the baby, blinking in surprise when I see it. It has the tiniest nose I’ve ever seen, chubby little legs, and tiny fingers. I stretch out my finger to touch its hand when the baby’s hand wraps around my finger in a death grip.
“Let go,” I say panicked, before pausing. It’s weird, almost like a light is emitting between us. It feels warm and familiar. I feel my surprise die down, noticing how the baby has stopped crying and just stares at me.
“That’s early,” Alpha Elden says, sounding surprised. “I didn’t expect him to find his beta so fast.”
“It’s a natural bond,” Luna Flora says quietly. She sounds relieved. “I’m glad the goddess made sure to send us his protector so soon. They are both young and will grow close together.”
I’m not sure what they are talking about, but when I raise my head, I meet my parents’ gazes. Mom has tears in her eyes, while Dad is beaming with pride. He makes space for the alpha now. Alpha Elden puts a hand on my shoulder. “Dante,” he says. “Do you want to know his name?”
“It’s a boy?” I ask curiously.
He nods.
“Thank Goddess!” I exclaim. I have no idea how to handle girls. Good thing this is a boy.
The alpha snorts while Luna Flora smiles. “His name is Liam,” she says softly. “Do you want to hold him?”
I find myself nodding before Mom and the alpha help me take the baby in my arms. He is so cute. I suddenly feel a strong protective feeling washing over me. “Can I be his brother?” I ask almost automatically. “I don’t have any siblings.”
The luna smiles at me like she knows more than she shows. “Of course you can.”
I smile at the memory. It’s been so long; we were both so young back then. A lot of things changed, some for the worse, some for the better. The bad things in my life still eat at me sometimes, but all of this is what led me to Ella, who finally completes my soul again.
Liam pays for our lunch, claiming it’s still part of the job as he made us miss lunch. I grab two pizzas and plenty of tiramisu for Ella and me, while Emerson settles for salad and pasta and Liam for steak and seafood pasta.
Then we head straight back to the pack. We’ve barely made it over the pack’s borders when Liam’s eyes gloss over. He smiles at first, an indication he is mind linking our luna, but then he frowns.
“Everything alright?” I ask him.
“Annalise told me you should go straight home,” he says to me.
I feel dread settling inside me. “What happened!?” I sit up tensely, feeling how my heart hammers against my chest. “Where is Ella?” I search for my connection to Ella instantly. Goddess, please let her be alright.
“Dante,” Liam’s voice reaches me. “She is fine. Annalise said she had a tough day going through her parents’ memorabilia and probably needs you now.”
I’m relieved instantly, just to feel worried again. Ella wanted to finally go through her inheritance, her late parents’ belongings, and everything Emmet saved for her. It took her almost two years to be ready to do it, and yesterday she told me she realized she’d never truly be ready but needs to do it now.
