Page 55 of Overcoming the Beta

“Prince Malachi knows more than he’ll ever say, that’s why he volunteered to go.” Gamma Earnest states.

“Probably has to do with his past.” My father states.

“His past?” Zane looks between our fathers.

“Prince Lazar and Prince Malachi are only months apart and are half-brothers.” Alpha Nathaniel returns to his seat behind his desk.

“What?” Kelsey shouts.

“This doesn’t leave this office, son.” Gamma Earnest points to the ground and we shake our head in agreement.

“Prince Malachi is technically his father’s illegitimate son. His mother was an omega and the king’s true mate. He was in love with her until the day she died. The king’s parents put an abrupt stop to their relationship because of her rank within the pack. They went so far as to sell her off to a pack in Europe. In order to take the throne, they forced him to take a chosen mate in an arrangement with the European royal palace. They didn’t meet until the mating ceremony.” Alpha Nathaniel rubs his chin with his hand.

“Fucking politics,” my father scoffs.

“It wasn’t a week after taking the throne he went to Europe and bought his mate back, infuriating his parents and the royal council.” Alpha Nathaniel laughs quietly.

“He replaced the council shortly after.” Gamma Earnest states.

“Honoring the contract with the European royal palace, he produced a male heir with his chosen mate.” Alpha Nathaniel adds.

“Luckily for him, it took just once.” My father laughs.

“The king never marked his chosen mate, instead he marked his fated mate the omega… Prince Malachi’s mother. For years, no one knew of Prince Malachi’s existence. His mother feared the queen might have him killed. He was raised out of everyone’s sight. The king spent lots of time going between the palace and a large home by the training grounds. Prince Malachi lived there with his mother. The King took an active role in raising Prince Malachi alongside his mother and gave him the best education money could buy. Five years ago, his mother became very ill, and on her deathbed she made the king promise her to continue to look after their son. The day she died, he had young Prince Malachi pack his things and moved him into his rightful place behind the palace walls. After giving his mate the true royal funeral she deserved, he told the world about Prince Malachi and gave him his rightful title of prince.” Alpha Nathaniel sighs out.

“So, Prince Malachi has a vested interest in saving Ava from being a political chess piece?” I scoff and shake my head.

“Son, I think he knows his brother’s true intentions, and he is saving Kate as well.” My father leans down and grabs my shoulder. The thought that Prince Lazar would pull a stunt that could get many killed for his own selfish gains is really pissing me off.

“Best advice Ian, don’t get your ass killed.” Gamma Earnest looks at me, nodding his head.

“That goes for all three of you.” Alpha Nathaniel states, “We’ll deal with Prince Lazar after you three get back in one piece.”

“I don’t get it, Prince Lazar lectured me alongside Adam about what it meant to be a good mate. Why act like this now?” I rub my forehead.

“Simple… he liked what he saw, and you became a pawn in his way.” My father says, “Luckily he didn’t meet her after she rejected you. He would have had the palace healers formulate some concoction to fully break the bond.”

“Shit.” I lean forward and rest my head in my hands. The thought of losing her forever sends pains through my chest.

Chapter twenty-eight

You Knew

**August 2001**

Kate

“Kate,I’mhome.”Ianshouts as he walks through the front door of the cottage.

“In here,” I yell from the kitchen. The summer has come to an end and tonight is the last night we’ll be living in the territory until next summer. Ian and I are headed to college. He’ll be in his third year, and I’ll be in my first. I decided to start classes, since I won’t know what to do with myself while he’s in class all day.

“Mmmm, smells good.” He pokes his head into the kitchen.

“There you are. You’re a little later than normal.” I laugh, “what no kiss?” I stick my tongue out teasing.

“No,” Ian’s tone is sharp. “I’m filthy. Why so much food?” He stands in the kitchen doorway with both hands on each side of the doorjamb, propping himself up.

“Oh,” I continue, stirring my gravy without looking at him. I’m not too sure why he does this aloof thing from time to time, but it drives me bonkers. Normally, he wouldn’t care how gross or filthy he is. He thinks it’s funny watching my reaction to a sweaty hug. “Our parents are coming for dinner tonight… and Kelsey, too. Training must have really been rough. I felt a strong pain in my chest again.” The pains, mostly, have gone away, but for the past few weeks they’ve returned. It only happens once a week, but since we marked each other, the intensity that we feel each other’s emotions and pain has increased.

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