A Mate for the Beta: (12 page)

Chapter Twelve

Liv wiped her hands on her shorts.  It was a beautiful sunny day, it had seemed like such a waste to be stuck indoors.  Although Alec had not wanted her to leave the house surely that didn’t extend to the garden.

With a little help of her natural magic the ground was ready for her to start planting seeds.  She had already decided that half of her garden would contain wildflowers, that would attract birds and butterflies and the other half would be for vegetables.

Most witches couldn’t practice during pregnancies but earth witches were still able to attend to their gardens and help things grow.  Earth witches always had big healthy babies due to their natural abilities.

In no time at all they would be enjoying their own tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, anything they wanted really. 
Liv could make anything grow at any time of year.  She hoped Alec was as happy as she was with her efforts.  The thought of cooking a meal for her man made with the vegetables she had grown warmed her for some reason.

She thought of how it would be to teach her own child how to tend the garden, as her own mother had done with her. 
Now that she knew she was pregnant she had opened her mind and could sense her baby, despite only being a couple of days old.  She thought of how Alec would dote on and protect them both.  She rubbed her stomach, imagining the life within and marvelling at how much happiness Alec had brought her within the space of a few days. 

She darted up as she heard a twig snap.  Turning round she saw her aunt Emerald
approaching and her heart sank.  If anyone was going to ruin her ‘finding out I’m pregnant’ glow it would be Emerald.

With some apprehens
ion she walked over to her aunt, Liv frowned at how old she was looking.  Normally she looked immaculate but today she had deep bags under her eyes her face seemed sallow.  “Emerald, what brings you here?”

“I came to give you one last chance
Livia.  I believe I may have acted a little hastily yesterday.”

Liv
rolled her eyes at the understatement but Emerald continued undeterred.  “You are after all my only flesh and blood.  If you were to promise never to see that,”she paused to spit out the next word, “
wolf
again I would welcome you back to the Circle.”

Liv
stared at her, and Emerald smiled as warmly as she could.  She looked like a frozen crocodile.  “I can forgive a youthful indiscretion, wolves are virile creatures, even witches, well some witches,” she sneered, “aren’t immune to their charms, but to actually believe that one night of sex means that you’re in love is ridiculous.  Surely you do want to live with your own kind, I mean you wouldn’t just abandon me for
him
would you?” 

Emerald tried the wheedling, needy tone that
Liv had always fallen for before but this time it wasn’t going to fly.

Liv
clapped her hands together getting rid of the soil.  She had zero patience for Emerald’s attitude.  “We are in love.  I’m his mate and he is mine.  We have bonded, which means we are going to be together for the rest of our lives.  I’m sorry you don’t like it but that’s not my problem.”

Liv
turned her back on her aunt to go back to her gardening, summarily dismissing her.

“Don’t turn your back on me young lady!  I am your aunt, I protect you
, look after you and this is the thanks I get?!”  Screeched Emerald.

Liv
spun round on her heels glaring at her.  “Don’t talk to me that way!”  Emerald was a little taken aback by Liv’s manner, before now she had always been so pliable.  This ungrateful creature before her was being stubborn and unreasonable.

“You’ve made it quite clear that you never really cared for me Emerald, you made it clear you wish I had died rather than mom, so I don’t understand why you care so much that I’m leaving.  You’ve said before that I was a burden to you, well it’s your lucky day,
your burden is relieved.  You don’t have to take care of me.  Alec will.  He loves me and I love him and we’re having a baby!”  By the end Liv was shouting.

“A baby?”
  Gasped Emerald.  “A baby?”  You allowed that mangy mutt to impregnate you?  The fact that you spread your legs for him so easily already makes you a whore, but this is even worse!”

“
Shup-up, shut-up and get out!”  Screamed Liv.

“And to think I made Iris spare you
just so that you could turn round and wound me this way!”

Liv
stood stock still.  “What do you mean?”  She asked suspiciously.

If Emerald had been thinking clearly she may not have answered that question, but she had worked herself into an agitated state and couldn’t stop herself.

“Iris wanted you to be the next sacrifice.  But I told her no, you were my niece and I wouldn’t allow it.  I wish I’d bitten my tongue.”

Oh god what had Emerald done...
 
Uneasiness welled within her stomach, she felt a battering of emotions from panic to rage and fear.  She wasn’t sure the emotions were all hers but her own curiosity won out.  “What sacrifice?”  She asked quietly.

Emerald stared at her, eyes glittering with hatred.  Her mouth twitched before settling on a sick smile.
  “To maintain my abilities sometimes it is necessary for others to make sacrifices.”  Her voice was colder than Liv had ever heard before, she felt herself shiver involuntarily.

Emerald slowly began moving toward her niece.
  Her aunt’s unusually hollow cheeks making her appear more like a skeleton than ever, Liv was reminded of Death himself and almost laughed hysterically.  “Even my abilities need... replenishing every now and again.”

Liv
clutched her stomach, it felt tight.  “If I didn’t make these little sacrifices now and again I wouldn’t be able to lead the Circle the way I do, I wouldn’t be able to cast the spells I can... it’s a necessary evil.”

“You’ve been draining other witches haven’t you?” 
Whimpered Liv, the pain within increasing whilst her aunt advanced on her.

Emerald was wild eyed and starting to babble.  “Only when absolutely necessary, it was Iris’ idea.  All the
magic I was using was too much for me, I was dying, I needed help.  Iris found the spell and helped me perform it so we both could get a little extra power.  We just chose people at random, they just had to be witches and virgins.  Their dying has helped numerous others, just think of what my magic has done for others.”

Tears were streaming down
Liv’s face.  “What have you ever done for others?  You did this for yourself, to make yourself feel powerful.  You took innocent lives so what? So that you could perform a few extra glamour spells to hide your age?!”

Emerald ignored her
, the madness was wrapping itself round her mind and she couldn’t pull herself back.  “We usually found witches in other towns, we never took one of our own before, but we left it too long and Iris was too weak to travel, she was suffering from cancer.  Iris became too greedy, she wanted to take you, she wanted to feed off your earth magic.  I wouldn’t let her, I promised your mother I would look after you and I did.  I killed Iris before she could get to you.”

Liv
doubled over in pain.  “What are you doing to me?”

Emerald’s face was starting to pale, wrinkles were forming and age spots marring her once perfect beauty.  The glamour spells she worked so hard to maintain were fading away.  “I fed from Iris but it
wasn’t enough.  Each time it’s never enough, the magic burns more quickly every time.”

Liv
felt like a vice was clutching her stomach and bawled in agony.  “That dried up old prune barely gave me anything, you on the other hand will do just nicely... don’t worry about you not being a virgin, that innocent life growing within you will be satisfactory.”

“No!” 
Cried Liv.  “Not my baby.” 

Liv
grabbed at her basket of tools and began flinging them at Emerald with abandonment.  Emerald spluttered and fell over as a trowel hit her square in the eyes, but not before twisting the hold she had on Liv.

Liv
let out a blood curdling scream and collapsed to the ground, she could barely lift her head.  She pushed out through the mental bond she shared with her mate, hoping he could understand her.

She heard Emerald’s
squeal of annoyance and tried desperately to stand up.  Emerald got up and stalked towards her.  “You little bitch you’ll pay for that!”  She screeched.

Emerald came closer and lunged at her. 
Liv braced herself but then felt a sudden warmth flow through her. 
Alec
.

Before Emerald could reach her she was knocked down by an enormous grey wolf
.  The wolf, who with his scars and honey brown tufts on his belly could only be Alec, stood over her body. 

She felt the presence of other wolves surround her, three other males and one small female, the largest of which had a long streak of black and could only be Adam.  They flanked her and Alec.

Adam howled long and hard and the other wolves joined him before running at Emerald to attack.  Alec remained standing over his mate’s body, prone to attack should Emerald make it past his pack mates.

The witch saw the
beasts coming and desperately tried to protect herself, sending jolts of lightening in all directions, she hit the flanks of the other males but missed the Alpha and was too slow for the speedy little female.

The Alpha
pounced on her digging his sharp claws into her body and the witch shrieked in agony.  Pushing off her torn body Adam purposefully moved to the side and without hesitation the she-wolf ripped out Emerald’s throat killing her instantly. 
At last taking her revenge
.

The wolves panted with exertion
.  The she-wolf pawed the dead body, making sure she was definitely gone.  She nodded to the Alpha who howled again and all the wolves joined in.

Alec quickly shifted and picked up his mate cradling her in
his arms.  She looked so tiny and pale.  Tears welled in his eyes, fearing he had been too late to save her.  “Angel?  Angel please tell me you’re okay?”

The rest of the wolves shifted too. 
Adam checked on his other pack mates who luckily had just been grazed by the witch’s zaps.  Slowly they and the rogue wolf Kira walked towards the Beta who was holding his mate like a baby.

Alec buried his head in her shoulder.
  His heart almost exploded as he felt a small hand on his cheek.  He looked up to see her sweet face looking at him smiling softly.  She used her thumb to wipe away the lone tear that fell down his cheek.

“I knew it.”
  She purred at him.

He rested his forehead against hers ignoring the whoops and sighs of relief from his pack members. 
“Knew what angel?”

“I knew you
r wolf would be beautiful, almost as beautiful as you my sweet.”

She reached up and kissed him chastely.

He looked at her anxiously.  “Are you okay angel?  Is the baby okay?”

Liv
sent out happy, reassuring thoughts through the bond and his body became a little less tense.  The pain Emerald had caused died with her, she was tired but unhurt.

Liv
ran her fingers over his jaw. 
The world could be ending and she’d be okay as long as she was in his arms. 
“I’m fine, just a little drained.”

“You scared the hell out of me angel.”

“I’m sorry my sweet, how can I make it up to you?” She cocked an eyebrow at him. 

“
Hey, none of that, you’re exhausted.  You need rest.”

She grinned at him.  “Well I’m covered in dirt, how about we start with a
nice restful bath and see how things go from there.”

“
Angel.” 
Temptress
.

Chapter Thirteen

17
th
September

Daylight streamed in through their bedroom window. 
Liv awoke next to her gently snoring mate.

She watched
enthralled at the rise and fall of his massive chest.  She placed a tiny hand over his heart, feeling the gentle thud of his heartbeat.  My mate, she thought, all
mine
.

It had been two days since Emerald had attacked. 
Liv had mourned the loss of life briefly but ultimately all she felt was pity for her dead aunt.  So vile and vicious, all people felt was relief now that she was gone.  It was sad.

Liv
chose to look to the future.  Her future with Alec and their baby.  Her life was just beginning. 
Their life together.

She sat up and stretched.  Alec had kept her up all night and many of the small hours of the morning. 
After she recovered from the attack the thought of losing her had incensed his wolf into taking her over and over. 
If she were too tired to leave their bed she couldn’t possibly be put in danger again.

She ached but it was a pleasurable ache.  She caught sight of herself in the mirror.  She carefully got out of bed, mindful not to disturb Alec, for a closer look.
  Nothing had really changed in the last few days, her body was no different really but she looked altered somehow.  Instead of dowdy, frumpy Liv, she now saw pretty curvy Liv.  Her skin was practically glowing. 
Amazing what a bit of confidence will do for you.

She inspected the bonding mark on her neck.  It was still angry and red
, but it would eventually settle and turn into a neat scar.  Wearing his mark made her proud.  It showed everyone that she was his and more importantly that he was
hers
.  She trailed her fingers down to her breast that bore a twin bite mark.  She rubbed it gently, shivering as her nipples pebbled.

She was hit with a sharp twinge of regret.
  She frowned, wondering where it had come from.  Looking up she saw Alec reflected in the mirror.  He was looking at her sadly.

“What’s wrong
my sweet?”  She asked.

“
I disfigured your breast... they were beautiful and I... I let myself lose control...”

She ran to the bed and jumped on it giggling as she bounced up and down.
  “Aww, don’t be silly. I adore having your mark on me.”  She cupped her breasts in her hands kneading them lightly.  “I think you’ve made it more beautiful, don’t you?”

His eyes dilated as he eagerly watched her rhythmic movements, and he murmured his agreement.

“I’m just sorry that no one else can see it.”

His
eyes snapped to attention.  “Well get over it because no one
will
be seeing it!”

She snickered.
  He lay back against the pillow and slung an arm over his face, trying to hide his grin.  She placed a delicate finger on his chest and traced one of his scars.  Arousal rippled through him.

She leaned over and traced it again with her tongue
, followed by lingering kisses.  He removed his arm and watched her with interest.

“I think”
kiss
, “my scars”
kiss
, “are beautiful”
kiss
, “just like”
kiss
, “yours are.”

She worked her way over his chest, kissing and licking every vicious looking scar.
  After running out of scars she pulled the covers back and kissed her way down to his growing arousal.  She licked the hard length and kissed her way up and down.  His erection grew and lengthened under her ministrations.

His hips twitched as he forced himself to stay still. 
She enveloped his huge girth with both hands and took the mushroomed head into her mouth, licking the slit.  She released him and kissed the tip before blowing on it lightly.  Her hands caressed him as she sucked him into her mouth again, taking more of him.  She continued taking a little more each time, her motions getting a little quicker each time until finally his length hit the back of her throat and she sucked wildly, bobbing her head up and down the length.

His balls tightened and he felt
himself gearing up to come.  His breathing hastened and his limbs began to quiver.  Seeing her mate’s reaction she felt her own excitement simmering inside her.  She removed one of her hands and directed it to her own heat, quickly stroking between her own folds, trying to temper the rising lust.

He moaned at seeing his little mate
pleasuring them both, revelling in the joy he felt from their link. They were both about to explode and he wanted to be inside her, to feel her contractions. He swiftly reached down and pulled her up his body.  His cock popped out of her mouth and she mewled at the loss.

He lay her down and pushed into her
, she sighed at the sudden fullness.  He swung in and out of her a few times, then moved to straddle her, pushing her legs together tightly.  The increased feeling of tightness was marvellous.  His penis dragged in and out of her hitting her sweet spot every time.

His thrusts became more rapid and her body tightened around him.  Her moans became guttural
and she bucked beneath him as the orgasm tore through her.  Her inner muscles clamped down almost strangling his manhood and he couldn’t contain himself.  He shouted out calling her ‘angel’ as his own release ripped through him.  A few more jerky thrusts poured his seed into her and fully sated he collapsed on her.

He nestled his head in her breasts and she stroked his hair. 
He eyed the scar he had given her and licked it.  She quivered and purred. 
She was right, it was more beautiful
.