A Mate for the Beta: (6 page)

Liv
knocked on the front door and called out to let the older woman know it was her.  She waited but there was no answer.  She tried the handle and on finding the door unlocked she went in, calling out.

It was possible that Agatha was asleep, but generally Agatha didn’t like sleeping in the day. 
Liv went from room to room of the cottage but her friend was not there.  She noticed that Agatha’s purse was on the kitchen table.  Liv started to worry.

Agatha’s back door was also unlocked. 
Liv went out and looked in Agatha’s garden and green house but still she was nowhere to be found.

Liv
called out her name a few times but received no reply.  Thinking of Iris, panic started to set in.

There was no cell phone to ring, Agatha refused to carry
one.

What to do, what to do...
 
Alec!  Of course, he gave her his card and told her to ring him if she had any problems.

Her
hands shook with worry as she fumbled to find the card and then get her phone and dial the number.

When at last she got through
his deep, reassuring voice rumbled over the line.  “Alec it’s Liv.”  She said quavering.

He could tell immediately that she was upset.
  His wolf leapt to attention.  “Are you alright?  Where are you?”

“I’m at my friend Agatha’s house, she’s disappeared.”

“I’ll be right there, what’s the address?”

She told him and he firmly commanded her to get in her car and lock the door
s.  He was on his way.

Chapter Six

Alec raced to his patrol car and sped all the way to Agatha’s house.  Fearing his mate may be in danger sent the adrenaline racing through his body. 
His wolf roaring at him to hurry.

A
fter what felt like an eternity he arrived to find Liv biting her lip and fidgeting in her car. 
Thanks heavens she’s okay
.  He tapped on the window impatiently.

At last!
  Seeing him just made everything better.  She rushed out of the car and hurled herself at his solid chest.  Crushing herself against him she curled her fingers into his uniform.

He was a little surprised at her reaction but did not dwell on it.  He immediately wrapped his arms round her
, holding her soft body against his tightly, and rested his head on hers.  They fit together so snugly. 
They were made for each other
.

After a few minutes she realised he was making soothing motions
on her back.  The warmth of his body seeped into hers.  She felt herself becoming aroused at the close contact, and if the bulge at her stomach was anything to go by Alec was feeling the same too. 
If she just leaned up she could guide his head down for a kiss...

No!
She had to stay focussed.  Agatha could be missing and in danger.

Grudgingly she pulled her face away from his chest and looked up at him, her eyes watery.  “I’m okay now.”

Alec wanted to sweep her up in his arms and never let go but... that wasn’t really feasible.  Instead he loosened his arms round her, slightly, and asked her to tell him what happened. 

She explained
, whilst they stood together still embracing, about finding the house empty and unlocked, but with Agatha’s purse still there. 
Just like Iris...

“Let’s go take a look.”  He said gently.  He took one of her hands and walked into the house.

Liv almost jumped out of her skin.  There in the kitchen stood the woman herself.  Agatha was by the sink washing mushrooms.

“Agatha!”  Shrieked
Liv, Alec’s arms once again made their way around her, holding her steady.  If it hadn’t been for Alec’s secure grip on her she might have slumped to the ground.

The older woman turned round, completely unfazed at having
Liv sneak into her house and scream at her, not to mention being cuddled the Sheriff.  Agatha cast a twinkling look at them.  “I was wondering when you two were going to come in, I didn’t like to disturb you, you seemed... busy.”

Liv
blushed too stunned to talk.  Alec cleared his throat.  “Ms Blackport...”

“Agatha
please.”

“Agatha, is everything alright?”

She cocked her grey head at them.  “Of course, why wouldn’t it be?”

“But I came here... and the, the, the front door... it was unlocked... I looked all over... you were gone!” 
Liv spluttered.

“Oh I must have left it unlocked” said Agatha dismissively.
  “It happens at my age, I spent hours yesterday looking for my glasses, which were of course on the top of my head.  You were really worried weren’t you?”

“Well yes, after Iris...”

Agatha harrumphed.  “That woman probably cast a spell that went wrong and made herself disappear.  She always did prefer her magic on the dark side...  Sit down girl you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Alec manoeuvred her into a chair.  “Why don’t you both sit down and I’ll make it.”

Agatha smiled at him.  “I won’t say no to that.”

Liv
watched as Alec was directed round the small kitchen.  He moved surprisingly gracefully for his size and considering what he was doing.  Liv was staring at his butt when Agatha nudged her and Liv turned beet red.

She whispered loudly to
Liv, so Alec could no doubt hear.  “I like a man who knows his way around the kitchen.”  She gave Liv a knowing look.  “Plus it doesn’t hurt that he’s very sexy.”

Alec
himself actually reddened and Liv stifled a giggle.

The three of them spent an hour chatting amiably while
Liv recovered from her near panic attack.  When they left Agatha pressed Alec into promising to come back and visit her again with Liv.  Liv inwardly groaned at the fact the Agatha was trying to play matchmaker.

They walked out to their vehicles.
  Liv felt like a complete fool, worrying and getting upset over nothing.  He must think her a complete idiot or worse, think that she lured him out there under false pretences.

Alec lingered by her car.  It occurred to him that
Liv may have been lying about worrying Agatha had been missing.  The thought that she might make up a story like that actually elated him.  That she would go to extreme measures just to see him made him feel very self-satisfied. 
Although her reactions certainly seemed genuine...

Either way he was pleased that the incident with Carrie seemed to be forgotten, and even more so
that he had at last managed to get his hands on his mate.  His whole body still tingled. 
He had thought it might appease his wolf a little, but if anything it had made the wolf angry and demanding for more...

Liv
scratched her arm absently.  “I’m really sorry,” she began lamely, “I didn’t mean to drag you out here for nothing.”

He held up his hands in a placating gesture.  “
It’s absolutely fine.”

She looked at him doubtfully.  “I mean
it, you were just worried about your friend.  I’m glad you didn’t hesitate to call me.  If anything like this happens again do the same, I’ll come running I promise.” 
God he sounded desperate.

She smiled
shyly.  “Thank you for coming so quickly, and for calming me down.”

He looked at her hungrily
.  “It was my pleasure.”  He felt his arousal rise at an alarming rate, his wolf was clawing at him to take control. 

He had to do something to appease the beast, make some kind of gesture. 
“I was wondering if you wanted to come to Bar Luna tonight for a drink...”  His wolf growled impatiently waiting for a response.

Was he asking her out on a date?!
  Uneasy excitement bubbled in her stomach.  “With you?”  She asked coyly.

He panicked.  What if she said no?  His wolf was already on the brink of bursting forward, what would he do if their mate rejected them.  His wolf might just drag her down to the floor
and... the thought of the damage he might cause was too much for him.  He had to soften the blow. 

“
Yes, and there’ll be some other members of my pack there.  Adam, Mac, Acksel, Kim...” 

Ah, Kim.
  She was the one who was a six foot tall, drop dead gorgeous she-wolf with long mahogany red hair and stunning green eyes.  Oh yeah, and one of the many women Alec had slept with,
and was probably still sleeping with...

She quickly hid her disappointment.
  “Umm, well I have plans with a friend but maybe we can stop by.” 
Great, now she had to find a friend to go to the bar with
.

Who the hell was this friend?  Were they male?  Did they have feelings for her?  Could he kill this friend?
 
“Well, maybe I’ll see you there.”  He mumbled.

They waved their goodbyes to one another and each brimming with regret set out in their own vehicles.

*

“I tried to warn you about her.” 
They were in Alec’s office, Adam was seated in the chair that Liv had occupied only a few hours ago. 

“Hmmm?”
  Alec wasn’t even pretending to listen.  He was thinking about the way Liv had looked at him as she sat in that very spot, it was mesmerising.

Adam picked up a stapler from the desk and threw it at Alec’s head.  He caught it and twisted it between his hands.

“Carrie!  I told you she was nuts.”  News travelled fast in this town, undoubtedly everyone knew what had happened.

Alec
growled at his Alpha.  Adam had advised Alec from taking Carrie to bed, but at the time his wolf had been very horny and all he could think was –
what’s the worst that could happen?

Alec scowled remembering
Carrie’s treatment of Liv. 

Adam
narrowed his eyes.  “So, you and Liv?”

Alec snapped to attention and looked at his Alpha. 
Adam laughed roughly.  “Yeah I kind of guessed after you nearly bit my head of yesterday.  I don’t think anyone else has realised.  Or if they have they’re too scared of you to say anything.”

Alec looked at his hands thoughtfully.  “Good, I need to be the one to tell her.  What do...
what do you think of her?”  Alec turned his eyes to his Alpha watching him carefully, waiting for any deceit but also wary of what his wolf may do if he didn’t like the answer.

“I think she’s a sweet woman who will make a good mate.  I’ll be proud to have her in my pack.  I’m happy for you man.”

Alec was not usually given to self-doubt but he agonized over his mate.  “I wish she weren’t so young or innocent... she’s too good for me... what will people think when they see us together?”

Adam looked at him shrewdly.  “Doesn’t matter what people think.  Would you have preferred she were ten years older and had been with a lot of other men?  You think you have the type of wolf that could handle that?”

Alec was visibly shaken just thinking about it, his claws flexing again.  Adam continued unperturbed.

“I think she’s wiser than her years and the two of you go together well.  Just try not to act too jealous until you’re bon
ded, she may not like you gutting people left right and centre.”

Alec glared at his Alpha. 
He was right though
.

Alec looked sheepish. 
“I uh sort of asked her to come out for a drink tonight, she sort of said yes.”

Adam forced himself not to laugh.  Seeing his Beta, normally so stoic and controlled, become a nervous
jibbering wreck due to a cute five foot witch was too funny.  “Sort of?”

“I suggested she come to the bar... and then I said that lots of the pack would be there.”

Adam raised an eyebrow.  “So really you just suggested she go to the bar and buy herself a drink.  What did she say?”

Alec looked grim.  “That she had plans with a
friend
but would try to stop by.”

Adam rubbed his temples.  He wanted Alec to be happy,
but he needed Alec not to go nuts and start hurting people because his mate rejected him.  It occurred to Adam that Alec didn’t actually have much experience dating. 

The man had spent the better part of his teenage years as a rogue wolf, drifting from town to town,
fighting and challenging other wolfs, he allowed his wolf total control and almost became completely feral.

Then as an adult Alec
was too worried that he may turn back into a rogue that he had never allowed a woman close to him, for fear he might lose control and hurt her. 
Seducing a bar bunny was one thing, trying to date a sweet young woman was another.

Alec sighed heavily.

“Look, we’ll get a few pack members to show up who will make both you and her feel comfortable, like my sister and Carly.  Maybe even Acksel... although he might be on patrol.  Anyone else you would trust round your mate?”

He could only grudgingly trust Adam and to a lesser degree
Acksel round her, who else would be suitable?  Of course...
  “Liv’s friendly with the librarian Terri Lin, she’s dating Mal Tanner.  As long as Mal was with Terri that would be okay I guess.”

Adam snorted.  “You mean that hot Chinese woman is dating Malcolm
‘the terror’ Tanner?  That pup has certainly done well for himself there.  I’ll tell him he’s to come to the bar and bring Terri.  Right, she’ll be comfortable as part of a group and then Mac and Carly can distract her friend, and you get Liv alone.  Easy.”

Yep, it definitely sounded easy.