My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

Beckham POV

Hearing him talk about putting my mate in a cell has Gideon pushing to the surface. I allow my scent and aura to fill the room. The weight has Bryce immediately falling to his knees. His wolf whimpers under the power of my aura. I can see its affecting Reese, but he is able to stay upright.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

When Rosalyn steps around me, every instinct in me wants to pull her back behind me. Before I can do it, I stop myself knowing she needs to show this little pr*ck he didn't break her. After all that she has been through, she still has the most beautiful heart. I'm so grateful that I'm the one that gets to love her and be loved by her. Right now, though she needs to be the spitfire, I know she is.

She leans closer to the pr*ck who is practically breaking his neck, submitting to me. "Tell me again how you're going to deal with my mate and put me in a cell," she says. Her taunt fills me with pride. She stands and comes to stand next to me. I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her so she is snuggled into my side.

"Now, I'm sure you have realized I am far from human. I am Alpha Beckham Forester, and you just threatened my mate and Luna. I am well within my rights to put you down like the pathetic mutt you are here and now without Alpha Reese's permission. However, as a show of respect, I am issuing a formal challenge as I understand you are his future Beta of his pack."

"That won't be necessary, Alpha Forester. Due to Bryce's disrespect for his sister, whom I considered my future Luna at the time, his title has been stripped. In fact, I've decided to appoint his fated mate who he so callously rejected as my future Beta, Logan Price," Reese says. "No," Bryce manages to croak out. When Reese steps closer, I can feel his aura pushing against mine.

I take a step back, wrapping my arm around Rosalyn's waist. I'm not sure what is about to happen between Reese and Bryce, but her safety will always be my first priority. "There was a time I cared deeply for you, Bryce, but you have killed anything I once felt. Rosalyn was innocent in everything that happened. She was your sister, and you took pleasure in hurting her," he says. I can't help the growl that escapes me.

He hurt my mate. He hurt her without remorse. "Unfortunately, you are a threat to an allied pack's Luna, which means you will be punished. As much as I would like to be the one that deals with you for all that you did to my former mate, that honor belongs to her true mate," Reese says. A shiver of excitement rushes through me at the thought of making this ba**ard suffer for all he has done to Rosalyn.

I reach out to her through our bond, wondering how she feels about all that Reese just said. I don't want her upset with me for being the one that could possibly end Bryce's worthless existence. He is still her brother. Our bond is completely open and all I can feel is peace and acceptance from her. I tighten my hold on her waist and press a soft kiss on the top of her head. I'm so proud of her strength.

"Reese, please don't do this. Everything I did was for us. I have loved you since I was sixteen. You love me too. Now that Rosalyn isn't your mate, we can be together like it should have been from the beginning. I can forgive Rosie now that she isn't interfering in our relationship anymore. I'll treat her like I used to," he says.

He is completely delusional. This time it's not my growl that has him whimpering. "You want the hard truth, Bryce. I mistook what we had as love when it was lust. When I realized that Rosalyn was my mate, I knew what love was. Instead of cherishing her, I listened to you and my father with your f**ked up ideas. That choice is on me, and I'll live with the consequences for the rest of my life," he says. I can hear regret in his voice.

He is right that his choices are his own, but at least he has taken responsibility for what he has done, unlike Bryce. He and I won't be best buddies, but he has my respect for making amends. "That's not true. This is her fault for making you believe that your love for me was wrong," Bryce screams, pointing at Rosalyn. "You're wrong Bryce. None of this is Rosalyn's fault, it's yours. I loathe you, Bryce."

His words seem to finally hit the mark because Bryce collapses in a heap on the floor. Before anymore can be said, the door to the room opens and Maureen steps inside, followed by Logan and two warriors. "Logan, this is a sh*ty way to do this, and I promise we will have a formal ceremony soon, but as of today, you are the Beta of the Black Rose pack" Reese says. Excitement flows through our bond and I can tell that my mate agrees with his choice. Reese POV

After the initial shock wears off, Logan straightens his spine, giving me a stiff nod. "I accept, but I don't need any fanfare, Alpha. I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. Logan made sure that I knew exactly how he felt about what Bryce and I had done. Hearing him call me Alpha for the first time makes me feel closer to being worthy of the title despite my mistakes.

"Just the same, the pack will expect a ceremony. For now, I want Bryce and Cain Myers taken to the cells. Once they are secured, I want every pack member in the meeting hall. It's time to inform the pack of what's been happening." I watch as Logan approaches Bryce. "Do you want to walk out on your own two legs or will we be dragging you out," he asks. Bryce growls but gets to his feet. "Your father will never allow this," Bryce bites out at me before being led out of the room. "I'm proud of you, Reese. I know facing all this is hard, but there can't be any more secrets," my mother says. She's right. An hour later, I'm on stage in the large meeting room looking out on a sea of pack members. I've asked Rosalyn, Beckham, Logan, Addie, and my mother to stand with me. I know that Rosalyn and Beckham don't owe me anything, but they agreed. I couldn't be more grateful for their support.

"Thank you all for gathering so quickly. Unfortunately, time is of the essence since my father will be returning very soon. I know you're all confused, but I'm hopeful that after this meeting you will understand why I will be challenging my father for his title today." The room breaks out into chatter. Worried words float through the air.

As I start to speak again, the room quiets. By the time I'm done retelling every f**ked up decision I made, I can see disappointment in the pack's eyes. I'm just about to apologize again when Rosalyn comes to stand next to me. Her poise and grace, even at this moment, are why she was meant to be Luna. I just hope that Beckham realizes how lucky he is unlike me. I hope he treasure the gift he has been given.

"I know your upset. I was pretty upset when it happened, but I'm not now. As crazy as it sounds, everything is as it should be. As much as Reese screwed up, he is a good man, and he will be a great Alpha with your support. He has admitted his mistakes and taken steps to right his wrongs. We are all fallible creatures. Only the goddess is perfect. If I can find it in myself to forgive him, then you should be able to do the same," she says.

"Why are you challenging your father if you are the one that made these mistakes," one of the older members speaks up. My mother steps forward, and the man bears his neck to show her the respect she deserves. "The man that I thought was a wonderful mate and Alpha has been deceiving us all.

He has been dosing me with wolfsbane for years in order to cheat on me with the former Beta of the pack. Cain Myers was also doing it to his mate. They have been betraying their goddess given bonds while poisoning their true mates to satisfy their own carnal desires for each other. Both Bryce and Cain are now in the cells for their crimes," she says.

She pauses for a moment and I can see she is struggling with what she wants to say next. In my heart I know it is my father's orders for me to force my mark on Rosalyn. I wrap my arm around her and look out at the pack that believed their Alpha was a great leader.

"Part of my father's plan was not only to force Rosalyn to share her mate but for me to force my mark on her. I refused, but he was prepared to Alpha command me to make it happen." Gasps and growls are heard throughout the room. "That's quite the tale, son. I see you have been busy poisoning the pack against me," my father says, when he steps into the room. I can see he is barely hanging on to his control as my uncle comes to stand next to him.

I'm just about to issue the challenge when the scent of wildflowers washes over me. Fallon is losing his mind as he paces back and forth in my mind. When he finally stops, a word I never thought I would hear again from him is growled out. "MATE." I search the room, but I swear the scent is so close I can taste it. All I can see are familiar faces who are focused on my father. Where the f**k is my mate?