Betrayed by My Beta Mate

30 Peace

Michael POV

Once everyone has left, it is just me standing alone. I appreciate Lincoln for offering to do this with me, but honestly, I need to do this alone. As I look down at Max lying where his wolf once was, I grieve. I grieve for the brother that he once was. I grieve for the life and happiness he will never have because of his actions. Max and I were best friends growing up but when our father died, he changed. He never seemed happy, despite all the good things we had in our lives. Losing our father in battle was devastating, but he let the grief consume him. He turned into a man that knew no joy, only anger. He never laughed and he was all about being a warrior. He became the head warrior and a man I didn’t even recognize as my brother anymore. I wish I could go back and make him understand that he was taking the wrong path, but I can’t. I won’t let that guilt consume me or burden my soul. I will end up the same way Max did, bitter and angry. Not knowing the happiness that remains despite these feelings of sadness and guilt. I bend down and place Max’s body over my shoulder. Jaxon whimpers and recedes to the back of my mind at our loss. He has lost just as I have.

I walk toward the clearing that’s near the lake inside the pack lands. I lay Max’s body on the shore and sit down. I close my eyes, thinking back to the past. I think of our father who was the pack Beta returning from training and showing us how to fight. He would shift into his wolf, so Max and I could feel what it would be like to run in wolf form. Our father was kind even after he lost our mother while she was giving birth to Max. He would tell us about her and how in love they were. Even though I couldn’t remember her, his stories made her real. Max believed our father was invincible, which made his death even worse. I loved my father and he would never have wanted Max to become who he did.

at the water. I link John, “can you come to the lake for a moment.” A few seconds later, he appears next to me. “I don’t want to bury Max in the pack lands cemetery as only an honorable warrior deserves that.” “His actions have made that an impossibility.” He stays silent and just lets me speak. “Can you please help me burn the body and then leave me to grieve.” John says nothing but steps around me. I turn and watch him conjure a red ball in his hand. He closes his eyes for a moment. I’m sure speaking to the goddess before he throws the ball, striking the body. Max’s body is engulfed in flames and I turn to thank John, but he’s gone. I sit down and watch the flame carry my brother’s spirit home to the sky. “Dad, please be there when he arrives and help him find peace with the goddess.” “I know there will be punishment, but I pray there is forgiveness there too.” Soon there is nothing left but ash and I stay longer because I’m not ready to go about life

Amelia POV

is he,” Lincoln asks, and the doctor smiles. “He hasn’t woken up Alpha, but all of his vital signs are stable.” “I believe his wolf is trying to heal him, which is very tiring with the amount of trauma he had.” “Lily’s magic definitely helped the healing process.” “Hopefully he will wake up soon.” “Both of the other Elders are healing quickly.” “There wounds were much more superficial.” “Elder Marcus would like to see the two of you.” She leads us back to a room and both the Elders are in bed. We both bare our necks in respect and Elder Marcus smiles. “The doctor told us that James is stable because of what you and your pack members did.” “We will forever be grateful for your pack’s actions to save him and us.” Lincoln nods but

that is connected to me. “No don’t do that” Lincoln’s voice brings me out of my thoughts. I look up at him. “The only person responsible for their disgusting actions is Atlas, Thomas, and Max.” “Your mate’s right, Amelia” Elder Marcus says. “We were on our way here because of what Thomas and Atlas, had done.” “We were attacked by wolves that I’m sure were following their orders.” “You are not responsible for the actions of evil wolves” Elder Marcus says. He looks at Lincoln,

Lincoln POV

apologize for Lincoln, but we both appreciate your condolences.” “I am sorry for your loss also” Amelia says. “Thank you” they say. “We will let you rest.” “We will check on Elder James before I head to the cells to speak with the prisoners”, I say. I take Amelia’s hand and lead her to the room the nurse said Elder James was in. When we walk inside, he looks totally different than the last time we saw him. He looks weak but his breathing is still even and easy, which I’m grateful for. He is hooked up to monitors that are beeping steadily. He has bandages covering his neck and he

out all I can from them before they are dealt with.” “Elder James, I’m sorry” I start to say. “No, you are not responsible for Brandon’s death.” “You do what you have to with those four wolves but we will be ending those two ba**ards together.” “Thomas is mine for betraying us all.” I nod before Amelia and I head back out to the waiting room. John, Lily, and Neal are all waiting. After we tell them about the Elders, we all start to walk back to the pack house. “Lincoln, I would like to be there to question the wolves.” “I probably know them and I know how they think”, Neal says. “Of course, I will take all the help I can get.” “I want Michael to have all the time he needs after his loss so I won’t be linking him to help with the interrogations.” He nods and once were inside I kiss Amelia before Lily takes her upstairs. I