Betrayed by My Beta Mate

51 To Accept or Not Accept

Larisa POV

“He is our mate” Ara says with a growl. “Calm down Ara, they care about us. They were scared when we were taken and they don’t know that Magnum let us go.” She recedes in my mind and I look back at my dad. I can feel the rage rolling off of him and Eli. “I think we need to give Larisa some time to rest. She just woke up and she is safe” my mother says. “No, I want to talk about this now.” She takes my hand and I’m glad to have at least her support. “I’m going to go let everyone know that your home safe” Lily says and leaves. “Larisa, I know the mate bond can cloud your judgement. You can’t really believe that you should accept a man that took you against your will” my father says. “Dad, I love you and I understand that you are angry, but I’m not a child anymore. I need you to hear me and not treat me like a little girl.” “Larisa, you’re talking about a man that kidnaped you so he could kill our father”, Eli says, and I flinch at his words. I know he is right, but Magnum isn’t the same man that took me a few days ago. My mother stands and looks at my brother and father. “Eli and Lincoln, take a seat and listen to Larisa. She deserves to be listened to and you are not giving her that respect. I know you are angry and scared but we need to know exactly what happened.” She turns and sits back down by my bed. “Larisa, tell us about your mate.” Both men growl low and my mother turns shooting daggers at them. I look at my father and Eli. “You are right. My mate took me because he wanted to hurt dad. He lost his way because he is in pain about losing his own parents. His parents were taken from him even if it was justified. Anger can make good people do bad things.” I take a moment to compose myself as my heart aches for Magnum. A little boy who learned to hate the man who took his family from him.

he walked me outside of the coven. He told me to leave and that the coven was no longer a threat to the Nightfire pack.” There is a

the tears running down my cheeks. She bends and presses a soft kiss on my forehead. Once she is gone, it’s just me and Eli. We have always had a good relationship and I don’t want to lose my family. I don’t want to have to choose. I can’t stop the sob that escapes me. Strong arms wrap around me and Eli slides in bed next to me like we did when we were pups. “It’s alright Larisa. Don’t cry sissy. Mom’s right, everything will work out. We were so scared that it’s hard to see past that, but we will for you. You will always be his little girl and he thought you were being hurt because of him. He wanted me to trade him for you the moment he found out that you had been taken. He will never make you choose or not be there for you.” “I don’t want to hurt you

Magnum POV

about her in the hospital? “This isn’t a dream, Magnum.” I turn to see a woman that I have only seen in pictures. “Mom” I say and she smiles. “I don’t understand what’s happening.” “Come with me and you will.” She opens the door and leads me into the room. There is a woman that looks like an older version of Laura sitting next to her bed. I’m sure it’s her mother. Two men who look very angry are sitting at the bottom of her bed. “She is a beautiful young lady” my mother says. “Yes, she is.” “Magnum, I know that you have carried this anger since you found out what happened to your father and me, but it’s misplaced.

to be happy. You deserve to love Larisa with all your heart. You are a good man and I’m proud of you. You did the right thing when it mattered most.” I look back at the woman who has made me feel things I never thought were possible. When I hear the woman that I assume is her mother ask her if she wants to be my mate, everything stops. When she says yes, I can’t believe she wants to be with me after everything that happened. My mother reaches up and puts her hands on my cheeks. “You have a choice to make Magnum. The goddess has given you this gift and you can accept it or you can continue to hold on to the hurts of the past. I want you to be happy and so does the goddess.” I watch as my beloved cries and a man that I assume