Caged Between the beta & alpha

Once Like Brothers DAMON Night had fallen and I was in the packhouse , in Liam’s office , trying to look at the tracker families in the pack – those who had the ability to hide their heartbeats – when there was a knock on the door .

” Enter .

” I had left the door unlocked since I was in here anyway .

The door opened and Robyn’s familiar scent hit my nose before I glanced up .

She seemed surprised to see me alone , glancing around the room as if this was a mistake .

She was dressed in figure – hugging clothes consisting of a black vest top and denim high waisted jeans .

” I won’t bite .

” I said , smiling slightly .

That emptiness in my chest that she had once partially filled had only grown since the rejection .

It hurt .

It fucking hurt .

I pushed the thought away .

I don’t think I ever had a chance anyway , I would always be second , whether that was simply because Raven and Liam always had a stronger connection or because I couldn’t bring myself to fight for it and make matters worse .

One thing good about the rejection was that there was no holding on to hope that i It would never be .

There was no what if , or just maybe it could work .

It was done and I could look forward from here … It’ll get easier … I wasn’t the only one who had shouldered a rejection .

Only recently , Channing , Taylor’s brother , had rejected his mate .

It was different as their marks would remain until the end but they had weakened the bond by a lot .

But if say , Anna took a new mate , and marked them , the mark could be lifted from Channing’s neck .

The mate bond … it wasn’t something simple … ” I thought Zack was here .

He asked me to check the anti – scent spray supplies .

” She said , holding the file over her breasts .

” Leave it with me .

Thanks for your constant help , Robyn .

You’ve always been really hands – on and organised .

” I said glancing down at the desk in front of me , remembering a conversation from about six months ago that I had overheard her having with her brother Rick ….

‘

You’re damn organised ….

Of course , I am ! Who knows , I may be a beta female … It could just be in my genes to be organised and handle stuff .

The sound of her laughter echoed in my mind , and I knew back then that was the point where I should have told her I had a mate .

Was this karma ? ” ” Yeah sure .

So , there’s nothing missing from the actual sprays , but there have been slight misses in the actual ingredients used to make them .

My bet is that someone has been sneaking a little here and there , then making their own .

” She said , brushing a coiled tendril of her hair back as she placed the file down , pointing something out .

Her heart was racing at our proximity .

I looked at where she was pointing and frowned .

” That’s minimal … Things get spilt when creating the sprays , are you sure it’s not just a miscalculation ? ” I questioned raising an eyebrow .

She frowned , cocking an eyebrow .

” I don’t make mistakes when it comes to things like this .

Damon , trust me , I’m the one who checked the stocks for Rick last time .

” She replied snappily .

” Calm down , I’m just saying .

said , smiling slightly

, the beginning of a smile on her lips before it vanished , and she shook her head

maybe someone who has access to the supplies … She said , smoothly moving away

move , but I smiled softly

lost everyone to the point where they walked away , and when it came to her , that was my fault , but I couldn’t just delve into this fucking pain in

let Raven go … Now I

she turned away , hesitating

? ”

looked up at her ,

H ” Yeah .

, pursing her

you better than that

You’re hurting .

to talk about i t ? ”

at her , I knew she was the one

would just hurt , just as it would hurt Raven

to me daily , asking how I was and checking in on me , I couldn’t tell her that the

her , and for her happiness , I let her go

bond or not , she had loved me , I was not going to hurt her by abusing that

I’m fine ,

said just as the door opened and Liam stepped inside

frowned , instantly realising there was something different about

widened , realising there was n o aura

an Alpha walked into the room , and

Hi … I’m not

asked , glancing between Robyn and

Alpha , not

bringing the list for the supplies … ” Robyn

do want to talk , I’m here

a complicated situation , and I’m not trying to butt in , but if you

who won’t ever judge … I’m

my heart thundered as I looked at her back

… Raven and I … We rejected one

said

she looked down

… I’m

gone , shutting

an

All ,

” Yeah .

knew that w e had

” Cool .

came over , picking u p the file that Robyn had brought in

the rejection s o far … I wouldn’t either , I’ll let him bring

You were out all day , and your

like , there just isn’t

“

dropped onto his

glanced up at

put on me … just in case ” He said quietly , after a moment’s KEP pause … I frowned

going into town ? That meant he probably went to see Rayhan … ” Does your Dad

“

tossed the file down and looked

owe you a lot more

I’ll start there

not going to justify my shit , because even

behaviour … it was wrong

in the process

he stared at his hands , his

is that I’m sorry for treating you like shit … That I saw and still see everything

Damon .

you bent over backwards to make me happy

always put yourself

me and I realise I broke the very first promise I made to you years ago

I could hear the guilt laced with pain in

, I remember it

FLASHBACK FOURTEEN YEARS AGO

you won ! ” I gasped , catching my breath , looking at the boy who was a little younger than me but was already slightly taller

He smiled .

sure you will win next

broke into a

glanced at him , realising he was falling behind

Liam ! I’m going to win ! ” I slammed my hand against

out at him when