The Alpha and the Mistake

Chapter 24

Beth

I sat with my legs dangling into the cool water of the pool as I listened to the boys. They had been nicer

to me lately. Brook did something. I wasn't an idiot. I knew how they saw me. They didn't understand. I

couldn't help Brook even if I wanted too. Dad made it very clear no one was allowed to show her any

kindness. If I wanted to survive, I had to obey. But they don't get that. Their parents are cool and nice.

"Earth to Beth," Dean said, splashing me with water.

Andy snorted with an unimpressed look, and I scowled at him. I wasn't sure why I liked him before. He

was such a jerk.

"So what are you risking unsightly wrinkles for?" Dean asked, pulling himself up out of the water and

sitting next to me.

I shrugged. "How different our families are. Your parents are cool, and they don't care if you act like an

idiot."

"Hey, I'm not acting like an idiot."

"True, you just are one," Andy said, splashing us both with water.

Something eased in me. I was honest, and nothing bad happened.

"Well, Dad would have a fit if you did back in Black Mountain." Clearing my throat, I imitated my dad's

deeper voice. "Alphas are superior to all humans and wolves. If you don't act with superiority, then

you're just embarrassing yourself. I don't allow embarrassments in my family or my pack."

They started at me for a moment, and I thought I had made a mistake when Ryder spoke. "I'll make

sure you don't have to go back there."

"Yeah no kidding," Andy said, shaking his head.

"Don't you worry, Bethy poo. We'll watch out for ya," Dean offered.

I relaxed and smiled back at him. Dean gave me a nickname. He actually gave me a nickname. For the

first time since well probably forever, I felt accepted. Nothing could dim my smile, or well at least that's

what I thought before Dean shoved me into the pool. Andy and Dean laughed, high-fiving each other

but, this time, they didn't seem to be laughing at me.

Ryder grinned as he helped me sit back up on the edge of the pool. "You're a lot nicer to be around

now that you're not trying to be the queen bitch."

I started to argue then stopped. "Yeah, I wasn't really nice was I?"

His phone rang, and he picked it up. "Brook, hope she's not trying to ditch us again." As soon as he

answered, I heard Brook go on a tirade about Anna and how she was in danger. Oh no. My stomach

filled with lead and sunk.

Ryder looked at the phone confused. "Okay, I gotta go get Dad, Brook's friend needs help."

What should I do? I bit my lip, indecision freezing me. "Ryder, stop I'll get your dad. You need to get to

Brook before she gets to Anna." I wouldn't sit by and do nothing anymore. I didn't need to survive as I

did in Black Mountain.

"What? Why?"

"No time to explain. Her life is in danger, seriously in danger. Go!”

Ryder ran for the door. Andy jumped up and out of the pool. "Wait for me, I'm going with you."

"We need to find your dad A.S.A.P."

Dean followed me out of the pool room. "What's going on?"

Guilt made me hesitate. "I...Anna, she's not the friend Brook thinks she is." I broke into a run.

We found Uncle Brent with his council in his office. "What's wrong?" he asked as we burst into the

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"It's Brook," I told him. "A girl pretending to be her friend for years just called claiming she needs

Brooks help to get into your territory. I...it's my dad. He..."

My Uncle didn't need to say a word before the entire council jumped to their feet and began organizing

a rescue. A stab of jealousy stabbed my gut. No one in my pack would have ever done anything like

this for me, and that was wrong. A pack was supposed to be like a family, with people you could count

on."

The room emptied of everyone but Dean and my aunt. "Do you realize what you've just done, Beth,"

Aunt Emily said, her voice soft.

"What did she do?" Dean asked confused.

"She's betrayed her father, and if he were to ever find out, she would be exiled and considered rogue

that is if he decided to let her live."

My head bowed, and I fought the tears. It was true, but what choice did I have? I was tired of all these

games and trying to pretend as if I was better than everyone.

"Why would you do that? You don't even like Brook?"

"It's my fault. Anna was trying so hard to be popular, and I don't know why I thought it’d be funny for her

to pretend to be Brook's friend and tell me and well, I can't call those leeches friends. We would make

fun of her and stuff. I only meant to do it once, but when Mike slept with her, he forced Anna to keep

doing it so he always knew where she was and when he'd be able to ambush her."

"That's some cold stuff right there," Dean said.

"Well, she's doing the right thing now, when it matters the most."

"I hope so." Maybe, when this was over Ryder would still want me to stay too.