The Beta: Part Two (The Beta, #2)

by Avanne Michaels

Everything feels like nothing and I want to be nothing, too. I'm not crazy, I promise. I just want to disappear.”

I hope I haven’t made a catastrophic mistake by awakening the fiery wrath and vengeance of an angry mother. I’ll say a small prayer for whoever ends up on the wrong side of the warpath I just sent Elizabet Graves on.

Holy fuck, we really are idiots.

“I meant what I said, Devon. I’m putting my mark on her. I’m bonding her into this pack. If you have a problem with that we need to hash it out now instead of in front of her or Jasper.”

I feel like I’m going crazy, and I think the men in this house are afraid of me. I’m a little afraid of myself.

I want to push them away and I want to pull them close. I don’t know how to be.

I wonder how bad it would be if I fell in love with her, too? I could easily let myself fall in love with Talia, she's just what I like in a female, and she's so good with Jasper. I could definitely love her.

“I want you, you know,” I say softly, not letting up on my purr. “I want you, and I want him. I want you both. And I want this every night you'll let me have it.”

I was Talia's first lover. She gave me that precious gift and I've been hers ever since whether she wanted me or not. Her reasoning for leaving me, for my own good and the good of my pack, is logical but my heart refuses to accept it. Everything I am belongs to her, it was hers as a beta and it will still be hers as an omega.

The fact that his pack hasn't claimed her tells me that she isn't a priority here. I will make her my ultimate priority.

Even she puts Jasper first. The question comes to my forethought again, who is putting her first?

I'm not counting my losses right now, tesoro, I'm reveling in my joy. That's what you are, my joy,”

I can't lose her again. I can't, I won't survive it. This is the second time in my life I have hated every molecule of omega DNA in my body.”

I was an ass just now, I knew Corso would feel what you felt; but I don't want to share you any more than he does. I'll have to apologize for my pettiness.”

I did love Corso, I will always love Corso. I loved him enough to walk away from him because I wasn’t what he needed, and I love him enough to push through this turmoil to give him what he needs now.

if I’m really honest with myself, I was afraid that I would always love him more than he could ever love me.

“You're an omega, you're supposed to be a raging slut. I am, without doubt, a raging slut.”

He will take care of you, don't doubt that. And if he doesn't I'll kill him. You'll be fine, cupcake.”

I adore Talia as a woman, but the love I have for her is the love reserved for a goddess. My love is the same as the love and reverence priests have for their gods. I give Talia the same devotion.

I am both here with them, part of this act, and separate from it. I am a tool for their pleasure. I am so fucked. They are both going to own me, I know it.

You have done your best, and given every bit of yourself to every situation you've been faced with. Don't ever let me hear you speak poorly of yourself again. Is that clear?”

His bond feels similar to Reid's in a way. Very calm, very steady. I knew I'd be able to lean on Kaleb before I ever made the switch to omega, just like I knew I could trust Reid to help hold me up. They have the same calm, solid strength. Alex feels like the air smells during a fireworks display; warmth and excitement and anticipation and joy. Corso feels like...love.

I can't begin to fathom what it felt like for him to watch her walk away, knowing what she was and that she was his. He's a stronger man than I am. I would have chained her to the fucking floor before I let her leave and smiled into her anger.