Betrayed by My Beta Mate

Chapter 122

56 I Have My Reasons

Eli POV

I stare at our beautiful mate as she feeds our little girl. I never thought I would be here having this second chance and feeling whole again. Losing Clara almost killed me, but I had to live for Faith. Now that I have Calliope and I know that she is carrying our pup, I feel the fear wanting to swallow me whole again. Calliope looks at me and I know despite the block I put up she can feel my concern. “Eli, you need to talk to me. We are in this together and I don’t appreciate you blocking me out. There should never be a reason that we can’t be present in each other’s minds.” I walk over and place a kiss on her forehead and then Faith’s. “I’m sorry love. I never want to keep things from you. I am just worried. I won’t block you out again.” “Good, now tell me what’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours.” I chuckle “I know that we have only been together for a short time, but I believe everything happens for a reason. You are my destiny and you make me whole. Silas just told me something and I’m not sure how you will feel about it, but I’m over the moon.” Her hand freezes in the air before it reaches Faith’s lips. She turns her head to look at me but I can’t decipher the look on her face. Before anything can be said, our daughter’s first sweet word breaks the silence. “Mama” she says and both our heads whip in her direction.

“Did she just call me mama” Calliope asks, and I can hear the emotion in her question. I look at my daughter and she is reaching for Calliope. “Mama” she says again, and this time Calliope takes her from the chair and presses her to her chest. Calliope’s tears stream freely down her cheeks. I wrap my arms around both of my girls and we sit like that for a long time before Calliope breaks the silence. “Eli, am I pregnant?” I press a soft kiss to her lips before I answer her question. “Silas believes that you are and I agree now that I smell the change in your scent.” She looks into my eyes “are you really happy despite the timing?” “Happy doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.” I lay my hand on her still flat

stomach. “A piece of me and you is growing inside your body. That is amazing and soon we will have another pup to love. How could I not be happy about that?” “Eli, I know you’re afraid, but I promise you that I will protect this pup just as I will protect Faith.” I hate to even speak my next words out loud but I know if I don’t tell her how we are feeling that I would be hiding something from her. I don’t want there to be secrets between us. “Silas and I don’t think that you should come with us and fight against Grant’s pack. I would never dream of telling you what to do as we are equals, so I am simply asking you to stay in the pack.” She is quiet for a long time and I realize she is talking to Aurora.

Calliope POV

When Eli says he is over the moon about something Silas told him, my heart stops. “Aurora” I say but everything falls a way the moment Faith calls me mama. My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. Faith has two mamas and I’m just so happy to be one of them. I lift her from her highchair, holding her to my chest. Eli holds us like we are his whole world. I feel the same way. “Aurora is Silas saying that we are having a pup?” She looks like the cat that swallowed the canary. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “Silas and I wanted Eli to be the one to tell you. We are very early in our pregnancy”, Aurora says. Eli has let the block down and I can feel his happiness mixed with fear. I understand why he is afraid, but I will always protect our pup. “His fear isn’t just about something happening to our pup, Calliope.” When he says that he and Silas don’t want us to be involved in the fight with Grant’s pack I’m torn. I want to fight by Eli’s side, but I also don’t want to cause him worry so he isn’t focused on the battle. I need him to be present in the fight and I know having his pregnant mate there may make that an impossibility. “Calliope, someone will need to be here to defend the pack and protect Faith”, Aurora says. “I know how hard this is for you because I want to be with them too. We will still be able to shift safely for another week or so, but if we don’t have to, I think we should avoid it”, Aurora says.

I look back at Eli and I can see that he is waiting for us to fight him about staying behind. “Aurora and I will remain here and defend the pack. I will protect both our pups.” The shock on his face is comical because I’m sure he thought he would have a pissed off she-wolf on his hands. In any other case he

would have. His features soften and I can feel the love he has for me flowing through our bond. “My parents, Rose, and Oscar will be staying with you” Eli says, and buries his head in my neck. “Eli, I am doing this because I respect how you feel, but I need you to understand that I am a warrior as much as you are. I feel that need to protect the people we love as much as you do. If something happens while you are gone, I will make sure that the defenseless are in the bunkers, but I will defend our home and pack.” He picks his head up to look into my eyes. “I would never want you to change who you are for me. I love that you are a warrior and strong. I love that you care about how I feel and that you want to protect our pups.” He leans in to press his lips to mine and Faith puts her hand on his face. I chuckle “I think Faith wants a kiss from her daddy before he gives one to me.” He leans down and peppers kisses all over her little face before he sets her down on the floor. He takes my face in his hand and kisses me. When he pulls back, he goes to his knees. He picks Faith up and tells her about her new brother or sister as he points to my belly. I can’t help but laugh at this big man talking to my belly. We are so blessed to have him as our mate and the father of our pups.

Larisa POV

I take Magnum’s hand and lead him toward the cells. I want to make a few things perfectly clear to that a**hat of a warrior. I won’t be remaining in the pack but I don’t want Magnum uncomfortable when we return to visit my family. Eli has allowed me to decide his punishment. I have never dated any pack member because I only wanted my fated mate. I don’t appreciate him even saying that I would take him as a chosen mate. As we go down the stairs that lead to the cells, I see Marcus. I’m grateful that he alerted Eli of what Liam was doing or things may have ended very differently. “Marcus, Eli told me what you did. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that you are a man of honor.” “You never have to thank me for doing the right thing Larisa. Besides I could tell that they were no threat to us.” After I introduce him to Magnum we head to the cell where Liam is being held. When he sees me he smiles, until he sees I am holding Magnum’s hand. I’m grateful when he stays quiet. “Liam, I’m disappointed in your behavior. We have laws for a reason and the fact that you thought it was alright to go against them is

very disappointing. We are taught in training to respect those laws.” He lowers his gaze and I can see regret in his eyes.

“Why would you ever say that I would take you as my chosen mate? We have only ever been friends, Liam.” I see pain in his eyes and I’m not sure what he is thinking. “I was angry at him because I can’t have my mate.” Now I’m truly confused. “I found my mate the day you were taken. We were searching and I found a vampire in the woods halfway between our pack and the coven. She rejected me because I’m a member of the pack that her leader hates. I knew when you returned gripping that shirt that smelled like him that you meant something to him. I wanted him to hurt like I’m hurting. I’m sorry Larisa. I let my own hurt cloud my judgement.” My heart aches for him. “Did you accept her rejection” Magnum asks. He looks at Magnum and then to me. “Magnum is my mate and there will be no more bad blood between the coven and pack.” I see the sadness in his eyes replaced with hope. “No, I didn’t. She ran from me and I didn’t dare to enter your territory alone.” “Liam, Eli has left your punishment up to me and honestly I came here to strip your warrior rank after your disregard for the pack law but now I understand what you did. We are returning to the coven to prepare them for the battle with Grant and I think you should come with us.” His eyes get big and I know that I’ve made the right choice. He made a mistake but he isn’t a bad person. “Marcus, please release Liam.” He does as I ask and the two men embrace. I can’t imagine how hard it was for Marcus to do the right thing against his best friend. They both shake Magnum’s hand before they hug me.

Once we are outside Rose and Oscar are already waiting. When Rose and Oscar see Liam, they both look worried and confused. We give them the short version before we head to the coven. It’s amazing how fast Oscar and Magnum run. I knew vampires had speed but I never imagined they were faster than us. They beat our wolves to the coven. I’m glad to see they are waiting with clothes for the three of us. When we are dressed Magnum leads us inside. I’m shocked to see that the coven members have all gathered in a large room with a stage. Magnum leads us to the stage and I can feel the nerves jumping around in my belly. Most of the vampires are quiet but I see a few looking at me with hate in

their eyes. One woman in particular looks like she wants to rip me apart. I knew this wouldn’t be easy but nothing worth having ever is. Magnum is mine and I’m never letting him go.

Magnum POV

I don’t like how some of the coven members are looking at my beloved. Brenda in particular is not hiding her disdain. I haven’t been with her since I was with Jonelle, but apparently, she was hoping that would change now that Jonelle is gone. I flash my eyes red and everyone in the room bows to me. “I know that you know what happened in the past and I am here today to tell you that I was led to believe things that weren’t true. The Nightfire pack has done nothing wrong against the coven.” I notice Glenda one of my fiercest soldiers is staring at Liam. He is very lucky to have gotten her as a beloved. She is strong and loyal. She has waited for her beloved which is rare with our kind. “The Nightfire pack is no longer an enemy of the coven. In fact, the goddess has gone so far as to bless both Oscar and myself with our beloveds from the pack. We have both accepted the bond and will be marking our beloveds. If any of you have a problem with our mating you can leave now because I will not tolerate anyone mistreating my queen.” I look around and take note of those that I believe will have an issue. Brenda is at the top of at list. I know Larisa can defend herself but I will not allow anyone to hurt her. I can’t wait to see my mark on her neck. I’m ready to be done with the meeting. “All of you that do not wish to stay may break your ties to the coven. You may see me before I leave this room otherwise, I expect you to act accordingly. I will be meeting with all my soldiers before the night is over.” Five of the older members that were here when my father was in charge step forward and I expect them to be the ones to oppose my union with Larisa.

“Magnum we are glad that this is finally over. I would never speak against your father but most of us didn’t agree with the attack when it happened” Jacob says. “Thank you, for your support” I say and I truly meant it. They all introduce themselves to Larisa before they leave. No one is asking to leave the coven but I will watch the ones I’m concerned about causing problems for my beloved. Larisa puts her hand on my forearm and I look at her to see her motioning with her head to the corner of the room. IBelonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

look in that direction and see Glenda wrapped around her beloved. I can’t help the smile on my face. The goddess does love to play match maker and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m just about to lead Larisa to the new room I had set up for us when we’re at the pack when a voice stops me. “I challenge Larisa Thomas for her position and beloved.