His Guardian (MxM)

Chapter 13

Jackson

 It had been days... weeks? Since I've seen Ben. He's all I can think about. And the baby. Please, please let them both be okay. Why can't I communicate with my mate? What could my father have possibly done to prevent that? I still hadn't figured out where he had taken me. He had several properties all across the Sylvan Ash land, so I could be imprisoned in some abandoned mountain range for all I know.

 I looked over to the small cot in the cell, and saw her. My father had brought in a girl last night. She looks to be my age. He was telling me that she is my mate, not Ben. That I need to move on from Ben and take care of my new mate. I'm not sure what is going through his head. Any sensible person would know that you can't choose a mate. It's impossible.

 My father told me her name is Beth. I'm not sure how he could've gotten that information as she had been hysterical when he brought her here. She's currently sleeping, but was sobbing for hours throughout the night. This girl. Beth. She's innocent. She hasn't done anything to be dragged into this. It's not her fault that I was mated to a man, yet here she is. Expected by the Alpha to fill Ben's role as my mate.

 She was so small, and gave the feel of something very fragile. She almost reminded me of Ben in that way. Just small, helpless, and alone. I will do everything in my power to protect her from my father. She shouldn't be here.

 Beth began to stir. She sat up, and looked around before letting out a quiet whimper.

 "It's alright," I approached her. My presence seemed to make her panic more. She began scooting away from me on the small cot. I stopped several feet from her. "I'm sorry," I muttered.

 "Why am I here?" she whispered. I looked down to the floor. "The Alpha said I am your mate. Is that true?" After several moments, I spoke.

 "No. I'm sorry he has involved you in this. I will do everything I can to get you out of this, okay?" I told her. She slowly nodded. Now that she was awake, I could see her more clearly. Her hair was a dirty blonde, much like Liam's. 

Liam.

I hope my father hasn't involved him in this. He needs to keep from getting my father's attention, so he will not find out about his mate. I really hope he's being smart about this right now.

"Why has he done this?" Beth interrupted my thoughts. I glanced at her. Should I tell her the real reason? I suppose she deserves some information, considering my father has forced her into this. But how would she react to it?  I sighed.

"My mate..." I started. She lifted her eyebrows. "He's a man. My father disapproves," I informed her. She sat back, and looked down, seeming to soak in the information. I'm not surprised that she seems to be shocked to learn that the future Alpha is mated to a man. After a while, she spoke.

"That's terrible. I'm so sorry," I was taken aback by her response. Was she not shocked? Appalled? "Is he okay?" she asked.

"I'm... not sure. I can't seem to communicate with him. But I know he's alive. I would feel it if he weren't," she nodded, agreeing with me.

"Could it be..." she stopped speaking, and began fidgeting her thumbs. It was almost as if she was afraid to speak what she had thought out loud.

"What?" I asked.

"It's nothing, that probably isn't the reason," she dismissed.

"What is it?" I pressed. She looked around nervously.

"Could it be... wolvesbane? I've heard that can alter a wolf's abilities," she whispered. Of course. Wolvesbane. I feel like a fucking idiot for not having thought of that immediately. I know there isn't any here, because I would be able to smell it. He must be using it against Ben. That would be enough to keep us from communicating with each other. My stomach turned at this realization. How much pain was Ben in from being exposed to wolvesbane? And could the baby survive that? I didn't have the answers to these questions and that drove me wild. I need to get to my Ben. I need to get him away from there. Wherever he is.

"I'm sorry," Beth mumbled. She must've noticed my inner despair at the realization that her suspicion was true.

"No, don't apologize," I told her.

I need to get to Ben, and I need to keep Beth from  getting hurt in the process.