A Beta's Beta (Book 6 In Equaliser Series)

Chapter 6

Mabel was loving every second of this patrol. Jay wasn't being pushy for once and all his aggression the first couple of days had deserted him. Mabel knew if was a defence mechanism, the same way she knew she couldn't keep him at arms reach forever. But it was so hard to give her heart away. So many what ifs and worst case scenarios were running through her head like a bullet train and there were no stations. With a determined shake of her coat, Mabel sneezed focusing her attention on the here and now. 

Jay had broken into a leisurely trot a few paces ahead of her. Growling softly Mabel pounced up to him nipping at his ankles. Giving out a short bark Mabel ran, her blonde form blurring between the trees as she picked up a bit of speed. Each movement strong and smooth as she gave into the temptation of the forest at last. When Jay growled behind her, a shiver of awareness shot through her spine. The hair on the back of her neck standing on end. Flailing her tail Mabel laughed in her mind as Jay spoke through the mind link. 

"Teasing's unfair" 

Nevertheless Mabel felt him hot on her heels as she ran the well used path. Passing more wolves as they went until they past the last of the boarder guards. Only then did Mabel let Jay catch her. Rolling head over tail in a blur of grey and blonde fur. They wrestled for a while, the closeness lifting the tension in both their hearts and neither tried to dominate the other. They were just Playing and Mabel was loving it. When they were finally panting and tired Mabel followed Jay back the way the came. 

She was floating as they walked side by side, flanks rubbing against each other as they got to the packhouse. Her wolf was howling in her mind to claim her mate and to love and hold him and to never let go. Mabel's bubble burst when she heard a mocking growl from the training ground. Her ears swivelled to the sound as she felt Jay tense beside her. 

"Brother"

Jay's thought sounded pained to her ears as he looked down at the man. Curling back her lip Mabel took him in. Dark hair, and dark eyes, with a wicked smile. Her hackles rose immediately as he looked down his nose at her even though Mabel was taller than him in her wolf form. 

"This is her eh" Jay's brother asked as if assessing a bug and not his brothers mate. 

The feral snarl that ripped out of Jay's throat at his brothers words put Mabel on edge. Had he privately thought to Jay something that her mate didn't like. Jay had lifted his head, teeth gleaming in a snarl as his golden eyes fixed his brother in a death glare. His aura screamed hostility and unchecked rage. 

"Jay, don't he's not worth it"

Mabel hoped her thought would reach him but the rumbles in his chest only intensified as he stared intensely at his brother. 

"Can't, it hurts, please"

His whined words cut through her like a knife. The raw need in his voice told her all she needed to know. Jay couldn't control his aggression anymore than she could handle her depression. Flicking her ears back she snarled at his brother. Lowering her head she dove, headbutting him in the chest before Jay charged. Watching the man fly nearly twenty feet across the clearing. Leaning heavily on her mate she pushed him to the ground. Leaning over him as his brother got up, disbelief and anger in his eyes. grooming over Jay's head fur, Mabel kept an eye on the brother. Daring him to come closer. 

She kept Jay down until he calmed down enough to speak into her mind. 

"You're amazing, I don't care what he or my parents think" Jay rumbled, finally lifting his head to look at his brother. 

Mabel didn't hear their telepathic conversation but from the smell of shame and disappointment on Jay's brother, her mate had won. Another few minutes of staring before Jay got to his feet. Ushering Mabel into the house. She let herself be pushed upstairs and into their bedroom, shifting as she collapsed onto their bed. Turning she welcomed Jay as he fell onto her. Holding him close Mabel whispered sweet nothings while running her fingers through his scalp. 

"What did he say?" Mabel asked after some time had passed. 

The way Jay tensed in her arms, it wasn't good.

"He said that you weren't good enough for me, that I needed a mate who would bend to my will like his does. That you shouldn't be seen in your wolf form and we should've already mated by now" 

He was shaking again, his arms tightening around her as if scared she'd disappear if he let go. 

"I will never bend to anyone's will not even yours, we can compromise and talk like proper mates. Being mated isn't about dominance, its about, love, trust and commitment" Mabel explained like it was the most natural thing in their world. To her it was. 

"I'm sorry I've been trying to push you around" Jay sighed, his words strained as he sniffled. 

"Its okay Jay, we have our whole lives to work out our own dynamic, we don't have to model it after anyone else. Not your parents, not mind and certainly not your brother. Is his mate okay?"

"You're right, traditionalist werewolves be damned" Jay growled, finally lifting his head so their eyes could meet. 

Mabel's next words escaped her as they locked eyes. Her body heating in response to the desire in his eyes. Suddenly aware that they were naked his body pressed flush against her. Her pulse thundered under her skin as she became aware of him. 

"It's not the full moon yet" Mabel gulped looking up into the sky, they still had to wait till evening. 

"Please Mabel. I want you, all of you, now, forever and always" Jay pleaded, eyes still shining with restrained desire. 

"Anything for you, my mate" 

Her agreement was all he needed. Mabel gasped as Jay kissed her.