THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Elias still found it hard to believe that he was a sigma. Growing up, he always admired his father, who was a sigma and aspired to be like him. But as he got older, he started to appreciate being a beta because it meant he had the freedom to choose and enjoy what he wanted to do without the heavy responsibilities of an alpha or sigma.

"You need to stop your daydreaming, El," Finn reminded him, snapping him back to reality. Finn was shorter and smaller in build compared to Elias, with a lean frame that belied his strength. His sandy blond hair was always in a state of disarray, and his green eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and concern as he looked at his friend. They were still in the clinic, which was closed for a few days until they could find another vet to replace Elias since he had promised his father to start his training.

The clinic, usually bustling with activity, now felt eerily quiet. The scent of antiseptic and the faint sounds of animals in the back were the only reminders of its usual purpose. Elias, with his light brown hair and warm brown eyes, looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings—the rows of medicine bottles, the examination tables, and the charts on the walls. It was a place where he had always felt comfortable, where he could lose himself in his work and forget about the burdens of his heritage.

"Yeah, sorry," Elias replied, running a hand through his tousled hair. His tall, lean frame seemed tense, the usual ease in his movements replaced with a touch of uncertainty. "It's just... it feels weird. It's like suddenly I have some superpower that I can't even control."

"Well, you know what they say, 'With great power comes great responsibility,'" Finn said, a teasing smile playing on his lips as he nudged Elias with his elbow, his movements easy and fluid.

Elias rolled his eyes, but a small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, shut up," he said, shaking his head, his posture relaxing a little.

"You'll be fine, no need to worry. I believe you've known all along that you're not a usual beta, right?" Finn's voice softened, his expression turning more serious. He leaned against one of the examination tables, crossing his arms over his chest.

Elias nodded slowly, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Yeah, I guess deep down I always knew. But accepting it... that's another story."

"And really, it's not a big deal. Being a sigma or a beta doesn't change you at all. You just have, like, some extra power that you can use," Finn continued, his eyes earnest as he straightened up and took a step closer to Elias.

"I guess you're right," Elias said with a sigh. "My father says I changed a couple of times when I was young. Do you remember it?" Elias asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, a habit he had when he was deep in thought.

"Do I remember it? Ha, I even have a token for it," Finn said, raising his forearm and giving Elias a good look at his big scar. The scar was a jagged line running up his arm, a stark reminder of a long-past incident.

Elias winced, guilt flooding his features. "That's because of me, but you said it was because of a bear," he said, his voice quiet as he looked down at the floor.

Finn chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, right! Well, I believe at the time you were more targeting my head. Luckily, I was fast enough to protect it," he explained, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh wow, I'm so sorry," Elias apologized, his voice heavy with regret. He looked up, meeting Finn's gaze, his eyes filled with remorse.

"Don't fret," Finn said, clapping a reassuring hand on Elias's shoulder. "Besides, I kind of deserved it. I said mean things at the time and practically bullied you."