Half Breed

The Co-Beta

The Co-Beta

"Hmm," the guy in front of me grunted, "and who is this?" The way he said, this made me feel like I was scum on the bottom of his shoe. I automatically stiffened from where I lay on the floor. Who was he to talk to me like this? If we were back at my old pack, I'd be in this dude's face by now. But because I'm trying to be nice, I decided to stay put on the floor and yell at him. Instead, Jawn cut me off before I could make an idiot of myself.

"This is my mate, Lyra. Lyra, this is Vince, Co-Beta of my pack." I couldn't help but notice how all sense of kidding and messing around Jawn had a second ago was gone as he introduced us. His posture was almost stiff as he easily helped me to my feet. I didn't like this sudden change at all. But I figured I better at least try to behave. I held my hand out towards him and waited for him to take it.

"I'm sorry I ran into you, sir." I added sir for an extra measure. Vince glanced down at my hand with a look of displeasure before turning back to Jawn. I blinked at him. How rude. Jawn looked about ready to shove his face into the ground as I dropped my hand back to my side.

"Where did you pick her up from? The corner?" I stiffened and immediately went to punch him in the nose. But before I could even twitch a finger someone else's thoughts caught my attention.

You son of a--

Without really knowing what I was doing, I shifted so I was standing in front of Jawn and pressed my hands into his chest to push him back. He was tense, and reminded me way too much of when he first busted open my prison door.

"Vince! That was completely unacceptable!" Kim hollered, stepping into the kitchen just soon enough to hear what Vince told Jawn. "You may be older than most of us, but you are not older than me and will listen to your elders. You do not speak to your Alpha's mate in such a way."

I barely heard her as I tried to calm Jawn down. I could feel his body tensing back and forth between the change and I doubt it'd be good to let him rip open his Co-Beta.

"Jawn, calm down. Please, it's alright." I murmured to him, unconsciously rubbing my hands up and down his stomach trying to calm him. My body shuddered in fear when I found out what he was thinking. "No. Don't you dare." I pleaded, gripping his shirt.

"I'm sorry Lyra, but he shouldn't be able to talk out of turn like that. Especially about my mate." Jawn glanced at my worried expression once before glaring back at Vince. Vince smirked. "Outside. Now." Jawn's voice left no room for anything but. They were going to fight for dominance, and I had a feeling this wasn't going to end well at all.

Vince grinned slowly.

"My pleasure, Alpha." My heart dropped into my stomach. Something told me Vince wanted all this to happen.

"Stay in here, Lyra." Jawn told me softly as he tugged my hands gently off his shirt. Vince made his way to the door and Jawn followed him outside. Kim followed, a glare on her face and I moved to do the same despite Jawn's warning, but Ryan suddenly moved to block my path.

"Move, Ryan." I told him coldly, unmeaning to. I just needed to make sure Jawn would be okay. I moved to walk around him, but he got further in my path and placed his hands on my shoulders.

"No. Believe me Lyra, you don't want to see this." His stare was hard as is eyes met mine. A part of me agreed with him, I didn't want to see this. But I wanted to be there for Jawn. Ryan must have seen the indecision still in my eyes. His expression softened. "Jawn will be fine. I just meant you don't want to see what's going to happen to Vince."

No, I kinda do. My wolf grinned. But the saner part of my mind had to agree, I didn't want to see that.

"I've seen Jawn fight and he kicks major ass." He smiled at me. "Just stay in here and avoid a blood bath and let me get you something to eat. They didn't feed you over in the holding cell, did they?"

"I...No, they didn't" Ryan walked around me, seeming to be satisfied that I wouldn't move for the door, and pulled out a bar chair. I sat down heavily in it and sighed. My back tensed as I heard the snares and growls from outside. Please be careful, Jawn.

Ryan whipped out a sandwich within a couple seconds, and set it on a plate before sliding it over the bar table to me. I starred at it, and didn't think I'd be able to stomach anything for a long time.

"Lyra." My gaze flickered up to Ryan's. "He'll be fine. He'll come out with a scratch or two and that's it. Vince is a pain in the ass, but he's harmless, really. Jawn will put him in his place and be back in a couple minutes." How is he so sure?

Jawn is an Alpha. Have faith in your own mate. My wolf growled at me. I sighed again.

"Alright, okay. Fine. But I'm only eating half of this." I told Ryan. He grinned his boyish smile at me.

"Fine by me. But don't tell Jawn I didn't try feeding you." I smirked and took a small bite. Before I could help myself my eyebrows shot up, and I all but inhaled the rest of the sandwich. Ryan laughed at me. "I'm a good cook, aren't I?"

"Shut up." I grumbled as he laughed some more.

"Ryan? Who's this? And where is everyone?" A woman that looked to be in her late twenties came through the doorway and glanced over at me. She looked exactly like Ryan.

"Oh, hey Mom. This is Jawn's mate, Lyra." I smiled sheepishly and waved as her face broke out in a smile. She looked ready to hug me as big as Kim did, but stopped when she heard that rest of what Ryan had to say. "And every one's outside watching Jawn kick Vince's ass for making a rude comment to Lyra." Ryan's mom's face turned dark.

"Of course he said something rude to you. I'm sorry, Lyra."

"Oh, it's okay! You didn't say it." I laughed nervously. Her eyes sparkled.

"Well my name is Amy. I'm Ryan's mom.If you need anything come talk to me, okay? I'll go watch Vince get his ass handed to him--I mean, i'll go see how things are going. Stay in here, alright?" Her face turned red but she left as I nodded. I turned back to Ryan as he stood there unashamed.

"So no one likes Vince, huh?"

"Nope, the dude's an asshole. I'm waiting for the day Jawn gets rid of him." Ryan glanced behind me and I felt a warm presence. "And tell me that's today." Strong arms wrapped around my waist and I shivered as Jawn's lips pressed against my cheek.

"Yes, it's today. He won't be coming back." Ryan hollered his cheers. I turned quickly in Jawn's arms and checked over him for marks. He chuckled at me as my hands searched everywhere--well, almost everywhere--for anything that looked out of place. "Lyra, I'm alright." His eyes widened as I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him closer to me, my heart pounding.

"Don't you ever do that to me again, got it? I almost had a heart attack." Which wasn't exactly a lie. Jawn blinked, his eyes growing slightly darker as he smirked. I felt my skin flush warmly.

"Yes ma'am." His lips suddenly found mine and some smart part of me kept down a growl, remembering Ryan was in the room.

"Guys ewh, I'm right here." Ryan complained behind us. I barely heard him, but it was enough to have Jawn pull away, Slightly.

"I'm sorry for what he said to you, Lyra." His eyes starred into mine.

"No, it's okay." My voice was huskier than I intended. "I don't really care anymore." Jawn grinned naughtily at me.

"I bet you don't. Come on." Jawn grabbed my hand and tugged me gently off the stool. "You can meet everyone later. For now, you're mine."

My skin burned with desire at those simple words and I hurriedly followed him upstairs.