| J O S H

One thing to know about Alphas: the motherfuckers are overbearing as shit. Even Darren. Especially Darren. It's in their nature, which is probably why I'm not completely losing my shit right now. That, along with the events of last night, kept my irritation in check— just barely.

Last night was the first time in our whole lives that I'd seen Darren so...not him. He's literally a walking ray of warmth and sunshine. His smile alone makes the world worth living in. And last night, there was a numbness in his usually vibrant brown eyes. A kind of pain that went bone deep and took my breath away. Watching the strongest person in my life finally break...

Kind of made me homicidal, if I'm being honest.

I'm a changed man, though, it's getting easier to redirect my anger into something useful. Understanding that there was literally no one I could rip apart just to get a glimmer of a smile from him, was nothing short of humbling. Anger was easier to fall into than any other emotion, but that's not what my mate had needed from me. So, I became the Josh he deserved, because for once I was going to be the one to put him back together.

I'd fallen asleep in my mate's arms and had quite possibly the best sleep of my life. My problem currently, however, is that I can't fucking breathe.

"Darr—Darren," I gasped. "Move your f-fucking ass!" Groaning, I attempted to shove him off only for him to whirl his giant head around and glare at me. His glowing eyes pinned me in place like I was the one being difficult. "Mo—move, dammit!" I try again, squirming under his immense furry bulk.

He was in wolf form using me as a human bed and he refused to move or let me move.

Darren released a full-blown, eardrum rattling, knee-buckling growl at me, only spiking the annoyance I was trying to keep in check. Keyword trying.

'Just let it happen,' My wolf purrs unhelpfully. Of course he doesn't see a problem with our mate trying to kill us. 'Shut up...but seriously what could possibly be wrong with our mate wanting us?'

Sure, I'd agree with him if I hadn't woken up after sleeping like the dead only to immediately notice that I was fucking suffocating.

My giant mate seemed more than content smothering the life from my body, meanwhile my lungs were being fucking crushed.

Out of the niceness that resides in the dark corners in my soul, I did not punch him in the eye like I wanted to. Instead, I shifted. In hindsight it was kind of dangerous but, it got him to take some of his hulking weight off me so I wouldn't be injured in the process. My wolf took the opportunity to roll over for his alpha, which was just dandy for me, who was trying to escape the big motherfucker.

This was the opposite of what I had been going for. On my back in the middle of our, now much smaller, bed with a clingy Alpha who looked more than happy to continue his aggressive cuddle session. I bared my teeth, but Darren just licked my mouth at the corners, even when I snapped at him.

'Josh...' was all he said, like a sigh. Contentment flowed through our bond, taking some of the edge off my early-morning irritation. Still, I had to pee, and that meant lover-wolf needed to move.

Or rather, I did. If I stayed under him like this, with my neck basically open for the taking, I would probably be stuck under him forever.

'That doesn't sound bad at all...' My wolf murmured.

...He's not wrong, but my bladder isn't on the same page and, at the moment, I'm more inclined to listen to it than my horny wolf and his equally mate-crazed Alpha.

Darren's wolf, as predicted—because I know him like the back of my hand—immediately goes for the spot over my right shoulder where his mark was. Listen, I know I want to get up, but I also know my limitations, and if he gets his teeth in me—literally—my resolve is going to crumble pathetically.

I took a deep breath and relaxed my body. I sensed my mate's do the same once he felt my resistance give way. Under different circumstances I'd be all for this. Hell, if he let me up we could pick up where we left off, but I could tell that wasn't a possibility for my Alpha. My annoyingly sweet Darren.

Squirming as if to open myself up even more to him—which I don't even think is possible at this point—I managed to get my hind legs under his belly. Darren allowed the movement, probably thinking I was trying to spread them. Unfortunately for him, instead of creating more space for him to blanket over me, as soon as I felt both paws on his stomach, I kicked, knocking him off the bed entirely. Without wasting a beat, I was up, shifting and skidding into the bathroom before locking the door locked behind me.

It took everything in me not to just open the window and jump to safety.

I didn't.

After handling my business and brushing my teeth, I contemplated even going back in the room. My version of clinginess was essentially becoming a glorified cock-warmer for Daddy, Darren's version was a level of open affection I was going to have to get used to. If he could crawl inside me, he would. I wouldn't mind. I know that, but...it was a lot all at once.

'Wuss.' My wolf grumbled. I really don't understand his fascination with calling me that.

'What?!'

'Stop being squeamish over a little cuddling,' The grey bastard growled. 'You won't disintegrate just because he's laying on you and not fucking you sideways at the same time.'

'A little cu- squeamish?! That motherfucker almost bit my head off! I couldn't breathe!'

'Tomato, tomato. I don't care, go back to our mate.'

'It's to-mah-t-'

'I don't care.' He snipped. 'I'm not going to let you start running again just because you aren't used to him like this.'

I snarled under my breath, trying to ignore the sudden heat in my neck. He was right...I guess...

I walked back into the room to see Darren sitting naked at the foot of the bed, glaring holes into the bathroom door. His eyes were a vibrant gold, the Alpha clearly in control.

"G'morning," I greeted, not bothering to hide some of my annoyance at his bullshit this morning. I got a toothy snarl in reply. My wolf was doing flips in the back of my mind from the attention. Not that I blamed him. Out-of-control-Alpha-Darren was hot as fuck.

"Morning." He gritted, unhappily. "Come back to bed." His tone meant business, but I didn't feel like mindlessly submit— "Now."

I walked over to my mate, practically throwing myself into his lap. His muscled arms wrapped around me pulling me tight against him.

"It's too early in the morning to be this fucking dramatic, Alpha," I growled in his face. Said Alpha just curled his fingers into my hair, forcing my head to the side firmly, but without causing me any pain. I quivered in his hold. I swear if my wolf could purr, he'd sound like a domesticated house cat right now. Pressing his face against my throat, right over his mark, my mate let out a long, low grumble.

Then he was licking. I bit back my moan as my body and senses were suddenly doused with heat and turned up to ten. This fucker! I growled but didn't move. I couldn't, it felt too fucking good. Besides, he was only scent mar—

His teeth abruptly pierced my skin as he marked me...again. My eyes watered, the only way my body was able to properly deal with the blinding pleasure. Warmth washed through me, making my toes curl.

"Daddy," I whimpered. His arms crushed me harder, and I found myself barely stopping from fusing us into one being. I wanted to be much, much closer. So close we could never be separated again. So I did the only thing I could think of. I bit him back.

Mine.

The sensation immediately quadrupled. Darren growled, though the sound was pleased. We cleaned each other's wounds slowly, lovingly.

He's so damn annoying.

What's even more annoying is the fact that I love him.

It would be a lie if I pretended that Darren constantly affirming that I was wanted didn't shut up the dark thoughts in my head. I liked it when he was possessive. At the moment, I loved it.

He still wants me.

"I'll always want you," Darren says, his eyes back to brown. "Sorry about this morning. My wolf was in control when I woke up." His gaze softened into something vulnerable, "And thank you for last night."

"It's fine," I say with a soft smirk. "I'm considerably less irritated now." I cupped his face, holding his gaze and trying not to get lost in all the open adoration in his eyes, "You'll never have to thank me for taking care of you, baby. Whenever you need me, whatever you need, doesn't matter. You're mine to love and protect, and I will."

My mate gave a low whine in response, eyes falling half-lidded. The hands on my hips dragged me even closer. There he goes again, trying to mash us into a single entity.

"I love you, Josh." Darren smiles, making my heart thrum. I can't help my blush, because, fuck, he is my entire world, and there isn't enough time in the universe for me to adequately thank the goddess for him. "What do you want to do today?"

"Don't know. Kaleb needs rest so I won't bother him just yet."

"Hmm, I guess that's good." He smirked at the annoyed look I shot him. "Just means there's no reasonable excuse to let you out of my sight."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile.

"Can we hang out for a bit? Go for a run, maybe?" He asked, finally pulling back enough to peer at my face. I raised a brow, pretending to consider.

"Sure, if you think you can keep up, old man." I smirk.

"I'll take that as a challenge," Darren smirked, hauling me closer.

||

At least he chose a nice day to decide to become one with nature.

The sky was a clear blue, scattered with clouds and a steady breeze rustled through the leaves overhead. My ears twitched every so often catching sounds of life from deeper in the woods. Darren's immense bulk was beside me, walking in stride as we continued our way with no particular destination in mind. Even now his clinginess from earlier was still present. We were so close the fur at our shoulders touched.

I didn't comment on it, I was enjoying having him this close. And all to myself.

The past few days have been crazy for both of us. While he was busy being Alpha of the century, I'd spent the bulk of our time apart with the runt. If I wasn't the shadow replacement of Zev, I would be fixing things around the pack house.

Loose floorboards seem to be the only thing I need to hit nowadays. Something I'm honestly looking forward to getting used to.

At the moment though, it felt important to fully enjoy the time I had with my mate before we both dived back into making sure our pack was safe and protected.

'Did you ever think we'd end up as mates?' Darren asked and kept walking like he didn't just drop the most random question out of the blue.

'Hell no!' I snorted, side eyeing him. Darren was the furthest thing from what I was expecting in a mate and it's mainly because he's the dominant in our relationship. Which I love, but at the time I definitely expected to have a submissive partner. 'Did you?' I tossed the question back at him.

'I...thought about it—once.'

I slowed down til we were both at a steady walk, rather than a trot.

'When?' I pressed, my interest piqued.

'I overheard my parents talking about it one night.' His gaze remained ahead of us despite me staring a hole into the side of his face. 'It was about a month into when we officially started training to take over the pack? .'

'Well, what'd they say?' I genuinely wanted to know. A part of me didn't want to consider the possibility that they wouldn't've thought I deserved their son. Goddess knows I don't.

'They were discussing how well suited we were for each other as Alpha and Beta.' I ignored the jolt in my heart at the mention of the former alpha-pair, trying to focus on what my mate was saying instead. 'I still don't know why she brought it up, but my mom said something along the lines of "it wouldn't surprise her if we were mated". We were around sixteen at the time, I really wasn't' worried about a mate then.'

I snorted. 'I know. You were so fucking annoying. We hardly did anything but train and go on hunts with Alpha Drake and the enforcers, but it was never enough for you.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'The first six months all you wanted to do was spar, train and follow your dad around like he held the sun in his hands. Do you know how irritating it was to get the same lecture rehashed every day because you had to repeat what your father said just so you'd memorize it.'

'Well—' He started sheepishly.

'Verbatim. Darren.' I interrupted. 'VERBATIM.'

'Okay,' he laughed, bumping his shoulder against mine. 'So, I was a bit of an overachiever.'

'A bi—'

'My point is,' He cut me off and I snickered, 'after hearing my mom say that I couldn't help but agree with her. It was weird. I remember thinking 'Yeah, that tracks'. We were inseparable already, got along well and it just...I don't know, made sense. I didn't think about it again 'cause I didn't see the point. If you were my mate, great. If you weren't, cool. We'd be spending our lives together either way.' I could feel myself blushing despite not being in my human form.

'Do you think she'd be okay with ... us ...?'

Darren out right laughed, side eyeing me as if I wasn't all there in the head. We both know I wasn't. 'Would she?! You should have seen how she reacted to Kaleb finding his mate! He goes missing and comes back with a tiger as a mate, my mom damn near rolled out a red carpet. She'd be over the fucking moon. I honestly think the cherry on the top would be you officially becoming her son, she already loved you like one.'

Warmth flooded me. I miss Luna more than I'd ever be capable of putting into words. Darren's emotions tangled with mine, deepening the feeling of loss. It sunk like a weight in the center of my chest. I moved closer so that we walked pressed together, my shoulder against his. Neither one of us had to bear it alone. Darren puffed a breath, leaning into me as we continued.

'Did you hear what Drake said about it?' I asked. It was a poor attempt at a distraction, but it seemed to work.

'My dad didn't really say anything. He kind of just shrugged it off. You know how my mom could get when it came to us finding mates.'

'Good point, she looked forward to it more than we did.' I noted, remembering all the times she'd lectured us about treating our other halves with care and respect. She'd then spiral into wanting grandpups from each of us, only that part was added when we were older.

Darren chuckled. 'You're right. I think at the time my dad probably just humored her. But, if I had to guess, I don't think he would've been against it.'

'Do you think ... they would have forgiven me?' I was just a basket full of questions today. I couldn't help that this one in particular had been eating away at me for a while.

'Forgiven—for what?' My mate huffed incredulously. We'd slowed down again, but focusing on putting one foot in front of the other helped to organize my thoughts enough to spit the fucking words out. Darren waited, cause he's annoyingly patient and understanding, even when he's not trying to be.

'Jared liked to gloat,' My voice sounded hollow even to me, 'He was pretty proud of himself for being able to pin everything on me at the start—he loved to rub it in. Especially when he saw how much it hurt me. Kaleb confirmed that his plan actually had worked, and everyone thought that I—' Betrayed them. Killed a member of our pack in cold blood. I know I'd been volatile, but I didn't know it was so bad that no one question if I was capable of something like that. I swallowed. 'Do you think they would have forgiven me?'

Darren stopped short and looked me in the eyes. Rage boiled inside him, hot enough to sear through our bond.

'There's nothing to forgive, you don't have a damn thing to apologize for. They would've come to realize that like I did when we found you in that fucking shack. If anyone should ask forgiveness, it would've been my parents.' His gaze bore into me, trapping me, making sure I understood every word. 'And me.'

I know Darren didn't hold what happened against me. I know he loved me. I was just having a hard time grappling with the fact that my only two parental figures died thinking I was a traitor.

Darren sensed the protest at the back of my mind, shutting it down before I could think it fully.

'No. Josh. Even if the world turned against you, I should've known better— defended you. Confused or not, hurt or not. I am sorry that I didn't. I will spend the rest of my life making that up to you.'

I had to look away, I couldn't take the bluntness of his emotions. They poured down our bond like a torrent of unwavering resolve. Darren wasn't done though.

'You didn't do a fucking thing wrong.' He swore, putting so much force behind the words there was no choice but to accept them as fact.

I whined, pushing my head against his jaw, trembling. I took a second to rebuild myself after he just destroyed me. Darren let me—becoming the anchor I needed like he always did. I realized it fully then, what was had always been obvious finally solidifying itself into my mind as fact.

I could feel Darren's presence in my mind, strong and unwavering and radiant. Mine. He was all mine.

'You were right, I was always meant to be yours in some way or another.' I said after a moment.

Darren pulled away to look at me—eyes blazing gold, brighter than the sun.

'Shift,' his voice was like gravel. I didn't even think, didn't have to. Daddy had already decided and it was so easy to just listen. I was human almost before I could register the change and Darren followed suit. Then, I was in his arms, Darren locking me place with one hand in my hair. I didn't have time to prepare for him devouring me. Our lips met and I was owned by him.

I whined, relaxing into his possession of me.

Darren growled into my mouth as I yanked him against me fully. Our tongues fought for dominance; he won but only because I was too drunk on him to put up much of a fight.

He made it so easy to just give in...

We parted, chests heaving as we gulped in air. Not that the much-needed oxygen was helpful—my brain was already fried.

I lowered my gaze and exposed my neck, feeling Darren's pleasure at my submission rumble through our bond.

"You're perfect," He whispered, almost reverently. The ground felt unsteady for a second. My face heated.

"Either fuck me out here or we head back," I said, attempting to step away from him to avoid any further mushiness. I couldn't take anymore.

"We can head back, pup." My mate laughed, releasing me.

Ignoring the fact that he was laughing at me, I shifted into my wolf again, waiting for my mate to do the same. A few seconds later and Darren's impressive brown wolf stood in front of me.

'Our mate is perfect,' my wolf practically purred. I didn't agree with him on a lot of things, but on this, he was 100% correct.

My Alpha nuzzled his face against mine with a soft growl.

'I love you so much, Josh.'

'Almost as much as I love you.'

Darren brushed against my side, getting me moving again. I followed closely, knowing I was right where I was meant to be.

| AUTHOR' S  NOTE

As always, thanks so much for returning to another chapter of The Alpha's Beta.

I'm still pretty rusty, but I thoroughly enjoyed writing this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it just as much.

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

-J.T.