The Beta's Mate

Chapter 7

Verity’s POV


"Get up, Verity; breakfast won't make itself." A man shouted while banging on my door.
Rolling over I read my clock, 9am.
Crap!
I overslept; he's going to kill me. Grabbing jeans and a t-shirt, I made my way downstairs, avoiding running into anyone. How could I be so stupid? I forgot to set my alarm. In a flash I fried some eggs and bacon and put the last plate of breakfast in the dining room just as the pack members started pouring in.
Sighing, I started cleaning the kitchen, but before I could finish the sound of growling stopped me in my tracks, the sound always sent shivers down my spine. Turning I saw Erick standing in the doorway, his eyes a deadly shade of black.
“I... I’m almost finished.” My voice came out barely above a whisper. He took a step towards me, a smile covering his lips when I shifted away from him. The counter pressed up against my back as he continued to edge closer to me, enjoying my fear.
I have never understood why he hates me so much; he takes so much pleasure from my pain, it terrifies me. Everyone else showed some guilt. Never him. He always punishes me. He has never shown any mercy to me. There's nothing I can do though, I’m stuck here. in my own personal hell, surrounded by people who hate me for being born. All anyone here does is remind me that I should never have existed in the first place.
Putting an arm on either side of me, he trapped me against the counter. I watched as he grabbed the plate of food, I had left behind me, for myself to eat. A smirk covered his lips as he threw the plate across the room, the sound of it crashing against the wall making me flinch.
“Why did you make me do that? You know the rules, you feed us, not yourself.”
Not trusting my voice, I simply nodded.
“You know that I have to punish you now, we can’t have anyone thinking I am taking it easy on you.” With that he grabbed me by my arm and threw me, as easily as he had thrown the food. My side hit the wall with a deafening crack, and I knew I broke a rib. Pain shot through me as he lifted me up, I took a deep breath as I brought my eyes up to meet his. But instead, I was met with his fist. Why is this my life?
What did I do to deserve this?
A whimper escaped my lips as my world went black.

Pain.
Why am I in pain?
Right, Erick. Moaning I sat up, I’m back in my room. At least he didn’t just leave me there this time, I guess having your omega bleeding on the floor wouldn’t look good, especially to the Alpha visiting today.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, God I look awful. Sighing I made my way to the shower, glaring at the running water. Might as well get it over with, a whimper left my lips as the hot water cascaded over my wounds. I was weak, I have always been weak. My body takes longer to heal than normal wolves, most would have started to heal already. But not me, I’m one of the lucky ones. I suppose I should be grateful that I still heal, even if it is slower than normal. Otherwise, my entire body would be covered in scars.
Thanking the goddess that my face wasn't swollen, I applied the lightest amount of makeup, just enough to cover the bruises. Taking a look at my alarm clock, I realized I had slept through the whole day. At least I don't have to cook dinner.
Putting on some jeans and a hoodie, not bothering to dry my hair. Grabbing my sketchpad, I left my little bedroom and made my way out of the house. That however is where my luck ended, Sam was standing in the middle of the kitchen, blocking my exit.
“So nice of you to join us Vivi, just where do you think you are going?”
Sam is another of my main tormentors, being Erick’s beta, he has always followed his lead.
“For a walk.” I tried to push around him, but he didn’t budge.
“Sam, just leave her alone.” I turned to see a terrified Molly, her hand over her mouth. She looked in shock, to be honest so was I. No one has ever stood up for me before. What was even more shocking is that she’s Sam’s mate, I still have no idea how someone so sweet got mated to this monster.
“What did you just say to me?” Sam’s voice came out as a growl, making Molly flinch away.
“I... I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Please, I’m sorry.”
I watched frozen in place as Sam gripped his helpless mate by the throat, his eyes shifting to black as he lifted her above the ground.
“I... didn’t m…mean.” Molly’s cries were barely audible.
I can’t watch this, but my whole body is frozen. I can’t look away, why can’t I look away.
A growl I didn’t recognise pulled my attention; it was a she wolf. Her blue eyes almost appeared to glow in the dimly lit room as she made her way over to the fighting couple. I watched stunned as she lifted Sam as if he weighed nothing. Her anger came off of her in waves as she approached him, grabbing his neck, and copying his actions.
“You stupid bitch, who do you think you are.” He managed to choke out between breaths. His words only made her smile, I couldn’t find any fear in her eyes. How is she doing that, how is she standing up to a beta like that. An omega shouldn’t be able to beat a beta in a fight, it’s not possible.
“Who do you think you are?" she growled, tightening her hand around his neck. “Who gave you the right to beat someone smaller than you? Does it make you feel like a man?” Sam’s eyes widened in shock at her words, as he tried to get free from her grip.
“You are a pathetic excuse for a wolf, touch her again and I will kill you.” Tossing him to the floor, she scowled down at him. Molly whimpering caught her attention, making her rush to the wounded girl crumpled up on the floor.
“What the hell is going on here?” Not him, the anger in his voice had my skin crawling, and I ran. I’m not proud of it, but what can I do? I couldn’t stay there and watch her get punished, it’s not like I could stand up to him. He’s an alpha and I’m nothing.
Once I reached the lake I could barely breathe, it had been years since I ran so fast. I tried to relax, to focus on my sketch, but nothing worked. I couldn't shut my thoughts off.
Why did she do it? Why would she do something so stupid? How did she beat him, he’s a beta?
We are not built to fight, and it's the first thing they teach us. I must be crazy; no female could face a male wolf.
My father told me the story of my birth when I was a pup, my mother had a difficult pregnancy and one night she started to go into labour. Only it was too early, I was too early. My mother died giving birth to me, I never got the chance to meet her. My father blamed me; correction blames me. If it weren’t for me his mate would still be alive, he would be happy. From what I have heard, the death of a mate is the worst pain imaginable. Most wolves don’t survive it.
The doctors thought I wouldn’t survive the night, but against all odds here I am. Lucky me. The fact that I was born a runt, don't have a wolf, and can't shift made it impossible for me to have a mate. I'm weaker because of it; I've always been weak. Mates should be two wolves finding each other, but since I have no wolf, I'm likely to have no mate.
After losing interest in sketching, I made my way back to the pack house. So much for relaxing and taking my mind off of everything. I swear, I have no luck in life. My guardian angel is on vacation. Like the universe is trying to prove me right, I trip over my own feet. Screaming in the girliest voice of my life. Seriously? Why the hell does this crap happen to me?
"God damn it, why me?" I mutter as I brush the mud from my jeans. My pleas to the universe unsurprisingly did not receive any response. I really need to leave this place, maybe by getting out I will be able to hide among humans. Since after all, I am mostly human. Although I do not think my father will ever allow me to leave.
“Are you okay?”
I couldn’t help the yelp that left me, dear god what is wrong with me? Turning around, my eyes fell on the most gorgeous man I have ever met. Six feet of muscle with bright blue eyes and messy brown hair, my heart started to beat faster. The second our eyes met one word came to my mind, the one word I thought was impossible all these years.
Mate.