Chapter 4

Dean (Ryder)

"Hey, Dean," my mate said cheerfully when she came down from her room. "I totally didn't expect you." Surprised by her change, I didn't know what to say at first.

"Um, yeah. I wanted to talk to you, but you left before I could."

Her mother shook her head and smiled at me. "Typical Brook."

Finally, my mate's real name. I had asked around during the dinner yesterday, but no one knew it. They all called her Missy.

"Always on the go," Brook's mom continued. "Mike tells me all the time how she never seems to stay still."

I stiffened at my cousin's name. Was she for real?

"Dean, is it?" Brook's mom asked, but didn't wait for an answer. "You are the alpha's guest, right? How are you settling in? How did you meet Brook? Did Mike introduce you? He's such a sweet boy, taking time out of his day to make sure Brook feels at home."

Brook groaned with embarrassment, covering her face and I smiled. I decided to ignore the part about Mike and answer the only question I could. "Mike introduced us, and we have Science together."

The beta and Brook looked at each other. The glance was uncomfortable and nervous. Clearly, her mom had no clue what was going on. Now the million-dollar question was why? Why didn't the beta protect my mate? Anger flood through me and my heart raced. The wolf wanted out and make him pay for his failure. I clenched my fists and tried to calm down. Couldn't lose it now.

"Nancy," the beta said. "Why don't we let them talk about whatever it is they have to talk, and we go watch that show you've been talking about all week."

"Yeah, we've got a project already in Science. Can you believe it? This early? It's why he's here."

"You get everything ready," the beta insisted to his mate. "I'll get us some popcorn and take care of these two." He placed one hand on Brook's shoulder and another one on mine. His grip tightened on my arm. I had to bite my tongue to keep from pushing it off. As an alpha, his act of dominance rubbed me in all the wrong ways.

It worsened when he pushed me into the kitchen. The only reason, I didn't put him in his place was for Brook. Once in the kitchen the Brook I was familiar with emerged.

"This is against the rules. Tell him, Harry. He's not supposed to be here."

Rules? What is she talking about?

The beta glared at me. "Look, son..." He put a bag of popcorn in the microwave. "Mike and Brook agreed on this. He should've told you the rules when you joined in. No bruises on her face or where her mother can see them. You need to avoid broken bones or anything that would get her hospitalized. Also, none of you should bother her in our home."

"Are you for real?"

Brook crossed her arms over her chest as she continued to glare at me. "Of course, I'm for real. Even if I'm a mistake, I'm still a person."

"That's not what I meant." I turned to her stepdad. "You let him beat on her as long as he follows the rules, so what? Her mother doesn't find out?"

The beta hesitated, glancing over at Brook. I took a step closer to him, my anger getting the better of me. Brook stepped between us and she slapped me. Again. For a human, she hit kinda hard!

Her eyes watered as she glared at me and her hands shook. "Enough!"

Instinct clamored at me to comfort her, tell her everything would be all right. Instead, I stood there and let her say what she needed to say.

"Just Stop it," she said, half pleading, half growling at me. "I don't know what you're playing at, and I don't care. Please, go away and leave my family and me alone!"

Exactly like at school, Brook left before I could utter a word. It seemed I'd have to tie her to a chair for us to have an actual conversation.

"Why won't you leave her alone?" The beta glared at me with yellowed eyes.

He's angry? Funny. I growled at him, letting my wolf shine through my eyes. "Why aren't you protecting her? She's your mate's daughter and you're letting it happen."

"I have no choice. My alpha ordered me to not take any actions against his son. What do you care anyway? You're set out to hurt her like the rest so do-"

I had him against the wall, my face inches from his. "I would never hurt her! Don't you ever accuse me of that again."

The beta's eyes widened with shock, followed by understanding and later hope. "Is she—"

I took a breath to calm myself and nodded, stepping back from him.

The beta laughed with his hands on his hips. "She's your mate." His expression turned serious as he focused on me. "You can take Brook to Blue Crescent and away from Mike."

My stomach twisted. I wanted to, God did I want to, but I couldn't. Not while I pretended to be Dean. The other packs needed more than Mike bullying a human girl. I needed everything I could find. With shame, I glanced at the floor. "I can't. At least, not yet. My pack needs me here and playing nice with my uncle."

Hope, or whatever it was, dimmed in his eyes. "I see. The peace treaty. That has to come first."

Feeling judged I narrowed my eyes at him. "It's in everyone's best interest my uncle is no longer alpha of Black Mountain."

The beta opened his mouth to speak when his mate called for him. "Whatever you're up to, leave Brook out of it. She's dealing with enough without adding a power-play between packs, and her mother. It's not my choice, but Brook's. I insist you respect that."

"You can't keep me from my mate."

"If she doesn't want to see you, mate or no, you won't go near her," he snapped then sighed. "Try to reel it in a bit, kid. As you can understand, she doesn't trust our kind much."

I blew out a breath. Man. This would not be easy. I looked towards the ceiling and made a silent prayer. Well, here goes nothing.