A Beta's Regret: Fated To Beta

By Beth Jackson

Jake is Midnight Forest Pack's Beta, incredibly popular and handsome, always surrounded by friends, and is successful in business and as his role in pack as Beta. Yet part of his life feels incomplete. Seeing all of his friends settled down with their mates and now having children, Jake can't help but wonder where he went wrong or think if he will forever be alone. Avoidance seems to be the best tactic, and Jake pushes himself harder into work, where an unexpected encounter at a business meeting gets his heart racing and turns his life upside down. Rose, this seemingly perfect, beautiful fated mate of his, has somewhat of an unusual reaction to meeting her mate. Are you meant to be doing your best to avoid your new mate? Or be keeping secrets from him? Not to mention Rose comes from the other side of the world and plans to head home as soon as she can, with promises of keeping in touch, and working things out with time and space. Jake is just happy to finally have his mate, and willing to do all he can to have her by his side. Would Jake be willing to leave all he knows for fate? Or could it be the moon goddess made a mistake, and Jake is better off alone? Or is there a better match out there for him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: supernovel
• Release date: Dec 4, 2023

Book preview

CHAPTER 1 - Jake

Midnight Forest Pack is busy today. A big birthday party for a tiny tot of a girl. One that was loved by everyone. The daughter of our Alpha and Luna. Knox and Lilah’s little girl, Cleo was two years old today and, as was the tradition in our pack, there would be a big birthday celebration within the pack.

Everyone had come to celebrate, and no doubt later there would be plenty of sore heads and grumpy kids too. I sit and look around the training field we had spent hours decking out for the party, full of friends, full of family, and pack members. It was hectic and loud as always. It is occasions like this I love our pack the most, when we come together to celebrate, show how close we are as a pack. Plus, it is an opportunity to spend time with those closest to me and have fun.

I see Knox, my closest friend, and our pack Alpha, with his mate, Lilah, our Luna smiling at one another. The happiness clear on their faces. The party today was to celebrate the second birthday of their second child, Cleo. A miniature version of her Mama, an adorable little girl, with the attitude of her Daddy, heaven help the world!

Though their son Kai was even more strong willed than Knox and it is amusing now he is getting older watching Knox dealing with him when they disagree. What makes me laugh is that if he is like this now at four years old, then they are certainly going to have their hands full as he gets older. That’s got to be the Alpha genes in him. I expected at least one of the kids to get their Mama’s softer temperament, but they both seem to have their Dad’s stubbornness and hard-headedness. So funny as a friend to see.

Is it bad to say as an Uncle and Beta to say I love them to bits, but I am glad they aren’t my kids, as then I won’t have to deal with them?! Because as teenagers they will be true nightmares, I am sure of it! And I plan to sit and laugh at it, because I am sure it will be hilarious. That’s my job as an Alpha’s right-hand man, right? To laugh when he struggles? He sure does when I struggle. That’s what friends are for, or it is in our group of friends! That is just how we work.

Right now, Kai was hurtling around playing ball with Finn, the son of our friend and pack Gamma, Dan. A little under a year older than Kai, they were already the best of friends, much like their Dad’s. Finn’s younger sister Wren, was close to age to Cleo, so they too, were the best of friends, like their Mama’s. Though Wren was more like one of the boys, loving to fight and forever fighting with her brother and Kai, or pretty much most of the boys in pack. Her Mama Indie thinks she is going to be one of the pack’s female warriors. I just think she won't put up with anyone's shit.

Landon was here playing with them too. Landon is the young upcoming Alpha of Lilah’s former pack. The son of her childhood friend. The one Lilah had believed had been her mate, that so many had predicted, so only when he shifted and could finally sense his mate did he discover he was fated to another. His fated mate was an evil she-wolf, Anya, who spent so long turning Lilah’s life into a living hell. It was through all of that that Lilah found her way to Knox and our pack.

Landon’s father, Logan passed away going to forcibly mark Lilah, wanting her as his own when he found out she had met her mate. Logan’s father chose to stay in role as Alpha until his grandson could take his rightful role as Alpha. So Landon was enjoying life growing up in River Ash Pack and Lilah stayed in touch and made sure the children were all a big part of one another’s lives. They were all very close, seeing each other regularly. And were becoming close friends as Lilah was hoping.

Dario was the little boy of our friend Manuel and his mate Lola. He was now 2 and a half and a handsome little dude, a head full of black curls, big brown eyes. He reminds me so much of Manuel, especially when he smiles. He is joining in with the game of ball with Kai and Finn, though Wren seems to have her eye on him, probably planning his downfall, making me smile. Lola has just had their second child a month ago, another little boy, Xavier. The two of them seem in their element being parents. I imagine them having a house full of pups.

We certainly have a collection of kids within our group now. There is also Willow, Knox’s sister’s little boy, Luca joining in with the fun and games. Willow is currently heavily pregnant with her and her mate Diego’s second pup, and I doubt that would be the last of the pups added to the group.

Our group has certainly begun to expand in recent years with the discovery of mates and then the birth of their children. Gabe met his mate, Esme, but they have yet to have children, waiting until Esme finishes her medical degree, which I can understand, as that was of massive importance to her, not to mention the fact having his own kids terrifies Gabe, I think. Especially the fact he would have to change their dirty diapers.

And then there was me. I had yet to even find my mate. Heaven knows where she is. Or if she is even out there anymore. Truly beginning to wonder if it is time to give up on the whole fated mate thing and consider a chosen mate or else I won’t be good for nothing. I have Beta genes I would like to pass on, have my own kids, have a son to inherit my role as Beta of our pack. As time is going on, that is becoming harder and harder to imagine being possible. So I have chosen to try and not think too much about it. It’s easier that way.

Beer Jake? Knox grins at me.

Time to drink…

CHAPTER 2 - Jake

Music was blaring and kids were running wild having fun on the training field, while the parents and other pack members were all stood or sat chatting, having a drink. One bonus of not having kids meant I got to chill out with my beer and not have to run around after a kid who was misbehaving or running riot.

My poor friends were up and down out of their seats like bloody yo-yo’s for their kids right now for one thing or another.

Hey Ruby said as she approached. How is my little nephew she smiles at Lola, who is sat to my right.

Ruby is Lola’s cousin, and Esme’s sister, she moved here when they did after we helped the Werewolf Council close their pack. She is a sweet girl, and I find myself chatting to her quite often when I see her around the packhouse. I have to say I feel for her, knowing she lost her fated mate in a rogue attack at her former pack must have been hard. I don’t think you ever fully recover from losing your mate from what I hear. How she is still going I don’t know. I know her family have been a massive support.

Ah he is doing good. Lola smiles. You wanting a cuddle? And I don’t mean with Jake she winks at me.

Lola seems so much more comfortable and confident in herself now she is settled in. Motherhood seems to agree with her too. And being with her mate obviously being a good thing too. She just seemed to blossom, looking so much happier.

Ruby blushes. I chuckle. I think Xavier would definitely be the better option for a cuddle, Ruby I say, hoping to lessen her embarrassment, showing I know Lola is teasing.

Our friends are always teasing about us anytime we are together, though we are the only single ones left now, other than Luis, Lola’s brother, and considering he is Ruby’s cousin, that would be a bit weird. So it seems to be an ongoing joke that Ruby and I are interested in each other. I haven’t really looked at her like that, knowing she lost her fated mate, and knowing she would likely not be wanting another mate. I could be a friend, and I wanted my fated mate. I know I did, despite all the thoughts that kept invading my mind of late.

Ooohhh I don’t know Jake gives good cuddles Ruby Indie says with a chuckle.

I roll my eyes. Here we go again.

Dan looks to me with a grin. You been nicking cuddles off my mate?! he demands.

Nah, she chases me for them I grin back. Gonna start charging her for them, I could make a bloody fortune, what with her and Lilah. I wink at Lilah.

Lilah giggles. Jakey! That’s meant to be a secret!

Knox is laughing now. Meanwhile, Ruby looks completely lost. She should be used to this by now. She spends plenty of time with us as a group because of her cousin and sister being mates with our best friends. Yet each time conversations like this happen she looks confused. It makes me smile.

Bet you wish Lola hadn’t asked, don’t you Rubes? I grin at her.

She smiles at me, Just a bit. Seems you get around a bit, Beta Jake she says with a wink.

I laugh, Oh yeah, giving hugs out to mated she-wolves of my best friends. I am known for it. I grin. Sadly. not for anything more exciting.

Ruby blushes.

You flirting with my sister J? Esme says, wrapping her arms around my neck as she walks behind me cos it looks like whatever you said made her go red.

No. Just talking. I say.

Dirty talking? Gabe pipes up as he joins Esme, beers in hand.

Esme is now laughing. How has this conversation gone this way?! They always seem to manage to twist it, so it seems this way!

Sorry Ruby, I link her they seem to find it funny to go with this

No worries. She replies. You up for gaming again later?

We had recently been gaming on the consoles in the packhouse together. Ruby works in the packhouse cleaning and I had been working late in my office and she had been crashed in the lounge on the console after finishing work, playing on one of the games, I got chatting about the game as it was one I played at home and we ended up playing a few matches. I saw her a few more times later that week and I don’t know why, but I suggested a rematch. Since then, we have met up for a few matches.

I figured it was nice for her to have another friend in the pack. It was someone else for me to talk to that wasn’t with their mate. Something new, something different to do. Yeah, I game with the guys, but that is them talking about their mates, their family. Talking to Ruby is different right now. I guess I am still getting to know her, but also, she is getting to know me. But I feel she needs someone to listen. I want to help.

Plus, when all my friends are now busy with their mates, and all the work is done for the day, it beats sitting in my house on my own.

Yeah if you want to? I reply.

Usual time? She replies.

I simply nod to her with a smile. Still ignoring the jokes being aimed in our direction about us flirting or getting it on. Those jokes get boring after a while. There is definitely none of that going on. Not that I am aware of.

CHAPTER 3 – Ruby

It makes me cringe with embarrassment any time one of them makes suggestions about Jake and I . Don’t get me wrong, he is a handsome guy, tall, muscly, I mean, he is a Beta at the end of the day and has some dreamy eyes, I have to say. But he is not my mate. I am not sure anyone would ever be the same as my mate. Nobody would ever live up to Seb.

I know they are teasing, and considering he and I are the only singletons in the group other than Luis, who chooses not to spend that much time with us, much preferring to spend time with ladies around the pack, it is easy to tease us, and often we end up having to chat to one another when the others are all with their mates. But I don’t consider him more than a friend. I have not considered anyone more than a friend since Seb.

Seb was my mate, my fated mate. I lost him and the pain from that has never gone away. I am not sure it ever will. I can’t ever imagine giving myself to someone else. I was his. Fated to him. Meant for him and nobody else. I loved him like nothing I can describe. It broke me when I felt the bond with him snap when those rogues killed him. I still chat to him, still keep his memories close. He will always be my mate. Leaving Crimson Night Pack had been hard as it meant leaving part of me behind. I was leaving behind my mate. He is buried there.

But leaving Crimson Night Pack was something we had to do, we had to give our family a chance for a fresh start. A new beginning, one with an Alpha that was fair and honest. That ruled the pack in a respectable and decent way. That meant leaving part of me behind, but he would remain in my heart. I could not let him go. So this persistent teasing they seem to find amusing irritated me. You are blessed with one fated mate. He has been mine and I would cherish the time we had together as short as it had been.

While they may see it as harmless fun, it hurts me when they tease me, or make suggestions about Jake and I, because it feels like they are disrespecting the memory of my mate, my Seb. And I hate that. I know they don’t see it like that. They probably don't even mean the things they say, but they are still implying it. Yet I just sit and say nothing, not wanting to make a fuss over it, not wanting to seemingly over-react when they likely see it all as a bit of fun. They all have their mates, they don't know the loss of losing them.

Jake knows how I feel, because I apologised for my sister when she did it the first time. I explained about my mate on one of our nights gaming. He listened so kindly. Was so caring. So understanding. Yet could he truly understand when he has yet to meet his mate? Can you have a full understanding of the mate bond when you have yet to experience the bond yourself? But, bless him, he listened so carefully, and kindly, which I did appreciate.

He had been a good friend though. Had offered to help me if I needed anything. He said if there were things around the house that needed doing, he was happy to help. And he would often sit and chat. And our gaming evenings were better than sitting in the house on my own night after night like I had been doing. Pondering over my own thoughts. Because sometimes pondering over your own thoughts was the worst thing you could do.

Here he is Lola’s voice interrupted my thoughts, passing me her youngest son, Xavier.

I take him from her. Loving hugs from the kids. I think he is adorable. Dario was the same. My cousin certainly makes handsome babies! Like his big brother before him, Xavier has a headful of dark curls, and big brown eyes. Another miniature Manuel? I wonder.

Though I do have to say my brother’s son Luca is just as handsome. Though is any little one ugly? I think all babies and kids are cute. Maybe I am biased towards these ones, as they are family. And I certainly cannot wait for Willow to have her and Diego’s newest pup, which could be any day now. Her belly looks full to bursting. They won’t tell anyone what they are having though they know.

Sadly, Seb and I never got to have pups before he passed. Before the moon goddess decided his time on our earth was up. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing when I look back... Would I have wanted a child, to still have a part of Seb with me? Yet then that child would have had to have suffered the loss with me, and I don’t think that would have been fair.

So it seems I will have to be content with being an auntie. And as I look down to my littlest nephew, or the littlest right now, as I highly doubt he will be the last, I know I am blessed, as he is beautiful. He yawns and stretches slightly.

I feel tears prickling slightly at the back of my eyes. Seb would have made a wonderful father too…

CHAPTER 4 – Knox

Cleo had loved her birthday but was now crashed out across my lap, her wispy, blond wavy hair hanging down my side. She looks the picture of sweetness when she is asleep. Such a terror when she is awake, I truly don’t know how a two-year-old can have an attitude, but I swear this one is all the drama and attitude of a teenager squashed into a miniature body.

Yet everyone in the pack loves her, she is a little charmer like her big brother. She had been spoilt with gifts today, so no doubt when she got around to opening all of those our house would be full with all sorts of new things to find homes for.

She was named after my late sister. And has the same blond hair as her, and is the spitting image of Lilah. She has her big blue eyes, which make it very hard to be angry at her when she is looking all big baby-eyed at me. And she knows it. She is damn clever for a little girl, I swear. I used to laugh at my dad for being manipulated by my sisters, well, that was when I wasn’t complaining that it wasn’t fair they got away with so much, but now, I am dreading it when Cleo gets older, as I know I am going to be terrible. I may just get Lilah to deal with her instead!

The party was winding down, and our friends were sat around just chilling together now. All stuffed with food from