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“It’s fine,” I insist. “I know I’m not like other betas.” I pause and release a breath I feel like I’ve been holding my entire life. “I’m different.”
Cleo nods, her finger still drawing shapes in the sand, but Beth leans back, resting on her hands and considering me with a wry expression.
“Well, that’s because you’re not a beta, Hetty,” she announces calmly.
My head jolts up, but the rest of me freezes. “What do you mean?” I ask slowly.
Beth squints at me like it couldn’t be more obvious. “You’re mixed, probably. An in-between person … that’s what my mother used to call them.”
“What does that mean?” Cleo asks, screwing up her face.
Beth rolls her eyes. “Honestly, Cleo, it’s not that complicated. One of her parents was a beta and one wasn’t.”
“I’ve never heard of that happening,” Cleo murmurs defensively.
“Well, then you’ve been living under a rock because it happens all the time.” Beth presses her lips together and looks down. “My grandfather was an alpha.”
My mind is going a mile a minute. “How do you know that?”
“My mother told me before I came to work at Sage House,” she admits quietly, her eyes flicking up at me knowingly. “My grandfather … forced himself on my grandmother, and she didn’t survive the labor. Betas who bear an alpha’s child never do. My mother was worried about me working at Sage House … she’d heard rumors that Carson Sage had a penchant for beta servants.”
My hand comes down to rest on my stomach, my heat sinking like a stone. I thought only omegas could have an alpha’s child—and only his fated mate—but is that not the case? An alpha could impregnate a beta?
Noticing my worried expression, Beth rubs my shoulder. “But you’re different, Hetty,” Beth assures me. “You’re obviously more omega than you are beta. You’ll survive a pregnancy just fine.”
“Do you really think so?” I ask worriedly, thinking back to my conversation with Lyn last night. I was telling the truth then—I’m not scared of death. But in the harsh light of day, I feel less certain of that opinion.
“Now, who’s the one saying rude things, Beth!” Cleo bursts out loudly. “Look! You’re scaring her!”
“No, it’s okay. I’m just wondering—” I start, but I don’t get to finish as a lyrical voice calls out from the tree line.
“I told you that you’re no beta.”
We all jump at the voice, turning to see Cass saunter out of the trees. His greasy brown hair is slicked back from his face, and dirt smudges his cheeks and clothes.
Noah was dirty yesterday, too, but it made him look wild and powerful. Cass just looks gross. A sardonic smile twists his lips when he stops in front of us, his brown eyes taking me in.
But the smile evaporates when his eyes flick to Cleo and Beth.
“Scatter,” he mutters, and without a second look at me, they both scurry off into the trees.
Well, that hurts a bit, but I can’t say I blame them.
I shake my head at him in warning as I rise to my feet. “Go away,” I grit out. “I have a mate now.” I point to my neck. “Look, he marked me. He won’t be happy if you mess with me.”
Cass chuckles darkly but doesn’t say anything as he moves closer to me. Too close. Alarm erupts in every cell of my body, leaving me with only one thought.
Run.
I pivot in an attempt to get around him. He’s too fast, though, grabbing me by the arm and yanking me against his chest.
I push against him, attempting to free my wrist. “Let go of me!”
“No way!” He laughs darkly, his mouth against my ear. His breath is sour and moist against my skin. I recoil and pull hard. “We’re not in Goldenrod anymore,” he hisses in my ear. “Omegas are free to anyone who wants them out here. Mate or no.”
I push against him with all my might, but he’s too big and impenetrable.
“Come on, I’m not too good for that stuck-up alpha’s leftovers,” he says as he starts pulling me down the beach.
