Page 48 of Beckett's Fate
“Already done.” With that, Des disappeared back into the shadows, his efficient stride carrying him toward the barracks.
Beck guided Irene into the main house, the warmth and bustle of activity a stark contrast to the level of energy outside. The scent of baking bread and roasted meat wafted through the air, mingling with the soft murmur of conversation.
A woman in her sixties appeared, her kind eyes lighting up as she saw Beck. “Alpha, it’s about time you showed up. We were starting to think you’d forgotten how to find your way home.”
“Not a chance, Delilah,” Beck said, his voice carrying a rare note of affection. “Irene, this is Delilah. She’s the housekeeper, but really, she runs the place.”
Delilah smiled warmly at Irene, her gaze sharp but not unkind. “Welcome, dear. You must be special if Beck’s brought you here.”
Irene managed a faint smile, though Beck could sense her discomfort. “Thank you.”
“I’ll send up something for dinner,” Delilah said, giving Beck a pointed look. “You both look like you could use a good meal.”
Beck inclined his head. “Thanks, Delilah.”
He led Irene up the stairs to his suite, the familiar surroundings offering him a sense of calm he hadn’t realized he needed. The spacious room was both rustic and refined, witha stone fireplace, leather furniture, and large windows and a balcony that overlooked the surrounding forest.
“It’s good to be alpha,” Irene said, her tone neutral as she dropped her pack near the door.
“Most of the time,” Beck replied, moving to light the fire.
They sat quietly at the small table by the window, the flickering fire casting warm light over the room. There was a knock on the door, and Delilah entered with a spread of roasted beef, vegetables, and freshly baked bread. Beck watched as Irene picked at her food, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.
“You’re thinking about them, aren’t you?” Beck asked softly.
Irene glanced up, her fork pausing mid-air. “Who?”
“The women you’ve been protecting,” Beck said. “Your pack.”
Her eyes softened, and she set her fork down. “Always,” she admitted. “They’ve been through so much. Abandoned, abused, cast out. We’ve built something together, but it’s fragile. One wrong move, one mistake, and it could all fall apart.”
Beck nodded, his expression thoughtful. “And the treasure? You think it’s the answer?”
“It’s a chance,” Irene said, her voice steady but tinged with desperation. “A way to secure our future. To make sure we’re safe.”
Beck leaned forward, his gaze intent. “You could have that here. In Silver Falls.”
Irene’s lips parted, but no words came.
“The pack would welcome you,” Beck continued, his voice low and earnest. “All of you. You’d have safety, resources, support. You wouldn’t have to carry this alone anymore.”
Irene shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her. “You make it sound so simple. The hunters are following our every move. How is your pack going to feel about my having put them in danger?”
Beck reached across the table, his hand covering hers. “The hunters have already targeted us and some others in town. That’s the beauty of being a part of a shifter community. We’re not helpless, Irene. We’ve faced threats before, and we’ve come out stronger. Don’t you want that for your women? None of you would be a burden—you’d be part of something bigger. And you might just find a place where you belong.”
Her gaze met his, and for the tiniest fraction of a second, the guarded walls she’d built seemed to crack. “I don’t know, Beck,” she said quietly.
“Think about it,” Beck urged, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. “If not for yourself, then for them. And for us.”
Irene’s breath hitched, her eyes searching his face as though looking for answers he couldn’t give.
Before she could respond, a faint knock sounded at the door, followed by Des’s voice. “Beck? We’ve got something you need to see.”
Beck’s entire body tightened, the urgency in Des’s voice setting his nerves on edge. He stood, his hand lingering on Irene’s for a moment before he turned to the door.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, his voice firm.
As he stepped into the hallway, his heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Whatever Des had found, Beck knew it was only the beginning of the storm.