VACANT novel Chapter 4

You see, surviving the death of a mate is not that pretty, and the recertification of her father's death is something she sees every day. She knows the only reason her mother didn't go into too much red was because of the promise she made to him to stay and always be strong for their daughter. She frequently wonders if she would have stayed if he hadn't made her vow, and knowing the answer makes her heart tighten.

She slams the door shut and turns to the noise coming from down the corridor. She knew one of the fighters and didn't want to linger on it, so she turned the other way, but her curiosity got the better of her.

As she approaches the crowd, her sneakers skid on the floor. She pushes her way through the mob before pausing when she notices the future beta and her best friend fighting it out.

"You're supposed to guide him, not encourage him," the boy grumbled as he swung a punch at the beta, who dodged by throwing an uppercut at him, knocking him to the ground.

"Don't touch me ever again!" grumbled the beta, his chest vibrating with a threatening growl.

Alanis kneels near the unconscious child on the floor and looks into the Beta's eyes, "May you help me carry him to the nurse?" She asks, stroking away the boy's brown locks that seemed to stick to his face.

He responded, "And why would I do that?"

"I thought the Beta was supposed to help other pack members," she says, tilting her head to look at him and his ocean eyes, "and he needs help as a member."

He narrows his eyes at her as he runs his hand through his hair, before his chest expands as he exhales, and she can see the gears shifting in his head.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm not a Claw," he says, staring at the ground.

She rushes into the room after hearing a groan and a hard cough, only to find Nicco's face clinched and his arm pushed against his lower abdomen.

"What were you thinking?" she scolds him as she waits for the nurse next to him.

"I'm always thinking of my mate," he said, his puffy almond eyes locating her and expelling a burst of air before resting his head on her shoulder.