It was midnight and Kelly Anne was in bed and was about to fall asleep. She heard a knock on the door of her apartment. She got up, wore her night gown and walked to the door and opened it. “Beta Lucas?”

Lucas said “Can I come in?”

Kelly Anne nodded.

Lucas came inside and started looking around the apartment. it was his first time seeing her residence.

Kelly Anne said “Do you want a drink?”

Lucas said “I am fine. I just wanted to talk to you.”

Kelly Anne said “Why dont you take a seat?”

Lucas sat down on a sofa and Kelly Anne sat opposite him.

Kelly Anne asked “What is it you want to talk about?”

Lucas sighed and leaned back on the sofa “I dont know where to start.”

Kelly Anne said “The beginning.”

Lucas said “Tonight Gavin came to my house. I had a chance to get him alone and talk to him in private while my sister and his sister were bonding. I mentioned the humans...”

Kelly Anne sat on the edge of her seat “What did he say?”

Lucas said “Its not good news. He feels that humans have overstepped their welcome in our territory and wants us to be very strict with them. He doesnt want any human to ever dare look at a werewolf in the eye let alone ask them out. Sending them out of town for a while is to just teach them a lesson that the luxuries that we allowed them in life should not be taken for granted...”

Kelly Anne said “What luxuries. We offer humans what other territories grant their citizens. What humans had was not a luxury. It was their right.”

Lucas said “Don’t let him ever hear you say that. He doesn’t beleive in human rights. Lets cut to the chase. I asked him how long was he planning to go on for and he said as long as he felt necessary for them to learn their lesson. If humans showed submission and acceptance of their poor treatment he may after... three months let them slowly come back. But the defiant ones stay out there.”

Kelly Anne gasped “Three months?”

Lucas said “Yes. Thats not too bad. All I ask of you and your fellow protectors is that ... please dont push it with the alpha. Don’t hold meetings. He might make it longer if he sees persistence among your people... The alpha’s decision sounded final.”

Kelly Anne sighed “Ok. I will tell my colleagues. Thanks for asking the alpha....”

Lucas said “Thats not all. I also asked about the arrested protector werewolves who are in custody after the demonstrations against banishing the humans to out of town.”

Kelly Anne asked “What did he say?”

Lucas said “What do you think? He said they need to be taught lessons in the detention centres. Again he mentioned they need to show submission. They need to break. They need to apologise for their actions and be very sorry. He told me their sentences is the same length as the humans. Three months.”

Kelly Anne sighed “I guess it could be worse. At least after three months I will see my colleagues and the humans will be back so us protectors can do our jobs.”

Lucas said “You are already doing your job. You are doing what you can for the omegas and all lower ranked weaker wolves. Concentrate on their rights.”

Kelly Anne said “I will Lucas. Thank you for coming to see me to deliver this news.”

Lucas looked around and whispered “I actually ... didnt come to see you to just deliver the news that I did... I came for another reason too.”

Kelly Anne said “Whats that reason?”

Lucas said as he looked into her eyes “I missed you.”

Kelly Anne smiled “You saw me today.”

Lucas said “Thats it. I see you and I still want to see you more. I missed you tonight during the dinner I spent with Gavin and Gillian. As you know Gillian and I are going out.”

Kelly Anne said “I am aware.”

Lucas said “It wasn’t my choice. I never wanted us to have a relationship. She forced the relationship to form. I dont want anything to do with her. When I am with her... I miss you. When I am with her I realise how much I need you... by my side. I need you so badly Kelly Anne.”

Kelly Anne looked away “You are a beta wolf. Only an alpha or beta is deserving of your acquittance. I am just a protector wolf. We can never be together.” She couldnt believe Lucas. He fancied her. It all made sense why he saved her from arrest and promoted her.

Lucas sighed “I know we cant be together. I know. As long as Gillian exists I cant be with you... I thought it would get easier Kelly Anne. I promoted you because I wanted you to have more power but also I had selfish reasons in doing so. I wanted to spend more time with you Kelly Anne. School finishes in one week and I want you close to me... I know its selfish of me but I cant help the way I feel.”

Kelly Anne still looked away and listened with a mixture of shock and confusion.

Lucas said “It will get harder and harder to refuse Gillian’s advances. She asked me to the prom and now.. do you know what she wants from me? She wants a baby.”

Kelly Anne gasped and looked up “A baby?”

Lucas said “Yes. She wants us to have a baby and I cant give it to her. I just cant. I dont love her Kelly Anne. I dont... have feelings for her... Its you that I love.”

Kelly Anne shook her head “You dont mean that.”

Lucas said “But I do. I love you Kelly Anne and I cant live without you.”

Kelly Anne said “But we are different.”

Lucas said “How do you feel about me? Can you ever see yourself with me?”

Kelly Anne said “You belong to Gillian.”

Lucas said “But I dont. I told you I was forced. She spent her high school years just scaring off girls from ever looking at me and remained friends with me. Now that we are seventeen, she is staking a claim on me and now she wants a baby. Please Kelly Anne tell me how you feel about me. I told you I love you. How do you feel about me?”

Kelly Anne said “But I cant be your girl.”

Lucas said “Please answer my question. What are your feelings towards me?”

Kelly Anne stood up and said “I think you should go beta. Its getting late.”

Lucas stood up slowly “Please answer my question. I need to know how you feel about me.”

Kelly Anne said “Beta. lets not go there.”

Lucas said “Why not? Please be honest with me.”

Kelly Anne crossed her arms over her chest and said “Alright. I tell you...” She looked away “I have had a crush on you for a very long time. I always liked you but you always belonged to Gillian and she made it clear you were hers.” She then looked up. “Thats it I said it. But I knew you were always out of my league.”

Lucas closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He then opened his eyes “Kelly Anne... I am so sorry I am not strong enough to challenge Gillian and have to be in a forced relationship with her but ... I swear I will try to find a way for us to be together. We are meant to be together.”

Kelly Anne smiled sadly “Maybe in another life time we are meant to be together. Not in this one.”

Lucas took a step towards her “Kelly Anne... Will you let me hold you? Please? I need your touch. When Gillian was thinking of having a baby with me she just made me feel sick. I dont want her. I want you. All I could think of was holding you and looked forward to it to calm me. Please will you let me hold you.”

Kelly Anne nodded “You can hug me.”

Lucas closed the distance between them and embraced Kelly Anne. He tightly hugged and said “I love you so much. Do you have any idea how long I have fantasised about this moment?”

Kelly Anne closed her eyes and took in the moment. She also had fantasised about touching the beta. She had always loved the beta. But he was a beta way above her in rank and class compared to just a protector.

Lucas said “I wish I could make this moment last forever. I love you so much.”

Kelly Anne felt her eyes dampen. Tears came down her cheeks. This situation was so tragic. The man she loved was right there. The man she admired from far was hugging her and telling her he loved her. But he was forced to be with another woman just because that woman was powerful.