In Archive of Our Own, this story is broken up into two parts. This is the beginning of th second part (called Redemption). So, just for a heads up, it does start four years after the last chapter.
Enjoy!
Almost four years had passed since Sarris and Merlin had been born, and life had been good. Abel was six years, and a smile never left his face. Under the alpha's persisting, Alex had given birth to their fourth child, a young female beta they named Ashlyn.
...
It was a Saturday morning. Dean rolled over, his arm finding its way around her mate's waist. He pulled her close, inhaling her sweet scent. Damn she smelled good. He kissed the back of her neck, and she snuggled tiredly back into him. "Morning, beautiful," he whispered.
Alex closed her eyes at the sound of her mate's voice. She covered his hand with hers, lacing her fingers through his. Dean kissed her neck again, this time slightly using his teeth. Alex shivered at his touch, turning until she was facing him. "Morning. How'd you sleep?"
"Good," Dean promised. Unbidden his dream returned, and he blushed slightly.
Alex noticed. "What's that for?" she asked, slightly teasingly.
"Nothing." Dean shook his head. "Just, uh, a dream I had."
"Mm." Alex shifted, and her thigh brushed his, and she felt his erection. "About who? Someone sexy?"
Dean blushed some more. "At first, yeah. But compared to you, she's nothing."
It was Alex's turn to blush, and she smiled. "Good." She shifted closer to him, a tinge of jealousy shooting through her. "Because I don't think I'd ever be able to share."
"You'll never have to." Dean pressed his forehead into hers. "I'm never gonna leave you, babe."
"You couldn't if you tried."
Dean smiled warmly. "Well, I'm never going to try."
...
That afternoon, Alex decided to have a picnic out in the backyard with the kids. They all had lunch in the shade under the tree, and, after lunch, the twins ran around the yard with their older brother, laughing and screaming.
Alex sat back, watching with a warm smile. Dean kneeled behind her, leaning over her shoulder to kiss her. His tongue slipped into her mouth, licking greedily. Alex messily kissed him back, carding her fingers through his hair. She could taste his lunch on his tongue. Dean kissed down her neck, and Alex tipped her head, giving him more access. "Dean," she whispered.
"What?"
"Not now." Alex squirmed as her mate tried to get more intimate with her. "Dean!" His name escaped as a small squeal as he found a sensitive spot, nipping gently. She turned her head, pressing her forehead into his. "You're insatiable."
"I know." Suddenly, Dean tackled her into the soft grass.
Alex let out a surprised laugh, twisting so she landed on her back, looking up at Dean. She gazed up into his sparkling green eyes, smiling. "You should be watching the kids," she whispered.
"They can watch themselves."
Alex sat up. "You know they can't," she reminded him, teasingly pushing him away. She turned her attention to Sarris, who was running closer and closer to the pool. A sharp word sent him back to the other way side of the yard.
Dean snuggled close to her, resting his head in the crook of her neck. Teeth and lips teased her skin, and Alex squirmed playfully. "Dean," she whined, casting a glance at the people up on the wall.
"No. Stop talking." Dean sucked on her earlobe, and Alex's eyes fluttered close. Suddenly, Dean was not next to her. Alex looked up, confused, as Dean stripped off his shirt, shoes, and socks, and then pants.
"Uh . . ."
Dean shot her a smile before jumping into the the pool with a large splash.
Alex leaned over the edge and yelled after him, "Sure! Go swimming and leave me to watch the kids!"
Dean surfaced next to her, water dripping down his tan skin. He pulled his mate down into a kiss, and Alex ran her hands through his wet hair. "Come join me," Dean whispered. "It's nice in here."
"I'm watching the kids. Someone has to do it."
Dean scoffed. "Weren't they going to watch that new movie Milligan sent in?"
Alex knew where he was going, and grinned. "I think so. Be right back."
...
As soon as she had put Ashlyn down for a nap, she hurried downstairs. Mira, one of the alphas who worked with Dr. Milligan, was sitting on the couch with the three boys, the opening credits to the movie starting.
"Thanks for watching them," Alex said quickly.
"Yeah. No problem." Mira returned her eyes to the tv.
Alex hurried outside. With a splash, she jumped in the pool. Dean spit water out of his mouth as she surfaced, glaring at her with a playful grimace. He crossed his arms across his broad chest, and Alex watched a water droplet roll down his bicep.
She swam closer, pulling her best puppy eyes as she came to stand in front of him. "Yes?" she asked innocently.
Dean just shook his head, a smile breaking through. "You're such a child."
"I'm a child?" Alex stared unbelievingly up at him. "At least I remember to put on pants in the morning."
Dean looked offended. "I don't forget," he said indignantly. "I just don't like wearing them. They're confining!"
Alex's eyes glanced up at the wall enclosing their yard. There were a few people, the ever constant reminder that they were on display for all to see. She pushed away the disgust at the idea quickly, turning her attention back to her mate. He was gone.
Large hands wrapped themselves around her waist, and Alex jumped, squeaking. "That was too easy," Dean teased.
"Shut up." Alex dove under the clear water, surfacing a few feet to the left. Dean followed.
...
The afternoon passed too fast. That night, all six were downstairs. Alex and Dean were watching the news, while the kids played in the playroom. Alex was leaning against her mate, his hand on her back, rubbing gentle circles. Neither was paying that much attention to the tv until a story came on that caught their attention.
"-beta lab was finished yesterday in California. This is the first beta house constructed in over two hundred years, and will house Jennifer -"
"Whose Jennifer?" Alex asked, her voice sounding drowsy with sleep and contentment.
"Don't know." Dean kissed the top of her head. "I guess they found a new beta."
"Mm." Alex turned her attention back to the tv, resting her head on his chest.
"- expect to see a similar case as with Alex and Dean." A picture of the two of them with their children flashed.
Dean turned off the tv. "I wanted to hear that," Alex complained, looking up at her mate.
Dean shook his head. "No you didn't." He stood up. "How about a drink?"
"Okay." Alex followed him away.
...
The next day, Dr. Milligan entered. Seeing him, Alex smiled, stepping forward to greet him. It had been almost a year since they had properly talked. "Hello."
"Hello, Alex." Dr. Milligan looked around. "Where is Dean?"
"Uh, out back with Abel and Merlin, I believe." Alex frowned slightly. "Why?"
"I need to talk to him."
Alex nodded.
...
Dean sat in the middle of the yard, watching his son jump on the trampoline. He was keeping an especially close eye on Merlin, who was running around very close to the pool's edge. Finally his paternal instincts took over, and he spoke. "Merlin. Don't get to close to the pool."
Merlin turned to look at his dad, a frown creasing his fair face. Then he ran over to Dean, jumping into his lap.
"Dean."
Dean looked up. "Doc. Haven't seen you in a while." He stood up, holding out a hand.
Dr. Milligan shook it. "May I talk to you?"
"Yeah, sure." Dean led his sons back inside, sending them off upstairs. "What's up?"
"Not here. Come with me." Dr. Milligan led the way out of the house.
"Yeah, okay." Dean hesitantly followed, confused. They stepped into the beta labs, and Dean crossed his arms. "What's up?" he repeated.
"You've heard about the new beta house down in California, haven't you?"
"Yeah. Heard it on the news last night. Why?"
"So you've heard about Jennifer."
"Yeah. New beta, or something. You find her a mate?"
"Yes."
"Ah. Who?"
"You."
Dean froze, shocked. Then he shook his head. "You're not serious." He let out a laugh of disbelief.
"I'm quite serious."
"I already have a mate." Dean took a menacing step towards the alpha. "I have a mate, and I have pups. I finally have a life, and you just want to take all that away?" He shook his head angrily. "I won't do it."
"You don't have a choice."
"There's always a choice," the beta growled. "You know as well as I do that betas mate for life. We don't take other mates like alphas do."
"You are the only viable male beta in existence," Dr. Milligan told him cooly. "You -"
"I don't give a damn," Dean hissed. "Just because I'm not an alpha doesn't mean I don't have -"
"Shut up!" Dr. Milligan crossed his arms. "You. Do not. Get. A. Choice." His eyes flickered behind Dean.
Seeing this, Dean spun around. Two large alphas stood there, blocking his way out. Dean balled his fists, ready to fight. "You can't be serious. Is this what it's come down to? Brute force?"
"You chose this, Dean."
...
The alphas approached, and Dean took a step back, raising his fists defensively. "What? You're not even going to let me say good-bye? I have kids, dammit!" The alphas approached, and he swung a fist, connecting with jaw. He pushed the alpha away, turning to the second. Two punches sent him reeling. Dean tried to rush past. Hands grabbed his arms, pulling him back. "Alex!" Dean yelled at the top of his lungs. "Alex!" Hands locked over his mouth, and Dean struggled. But it was to no avail. He was dragged away.