The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 16
JUNIPER
I stood in the middle of the dorm with my overnight bag in my arms, gawking at how large this suite was. It was nothing like the two-bedroom suite Moira and I shared. The common area was at least twice the size, and the furniture looked brand new. There was a small, marble counter that separated the main area from the kitchen.
This was why this dorm was considered the “rich kid dorm.” I didn’t know how much a place like this would cost, but there was no way I would ever be able to afford it.
uiet in the dorm, and I didn’t want to risk waking anyone up.
e. You can sleep in my bed, and I’ll—”
’t about to kick him out of his bed.
I really don’t m
d at him and said, “I’m sure. The couch is perfectly fine.”
a pillow and blanket. He made sure I settled onto the couch okay, and I could feel him hovering. He was worried— understandably so. I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his torso. I leaned my head against his chest, and his heart was pounding so hard I thought it might break fr
help tonight.”
d his hand on the back of my head. “If you need
about him leaving. He left once without a kiss good night, and I didn
the kiss.
linked a few times and then walked away, heading down the hall without a word. I couldn’t read his face. I worried he was upset at what he saw, but th
He leaned forward and pecked my lips, keeping it brief.
***
ASHER
flooding my head. I got too carried away with her in a public space, and, of course, Axel had to be the one to w
Most people would’ve counted him as passive, but I knew him better.
ed.
about.”
n’t want to leave until I knew exactly
s hardly paying attention.
B.S. If you are angry with me, just tell me to my face.”
“Well, now I’m pissed because you barge
andoned her years ago.
l unsafe in her own place.”
pped. He threw his book on his desk.
ager as me to see Juniper again.
athan is planning on trying to win her over, and who knows what Ethan has planned. Then you are there, forcing yourself into her life. Hasn’t our family done enough to her?” Axel growled in frustration and the storm in his eyes was raging more th
a puppy. He’s harmless. Juniper deserves to be happy, and I plan on making sure that happens.”
this attitude was a shock. I thought he rebelled because of how our father handled Juniper’s memory loss and then the loss of
deflated, and he plopped down on his bed.
heading straight to my room, irritated that Axel could be so cold towards Juniper. He cared about her more than the rest of us once upon a time, and now he saw her as an inconvenience. Even if she didn’t remember us, she deserved bet
***
JUNIPER
an argument between the two of them, I would’ve never agreed to stay the night here. I debated going home, but it was late. I didn’t want to walk home by myself, and the mess in my room was just lying there, ready to tau
against the wall, holding my breath. I didn’t want him to know I was listening to every word they said. When Asher’s door shut, I hurried to the couch and pulled the blankets over me.
. He said that the kiss didn’t mean anything, but I didn’t want to believe it. People didn’t go around kissing strangers for no reason, especially not a kiss with that much passion.
y Axel did.
felt like an old memory that came back to warm my heart. We had only been on one official date, but I already knew that he was special, and the two of us could be something special together.
rget about Axel.
e. Nothing more.
but my mind didn’t stop racing. The events of the night spun through my head, going back and forth between Axel and Asher, then bouncing over to Moira and what I was going to do about my livin
ssible.
***
AXEL
were horrible and untrue. I liked having Juniper around, seeing her smile, smelling her perfume in the air. I liked it too much, and when I saw his lips on her, my wolf roared, wanting to
.
ready enough. After the accident, we abandoned her with no memory of the past. Even when her parents died, we were ordered to stay away. My father may have been the one to
she knew nothing about
eft my room, and there was no sign of the sandman anywhere. I left my room and went to the kitchen, hoping a glass of warm milk would calm my thoughts and lure sleep to me.
she was here.
ands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
didn’t.” She
grabbed milk, a glass, and a pot. I flicked the stove on and start
s nervous.
iper, but I didn’t want her to think that way.
weren’t exactly whispering.”
onversation from his room.
milk into the pot and as
.”
I don’t hate you.”
some.”
es on the stove, but I felt her eyes on me. When it was done, I poured it into two separate glasses. I passed her glass to her from the other side of the counter. I stayed standing on the other side, knowing it was best to keep the space between us.
take a sip. “Did our kiss really mean nothing to you?”
ing my brother.”
he thought about this for a moment and then took a sip of the milk. “We
t ditch Asher.
“No.”
’t want to fight Asher for Juniper. I didn’t want to get in the way of their happiness.
t explicitly, she knew why I needed to stay away.
sher.”
t of the Burrell brothers. I pushed off the counter and started walking to my room. “Good night, J.J. Try to get some sleep. I have a feeling the morning is going to be a bit chaotic.”
he milk, Axel.”
he way she said my name.