The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 23

JUNIPER

Asher pressed his body into mine, and the mattress pressed into my back. I didn’t know how we went from kissing in the middle of my room to making out on my bed.

He ran his hands up and down my sides, and then he pushed my shirt up a little. His touch was electrifying. Our legs intertwined with one another, and I got lost in his kisses. My skin was flushed, and I pushed into his touch, eager for more.

lost in Asher. I didn’t usually move this fast with someone. We had only known each other for a few weeks, but it felt like so much more.

hrilling all at the same time.

down. “We should stop,” he whispered.

cked, but I didn’t share the sentiment.

tle of valedictorian that I had been working for ever since my parents passed away.

the back of his head and pulled him to my mouth again, desperate to shut my brain up. With my last boyfriend, it hadn’t been like this. We had been intimate, but he had been the one pushing for it.

ind your mate?

y inch of my body felt eager for Asher, and I wanted him

mething else that pulled at me, too.

th.

g.

f. It was a clear spark.

the pit of my stomach, slowly warming my heart and my body.

ding among the human population made it significantly rarer to find one’s mate.

e, it didn’t mean werewolves lived loveless lives. Many werewolves still found strong connections with other werewolves or sometimes even humans.

ven said it was a blessing to not find their mate. Being fated mates didn’t mean the relationship was good or healthy. It also took the agency out of love. When someone was fated to another person, there was pressure for them to stay together. When there was no obligation to stay together, people were able to choose who they wanted, inste

r asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

. “Yeah, I’m good.”

isappear for a moment. Where did you go?”

ver, after Asher’s honesty earlier, I didn’t want to lie to him.

mates,” I admitted.

e you think about that suddenly?”

known plenty of guys for longer, but I’ve never felt this kind of connection before. It makes me wonder if this is what it’s like to find a mate, but it also doesn’t feel like a mate bond.”

the ceiling. “I probably sound crazy. I know I feel crazy.”

is lips. “You don’t sound crazy. I don’t think we’re mates, but I do feel a strong connecti

re not mates?”

moment, not answering. The section of his forehead right above his nose crinkled together as he searched for his answer.

as his answer came to him.

reason for asking that.

d either be really short or really long, depending on his answ

l of it.”

start. “Well, when my parents were still alive, I remember moving around every few months. I don’t remember exactly why. They always said it was because of their work, but I don’t actually remember what they did for work. It was difficult to make friends moving that often, so I grew fond of studying. No matter what part of the country we moved to, school was the same, so it gave me a sense of stability.

e I had food and clothes and whatever I needed, but I always felt like a guest in their house. They never treated me like their own child, which was fine.”

sher asked.

going.

?”

. “I’m not sure. I remember moving around with my parents a lot, but before that… It’s all just dark.” I closed my eyes, trying to figure out why I couldn’t remember my earlier years. “My earliest memory was when I was eight, I think? I remember being in a hospital, and everyone was talking around me. No one was talking to me. I don’t remember why I was there, and I don’t remember anything before that.”

emember anything?”

r in them. My early childhood was completely missing, and it didn’t feel normal.

t the more I tried to remember something. It felt like there was a huge brick wall I was slamming my head against repeatedly.

Give me a moment.”

ything I’m doing because you need me… Fine. I’ll be there in fifteen and not a moment sooner.”

y gone. There was only one person I knew who could sour his mood like that.

ked.

half laughed. “Is it that o

ou really have to go?”

I wish I didn’t.”

s,” Asher finished.

from him. I don’t want you to think I’m keeping secrets from you.”

aid that earlier, and that wasn’t fair of me. I trust you,” he said.

m the day melted away. I didn’t want Asher to lea

wish I could, but apparently my father is coming into town Friday, and my presence is required. As soon as I’m free, we can hang out, though, if you want.”

elp this morning, I wanted to go to his game to thank him.

l. People respect the Burrell family, so if more people see you with me, it might help fix your reputation.”

ty?” I repeated. “When?

bout it. Ethan suggested it—which I hate—but he usually has solid ideas.”

ea of a party. If Ethan and Asher both thought it was a good idea, I couldn’t bring myself to reject it without so

d my entire body heated up. I wondered how difficult it would be to convince him to stay, but he pulled away and lifted me off his lap before I could come up with a plan. “I’ll see you later, okay?”