The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 24

JUNIPER

I didn’t know what to wear to a sports event. I stared at my closet, realizing my normal school clothes were probably too fancy for watching people throw a ball around and try to score points. I decided on a simple blue sweatshirt and a pair of jeans.

I walked to the stadium, and crowds of people were swarming in the same direction. Several people had their faces painted with our school colors of blue and gold and were wearing jerseys of our teams. People smiled and laughed, and everyone was excited for the game. I wondered if I was the only one nervous about the event.

sit, and it was decorated with red and black, making it obvious where our rival supporters sat.

why hardly anyone sat here. I didn’t mind that, though.

h rules adjusted to add werewolf aspects. The game could be violent, so it was illegal for anyone non-werewolf to part

. It was only part of the reason I had never bothered to go to a game before.

re of the goal post and added it to a mes

day! I’ll be rooting for you.

ot while waiting for the game to start. There were voices all around me, but for once, I didn’t hear anyone say my name. They were all talking about how excited they were for the season to start and how they had heard amazing things from the newest player, Nathan

ident earlier in the week, either Nathan or Asher walked me to class, and there were no other bullying attempts. It made me realize that what Asher said about him helping me improve my

ave the party he suggested. Maybe it’d let everyone around me see that I’m nothing like what the rumors said.

looking out onto the field. The players ran onto the field, and despite the slight chill in the air, none of them were wearing s

he group of guys running out onto the field. They did a loop around the field, amping up the crowd. I watched in awe at how everyone cheered for the players as they came out. I knew people loved sports, but it felt different being in the crowd. It was thrilling in its o

but it was hardly anything compared to the cheers our own team got.

lined up on the field, and a referee dressed in black and white stripes walked between the two groups. He held out a coin, looked at the captain of each team, and then flipped it. I couldn’t see which way the coin landed, but based on the cheers that erupted around me, our team got what they w

team took the ball and set it on the ground. Our team backed up in preparation. The opposing team kicked the ball and sent it flying towards our team. Roars erupted as players shifted into wolf form.

e same size, except he had significantly more bulk to him, making him look larger than Nathan. Nathan beelined it for the ball, and then he jumped into the air, snatching the ball b

team tried to tackle him, but he was too nimble for them. He dodged and weaved, avoiding everyone until he made it to the other side of the field.

ed the first goal of the game.

star, Nathan Burrell, scores the first goal and exceeds our expectations,” an announcer boomed over the intercom. The crowd cheered even more.

pposing team seemed to shift nervously as they set up for the next round. Nathan scored a goal in the fi

ng team started with the ball this time, and everyone shifted back into their human for

ran forward at a much slower pace than Nathan. Several of our school’s team members tried to ram into the big guy, but they bounced off of him like he was made of rubber.

gripped the ball while on the ground. A whistle blew, and everyone reset, just farther down the line.

wishing I could hear the instructions Nathan was given. Something about it made me anxious to watch.

our own teams’ tanks shifted into werewolf form immediately. The other team responded by mimicking their own

layer at the bottom. He didn’t stand up, even when the others were off of him, and when I squinted, it looked like his leg was in an unnatural position.

rom the opposing team had to be lifted off on a gurney. A few of our players high-fived each other, and it made my stomach churn. I knew the sport was violent, but I did

u here.”

the bleachers and take a seat next to me. His scent filled my nose, and I re

didn’t seem like the type to show up to wolfball games either, and I wondered if he actually knew I was going to be here, despite him feigning ignorance.

look like the most comfortable position.

l.

words. School has been my life for the past decade. Calling it an obsession wasn’t too far off base. “Okay, what are you th

forward and propped his elbows onto his knees. He watched the game for a

way from mine. It made my heart thump like crazy. I turned away, pretending to watch the game. “I’m dating Asher.”

l paused, and I could feel his eyes on me. “I think we should be friends, though.”

ating. “Just friends?”

st friends,” he repeated.

ked. Axel’s behavior confused me. One moment, he kissed me, and the next he acted like the kiss meant nothing. Or he complained about my presence and

think you wanted to be more.” He smirked, knowing exactly what I meant.

riends?” I clarified, even though I didn’t feel li

“You could use more friends when nearly the whole school hates you.

ested in a pity friendship.

e say more, like some sort of che

l with Axel’s hot and cold moods, but I couldn’t deny my pull towards him. It would be easier if we were friends, but I also needed to know he was serious about it.

riends with you than not have you in my life at all. Is that answer satisfactory?”

eath, trying to calm my racing heart. I didn’t want him to know just how much he affected me. “Yes.”