The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 27

ETHAN

I wanted to ask my father how he knew Juniper was here. I specifically kept her name out of reports to keep her out of my father’s vision. I knew the truth would eventually come out. My father found out everything. However, I thought I had more time to create a plan to protect Juniper from our father.

“I didn’t think she was of relevance,” I lied. I knew my father knew I was lying, but I wasn’t about to throw Juniper under the bus. I promised to protect her, and I planned on keeping that promise, no matter what it cost me. “She doesn’t remember us, and she wasn’t the reason you sent us here.”

ising and trying to suppress my own. He wanted to overpower me, to remind me where I belonged, but this time, I didn’t want to back down.

r the family role. If I backed down now, it would only show him that I was a fo

dn’t.” I made eye contact with my father and pushed back with my own alpha energy. “You sent me here to take care of the teacher who was sleeping with students to improve their grades. Juniper has nothing to do with that, so I didn’t think she was relevant

to so much back-talk.”

uld feel the panic he felt. It was one thing to disobey the order I gave him about stayi

ing what I could to stop my father from givin

ut my statement, which made it believable. My father could see right through lies.

said. He took a sip of his coffee.

her to Valedictorian,” I said. “He is a weak man, and frankly, he’s not really fit to rule the school.”

ed, speaking for the first time since our father shut him down about his choice of coffee.

stand your concerns about the principal, he is part of a very proud family, which means some

was one thing. Lashing out at my father was a completely different thing.

r to this school. He was on track for that title at his other school, and he shouldn’t be punished because of a decision I made on his behalf.” H

ave felt suffocated.

watched Asher closely, knowing this was a new development. He had never challenged our father like this, and I was sure Juniper’s influence was responsible, even if

e to go to this school. Things could’ve gone very differently for her. They still can.”

rresistible damage to my brother.

could just so casually throw out the death of our brother like it was nothing.

ing wrong,” I said before Asher jumped into a fight he couldn’t win. “If you wish Asher to hold the title of valedictorian, then he and Juniper can share that title. She has worked hard

anted any of my brothers to ever experience that, and if it meant standing between them and my father, I would gladly be their shield every time.

Fine,” father said, backing down. “I think I have learned everything I needed to from this meeting.” He stood up and looked at Asher. “If you want to keep dating that trashy girl, that is your choice, but I hope you understand you’re playing with fire. Our deal still stands. If Juniper remembers what happened that day—”

aid, interrupting him.

el him ready to fight, so I linked him, Please, don’t push this.

back.

n understood. Our father made a deal with a witch to ensure Juniper’s memories stayed hidden, and breaking that deal had unknown consequences.

f Father.

iled time and time again, but I didn’t plan on failing this time.

ny weaknesses in front of our father.

Beta Burrell said. “Make sure to rein him in before he gets out of control.”

did you expect?” I said.

p his composure no matter the situation.”

said. I was diving into dangerous territory, but I didn’t care. If no one stood up to my father, he would go unchecked for the rest of my life. If I was supposed to take over his role one day, I couldn’t let him push

could do to him? To our family? He will never comprehend it, but I know you do.” Our father’s tone lowered an octave.

me to.

ss that information one day.

e secret.

past and the terrible secret, it would put her and everyone around her at risk.

o deadly, but I saw the death that came from that secret.

s. They assumed it was because of Jame’s death, and I wanted to spare them the burden of the truth. I wanted to protect my brothers the way I wasn’t able to protect James.

r said, making his way to the door.

“I do.”

, I planned on protecting her—no matter the cost to myself.