The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 4

JUNIPER

“So how many of you are there?” I asked, holding the ice to my head as we walked to class.

“What do you mean? Like on the wolfball team?” Nathan matched my pace as we walked, and he kept glancing over at me with a frown.

, laughing. “No, I mean how many of your brothers are here? I’ve met two of them already—at least I think. I’m not actually sure if you are all related, but you look very similar, and you all appeared out of nowhere. It

others already?” Nath

han yesterday.”

id, frowning even deeper.

, but I completely missed the fact that she hated me. Clearly, I wasn’t a good judge of character.

han and Asher are good people. It’s Axel you have to watch out for. If you meet him, run the other way. He’s bad news… I’m just disappointed they met such a beautiful girl before me. It puts me at a disadvantage.” Nathan’s eyes were bright, and he was smiling, but I got the sense that there was a level of jealousy simmering ben

the semester had started, but for four brothers to transfer at the same time and get accepted made me wonder if their family had some sort of clout. It would explain why Asher acted like he always got his way.

ean they’re better than me.”

I didn’t do that on purpose. I would never hurt a girl. It was an hon

He looked away, and his cheeks turned from a shade of pink to

he other two. He still had a youthfulness that Ethan and Asher seemed to be missing.

n’t know if—”

s back pocket. He started writing a series of numbers on my palm. “I promise you won’t regret it. Just give me a chance. Call me when you’re free.”

and then back at the boy who ran to get me ice. “Ho

ss. You had better go in before you miss the whole thing.”

t being late had completely disappeared while talkin

ept my head down and hurried to the back of the lecture hall, wanting to make as little of a scene as possible, since I was a good fifteen minutes late to class.

s he was a complete genius.

leave of absence, and I will be taking over this class for him,” Ethan explained, as if he saw the confusion in my eyes.

e to respond to him in front of everyone.

e of what else to do. Ethan turne

all of society?”

ne of the girls suggested.

mportant to study the subject. Anyone else?”

shut down, everyone avoided eye contact with him. Everyone but me. He locked eyes with me, taking advantage of my intense confusion.

ve, and I hadn’t been able to get the first conversation with him out of my head.

angel’s beauty.

ight in a sea of darkness, but now they were suffocating

nson?” Ethan prompted, refu

ll of his brothers into this school, but I was still missing something.

day, and Ethan was already here by then.

e I’m done with you,” Ethan said.

ewolves directly affected the human economy, using both good an

orce those thoughts out of my head. Ethan was my teacher. I couldn’t afford to have a stupid girl crush on him, especially not with all of the rumors floating around right now. It would only add fuel t

expect everyone to be on time next week.”

me as Ethan pointed this out. My throat felt dry with

Ethan announced. “Except Ms. Johnson. Please stick around for a few minutes.”

er.

t enough that Ethan wouldn’t be able to hear, but she was still loud enough for me to listen. I had a feeling this was intentional.

dn’t hear the horrible things people said as they passed by me. I hung back, like Ethan had requested, but my chest was tight. His directed attention to me already made the rumors start evolving, and it would

ing me out like that? He would’ve been better off completely ignoring me.

. Ethan didn’t seem like that type of guy. Nathan even said Ethan was one of his good brothers, but why else would Ethan risk talking to me?

made my way to the front of the room, each step feeling heavier than the last. Ethan didn’t acknowledge me for a moment, scribbling notes on a piece of paper.

iting for him to say something, but when he didn’t, I got impatient. “Can

orget.” He held up his nondominant hand while he continue

wait. This had to be some sort of torture.

one,” I asked after another moment.

r into his bag and looked at me. His eyes were just as I remembered up close, and my irritation dim

he hot guys until this moment. Now, I felt just as hopeless, and I knew this was dangerous territory.

ou okay?” he asked, looking me up and down.

acceptable.”

touch made my heart race. “It was an acciden

hing worse for both of us, but I couldn’t get myself to pull away.

er hurts you, make sure to report it to me at the very least. I’ll make sure it gets handled.”

d looking at him, he seemed less like a teacher and just like som

today—at least that was what I told myself.

told you I was a

…

ofessor Harrison? Is it because of t

are several accusations of Professor Harrison sleeping with students for a quid pro quo for better

father? What does he have to do with this?” I asked

the country. It is only natural that he sent his oldest son to oversee a potential scandal.”

liams. Together, Alpha Williams and Beta Burrell were in charge of all werewolves, and their word was practically law, regardless of pack status. It was even said that they had lycan blood from our ancestors running through their bodies

pected great things from them, but I never knew their names. I never expected to meet them, either. It was no wonder they were able to transfer so easily.

s some sort of test to see if I am capable enough to take his position.”

y own way in this world. There was no defined path for me.

s like that once people found out who he was.

nks these rumors are a serious matter. I didn’t do anything wrong, though. I don’t want to get expelled

…”

now.”

sor Harrison sleeping with students came long before the rumors started to spread about you. From what I can tell, someone found out about the accusations and used the opportunity to exploit you. Unfortunately for you, that means the school will have to investigate you.

his?” I asked.

yet here he was, warning me about what was going to happen.

mors, and you deserve someone on your side backing you up. I want to be that person.”