The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 56
JUNIPER
“Almost got it,” Ethan said, as if to reassure Axel, but I was sure Axel couldn’t hear him over his own screams.
Ethan dug the tweezers deeper into Axel’s chest. Axel’s body tried to lurch forward, and I had to use my entire body weight to keep him down. My muscles ached, and I felt light-headed at the sight of him in so much pain. I just wanted it to stop. I wanted him to be okay.
.
something so small could cause so much damage.
uze and pressed it against the open wound. Axel’s screaming had ceased, but his breath was ragged and irregular. Blood seeped agai
e okay,” I whispered, terrified we had wasted too much time getting to Ethan. We should’ve stopped or gone st
you, even if it costs me my life.”
ds felt too familiar, and I hated it. “Don’t say tha
s it.
got it.”
ember why. It was like the memories were pounding against a wall in my head.
go.”
r the toilet and expelled the contents of my stomach. I heaved until there was nothing left.
floor. This morning had started out wonderfully, and I didn’t understand how it turned into this.
re shouldn’t have been a werewolf hunter out there—especially so close to the sc
ure I would be heaving over the toilet again.
en try.
***
ked his head through. When he saw I was just sitting on the floor, he slipped inside and shut the door behind him. He knelt in front of me, and his eyes scanned me.
soothe a terrified child, which probably wasn’t that far off the target.
protecting me.
. You don’t have to pretend to be strong.”
ill might.”
he blood off my hands. There was something almost soothing about the way he touched me.
nd James didn’t make it. He didn’t know the specifics of what happened, but something told me that Ethan would know wh
oze when he heard James’ name. “Did your memories come back?
erspective, but he didn’t see the attack. He didn’t describe how James died, but when I heard that gunshot…” My chest filled with pressure, fighting against the block in my memories and failing. “I just knew it wasn’t the first time
to think. “That day by the river, I don’t know exactly what happened either. All I know is that James was already hurt by the time I got there. The assassin was there, ready to turn his attention to you, but when he saw me, he ran.”
e heavy air clung to him like a cloud of despair.
t stronger, and then he made me promise I would always look out for you.”
t me. I’m a bad omen. Next time—”
Axel is fine.”
hy anyone would risk their life for me.”
as Asher broke my heart. I never doubted myself.
wolf families in the country, and one of them had already died to protect me. Axel almost died doing the same thing. It made me feel small, like I didn’t deser
t—”
ay from or towards something. Your chocolate hair and amber eyes, your plump lips and soft skin live in my dreams. Your voice sounds like a siren’s song and your face looks like an angel’s beauty. That is how I always have and always will remember you as. No matter what you think, you are special to me and
ly understand why the Burrell family felt so connected to me, I believed Ethan. For whatever reason, I was special.
il Axel was taken care of. It was as if Ethan’s kind words gave me permission to fall apart.
t surrounded me, and I knew I was safe. Even still, I couldn’t stop crying.
red he was going to die,” I said between sobs.
gain with Axel.
how long we were sitting there. I was grateful to have Ethan here to bring me back from the edge, and I knew without a doubt he would always be there for me.