The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 58

JUNIPER

I pushed the door to Ethan’s bedroom open, and I was surprised to see Nathan sitting next to the bed, watching Axel carefully. Despite the consistent animosity he showed towards Axel, it was clear that, deep down, Nathan still cared about his older brother.

I closed the door behind me slowly and stayed by the door, not wanting to intrude on Nathan’s space.

eing Axel like this. He’s normally so rash. He’s always been so headstrong, so to see him so hurt…” His voice tightened, and he shook his head, sighing.

t the door for support. I was worn out from the day, but there was no other place to sit. “It’s not easy seeing the people you love hurt.”

thought we all would be, especially you, but he jumped in front of a bullet for you. Literally. I’m wondering if I got things wrong all of this time.”

ow vulnerable the brothers were becoming because of Axel’s injury. It was like it shocked them, reminding them that they could lose Axel just like they

now how to approach it. It never felt like my business to stick my nose into it before.

to come out of his room. I needed my older brother—I needed all of my older brothers. When he refused to talk to me, I thought he hated me.”

your mother passed?” None of the Burrell brothers ever talked about t

ere nine.”

were so young. You all were. Not everyone deals with grief the same way.”

imself almost all of the time. He ignored everything our father asked of him, sometimes even going out of his way to do the opposite of what he asked. He was constantly fighting with our father. I didn’t recognize him anymore, and one day I gave up, realizing he didn’t care about me the way I cared about him.”

ch in such a short time.” First James, then me, then their mother all within a year. It was too much for any child. My parents’ death was the worst pain I could remember, and I couldn’t imagine adding t

t you? You know about James.”

or details or want to talk about it in depth.

swer. He was looking for the reason this all happened, but I wasn’t sure there was one reason.

t away.”

look like a shocked guppy.

ast what others were saying. I didn’t think you’d brea

bit into it. I wanted to think about something other than what happened between Asher and me. While it still hurt, it felt insignificant compared to Axel getting shot.

between us, and it made me wonder if I had imagined him avoiding me before.

nd stroked my hair. He was the tallest out of all of the Burrell brothers, and where my head landed against his chest made that obvious.

to look at him. “Nathan?”

“Yes?”

because I was dating Asher

ould be…” He shook his head. “No. I wasn’t mad at you, but I needed space to get over my feelings.”

that.

an’s face fell even more. “I hoped you hadn’t s

to be careful. I’d hate to see you get hurt by Moira,” I said. After rejecting Nathan, it didn’t feel like I had a place to tell him what to do, but I knew what kind of person Moira was. There was a chance she was only going after Nathan to hurt me, but I never wanted to suggest that to hi

it all wrong. I have no interest in dating a snake like her. She approac

use I had any interest in her. She was even making out with one of the wolfball players by the end of the night. Juny, I would never do that to you. You have to believe me. I know what

surprise him. “I’m so relieved. I was worried about you.”

were?”

and I don’t want to see you get hurt.” As I spoke, I knew the passion bubbling out of me came from somewhere deep insid

say, but his eyes glazed over. When he came back to the moment, he frowned. “Ethan says he needs Asher and me right away for a meeting. Will you be okay here w

risked his life to protect mine. I didn’t want to leave his side until he woke up, and even then I wasn’t sure if I could leave him.

id.

I could do after what he had done for me.

room, leaving me alone with Axel.

***

by his bed. His skin was unusually cold, and he was too still. I understood what Nathan meant when he said it was strange seeing Axel like this. When the two of us lay in bed together, he held me through

I was used to, and it scared me.

ed his hand with both of mine, hoping to bring some warmth back into his body.

squeeze my hand back. “Please.”

ng because of me. Even if Ethan said I was special and worth it, I didn’t care. I wasn’t worth the sacrifice of another life. On top of that, there was finally nothing in my way when it came to

as still alive. It was the only thing I could do to keep myself from spiraling. As long as Axel was still alive, I knew I’d be okay.

d when they spoke to me or when a cup of tea was placed in my hands. Food was even offered to me, but I couldn’t eat. Not when Axel wasn’t awake.

lone again.

self off the bed to look at Axel and count his breaths.

urned the grip on my hand. “Hey there, beautiful.”

ped, tears of relief instantly fill