The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 63
JUNIPER
“Why would you want to talk to me?” I kept my voice calm, but I couldn’t stop my heart from racing. I just hoped Beta Burrell couldn’t hear the way my blood thundered against my skull. Even before I knew what he wanted, my instincts were telling me it wasn’t in my favor.
“Because we made a deal, and you’re breaking the terms of our agreement.” He twisted the titanium ring around his left ring finger, not breaking eye contact with me to even blink.
aid quickly. I didn’t even remember ever meeting him.
r. That doesn’t excuse you from
nt of me told me I would be better off biting my tongue, but I didn’t want to back down.
when he talked about his father. I overheard Ethan saying their father didn’t show any concern for Axel. I heard enoug
covered his palms, mixed with scars that had mostly faded. “Leave my sons alone. Dropout of school if you have to, but never talk to any of them again.”
ore, I couldn’t imagine leaving Axel behind.
to me a long time ago.” The way he spo
a naive child, I couldn’t imagine making that kind of promise.
eason I still didn’t understand. Maybe they were the ones
that it made my blood chill.
“You’re wrong.” My voice shook, my body betraying me. I felt his power, and I knew there was nothing I could do to fight against the man in front of me, but I refused to give up Axel when I just opened my arms to him.
r the best for everyone.”
to him.
ou’ll excuse me.”
rell asked. “Is Axel’s?”
made me hesitate. I looked at him, knowing I was trapped in his snare.
please.”
words.
” he said. “Come.”
***
ng across the table with a hot coffee in my hands. Beta Burrell held his own coffee, taking his time to start the conversation. He h
s, even if he tried.
, I would lose some unspoken war.
nt coffee. The flavor is part
od at the counter with a furrowed brow, watching us.
what he wanted, even if othe
under the table to hide any shaking.
t building and to his car.
ys her coffee beans.”
out coffee felt like a wast
t move.
leave your sons alone, or I’m going to leave,” I said. I was grateful I sounded more confident than
e it’s because they remember a version of you that isn’t real.”
—”
ngue.
n’t want to see the truth about what happened in the past, what happened to James.”
still wracked my body whenever his name was brought up.
gave in first? Axel? He never did regard my commands well.”
our curse. It’s an awful thing, really. Such a waste of a pretty face.” The way he looked at me made me shift uncomfortably. I wanted Beta Burrell to look anywhere else, but he held his gaze firm.
to leave his sons alone for whatever reason.
territory. I know you’re smart, Juniper. You are on track to be valedictorian. You’ve always gotten straight A’s. You’re president of the student council. I know you’re not so naive to think that curses don’t exist.”
was right about everything he said.
u try to remember, it’s like you’re slamming your head against some invisible wall.”
told anyone about that sensation, so there was no way for him to find that out.
ng. I didn’t expect to enjoy lavender in coffee this much.”
“Why?”
He wanted to manipulate me in every way possible while he could.
kind of life I would’ve lived if my parents never whisked me away from the Burrell family. I wondered if I would have felt as lonely if I hadn’t lost the memory of the boys who made me laugh and smile and feel seen. I wondered if my parents would’ve died if we had never left.
e you try to argue with me, think about it. First, James died because of you. Then your parents. Now, you almost killed Axel. Anyone you love who loves you
me to make you forget, because you didn’t want to hurt anyone else. Per your request, I asked a witch to block your memories to protect the rest of my family. I be
ed to process his words. It didn’t make sense. I grew up around Moira, and she was always fine—except she never loved me. She insisted she never even liked me as a friend. I couldn’t be cursed with something so heavy. It didn’t make sens
did.
***
LL
ding in a daze.
eat of the limo.
r parents are to believe such a thing.”
or tell your sons what you said?” Charles asked.
isposing of people,” I said simply. I had gotten rid of Juniper’s parents after they betrayed me. If Juniper didn’t fall for this trick, I would resort to other measures. She slipped through m