The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 86
ETHAN
“Ethan! I think I found what you’re looking for.” Nathan’s voice was ragged and distressed, and my chest tightened.
My instincts told me something was wrong. “What is it?”
und a contract Father made with an assassi
n, slow down,” I said, trying to get him to calm down. He was speaking a mile a minute. “What did th
t understand why he would do that.”
spicions that Juniper was being targeted before. It still felt like there were pieces missing to the story.
ation. “Is there anything else you found?”
an said.
”
s made to Craig Clan
aid.
something a little off about him. His parents kept him hidden from society, so he wouldn’t put a stain on their family name.
I had only heard the rumor because of a conversation I overheard my father having with the former alpha of the Clandestine pack, but now I wondered if the rumors I had heard were true. I no longer
Juniper again.
k Principal Clandestine knows
han we realize,” I said. “Nathan, I want you to come back to school. We don’t need to know why Father wants Juniper dead. That part doesn’t matter right now. I don’t want you there a moment longer than you have
e longer. Father is still there with you,
oice cut out, and then I heard a crash.
sponse. “Nathan!” Still nothing.
back, but his phone went straight to voicemail.
***
ASHER
of his death.
unable to stomach all of the blood. I had been too afraid to face the horrors of that day, so I ran until my legs gave out.
ing useful to help my brother or Juniper. It haunted me for years, slowly fading into the background.
is death. She saw everything happen.
space, and then I’d check on her.
Axel was angry and scared all at the same time when he found out about the curse, because that was how I had felt.
his voice still bitter.
or her. Don’t even try to say you wouldn’t have walked away from her if you thought it would keep her safe.”
don’t want to lose her.”
fear of losing her push her away. That’s how I lost her, and I don’t want to see you make the same mistake.”
leave without a word.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall.
rent between us. Since I couldn’t change the past, I hoped I could change Axel’s future and help him keep her.
alk to her, but I just need a moment.”
r. Take as much time as you need. Don’t talk to her if you’re not
nearby.
od.
away, and I wasn’t ready to go back inside yet.”
side and sit somewhere with less questionable stains.”
ld be mad at myself.”
on’t really know. I don’t think Axel knows either. He’s just scared of losing you, and finding out you were prepared to just disappear shocked him, I think.”
her boundaries too many times, and I wasn’t about to do it again. I decided I would be whatever Juniper needed me to be, even if that meant just being friends.
p, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She sounded absolutely defeated, maki
t, but nobody is. As long as you keep trying to do what is right, then that’s what matters.”
it up?” she asked.
e. You were prepared to leave to protect Axel, and I’m sure that wasn’t an easy decision.”
o protect you, too.”
nded myself she no longer wanted me that way. “You were prepared to leave your life behind to protect us. Not many peo
th for a second. I had to have imagined it. “I couldn’t lose anyone else, not after losing James.” She closed her eyes, pushing the tears over the edge. The droplets rolled down her face, and I just wanted to kiss away her pain. “I saw that moment, you know. I saw the moment James died, and it was horrible. It should’ve been me, not him. He told me to run, but I froze. Then when the hunter tried to shoot me, James jumped in the way. He saved my life.”
han Ethan, and it felt like he knew just as much. I often wondered what James would have been like if he had had the chance to grow up with the rest of us.
“I’m sorry you had to see that again. That must have been difficult.”
e right. The connection I felt with him was unbelievably strong, and when he died, it felt like something inside of me completely shattered. For a moment, I wanted to die with him.”
of her mouth, but I didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t uncommon for the pai
ened her eyes, and they seemed different than before. She was still sad, but there was a new glimmer in them. “I felt so much love fill the gap left behind. I don’t know how to explain it, but as I watched that memory unfold, I felt the connection bein
th of what she was saying exactly.
th all of you as my mates. You, Axel, Ethan, and even Nathan. For whatever reason, I think we were all fated to be together. I think we were meant to be there for each o
an in, but before our lips could touch, the door slammed open, making us jump apart. Axel burst through the doo
“Ethan called