Page 117 of A Second Chance for the Beta

“You are right,” Felix groans. “At least he doesn’t get mad. He just wants to talk to me… a lot. It’s just because I constantly fuck up.”

“You don’t always fuck up,” Dario says quietly. “You have your strengths. Dad says the same.”

“So do you,” Felix retorts.

It’s kind of cute to listen to them and a bit funny. They are constantly trying to pump each other up. Dario seemed to be really shy at first glance, but on second glance, he doesn’t come off as insecure, just introverted. People are always judging so fast.

“You actually have a pretty chilled life, don’t you?” I ask curiously. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just… hearing you talk about your family, it’s funny, and I love hearing these stories.”

“We have a great family,” Felix admits. “Mom and Dad are always in our corner, even if we mess up. And we have the best siblings.”

“How come you all get along so well?” I ask.

“It helps that there is quite the age difference between all of us,” Felix admits.

“Liam,” Dario says all of a sudden. “He was the perfect son and the perfect brother. Marius said that once.”

“Marius?” I ask.

“He is the second oldest of our siblings,” Felix explains before looking at Dario. “What are you talking about?”

“Marius told me once that Liam was the perfect son. Diligent, ambitious, strong, composed, well-mannered. Perfect son, perfect brother, perfect heir. He was everything the pack and society expected him to be. Marius said there was a time he hated him for being so perfect, but then he realized how much of a gift it was. He said Liam was perfect, so none of us would need to be.”

It’s silent around us. “I wish I had a brother,” I mutter.

“Maybe Dante and Ella will have a baby eventually,” Felix points out. “Then you are a sister.”

“Actually, I’d be an aunt then or something alike.” I chuckle.

“Does it matter?” Felix asks with a broad smile. “You are made to be a big sister! I bet you’d be awesome with a little munchkin.”

“You bet I would protect them with all I have,” I say.

“See?” Felix chuckles.

“Would you mind?” Dario asks. “If they had a baby.”

“I have never thought about it,” I admit. “I am not sure. Feels a bit weird. But being a big sister sounds kind of cool.”

Again, silence engulfs us, before Dario stretches slightly. “We should try to sleep a bit.”

Felix and I agree, the three of us settling down in the very uncomfortable cave. It protects us from the night and wind, but it’s a bit cold. I try to curl down on the ground while listening to the twins chatting. I try to force myself to fall asleep, but the noises around us keep me restless. I can hear rustling and light footsteps probably from nocturnal animals.

More rustling.

Why are they making so much noise?

I frown, sitting up abruptly.

“What’s wrong, Charlie?” Felix asks. “Did you—”

He doesn’t get to finish his sentence. It all happens so fast. A flashlight illuminates the cave. Voices call out to each other. Felix and Dario scramble to their feet and struggle against the men who overpower them.

One of the men knocks Felix out, holding a gun against his head. “You two,” he says to me and Dario. “Follow us or I will kill him.”

thirty-seven

Taken