Page 14 of The Beta’s Heart (Five Fangs #5)

Peri

The community hall buzzed with excitement and anticipation as we walked in, the scent of cakes and pies mingling with the tang of citrus from the decorative bowls of lemons and oranges. Streamers in silver and blue hung from the rafters, catching the light and casting playful shadows on the crowd below.

Callie, Keeley, and I exchanged excited glances, our hearts pounding in unison. Today was a significant day for the pack, as my sister-in-law Posy would officially be named luna. We were thrilled to be here and support her since she was our friend as well as our luna.

As we made our way through the throng of pack members, the twins and I giggled and whispered to each other, but then something changed. Keeley suddenly stopped, her eyes widening in surprise as she sniffed the air, and Callie mirrored her reaction, her face lighting up with a mixture of shock and delight.

I knew right away what happened, of course. They’d scented their mates!

“Do you smell that?” Callie gasped.

“Yes!” Keeley’s eyes scanned the room. “But who?”

We turned to see two unfamiliar, strikingly handsome men standing near the front of the hall, their intense gazes fixed on the twins. The taller of the two, who had dark hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward, his whole focus locked on Callie. The other one, who was slightly shorter but equally muscular, also had dark hair, his face similar enough to the first guy’s to proclaim them brothers, but his dark blue eyes were softer and seemed to see right through Keeley.

Biting my bottom lip, I held back a squeal as my friends approached their mates, the four of them seeming so hesitant, but their attraction was undeniable. In fact, the air around them crackled with more chemistry than a high school science class!

I didn’t recognize the men, so I linked Jay, who was sitting with Posy on the stage and watching the scene unfold with a smile. He explained that Callie was mated with James Briggs, Posy’s oldest brother, who was now the alpha of Green River. As for Keeley, her mate was Aiden Briggs, Posy’s second-oldest brother and James’ beta.

As the twins stopped in front of the Briggs brothers, the hall fell silent, all eyes on them, and I glanced around, noting the mixed reactions of the pack members. Some were smiling and whispering excitedly, while others looked confused, probably wondering who the visitors were, but none of the reactions were as intense as Cole’s.

I spotted him across the room, his face a mask of barely controlled rage and his hands clenched into fists at his sides, a look I knew all too well. Worse, his body was tense, like a coiled spring ready to snap, and I instinctively made my way toward him, weaving through the crowd with a purpose. I could feel the heat of his anger radiating off him in waves, something I’d dealt with many times before, to be honest, but it couldn’t happen here and now. He’d ruin Posy’s special day!

“Cole.” I touched his arm to get his attention, and he turned his blazing green eyes down to me.

“Those bastards! How dare they think they’re worthy of mates!”

“What’s wrong?” I glanced over at James and Aiden Briggs, who were now hugging Callie and Keeley.

“They abandoned Posy to their father!” he spat. “They left her to suffer while they escaped!”

The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut.

Cole had told me some of Posy’s difficult past, and she’d shared a few bits, too, but I didn’t know the full extent. I didn’t want to overstep here, but seeing the pain and anger in my brother’s eyes, I knew I had to calm him down before he did something rash.

And he’s the king of rash when he’s mad.

“Cole, look at me.” I stepped in front of him. “I know you’re angry, but this isn’t the time or place for a confrontation. This is Posy’s big day, and she needs you to be strong and supportive. Plus, she’ll never forgive you if you embarrass her in front of everyone.”

“Mase’s in my ear about it, too,” he muttered, “and you’re both right, but I can’t let this go.”

“Focus on Posy, not your anger. Look how happy she is!”

We both turned toward Posy, who was clapping and smiling, clearly overjoyed that her brothers were mated to her friends. Cole’s jaw was still tight, but he took some deep breaths until the anger faded and his body relaxed a bit.

“All right, Sissy,” he rumbled at last. “I’ll let them live.”

“Thank you.” I wanted to roll my eyes, but stopped myself. “Why are you so angry, anyway? Posy obviously isn’t holding onto any resentment toward her brothers.”

“She forgave them earlier this morning, and now she’s worried about their mental health.” He let out a heavy sigh, his massive shoulders slumping. “It’s hard for me to forget what they did, especially when I have to look at that damn brand on her spine every day. She was not his! She was never his!”

“Don’t get all fired up again,” I chided him. “I understand, but this isn’t about you right now. It’s Posy’s day. Look, why don’t you give them the talk that Everett Breckenridge would if he were still alive? It’s not the same as smashing them like I know you want to, but it’s better than nothing, right?”

“Good thinking, Sissy.” His lips twitched into a faint smile. “I’ll talk to them, but no guarantees that I’ll keep it civil.”

“You and civil are hardly on a first-name basis on a good day,” I teased him.

“I can be civil if I have to.” He glanced back at his little mate and her happy grin, then nodded curtly. “And right now I have to.”

“Good job!” I slapped him on the arm. “I’m proud of you! Now go drop the older brother lecture on the Briggs boys!”

“That will be my pleasure,” he purred, and I laughed as he headed in their direction.

#

Tyler

The reception after the luna ceremony was in full swing, the community hall buzzing with laughter and excitement as pack members moved about, congratulating the alphas and trying to catch a glimpse of both luna and the new queen, whom King Julian was proudly parading around.

As for myself, I nodded and smiled at familiar faces and stopped to gab with my buddies first, then Nathan and Evie Barlow. They asked me to introduce them to Emerson’s little brother, Thoreau, so we all chatted for a bit until the youngest three Barlow boys took Reau outside to the playground.

Making my way toward the drinks table, I caught sight of Bridger Donahue and Elijah Ford huddled in a corner, their heads close together. Their hushed snickers drew my attention, and I drifted over that way to see what the pack’s biggest troublemakers were up to now.

Please don’t let them be setting something on fire again, I prayed.

“Their bed must be like a slip-n-slide when they’re done,” I overheard Elijah say, and I came to a dead stop.

For their own sakes, I surely hope they aren’t talking about what I think they are.

“She’s so fucking small, I bet her pussy’s tight as hell,” Bridger smirked.

“Bro, how much grip do you think it has left with five alphas beating it every night?” Elijah snorted. “She’s probably so stretched out, she takes them all at once.”

“Bet someone calls her Luna Whore before the week’s out!”

My heart rate spiked as disgust made my stomach roil, but before I could do anything, River’s anger erupted like a volcano.

To be honest, I was surprised he lasted this long, but that was only because he didn’t understand anything sexual. He recognized the word ‘whore’ as an insult, though, and that was enough to set him off.

Not here, Riv, I tried to soothe him.

Dey bad! Need punish! Say mean tings ’bout luna!

Let me handle it, I said calmly and pushed him back as hard as I could, but he was furious, and the more I denied him delivering their punishment, the hotter his temper flared.

Knowing I had only seconds of control left, I grabbed Elijah’s shoulder and spun him around so I could see both jerks at once, and the looks on their faces would have been funny if I were in a laughing mood.

Unfortunately for them, I wasn’t.

“You don’t talk about your luna like that.” I kept my voice dangerously low as I loomed over them. “Not ever. You hear me? I catch you making lewd comments about her again and—”

River was done waiting. With a roar that rattled my bones, he ascended and lunged for the two boys. Fortunately, Crew had wandered over to see what was up and grabbed him, pulling River back as best he could while my wolf flung my body around.

“What the hell’s going on over here?” Em demanded as he, Tris, and Matthew joined our little drama.

Crew linked them everything while still struggling with River, who wanted to rip Elijah and Bridger to pieces and wasn’t taking no for an answer.

Unfortunately, Emerson’s wolf blew up, too, and Angelo had to wrangle Cove out of the community hall the same as Crew was doing with River, who absolutely refused to yield control and grew even wilder when Tris and Matthew towed Elijah and Bridger out of his sight. Crew managed to drag him out the door as Angelo came out with Cove-in-Emerson’s-body, but I was too busy to pay attention to them as River grew angrier and angrier.

Rough growls rattled out of him as Crew caught him in a full nelson, his fingers locking behind the back of River’s neck. My wolf didn’t like that and half-shifted. Gray fur sprouted up all over him, his face narrowed and sharpened into a wolf’s, he grew three or four inches taller, and my white dress shirt split apart at the seams as his upper body bulked up with both muscles and long fur.

“Calm down, River.” Beta Crew had kept his hold during the half-shift, but now he dangled down River’s back. His voice still low and soft, he crooned, “Everything’s okay now. Give Ty control back, please. Calm down now. Everything’s okay.”

“Tris and Matthew are dealing with them, River,” I heard Emerson add from my left side, so I knew Cove was already under control again. “Our luna is safe and happy with the alphas.”

“There are pups behind us, wolf, and you’re scaring them,” Angelo barked from my right side, and that got River’s attention like nothing else could.

Swinging to look behind him, he saw Thoreau standing protectively in front of Wesley Barlow, who was holding little Winnie. William was there, too, sitting on Reau’s shoulders and gripping fistfuls of the boy’s thick curls.

In a fraction of a second, River ceded control to me, and I fully shifted back to myself.

“I bet he’s glad his pants didn’t shred,” I heard Wesley snicker, which made his little brothers giggle, but I was ashamed of myself for not being able to control my wolf and couldn’t look at them.

“All good now, kid?” Crew asked in a gentle voice as he released me.

“Yeah. Sorry,” I mumbled, pulling off what was left of my shirt. Bright red stained my cheeks and splotched down my neck as I realized all of my scars were on display for everyone to see.

This is how luna felt at Peri’s pool party, I thought to myself. Exactly like this.

“What the fuck?!” Angelo suddenly shouted, and I knew he was staring at my back. “Who did that to you, boy? And where can I find them?”

“Give him your shirt, Angelo,” Em muttered, probably since we were about the same size, but I held up a hand when Angelo took off his suit coat.

“He’s already dead, and I can get a shirt from the clothing closet.”

“I’ll fetch it for you, Beta Ty,” Wes called out and set Winnie on his feet. “Toro, you can put William down now. I’ll be right back.”

Toro? Is that their nickname for Thoreau? I almost smiled at that.

Wes took off running as Reau put William down, and the little boys wrapped themselves around his legs and hugged them. As they tried to comfort him, Reau’s eyes stayed locked on me, and I took a step forward to apologize, but stopped in my tracks when he quickly moved back, dragging the little boys with him.

You made him scared of us, Riv, I gently scolded my wolf. If I raised my voice or became agitated with him, he’d either blow up again or meltdown into sobs.

Me sorry. Me no mean to scare pups.

My mouth in a thin, flat line, I stood still and didn’t try to get closer as I explained what happened.

“Who would say mean things about luna?” Reau demanded with a scowl. “They must be very bad boys!”

“Elijah Ford and Bridger Donahue. And yeah, they are very bad boys. I’m going to hand them their butts at fighter practice tomorrow.”

By then, Wes was back with a gray t-shirt, and I gave him a quiet thanks when he handed it to me, then pulled it on just in time for Reau to pop up right in front of me.

“Did you have a mean Mommy Daddy, too?” he whispered.

I blinked a couple of times, then cut my eyes over at Emerson. Reau was neurodivergent, and I didn’t always know how to respond to him, especially when I couldn’t get a read on what he wanted.

He’s asking who hurt you, Em linked me. Just say yes.

So I did what Em suggested, but Reau wasn’t satisfied, asking me if I had a Binda to save me and a Bubba to take care of me now. I might not know who Binda was, but I understood what he meant and told him Quartz had saved me and that I took care of myself now.

“I’m sorry your Mommy Daddy hurt you.” Reau gave me a big hug, which I hadn’t expected from him, given how scared of me he was moments ago.

“I’m sorry your Mommy Daddy hurt you, too,” I whispered as I hugged him back. Then I apologized for River scaring him and offered to shift sometime so he could meet my wolf when he wasn’t escalated.

“You’ll let me meet your wolf? Yes, please! I love fluffy animals!”

So we set it up for me to visit their house tomorrow morning since I didn’t need to be anywhere until fighter practice at one. Then Reau ran off with the little boys, and I thanked Crew, Em, and Angelo for their help.

“I thought you were going to let Dr. Myers work with River to heal your scars,” Em said bluntly, staring me dead in the eyes.

“I am and we are, but it takes time, and the scars themselves will never really go away. Best we’re hoping for is a better range of movement for my arm and to ease the tenderness in my chest.”

“And your back?” Angelo demanded. “That much scar tissue has to pull when you move certain ways.”

“It does,” I admitted, “and it’s on the list, but my arm and chest affect my mobility the most, so they’re first.”

Angelo’s eyes flashed, and I knew he was feeling the same as Em, whose anger and outrage were lighting up the beta bond. As if sensing they were about to lose their minds, Crew leaned down and picked up a piece of fabric confetti, which was all that remained of my one and only white dress shirt.

“You know, I think you should make Eli and Bridge buy you a new one,” Crew snickered.

“Not a bad idea,” I smirked. “I’m looking forward to having a conversation with those two idiots, anyway.”