Page 17 of The Beta’s Heart (Five Fangs #5)

Peri

After our walk, we rejoined the others for hamburgers and hot dogs, cake and ice cream, and I gently reminded Ty that it was River’s birthday, too, when my mate complained that his wolf was making him look like a pig.

Then it was time for his present, which we’d all contributed to as we could afford, and my oldest brothers made up the difference. He was not expecting any gift, that much was clear, and I thought he might pass out when he saw we got him a brand-new car.

While my dad and brothers were motorheads, I didn’t care a lick about vehicles, but they had made a fine choice with a four-door SUV with lots of room inside. It was a car for a man with a mate, although I half-suspected Wyatt had argued for a speedster like his precious Jaguar.

When Ty had raised his trembling hands to cover his face, I hurried to wrap him up in another tight hug, and he held me close, burying his face in my hair.

“While we’re overwhelming you, we might as well tell you about your new living arrangements,” Mase said, and I bit back a grin, guessing what was coming and excited beyond belief.

As part of a beta’s pay, Ty got to choose a house from a list of available properties in pack territory once he found his mate—ie, me —and the boys knew that there was one house in particular I had always dreamed of living in. I loved it so much, I used to ask Dad to drive by it whenever we went somewhere so I could drool over it.

Sure enough, that was the house they were giving Ty. Well, us . My mate tried to refuse it, saying it was far too valuable, but my brothers gave him no choice, and I was the happiest person in the world when he gave in.

I had my mate and I had my dream house. What more could a girl ask for? I knew we were young, and it would take hard work and patience to build our new life, but I also knew we could do it. Like I’d told him, so long as we were together, we were going to be just fine.

#

Tyler

I dropped my head in my hands and pulled at my hair. The pressure in my chest was unbearable, and I didn’t know what to do.

“What’s up, pup?” Emerson plunked down on the lounger next to me, his presence both a comfort and an irritation, and even without looking, I knew the other betas had wandered over, too.

“Ty? Did something happen?” Tristan asked, concern lacing his voice.

“You didn’t have a fight with Peri already, did you?” Matthew snickered, and I could hear the smirk in his voice without even looking.

Clenching my jaw, I sat up and narrowed my eyes at him.

“She wants me to go swimming with her,” I said through gritted teeth, even the words tasting bitter in my mouth.

“Then go swimming with her,” Em shrugged, as if it were the simplest thing in the world, and I growled at him, scrubbing my hands over my face in frustration.

Sure, my scars had shrunk a little with Dr. Myers’ treatment, but it was a difference only I could tell. To anyone else, they probably looked as horrifying as ever—and they were the last thing I wanted my brand-new mate to see, even if I knew she would eventually.

“Tyler James!” Matthew stalked over and stood in front of me, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable.

At his rough bark, my control slipped a little. Even though we were getting along better than before, if he pushed me too hard, it would slip a lot more.

“Our little luna is brave enough to wear a swimsuit and show her scars in front of her mates and everyone else,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. “Surely you can find the balls to do the same!”

The words stung, cutting deep into the insecurities I tried so hard to keep buried, but then Crew’s gentle voice cut in.

“Leave your t-shirt on, Ty. No one will say anything, and if Peri asks, say you’ll explain later.”

I looked at him, seeing the understanding in his eyes, and my shoulders slumped even more.

He knew. They all knew. And while Matthew’s tough love approach grated on my nerves, Crew’s simple suggestion made me see that this didn’t have to be such a big issue. I could keep my scars hidden from my mate for a little while longer.

“Fine.” Taking a deep breath, I stood up, my decision made. “I’ll see if Alpha Jay has a pair of trunks I can borrow.”

“That’s the spirit.” Tristan clapped me on the shoulder, a proud smile spreading across his face as Emerson gave me a thumbs-up and even Matthew’s stern expression softened a fraction.

With a roiling stomach, I walked away, feeling as if I were going to meet my doom. I wanted to show my courage, but feared how my mate would respond to seeing the evidence of my past.

Just don’t reject me, I begged silently. I can handle any other reaction, even disgust, but not that one.

#

Peri

I walked toward the pool area, my heart pounding in my chest with excitement to spend time with my mate in the pool.

“Peri, did you ask Tyler to go swimming with you?” Jay asked as he jogged up to me.

“Yeah. Why?”

“Do you know anything about his life? About his family?”

“You know I don’t listen to pack gossip, but I remember the parents talking about it. Daddy said Quartz saw Mr. James hurting him, and Ty’s mom was dead nearby. Q killed Mr. James on the spot.”

“That’s all true, and Ty can tell you more about it when he’s ready, but for now, you need to know that he has some scars from what his father did, and he’s nervous about you seeing them.”

“What, does he think I’ll reject him because he has a scar or two?” Rolling my eyes, I scoffed at him.

“Peri.” Jay put his hands on my shoulders and waited until I met his dead-serious eyes. “He has a lot of scars—not one or two—and, yeah, he’s worried about you rejecting him when you see them.”

As I stared at him, too shocked to respond, he dropped his hands only to run his fingers through his sun-streaked brown hair.

“Listen, you know a shifter will do almost anything to make his mate happy, right? Well, Tyler just asked me to borrow a pair of swim trunks. For you . He’s on the edge of a panic attack. For you . He’s going to put his scars on display for everyone to see. For you . Now you need to do something for him.”

“Okay, I’ll go stop him.” I tightened my hold on my swim bag and looked around for my mate. “I’ll tell him I changed my mind and want to do something else. Where is he?”

“No, you’re not going to stop him.” Jay disagreed, making me frown and wonder what he was up to. “You’re going to put on your party girl smile and, if he has his shirt off, you’re going to keep your eyes on his face, and then you’re going swimming with him.”

“What are you talking about, Jay? You want me to act like I don’t see them?!” I demanded.

“I want you to act like normal . Like he’s normal.”

Blowing a frustrated breath out of my nose, I scowled as I tapped my foot and thought, knowing I had to hurry to catch Ty before he was finished changing. Making up my mind, I quickly checked my swim bag and thanked my lucky stars to see two swim shirts in there.

“Thank you, Jay,” I told him with a determined glint in my eye. “I heard what you said, and I have an even better idea.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

“I’m going to give him options. Where’s he changing?”

“The upstairs guest room next to our bedroom. At least, that’s where I left him a few moments ago.”

Then I took off at a run, linking my new mate to stay put until I got there.

Why? What’s wrong? Are you okay? Should I—

I’m fine, baby. It’s you I’m worried about, I told him as I raced inside and up the stairs.

What are you talking about? Seriously, what happened?

By then, I was standing outside the door, so instead of answering, I knocked.

“One sec, Sunshine.” There was a pause, then his voice, strained and uncertain, came from the other side. “All right. Come in.”

I did and found him standing there, swim trunks on, but his shirt off and clutched in his hands. His shoulders were back and his chin was up, but his eyes ached with vulnerability as they met mine.

Oh, my poor love.

“I wished you never had to see this,” he whispered, “but get a good look now so you know what you’re stuck with.”

Frowning when he said ‘stuck,’ I studied the scar slashed across his chest, the one running up his belly, and the long line trailing down his arm. I wasn’t going to lie, they were bad, but I didn’t know why he’d think I’d reject him over them. As if reading my mind, he turned around and—

“Sweet Mother of All Shifters,” I breathed.

Thick scars laced his back like welts from a belt, and the sight of them pierced my heart with a hurt I never could have imagined existed before now.

The pain must have been incredible . And he was only a child coming into his wolf at the time. He must have been so scared!

And he’s still scared, Dove broke away from her conversation with River to tell me. Can’t you tell that he’s afraid you won’t be able to accept this? Put his mind at ease, and quickly!

I knew she was right and opened my mouth, but Ty started talking first.

“Peri, I…” His voice breaking, he dropped his chin to his chest. “I should have told you before I kissed you. I was going to. It was on the tip of my tongue to say I was broken, but I chickened out.”

Tears filled my eyes, but I quickly blinked them back. I couldn’t cry now, not when he needed me to be strong—and he might think they were tears of pity, which was far from the truth.

Moving around to face him, I reached out and gently touched my fingertips to the scar on his shoulder. He flinched at the contact at first, but the mate sparks flared between us, helping us both relax, and he stood still as I traced the long line of ruined skin down to his elbow.

“Tyler, these scars are not ugly,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “They’re proof that you survived. That you’re strong. And they don’t change how I feel about you.”

His eyes flew open and searched mine, maybe looking for any sign of disgust or pity, but he found none.

Nor would he ever.

“You don’t think they’re…” He trailed off and let out a shaky breath. “I mean, you’re not sickened?”

“Not by your scars.” I shook my head, tears finally spilling over. “They make me sad because I hate that you went through so much pain, and they make me very angry because no one should ever hurt a pup like that, but they also make me proud because you’re here, standing in front of me, alive and strong, my brave, brave mate.”

He swallowed hard, his own eyes glossy, and he slowly raised one hand to cup the side of my face in his palm, his thumb carefully wiping away each tear that skimmed down my cheek.

“I.. I was so afraid of how you’d react, but I should have known better because I know you. You . Peri Barlow. And you don’t have a mean or selfish bone in your body.”

Wanting— needing— to lighten up the tension that was crushing me, I put on my ‘party girl smile’ and gave him a saucy wink.

“I know one kind of bone I don’t have in my body, but I hope to before the night is over.”

“Peri!” he gasped as bright red flooded his whole face and splotched all the way down his neck to his collar bones.

Oh, yes, our life together was going to be so much fun!

“I love you, Ty,” I reminded him as I leaned forward and kissed him right over his heart, quivers racing through both of us and the mate sparks sizzling. “Goddess, I can’t wait until tonight!”

“Well, you’ll have to. I sure ain’t trying to mate you in the guest room of your brothers’ house. Your five brothers who happen to be my alphas and my bosses. And I love you, too, Sunshine, so very much.”

“Do you think you might still like to go swimming? Because if you do, I brought you an option.” I pulled the swim shirts from my bag. “We can both wear one if you want. Or we can go without and, if anyone says something about your scars, I’ll tell them to fuck off. Or we don’t even have to go swimming at all. It’s your choice, and I’ll back you one hundred percent on whatever you decide.”

“I was going to leave my t-shirt on, but I read somewhere that cotton isn’t good for a pool. Something about clogging up the filter and contaminants.”

Taking the swim shirt, he rubbed the silky fabric between his thumb and forefinger, and I clenched my thighs together as I wondered if he’d do that to something else a little later tonight.

Oh, get your mind out of the gutter! I scolded myself. Your mate needs you to be supportive, not horny, right now!

“I don’t mind being vulnerable with you, but not anyone else,” he said at last. “Not yet, anyway, so, um, let’s wear them. Together?”

“Together,” I agreed with a smile. “It might be pretty tight on you. I keep it for Bram when he comes over to swim. He’s pretty shy about anyone seeing him without a shirt on.”

“It’s really stretchy material, so I can make it work.”

As I predicted, it was skin-tight over his heavy muscles and a little too short, coming about an inch above the waistband of his trunks, but it hid all of his scars, and that’s what he cared about.

After we were ready, I took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze as I led him out to the pool area. I could feel the eyes of our friends and pack members on us, a few of them smirking— cough Wyatt and Ash cough— probably because we’d been gone inside for so long, but I kept my focus on Tyler where it belonged.

“Thanks for being here with me, Sunshine.”

“At your side is a place I intend to always be,” I replied, squeezing his hand again. “Now, let’s have some fun!”

“Uh, you do mean swimming, right?”

“Yes, baby. We’ll get to the dirty kind of fun later tonight.”

And I smirked as his eyes went wide and that bright red blush washed over his cheeks again.

#

The fading sun cast a golden glow over the pool as the water rippled around us. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, splashing, and the occasional bird singing in the distance.

“Chase me, Peri,” Ty teased, his eyes sparkling mischievously. “Catch me if you can!”

I lunged forward, splashing water everywhere, and he was too surprised to move—or maybe he just wanted to feel me in his arms again. Either way, I wrapped my arms around his muscled torso and clung to him.

Our laughter echoed around the pool, blending with the sounds of our family and friends enjoying their time together, and as we caught our breath, our heads slowly tilted toward each other, the world around us dwindling down to nothing.

Right as our lips were about to meet, a broad hand slipped between our faces, and I found my mouth suctioned onto stupid Wyatt’s calloused palm instead of Tyler’s soft lips. The sudden interruption made me sputter and pull back, glaring up at the interloper.

“This is a family-friendly event, Peri,” he smirked. “Take your hormones elsewhere.”

Ty blushed and nodded, but I sassed him right back.

“Oh, come on, Wyatt. It was just a kiss! Are you seriously policing kisses now?”

“New mates kissing always leads to something else, Sissy.” He shrugged, unfazed by my irritation. “And…”

“ And ?” I demanded when he drew the word out.

“If Cole sees you two making out, Ty’s a dead man before he even gets a chance to slip his tip in—”

“ARRGGHH!”

With a scream that was half embarrassment and half frustration, I grabbed Ty’s hand and pulled him towards the stairs. As we climbed out of the pool and headed for our towels, I couldn’t resist screaming a parting shot over my shoulder.

“Cockblocker!”

“Family-friendly event, Periwinkle!” Wyatt shouted back.

Next to me, Ty chuckled.

“What are you laughing about?” I grumbled, wrapping the towel around me. “He’s lucky I love him.”

“Love who?” Ash rumbled as he joined us, Cole and Jay trailing along behind him. “ Tyler ? Goddess, I hope so! He is your mate, after all, Sissy!”

“Oh, hush! I was talking about Wyatt! How you all managed to grow up with him and not want to drown him five times a day is a mystery to me!”

“He’s funny,” Jay said with a shrug, as if that was the only reason Wyatt was still alive.

“Are you two getting ready to head out together?” Mase joined our little circle now, too.

“Wait, what do you mean, head out together ?” Cole narrowed his eyes at Tyler. “Sissy’s not leaving with him .”

“Why, yes, I am, big brother,” I said ever so sweetly. “I want to go home with my mate.”

“Um, Sunshine, I don’t think you should poke the bear—”

“You are not going home with a boy !” Cole hollered.

“Bro, we’re mates!” I yelled back, aware of Jay snickering into his hand and Mase massaging the bridge of his nose.

“Yeah, Cole, it’s the Moon Goddess’s will,” Wyatt added as he dripped his way over to us. “Besides, we walked him through what to do yesterday, so he should be set. She has nothing to worry about—”

“ What?! ” Cole roared. “Are you telling me that we taught him how to mate my little sister last night?!”

“Dude!” Ash roared back, only with laughter. “They. Are. Mates!”

“Uh, Sunshine—” Ty’s eyes were bouncing from me to my brothers, as if waiting to see who was going to fire the next salvo and hoping it wasn’t going to be me.

You have so much to learn about your mate, Mr. James.

“Of course, he’s going to mate me!” I shrieked. “Ty … is … my … mate!”

“Sunshine, why are you bringing me into this—”

“TY. LER. JAMES!” Cole was heading into full smash mode, bulging eyes and veins and everything.

“Last time, you knucklehead!” I bellowed. “We are going home together. He’s going to mark me. We are going to mate. In fact, I hope we fuck like rabbits all night long!”

“Language!” Mase barked.

“Family-friendly event, Periwinkle,” Wyatt teased, his eyes glittering with mischief.

“Better get her out of here, Ty,” Jay cackled.

“Yeah,” Ash tittered, “before her big mouth gets you killed!”

“If you touch … one inch … of my sister—”

“Come on, baby,” I huffed, grabbing Ty’s hand and tugging him along. “Take me home and touch every inch of me!”

“ GRRRR! ”

“And now we have to run,” Ty grunted as he tossed me over his shoulder and hauled ass out of there.