Page 9 of The Beta’s Heart (Five Fangs #5)

Peri

Thanks to Cole’s heads-up on the drive over to the alpha house, I was prepared to meet Luke and Lilah MacGregor, siblings who had fled from the Tall Pines pack the day before and sought sanctuary at Five Fangs. Jay had set them up in the smaller guest house, and they were joining us for dinner tonight.

And I sure was glad Cole had warned me about Lilah’s bruises.

“Alpha Halder has been tormenting her since she refused to be his chosen mate,” Cole had explained. “He gave the pack orders to bully her, then shut her links down with an alpha-command. Yesterday, he physically attacked her, and her brother, Luke, got her out of there.”

“Bastard,” I’d muttered, massaging the bridge of my nose. “You are going to do something about this, right?”

“Of course, but Ash called the king. There are some other things going on that we need him here to deal with. He’ll be arriving tomorrow.”

Since I wasn’t interested in werewolf politics and alpha squabbles, I waved a hand at him, signaling him to stop talking, and he did.

Now, as we sat around the table eating delicious beef and veggie kabobs, I started organizing a shopping trip when I found out Lilah had arrived with only the clothes on her back. All we needed was a driver, and Luke volunteered her. Good big brother that he was, Cole offered us the use of his SUV, which we happily accepted, and then Mase had to get involved.

“You’re not going alone.”

“Why not?” I challenged.

He didn’t reply, but his body went completely still, and his gray eyes stared at me without blinking. Posy curled up on herself, obviously intimidated by his Alpha Ice mask, but I wasn’t.

“Oh, come on, Mase! What could possibly happen?” I demanded.

“You’re not going alone. End of.”

“Hey, I know! Why doesn’t Posy take the betas?” Wyatt suggested. “They’re her guards, after all, and she should get to know them.”

“It would give my new beta a chance to interact with the others in a low-threat situation,” Ash added.

“You have a new beta?” Luke sounded disappointed.

“Yeah. Eighteen next month and very green,” Cole said, “but he was the only one in the pack with beta blood who was old enough to step up.”

“He’s going to be fine,” Jayden retorted. “Just needs some seasoning, but he has all the instincts and the drive.”

I wanted to say ‘Tyler is going to do an excellent job,’ but for once, I kept my big mouth shut. My brothers were merciless when it came to teasing me, and I didn’t need that today.

Unfortunately, Luke asked why they’d appointed a beta so young. As Ash explained about Everett Breckenridge, Jay’s eyes flared gold and didn’t subside, and we all grew tenser and tenser the longer Quartz fought to ascend.

Man, I wish I knew the whole story of what happened at Crystal Caverns! I thought.

It’s obvious, isn’t it? Dove rolled her eyes at me, the sassy bitch. Everett was protecting Jay, and it got him killed. Why else would Quartz be reacting like this?

Shaking hard, Jay gripped the table with white knuckles, and we all sat in frozen silence for several long moments. Then a low rumble shook the floor under our feet and made the dishes on the table jump with a clatter.

I sighed. Jay wasn’t going to win this one. Before I could tell Cole or Mase that they needed to shut him down, Mase stood up and pushed out a wave of alpha power so strong that we all bared our throats, even Ash and Wyatt.

Guess that’s what happens when you’re one of the top ten most powerful shifters in the kingdom, I thought wryly.

“Quartz. Down. NOW!”

His power-filled tone and absolute authority did the trick, and Jay’s eyes quickly lost the wolf glow and returned to normal as he slumped forward with a heavy sigh.

“I’m so sorry,” Posy whispered. “I shouldn’t have asked—”

“Hush, sweetness.” Jay smiled at her. “It was my fault. Caught me off guard. Didn’t realize he was still holding on to that.”

Posy jumped up and raced around the table, then wrapped Jay in a hug, showing more strength than I had originally given her credit for.

Bless her heart, I thought as I watched her comfort Jay.

While she was busy with him, the rest of us planned a sleepover so that us girls could leave for our shopping trip first thing in the morning.

That got Posy’s attention away from Jay, and she excitedly offered to show us her ‘special room’ and balcony garden that the boys had set up for her earlier today.

So that was their big surprise apology gift , I smirked to myself.

As the guys cleaned up the table, Posy led Lilah and me to her room so that Lilah could pick out some clothes to tide her over until tomorrow. We got talking about mates and mating, making both Posy and Lilah blush, and I chuckled at their shyness.

“Oh, my,” Lilah said as she smiled at me. “Wouldn’t it be odd if Luke ended up being your mate?”

“I’m fine with that!” I wiggled my eyebrows. “He’s super hot!”

The second part wasn’t a lie, but the first part was. Luke MacGregor was an eleven out of ten on the ‘hot daddy with long hair and tattoos’ scale, but that wasn’t my type of guy.

No, your type of guy has blue eyes that make your stomach flutter and a bashful smile that melts your heart, Dove teased, and I quickly told her to shut the hell up.

#

After checking out Posy’s pretty little balcony garden, we rearranged the living room for our sleepover, fluffing up pillows and piling up blankets, and finally settled on a classic Disney movie. The story was comfortingly familiar to me, but something about it triggered Posy, and I noticed Lilah wasn’t doing so well either, her shoulders tense and eyes distant.

Motioning to Luke, who understood right away what was happening, I got up and hustled into the kitchen, and he followed with Lilah in his arms. Setting her on her feet, he murmured soothing things to her as I gathered supplies to make everyone some hot chocolate, the soft clinking of mugs and the gentle hiss of steam from the kettle filling the air as I worked.

Moments later, Lilah came over to help, and the routine task allowed her to focus on the here and now, her attention shifting from her traumatic past to the warmth and aroma of hot chocolate, and I counted that as a win.

Once it was ready, Luke carried the big tray full of steaming mugs back into the living room. There, I saw all my big brothers except for Cole clumped around Posy in the center of the pillow nest we’d made on the floor. Cole had shifted at some point, probably because he was losing his temper, and now his wolf was smugly cuddled up to Posy on one side as she fondled his silky ears.

Topaz isn’t the worst teddy bear, but what a way for her to meet him! I thought, then paused as I suddenly realized something. Huh. I’ve never met Ty’s wolf. I wonder what he looks like?

I knew all about River, of course. My older brothers were buddies with Ty and talked about him all the time. Plus, he worked at my father’s garage, and Dad and Royal Price, Mase’s dad, worked with him at fighter practice a lot. So, yeah, I’d heard many River stories over the years and knew he was very similar to Ash’s child-like wolf, Sid. But how had I never seen or talked to him before?

Dove, you ever talk to River? I asked my wolf.

Once or twice. He’s not much for gabbing with the ladies, but he’ll chew the ears off any of the guys, wolf or human.

Why is that, do you suppose? Too shy?

I think, Dove said slowly, that there’s only one female he wants to give any of his attention to, and that’s his mate.

She’ll be a lucky wolf, I sighed, too afraid to wish it would be us lest I jinx it.

Girl, you’re not telling me anything I don’t already know.

#

Tyler

Alpha Wyatt informed us that it was finally time to meet our new luna, although it came with a catch.

Y’all are escorting her and Peri and some other girls as they go shopping, he linked us just before bed.

My jaw dropped, and I wasn’t the only one.

Shopping! Matthew whined, and Tris let out a little groan.

Get to meet her, River chirped, looking on the bright side. Get to be wif luna alllll day!

Yeah , I agreed. That’ll make up for it being a shopping trip.

The next morning, I caught a ride with Emerson to the alpha house, the two of us both quiet with nerves to meet our luna, and he pulled into the parking lot with a heavy exhale.

“Let’s pray this goes well.” Putting the SUV into park, he turned to look at me.

“We’ll make it go well.”

“You haven’t seen what some lunas can be like, kid, or what they can force you to do,” he muttered. “What if she’s a horror show?”

“She can’t help what Alpha Briggs did to her. No matter how scarred she is, she’s still our luna and—”

“No, Ty, I meant her personality,” he cut me off, his dark brown eyes wide. “I don’t care what she looks like. I’m more worried about what she’ll act like.”

“It won’t matter,” I said stubbornly. “She’s our luna and we’re her betas. Besides, like I said before, the Goddess wouldn’t have given our alphas the wrong kind of girl.”

“I hope you’re right, kid.”

By then, the other betas had arrived, so Em and I joined them. Together, we walked toward the alpha house, where we could see a crowd gathered on the front porch. Of course, our five alphas were a crowd all by themselves, but my eyes went past them and right to the small girl huddling in their midst.

She was a tiny little thing, as pretty as a peach with her dark brown hair up in fancy braids. What stood out the most to me, though, was the fear in her sapphire eyes. It wasn’t the kind of fear you get from a scary movie or a sudden surprise. It was deeper, more ingrained, like she’d seen too much of the wrong side of life—and my heart squeezed with a fierce determination to make everything better and safer for her.

Alpha Ash took her hand and led her down the steps, then straight to me, and I quickly squared up my shoulders and lifted my chin, desperate to make a good first impression.

“Posy, meet Tyler James. His wolf is named River,” Alpha Ash told her. “Ty, meet our mate and your luna, Posy Briggs. Her wolf is named Lark.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, luna,” I said, feeling my cheeks and the tops of my ears burn. I managed to meet her gaze, though, and held out my hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Beta Tyler.”

Her voice was soft and quiet, and I could sense her shyness since it matched my own.

“Just Tyler or Ty is fine, luna. I’m honored to be your guard. I’ll work really hard. I won’t let you down,” I promised her.

“Thank you, Tyler. I can tell you’re going to be a great beta, and I know we’re going to become good friends.”

I didn’t know if she was just being polite or meant it, but she smiled at me, which made that hated blush get even hotter, although I was pleased as punch to have earned a smile from her already.

Then Meanie Boy had to go and ruin the moment, laughing in a rude way as he muttered, “What a baby!”

I heard him, of course. So did everyone standing there. Biting my bottom lip, I shoved my hands in my pockets and stared hard at the ground, feeling some kind of way. Embarrassed? Angry? Maybe a mix of both.

“Matthew,” Alpha Mase’s voice was hard and cold as ice, and Meanie Boy’s blue eyes fogged up for a second before he walked over to us and held out his hand to me.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

I saw no regret in his face, but reluctantly took my hand out of my pocket and shook his hand. I didn’t say anything to him, though.

“Your apology means nothing since Mason made you do it,” luna suddenly spoke up. “Be a better teammate so you don’t have to make apologies, forced or genuine.”

I blinked, not expecting that from her, and frowned when I watched her panic a little, clasping her hands and twisting her fingers. It was like she was caught between wanting to be brave and being afraid of the consequences. She flinched hard when Alpha Ash’s arm wrapped around her and pulled her into his side, and none of us liked that.

What scare luna? River growled. Me kill it!

She’s scared of everything and everyone right now, bless her heart, I tried to explain. There’s nothing to kill, buddy. Now you need to stay calm so you don’t accidentally scare her, okay?

Otay. Me good boy, Ty-Ty.

Yeah, you’re my good boy.

Meanwhile, Alpha Ash was telling luna that no one would hurt her and that somebody— cough Meanie Boy cough— should know better, shooting Matthew the stink eye before introducing him and his wolf, Arroyo.

“Hello, luna,” Matthew said, much more subdued now.

Good. He deserved a little comeuppance. I’d been doing my best to try and get along with him while he made no effort at all.

“Beta Matthew,” luna acknowledged, not offering her hand.

Can’t blame her, either , I thought.

As Alpha Ash introduced her to the other betas, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of purpose. I’d known from the first that protecting my luna was an honor, not an obligation, and I wanted to excel at it. Only problem was, she didn’t trust any of us yet, me included, so I had to prove to her that she could rely on me no matter what, that I’d never let her down.

Now how do I do that? I wondered.

Show luna Ty-Ty is fend , River advised. Luna scared, so show how good and nice Ty-Ty is.

Such a smart boy , I praised, which made him wiggle around happily.

He was right. Actions spoke louder than words, so from this moment on, I’d show her friendliness, strength, dependability, and—what she obviously needed the most— kindness .

#

People started gathering in little groups to talk, and I found myself drawn to Peri Barlow like a honeybee to clover. This was my first real chance to talk to her in a while, so, taking a deep breath, I walked over and tried to ignore the fluttering in my stomach.

“Hey, Peri,” I said, my voice coming out a bit huskier than I intended.

“Hi, Tyler,” she replied, her dark eyes sucking me in as she smiled at me. “How’s your first ‘real’ day as beta going?”

I felt my cheeks heat up. Stupid blotchy blush!

“It’s... uh, it’s going okay, I think. I mean, I’m trying not to mess up or anything. It’s a lot of responsibility, you know?”

“I’m sure you’re doing great. The alphas wouldn’t have chosen you if they didn’t believe in you.”

Her words made my heart swell, and I found myself smiling despite my nervousness.

“Thanks, Peri. That means something coming from you.”

We stood there for a moment, an awkward silence settling between us, and I searched for a topic to keep the conversation going. I glanced around, noticing Alpha Cole’s watchful eyes on us and knew he was aware of how much I blushed while talking to his sister.

“So, um, are you looking forward to the shopping trip?” I asked.

“It’ll be nice to spend some time with Posy and the other girls and who knows? We might find some great stuff.”

“Like a treasure hunt,” I agreed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Make sure you stay safe, yeah? I know I’m guarding the luna, but I’ll keep an eye on you, too.”

“We’re only going to the outlets. The biggest threat we’ll probably face is squaring off with a human grandma over the last pair of My Little Pony edition Hey Dudes,” she teased, but gently touched my arm with her fingertips, sending my heart into overdrive. “Besides, I always feel safe when you’re around.”

“Good. It makes me happy to know that,” I admitted quietly, knowing I couldn’t say too much more. Her eighteenth birthday was at the end of the month, and she had a true mate waiting for her. I’d be damned if I screwed that up for her by doing something dumb.

Her smile widened, giving me a boost of confidence, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

Then Alpha Cole, Crew, and Tristan joined us, breaking the moment, but each time I glanced at her after that, I found her eyes on me. That made me feel ten feet tall.

Eventually, the others came over, too, although luna, Peri, and Lilah MacGregor broke off into their own circle as the rest of us started talking about the latest pack betting pool. More often than not, my eyes strayed to the girls, one in particular, and I grinned when they burst into high-pitched squeals, happy simply because they were happy.

Before too long, a pink VW Bug had swerved into one of the two remaining parking spaces, then the Breckenridge twins ran up to us, excited to go shopping with the new luna. The alphas quickly explained our escort plan, then kissed their lady goodbye and settled her in Alpha Cole’s SUV.

“Do not let anything happen to her,” Alpha Wyatt warned us.

“Of course we won’t, alpha,” Emerson answered for all of us, a hint of insult in his tone. “We’ll die before any harm comes to her.”

“Yes, you will,” Alpha Wyatt snarked back.

Biting back a grin, I hopped into the shotgun seat of Em’s SUV as Tristan climbed into the back and Em slid behind the steering wheel. As soon as Crew and Matthew took off in Matthew’s truck, the girls followed, and we brought up the rear.

“Hopefully we won’t get too bored,” Tris muttered. “I fucking hate shopping.”

“We have a job to do,” Em reminded him. “Keep your mind on it and your senses sharp.”

“Absolutely,” I agreed. “Nothing’s going to happen to Luna Posy on our watch.”

“Damn right, kid.”