The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 110

AXEL

Ethan's phone rang until it went to voicemail again. I ended the call, knowing another message wouldn't do anything. I couldn't sit still as Asher drove us back to the school. Ethan not answering the phone could only mean a couple of things. I wanted to believe he had just left his phone at his apartment, but it had been hours since he called. He should've made it back by now.

"They're okay," Asher said, breaking the long silence between us.

"Yeah," I said. I dialed Juniper's number this time. No answer from her either. I tried to tell myself that everything was fine. I would've felt it if something had happened to Juniper. She was my mate.

But I hadn't marked her, and the distance between us could've muddled the connection.

"We'll be back at the school soon." Asher was trying to start the conversation, but I knew he was just as worried as I was. As his twin, I could feel his turmoil. He just wasn't letting it show. After Ethan basically told him goodbye, Asher went into overdrive to make sure we made it back to the school as soon as possible.

Even then, we both knew it'd be too late to make a difference. Ethan was stronger than both Asher and myself. If anyone could face a team that kidnapped Juniper, it would be him.

"Let's check the library first," I said as we approached the school. I didn't want to waste any time stopping by Ethan's apartment if he needed help. "Already going that way."

The air felt thick, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. There was an ache in my chest that I knew was directly related to Juniper. It started when I left her at the airport, and it had only grown worse every minute I was away from her. My wolf ached to be with her again.

Only this was worse. Something felt wrong. I couldn't tell if it was my worry getting in the way, or if I was feeling some sort of strain on our bond. I needed to see her. I needed Juniper in my arms again.

Asher pulled into the parking lot, and red and blue lights flashed against the library's walls. Warriors surrounded the area, and it looked like chaos in front of them. Before Asher had come to a full stop, my seatbelt was off and I jumped out of the car. I bolted towards the library. I had to see what was going on.

A crowd had started to gather around the building, despite it being late at night. The students' curiosity got the better of them. I pushed through the crowd, not caring about how rude I was being.

When I broke through the crowd, I saw that the area around the library was blocked off, and a warrior put his hand out to stop me. He was wearing the official uniform of the Moon Warriors-the warriors who worked directly with Alpha Williams.

"I need to get in there." I tried to push past the warrior, but he was like a brick wall. "I have strict orders from Alpha Williams to not let anyone through here."

"We're Beta Burrell's sons," Asher said, jogging up to me. "What happened here?" He was using his full authority tone against the warrior.

The man shrank in Asher's presence, but he didn't waver. "Let me check with Alpha Williams."

"He's here?" I asked. Ethan mentioned Alpha Williams wasn't supposed to arrive on campus until early in the morning. It was the middle of the night.

"He arrived a few minutes ago, and he is busy assessing the damage. He likely doesn't have time to answer your questions," the warrior said. He sounded exhausted, as if we weren't the first ones he was turning away tonight.

"Tell him Asher and Axel are here, and we need to see our brother, Ethan Burrell, the future beta," Asher said. He wasn't backing down.

The warrior let out a long sigh. "Fine." His eyes glazed over as he started a link.

I looked at Asher, knowing he was taking a gamble. We didn't know if Ethan was here, and if it turned out he wasn't, there was a chance Alpha Williams would turn us away without any knowledge.

The warrior's eyes cleared up, and he frowned. "Alpha Williams needs to see you right away. Apparently, he's been waiting for you." He stepped to the side and lifted up the tape to let us by.

Asher was the first one to slip under, and I was only a step behind him. On this side of the rope, it was even more chaotic. Warriors carried out body bags from the basement of the library, and there were several werewolves in silver handcuffs being taken away. There was even a medical station where several people were getting their wounds treated, most of them in handcuffs.

I looked at every person, only caring about one face. She had to be around here somewhere.

"Ethan," Asher said as he picked up his speed.

Ethan stood in front of Alpha Williams, answering whatever questions he was asked. He had several cuts on his body, but most of them were already well into the healing process. His eyes were far away, and he looked drained beyond a point I had ever seen him. "Asher, Axel, it's good of you to join us," Alpha Williams said.

I wanted to ask about Juniper, since I still hadn't seen her, but Alpha William's full attention was on us now, and I knew it'd be wrong to disrespect him.

"You're here," Asher said. "I thought you weren't supposed to get here until tomorrow."

"That was the original plan, but then I saw that email the two of you sent, and I knew I had to catch an earlier flight out here," Alpha Williams said. "Ethan was just filling me in on the extent of my beta's betrayal as far as he knows it. I'll need to ask you two some questions as well." "What kind of questions?" Asher asked.

My eyes continued searching the faces moving around us, hoping I'd catch a glimpse of Juniper. She should've been by Ethan's side, and the fact that she wasn't made my chest hurt even more. Something was wrong, and I couldn't shake the feeling. "Anything you know about your father's betrayal, what you discovered in the warehouse, that kind of thing. That can wait until tomorrow, though. You've been traveling, and I'm sure you're tired. Besides, you have your brother to worry about." Alpha put his hand on my shoulder and gave a strong squeeze. It gave me the distinct feeling he could crush me under his grip if he wanted to.

"Are you seriously hurt?" I asked, looking Ethan up and down. He was still standing, and he didn't have any obvious serious wounds.

"Not me. Nathan," Ethan said. The creases on his forehead became more prominent.

"Nathan? You found him?" Asher said.

"He was with Juniper when I found them," he said, but his voice was monotone.

"What happened? Where are Nathan and Juniper?" I couldn't hold back any longer. I had to know. "Anthony Burrell took Nathan in the midst of the fighting," Ethan said. Anthony Burrell. Not father. "He got away?" Asher ran his fingers through his hair. "How could you let him take Nathan like that?"

"Because they shot Juniper!" Ethan snapped. "I had to help her, or she would've died. I didn't have a choice."

There it was. The reason my chest ached uncontrollably. Anger, frustration, and fear bubbled beneath my chest, and I just wanted to scream or break something to release the pressure.

"Is she..." Asher couldn't even finish his sentence.

"Your brother's mate is in the hospital. They are doing surgery on her to remove the silver bullet in her chest," Alpha Williams answered for Ethan. "From what I hear, she's a hero."

I looked at Ethan with furrowed brows. "My brother's mate? She's my mate, too. She's our mate." I gestured to Asher to make a point.

Alpha Williams tilted his head to the side. "The Moon Goddess blessed her with all of you as mates?"

"Yes. Now I want to see her." I knew I was being too demanding with the alpha. It wasn't my place to talk to him like that. I knew that, yet I couldn't stop myself. Juniper had been shot and needed surgery, and I needed to be by her side. I didn't care about politeness or following proper etiquette. Besides, this kind of behavior was what got me labeled as the black sheep in the family in the first place.

"It'll be good for you all to be by her side while she recovers. It'll speed up the healing process," Alpha Williams said. He didn't seem phased by my outlash in the slightest. "I think I have everything I need at this moment. I'll have my warriors interrogate these traitors to get more information from them, and I will have to talk to you two about what you know. However, that can wait until tomorrow when Winston and his mate join us. Until then, go. Be with your mate. She needs you.