The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 122

JUNIPER

It had been over a decade since I was last in Vinly City. As I watched the thick forest pass by through the car window, I remembered watching the same scenery as my parents fled for my sake. As a little girl, I knew I'd miss the thick forest the city was built in, especially since I didn't understand what was happening at the time.

Vinly City was the largest werewolf occupation, because the trees surrounded the city for miles all around it. It made it the perfect place to stretch our wolves, and it kept us safer from humans. Most wolf packs had to be extra careful, since they lived closer to human cities. A lot of packs even lived in cities intertwined with humans.

That was why Vinly City was such a special place. It was a safe haven for werewolves, but there was limited occupation available, so families couldn't choose to live there without alpha approval. It also made it nearly impossible for a werewolf to return as a permanent resident if they chose to leave once before. The alpha rarely made exceptions, mates being one of them. Axel squeezed my hand. Are you okay? he linked.

I wanted to lie and tell him I was fine, but he felt my anxiety through our mate bond. It's strange being back here after so long. I didn't feel like going into details, but I didn't have to. I knew Axel understood.

He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand, and the small gesture calmed my nerves. Asher, Ethan, or myself will be by your side the entire time. If you need anything at all, we're here for you.

I gave him a smile, grateful to have him by my side. Have I told you how amazing you are?

Not recently enough. Axel leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

I shifted and leaned my head against his shoulder, no longer wanting to look at the stream of endless trees.

"We're about ten minutes away from the pack house," Ethan announced. He was driving the car, and Asher was in the passenger seat.

That was the first any of us had spoken out loud since we left the airport, and the tension was high. The plan for the ceremony had been discussed and altered over the past week until everyone was in agreement. It was a two-fold plan, including a private ceremony for tonight and a public ceremony we hoped Anthony Burrell would be tempted to crash. The only problems were the unknown factors.

There was a chance Anthony Burrell wouldn't show up at all, giving up on his plan for power. If that happened, we were back to square one when it came to finding Nathan.

There was also a chance that he would show up with an unknown army. While Ethan took out the Clandestines and their lackeys, we didn't know if there was anyone else Anthony had convinced to work with him with the promise of power.

If everything went according to plan, then we would finally stop Anthony Burrell, save Nathan, and finally live in peace. Things rarely went to plan.

***

As Ethan pulled up to the pack house, there was a line of warriors waiting for us to arrive. Kalli bolted out of the pack house, her hair filled with curlers. She was wearing a bathrobe over her pajamas, and her makeup was halfway done.

I stepped out of the car, and Kalli pulled me into a big hug. "I'm so happy you're here! You can keep me company while I get ready." She started tugging on my arm, but Ethan stepped in the way, blocking her from dragging me away immediately.

"Hold on Kalli. I want to make sure Juniper gets her proper introductions before you pull her away. She is going to be second to the luna. She needs to start learning names and faces," Ethan said.

"Fine. Just send her to my room when she's done," Kalli said.

"I hope you know one of us will be with her," Asher said. "While we're here, Juniper is going to have one of us by her side at all times."

"Do you think I can't protect her if something happens?" Kalli asked. Her nails were painted bright pink, and her eyes had a layer of glitter on them.

Asher looked Kalli up and down, taking in her appearance. "I'm sure you're a skilled fighter, but she's our mate. I would trust one of us to protect her better. I'm sure you understand."

"Actually, I don't," Kalli said bluntly. "I don't appreciate you judging me by my appearance. I may wear pink and keep my nails painted, but I am a better warrior than you are. Just because I'm about to become the luna, it doesn't mean I can't fight. I'll prove it to you right now." Asher put up his hands. "I have no intention of fighting a girl."

Kalli smiled, but the glimmer in her eye held a devious nature. "Too bad. The pack I grew up in didn't care if you were a man or a woman. Everyone who was capable was trained to fight, and I was one of the best warriors. No one could take me down. I would've enjoyed crushing you."

Axel chuckled, but when Kalli looked at him, he quickly covered his mouth, trying to hide his laughter.

"Be careful. I'm sure you would be even easier to take out. From what I understand, you've skipped out on most of the warrior training you were supposed to do when you were younger," Kalli said. "Ethan wants you two to help him once you finish school. I expect you to start training as soon as possible to freshen up your skills. We can't have you two helping lead the Moon Warriors if you're rusty, now can we?"

"Now, now Kalli," Winston said as he walked up. "They just arrived from a long day of traveling. Why don't you cut them a break for now?"

Kalli's face brightened, and her bubbly self returned. "All right. I'll give them a pass this time. However, if either of them ever doubt a woman's ability again, I won't let them off the hook so easily." She kissed him on the cheek and then turned to me. "I'll see you soon, Juniper!" Asher's eyes were still wide as the future luna skipped off with the curlers bouncing with each step. "She has a bit of a scary side."

Winston chuckled. "That's part of her charm. People have often underestimated her because of her cheerful nature, but she is talented in more ways than she lets on."

"Why don't we invite our guests inside and get them out of this cold air instead of chatting out here?" The new voice belonged to a presence that took up the air all around us. His skin was lighter than Winston's, but his hair had the same white sheen to it. "Juniper, this is Alpha Williams. Alpha Williams, this is Juniper," Ethan introduced.

Alpha Williams took my hand with his large hands and smiled. I felt his eyes studying my every feature and judging them. "It's a pleasure, Juniper."

"It's my honor," I said. Despite his status, I didn't feel intimidated by Alpha Williams. There was something about him that felt familiar.

"Winston mentioned your beauty, but he didn't do you justice," Alpha Williams said, still holding onto my hand. "You are just as stunning as your mother was. You even have her eyes."

"I look like my mother?" I asked. I only had a few pictures of my mother from my childhood, and I always thought she was gorgeous. I never thought my looks were even half as good as hers.

"Very much so. In fact, you don't look like your father at all. It's a wonder, truly," Alpha Williams said. He suddenly dropped his hand and cleared his throat. "Let's go inside, shall we?"

I nodded, and Ethan placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the pack house. Standing at the door, there was a woman with dark skin and brown hair. I saw the resemblance to Winston and instantly knew she must be Heline, the luna of the pack. She didn't smile as she looked at me, and she was the first person who gave me unfriendly vibes since I had arrived.

I shook my head, looking away from her. It had to be in my imagination. She had no reason to dislike me. I couldn't even remember meeting her before, even though I was sure I had.

***

It was a relief to finally be escorted to Kalli's room. Other than the initial, "Hello," Luna Heline ignored my presence as Alpha Williams insisted on giving me a tour of the pack hour. The tour had been incredible. Moira's family's pack house looked like a shack compared to this place. It was large enough to accommodate several families, including a dining hall where anyone was welcome to eat for free, whether or not they lived in the pack house.

It made sense that the pack house would be able to accommodate helping more werewolves, since Alpha Williams was the king of werewolves. It was his responsibility to protect and take care of all werewolves. However, there was a difference between knowing what the alpha was responsible for versus seeing it for myself.

Despite the wonders the pack house held, Luna Heline's presence had been like a fly buzzing my ear. She hadn't done anything wrong specifically, but I was ready to get away from her. I had felt her eyes burning a hole in the back of my neck as she silently followed behind me.

"I'll be right outside if you need anything," Axel said once we reached Kalli's room.

"What? Are you too afraid to come in with me?" I asked with slight laughter in my voice.

Axel raised his eyebrows. "After the way she tore Asher and I apart earlier, yeah, I'm a little afraid of her."

I smiled, enjoying the fear Kalli instilled in the twins. She was a wonder, and it only made me want to get to know her even better. I wasn't used to being around an intense and kind person like her. The way she had both sides boggled my mind.

I raised up onto my toes and placed a kiss on Axel's lips. As I started to pull back, he grabbed the back of my neck and deepened the kiss. I melted into his touch, and butterflies swarmed my stomach. By the time Axel parted, I nearly felt dizzy. "Sorry. This was the first chance alone we've had since leaving, and I couldn't help myself," Axel said.

I bit my lip, no longer wanting to go into Kalli's room. "You definitely don't have to apologize for kissing me. Maybe apologize for making me want to abandon the future luna to make out with you in the hallway."

Axel laughed, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. "Go. We'll have more time to make out later. I promise you that much."

I forced myself to step back, knowing even a peck could be dangerous with where my mind was at. "I'll be looking forward to that."

Kalli's door opened, and she stared at me with a knowing smirk. "Looking forward to what?"

"Nothing," I muttered, slipping past her into her room. Even though she probably knew what transpired from context clues, I didn't want the extra attention, so I hoped Kalli would drop the subject.

I'll be waiting outside with nothing to do but think about what other things we can do the next time we have a moment alone, Axel linked, making my core tighten.

I ignored him, knowing I wouldn't be able to keep my composure in front of Kalli if Axel was linking me naughty thoughts, and I needed my focus. I had questions about Luna Heline, and Kalli was probably the best person to get honest, open answers from.