The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 149

JUNIPER

My eyes snapped open at the smallest whimper. I slid out of bed, tucking my feet into the pair of slippers I left at the side of my bed. It was starting to become a habit to wake up in the middle of the night, so I left my slippers where they'd be easy to access. Before I slipped out of the room, I glanced back at Axel, who was sound asleep in my bed. The first few nights here, Nathan's screams jolted the twins and me awake. However, the last couple of nights, he only whimpered in his sleep. My body still woke to the smallest sound. I had become more in tune with my mate, ready to rush to Nathan's side to sooth his nightmares.

It would've been easier to just sleep in his bed, but he kept insisting it wasn't necessary. I knew he was trying to look strong, but I wished he'd just give in. He didn't want me to act like a babysitter, but he didn't understand it wasn't like that. He was my mate, and I loved him. I would do whatever it took to make him smile, which was why I hadn't gotten a proper night of sleep since coming back to school.

I cracked Nathan's door open, and his body shook in his bed. I hurried to his side and wiped away the tears that stained his face. My touch instantly calmed him, but my heart ached seeing my mate this way. All I wanted to do was take away his pain, even if it meant taking the pain on myself. I knew that wasn't possible, so I did what I could.

I ran my fingers through his hair until his body completely stilled.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" I whispered, knowing Nathan was just as stubborn as the rest of my mates. He wanted to be someone I could rely on, so he acted strong and brave. I wanted him to know that it was okay to crumble in front of me. I wanted to help him piece himself back together, knowing that when it mattered he'd return the favor.

I stayed with him for a while, and when I was sure he was okay, I snuck out of his room, knowing I'd only worry him if I woke up in his bed again. Before I went back to my bed, I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As I passed the window, I saw a flash of red outside, piquing my interest. I went to take another look, but I jumped when a voice spoke behind me.

"Nathan wake you up again?"

Water spilled as my body tensed. However, as soon as I realized it was just Axel, I relaxed. "Yeah. You can go back to bed. I'll be there soon." I looked out the window again, but there was nothing there. I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was starting to go crazy from lack of sleep.

"You don't have to take on Nathan's burden alone," Axel said, lingering behind me. He wasn't going to leave until I went back to bed.

I set my glass on the counter and looked at the damp spot on my shirt from spilling my water. "It would be easier if he'd stop pretending to be okay."

Axel wrapped his arms around my waist, and his scent flowed over me, instantly calming me. "He's trying to act like his older brothers."

I hooked my arms around Axel's neck. "His older brothers weren't tortured and hypnotized. If you had been through the same thing, then-"

"Then I might be doing exactly what Nathan is," Axel said. He pushed my hair out of my face. "I know you want to help him. You want to help all of us, and you're always worrying about everyone else. Nathan sees that, and he doesn't want to add more to your plate. You went through your own traumas, and he knows that."

I frowned, thinking about Nathan's hands wrapped around my neck and Craig holding a gun up to Ethan. I tried not to think about those moments, but sometimes it was more difficult, especially when I was alone.

"I just want to help him," I said, burying my face into Axel's chest. Everything felt a bit easier with him wrapped around me.

"I know, but Asher and I are here, too. We want to help him, and therapy will help, too. You don't have to take on his burden alone."

I closed my eyes, the lack of sleep finally hitting me. Axel was right. I didn't have to do this alone. I didn't have to do anything alone ever again.

***

ELIJAH

I survived the first week as principal of CUW, and I didn't understand how. The school was in worse shape than I had expected, and when I solved one issue, two more popped up. I knew it'd be work to fix everything Anthony and Charles did, but I wasn't afraid of work. The duty of an alpha was never ending, but this was different.

Principals had to worry about curriculum, funding, the effectiveness of professors. The pack dealt with some of those issues, but a lot of those Heline used to handle. I called her again, hoping she'd answer. Just like every other phone call, her voicemail popped up, and I hung up.

I knew it was over between us, and I understood why. For years, I was blind to the pain I had put her through. I had never stopped loving her, though. I wanted her to know that, but I wasn't sure it mattered any longer. She was done with me, which meant I had to move on. I understood why everyone said you didn't know what you had until it was gone. I never fully appreciated the work Heline did for me, and I knew if she was still by my side, my new gig wouldn't have been as painful.

I tucked my phone away, knowing she wouldn't bother to call me back. Last I heard from Winston, she was on some island, figuring out what to do with her new life. He wouldn't say anything else, but I knew it was a matter of time before she sent the divorce papers my way.

Neither of us had officially brought up the idea of divorce, despite what the news reporters had said. They found out the truth about Juniper and my true mate being her mother, and they heard Heline was nowhere to be found. They jumped to the conclusion that we were going to get divorced. As much as I hated the rumors, a deep part of me knew that it was more than just speculations. It was inevitable.

I gathered my things and left the office. Barbara had already left, so I locked the building behind me. It was late on a Friday night, and most of the administration was long gone. I didn't mind staying late, though. There was too much work to do to fix the school, and I had nothing of importance in the apartment I had rented.

I had hoped Juniper could be a bright light in my dampened new world. I thought I'd finally get the chance to know her, since I wasted over two decades pretending she didn't exist just to keep my family whole. All of that felt pointless now. I no longer had the perfect family I strived to create. I was sure the only reason Winston still spoke to me was because he was so new at being the alpha.

I wasn't surprised Juniper wanted nothing to do with me. The rest of my family barely wanted to talk to me, and I hadn't abandoned them their entire lives.

The parking lot was empty except for my car, confirming I was the last one on campus. I pulled out my keys, but then the wind shifted. A strange scent hit my nose, and my ears perked. My instincts awoke, and I knew I wasn't alone. I continued walking, pretending like everything was okay, but I was hyper aware of the strange presence.

I unlocked my car, and as the vehicle beeped, the air around me shifted. I ducked just in time to avoid a blow to the head. A figure dressed in black from head to toe swung at me again, but this time I swiped at him with my claws, digging into his side. He stumbled back, gripping his side. He clearly underestimated my abilities, relying on a surprise attack to overwhelm me.

"I may be officially retired as the alpha, but that doesn't make me weak," I snarled, my voice falling flat in the empty parking lot.

I lunged, ready to take down the assailant to see who was brash enough to attack me; however, after a single step, my head spun, and everything started spinning. I grasped for the car to stabilize myself. I took a breath to clear my head, and when I looked up, prepared for an attack, I found the parking lot empty once again.