The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 153

JUNIPER

I smoothed my dress down as I stood in front of the mirror, turning from side to side, wondering if thi decided it was best to wear something I already owned.

It was a simple blue dress, something that looked better for the summertime with its flared bottom a for this date. Nathan and I had seen each other naked on several occasions. He knew what my mornin But this was my first official date with Nathan.

I knew he wouldn't care what I looked like, but it felt like it mattered. The dress wasn't ideal, but it wa breath, and decided I was ready.

I slipped out of my room. Asher and Axel sat on the couch, and the moment I entered the living room, "Do you think this is okay?" I asked.

Axel was the first on his feet. His hand slid around my waist, and his mouth brushed against my ear. "I

I chuckled, trying not to blush even more. "Your hands are already all over me."

Axel nipped my ear. "Oh, they would be other places."

Nathan cleared his throat behind me. "I thought we had a deal."

Axel stepped away, lifting his hands up in the air. "I didn't do anything. I swear." Nathan just gave him a knowing look before turning to me. "Are you ready?"

I smiled at him and nodded. "I just need to grab my purse on the way out."

Asher stood up and joined us. "You two be careful tonight, okay? If you see, hear, or think you feel anyen "Wait, are you not coming with?" I asked. I had just assumed one or both of the twins would tag along "Nathan made a deal with us," Axel said. "And we trust him."

bo much. I didn't have a lot of dresses, and part of me wanted to go shopping for something new for my date with Nathan, but with the threats on campus, I

straps. It was nice, but I wasn't sure it said "date night." I chewed on my lip, wondering if it was worth changing. I felt ridiculous worrying about how I looked th smelled like and had seen me in my slovenly around-the-house clothes.

enough. I grabbed a black cardigan to throw on top and slipped on a pair of heels before looking in the mirror one last time. I adjusted a curl, took a deep

yes turned to me. Axel whistled, while Asher's eyes widened. My cheeks warmed at the twins' approval.

n hadn't specifically asked for time alone with you, my hands would be all over you."

of danger, tell us immediately."

date as an escort with the potential dangers lurking on campus.

I gaped at the twins, still unsure if they were joking or not. They hadn't let me go anywhere outside of apartment alone since they had gotten the news of Elijah being attacked. Even when I was in the apartment, one of them was there with me. Just this morning, Axel burst into my room when I took too long in the shower, worried something had happened-although part of me was still convinced he had done that as an excuse to join me.

"So you two be safe, and we'll be waiting here." Asher leaned in and kissed my cheek, the gesture sending tingles through my body.

Nathan linked his fingers with mine. "Okay, that's enough fussing. We're going to be late for our reservations." He pulled me towards the door before the twins could distract us further.

The apartment door shut behind us, and I glanced back, still not believing we had just left without an escort. "Are you going to tell me how you managed to get us out of there without a bodyguard?"

Nathan smirked. "I have my ways with my brothers."

"They have been acting like hawks for days. Are you really telling me a simple conversation made them agree to let us wander on our own?"

It wasn't that I doubted Nathan's abilities. I just knew how overly protective Asher and Axel were, especially after the attack at the pack house. Even though it felt excessive at times, their constant hovering made me feel safe. Even with the training Asher was providing, I knew I was still nowhere near the point where I could protect myself. With time that would change, but I also knew that was in the far future.

"There were compromises made," Nathan said. "You'll understand soon enough."

I debated about pressing him for more details, but instead I put my trust in him. We passed the elevator to the lobby, and when I slowed my pace, Nathan tugged on my arm, leading me farther down the hall. "We're not going that way," he said simply. He opened the door to the stairwell at the end of the hall and gestured for me to enter first. "We're going up."

I followed his directions, suddenly understanding why the twins were so okay with us leaving by ourselves. My thighs burned as we climbed to the top floor, reminding me of the intense exercise I had been doing for the past several days. I was grateful for the training, but my body still ached.

Nathan opened the door to the roof, and I gasped at the sight. Fairy lights had been strung up all around the edge of the building. A table was set up in the center with a candle and a basket on the floor. Off to the side, there was a blanket laid out with several pillows on it.

I turned to Nathan with shimmering eyes. "You set this all up?"

He beamed, clearly thrilled by my reaction. "I did. Asher and Axel insisted that if I were to take you anywhere, one of them would have to tag along. I knew that would ruin the impression of a first date, so I offered this as a compromise. We can have the privacy I want, and they can have the piece of mind knowing we are close by."

"This is incredible," I said, thinking about how much effort this must've taken.

"You're incredible, and you deserve the best," Nathan said. "I wanted to at least try to give it to you to make up for how much trouble I've caused recently."

"You haven't caused any trouble," I said instantly.

Nathan pulled his lips tight. "You don't have to lie to me, Juny. I know I've been keeping you up at night with worry." He brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. "I see the dark circles under your eyes, and I know I'm causing you extra stress, so the least I can do is give you a night of pleasure."

I smiled sadly. I was grateful that Nathan cared enough about trying to reduce my stress, but I hated how much was plaguing him. I wanted to tell him that I didn't mind the sleepless nights, but I knew nothing I said would change the way he saw things. Instead, I changed my tone and teased, "Night of pleasure?"

Nathan turned red as I repeated his words exactly. "I didn't mean that... Well, not directly. I don't want you to feel pressured or anything. I just want you to relax and enjoy yourself."

The way he stumbled over his words made me smile. We had been together several times, but he still didn't have the same confidence in the bedroom as his brothers. It only made him cuter.

I cupped his face and lifted onto my toes to kiss his mouth, keeping the movement slow and gentle. His hands automatically moved to my waist, holding onto me tightly like if he let go he'd float away.

I slowly lowered my feet, looking up at him through my lashes. "I plan to enjoy myself thoroughly with you."

He bit his lip, and his fingers left lazy strokes up and down my spine. It wasn't hard to tell what he was thinking, but he still seemed nervous about the idea.

I stepped away, sliding my hand back into his. I wanted him to relax tonight too, so I decided to make things easier for him. "So what's first on the agenda?"

"First, we have a fancy dinner," he said, taking control again and leading me to the table. He pulled out my chair and then lifted the basket onto the table. "Your favorite Chinese food from downtown."

"How do you know what my favorite Chinese food place is?" I challenged. We hadn't gone to Wok N' Talk together, and it'd been awhile since I had their food.

Nathan smiled, dishing the food out onto two plates from our kitchen before taking a seat. "I pay attention. I've been paying attention to you for as long as I can remember."

A twinge of guilt flitted through my chest. I wished I could say the same thing in return. I loved Nathan. There was no doubt about that. However, his brothers had pulled my attention away, and since he was the youngest, it took longer to see him as someone who could be my partner. I wished it was different. I wished I had seen the strength and love Nathan had from the beginning, but I couldn't go back in time to change things.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to pay attention to you."

Nathan's brows pulled together. "Don't apologize for that. Never apologize for that. I know it was difficult for you to figure out this whole multiple mate situation." He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "So let's just appreciate the time we have together now."

Nathan's eyes glimmered with the hope of the future. He sounded happy-truly happy, and it warmed my heart. I knew he still had a long healing journey to reach a place where what happened to him didn't haunt him, but he was on the right path. I knew my place was by his side.

We spent the rest of dinner talking and laughing. The conversation stayed light, and he even teased me when I had a noodle on my chin. It was the first time in the past week that I was able to smile and laugh without worrying about the future for this stretch of time.

After we finished eating, Nathan packed up the rest of the food and then led me to the blanket he had set up.

"I know it's a little chilly, but there's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight. I thought maybe we could just lay here and see if we can see any shooting stars from here."

"I would love that," I said.

Nathan unplugged the fairy lights, dimming the air around us. Then we settled onto the blanket. I let Nathan get comfortable first, and then I slid into his side, resting my head in the crook of his shoulder. His arm wrapped around me as if that was where it was always meant to be. We didn't say anything as we lay there, looking up at the sky. His scent and warmth washed over me, and I felt safe and happy in his arms. It was a feeling I never wanted to lose again.

A shooting star fell across the sky, and my heart raced. I quickly pointed at it and said, "There's one! Make a wish!"

I closed my eyes and thought about what kind of wish I wanted to make. I knew it was silly. A shooting star didn't have the power to grant a wish, but I couldn't help it. Wishing on a star always gave me a shock of excitement, and it felt like putting a wish into the universe helped it come true.

I decided what I wanted to wish for and opened my eyes. Nathan's bright blue eyes were the first thing I saw, and his face was soft as he watched me. My breath caught in my throat as I took in his beauty. His hands were calloused and his muscles were toned from playing sports, but his eyes were bright and his face was vibrant. His youth gave him a shine, but it was more than that. He was kind and brilliant, and he was sweet and innocent, and I could see all of that as I looked at him.

Nathan deserved the world, and I wanted to give it to him.

"What did you wish for?" I asked breathlessly.

"For you to always be happy," Nathan said. He reached over and brushed my cheek with his thumb.

My body burned with a new need. I wanted to lose myself in Nathan. I wanted to give him everything I ever was and ever would be. I wanted to see him smile every day for the rest of our lives.

I stretched my neck, inching closer to his lips. Nathan's eyes sparkled as he met me halfway. Our lips brushed against each other like feathers in the wind. It was as if we were both treading carefully, knowing exactly what would happen if the kiss grew even more heated. The need for more took over my senses, and I climbed onto Nathan, deepening the kiss and awakening a hungry beast.