The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 21

JUNIPER

My phone started ringing, making my heart jump. I pulled away from Ethan, and he let me go this time.

"It's Asher," I said, feeling conflicted. Before the meeting, all I wanted to do was talk to Asher and have him by my side, but he had been busy. Ethan, on the other hand, was there for me. It wasn't Asher's fault he was late, but with Ethan standing directly in front of me, I didn't want to leave him. Ethan's demeanor returned to the one I was used to. His anger was nowhere to be found, and he stood taller, keeping his shoulders pulled back. "Take the call. I have some loose ends to tie up after this meeting."

I opened my mouth to tell Ethan not to go, but he started walking away, and the ringing of my phone distracted me. I answered the call before I missed it.

"I'm sorry I didn't answer sooner. I was in class, and my phone was on silent. I called as soon as I saw your text." Asher sounded out of breath on the other end.

Ethan continued walking away, but his pace seemed like it slowed for a moment.

"June? Are you there?" Asher said.

I tore my eyes away from Ethan. "Yeah. Sorry. You didn't leave class early, did you?"

"It's fine. I already finished my test," Asher said. "What happened? Why did the principal call you into his office?"

My heart raced, thinking back on the conversation. Asher would only get upset hearing everything that was said, and I wasn't sure I had the energy for that kind of reaction after dealing with Ethan. "He just needed to talk to me about the rumors." It wasn't a lie, but I didn't want to go into details. On top of that, Asher clearly got agitated when Ethan's name was brought up.

"He knows you're innocent, right?"

"He's suspicious, but they don't have any proof of anything I've done wrong."

"Because you haven't done anything wrong." Asher huffed, and he was still agitated. "Where are you? Do you want to get some food or something?"

"I'm just tired right now. I think I'm going to take a nap, but I'll meet you at the library, like we planned earlier."

"Are you sure?" Asher sounded disappointed, and I didn't blame him.

Just a few minutes ago, I would have given almost everything to see Asher, but after talking to Ethan, I just felt unsure. I could still smell his cologne, and it stirred something deep inside of me. I felt more confused than anything, and I wanted to sort my thoughts before I saw Asher again.

"Yeah. Thank you though." I was genuinely grateful that Asher was willing to drop whatever he was doing to make sure I was okay. I liked Asher, and I still wanted to see him. I was sure that as soon as I saw him again, all thoughts of Ethan would disappear. "If you change your mind, I'll keep my phone on. Don't hesitate to call."

Asher was sweet, probably too sweet for his own good.

"Okay." I was lucky to have Asher in my life.

***

ASHER

Juniper sounded strange on the other side of the phone, and I had a feeling there was more that happened than what she had told me. I resisted the urge to push her into telling me what was wrong. It was clear she wasn't in the right mindset to talk about it. I hoped she would tell me when I saw her later, but I felt anxious thinking about it.

I wanted her to feel comfortable enough to rely on me, no matter what was going on in her life.

I went back to my dorm, since my classes were done for the day. The moment I stepped through the door, Nathan was in my face.

"You're slacking on your job," he said, looking down at me. Despite him being three years younger than me, he had a few inches on me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked. It wasn't like him to be this aggressive.

"I saw Juniper getting bullied on her way to class today. Shouldn't you be walking her to class to make sure no one messes with her?"

"I... I didn't know." I knew there was something else that had happened by the way she was talking. I had offered to walk her to class before, but she insisted she was fine. It was frustrating that she wouldn't let me help her.

"Maybe you're not the one best suited for her, then," Nathan said. Sweet, innocent Nathan was confronting me. This was out of the norm for him.

"What is your problem with me?" I asked, trying to figure out his mood.

"You pursued Juniper after Ethan told us not to. You didn't even give anyone else a chance with her." His fists curled, and he looked away. The features of his face tightened, and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing. Despite his height, he looked like a child, upset he didn't get his way. "You have a crush on Juniper. How cute."

His eyes snapped open, and his wolf energy burst with frustration. "Don't treat me like a child. I'm just as good as the rest of you."

I reached up and patted him on the head. "Of course you are. But you're barely considered an adult. Don't you think Juniper deserves someone who can match her level better?"

Nathan swatted my hand away. "Stop patronizing me. I know I'm younger than her, but she deserves someone who will protect her, and apparently, I can do that better than you after today."

"Do yourself a favor and let this little crush of yours go. You're only going to end up hurt," I said.

Nathan was a good guy, but he was still naive. Juniper deserved someone with more world experience, especially with everything she had been through. Even if Nathan tried his best, I knew he wasn't a threat.

"Don't be so cocky," Nathan said. "If you're not careful, she's going to slip through your fingers, and I plan on being there to catch her when that happens."

***

JUNIPER

Asher was already at the library by the time I got there. He was sitting at our usual table, tapping his pencil against the table. He didn't seem to notice me as I approached, and his eyes were looking far into the distance.

I sat down, setting my books on the table. His energy felt off instantly, and I shifted in my seat, unsure of what was wrong.

"Hey," I said as cheerily as I could manage. "You're early."

He stopped moving his pencil. "I don't like being late." His voice was monotone, which was strange coming from him.

I got the distinct feeling that he was mad at me, but I didn't know why. "I know. You're just even earlier than usual."

"Nathan told me he saw a group of girls bullying you on your way to class today."

My heart raced, and my body tensed. I was on edge, but I still couldn't figure out why. "Yeah. He showed up just in time to stop them."

"Why didn't you tell me?" He still hadn't made eye contact with me.

"Is that why you're upset?" I asked.

"I shouldn't have to find out from my brother that you're being bullied. I told you that I'm here for you if you need anything, but you won't let me in. I have offered to walk you to class countless times, but you refuse every time."

The air started to feel thin. Asher was mad at me specifically, and I hated the feeling, especially when I hadn't done anything wrong. "I was planning on telling you about it when I saw you today. I don't understand why you're so upset with me."

"Because it feels like you're keeping things from me. All I ever do is try to show you that you can trust me, but you refused to tell me what happened at the principal's office, and then you didn't tell me about being attacked on the way to class. Every time I try to get closer, you just push me away. It's exhausting."

I didn't say anything right away. After the day I had had, I thought being around Asher would be comforting, but he was attacking me. "I haven't had the chance to tell you yet. Today has just been one thing after another, and I just needed a moment to breathe. I planned on telling you, but you started attacking me before I had the chance."

"You could have come to me sooner. It's like it's impossible for you to ask for help, and it's frustrating."

I huffed, not believing the words coming out of Asher's mouth. I didn't know what kind of mood he was in, but I didn't have the energy to deal with it today. "I texted you when the principal called me to his office. I wanted to talk to you, but you were busy, which was fine. By the time you called me, I was already exhausted and didn't feel like talking. I shouldn't have to defend myself-especially not to you."

I stood up and started gathering my stuff.

"What are you doing?" Asher asked, finally looking at me.

"I'm going back to my dorm to study by myself. I have been physically and mentally attacked today, and I thought being around you would help all of that disappear, but instead you're just adding to that stress, so I'm leaving."

I felt like I was going to fall apart. I was used to handling stress on a day-to-day basis, but today had just been one thing after another, and it was too much.

"So you're just going to leave without explaining anything that happened?" Asher snapped.

I looked at him, and it felt like I didn't know him. The Asher I knew was patient and understanding. "Yes. You're being an a*s right now, and I don't have to explain myself."

I finished gathering my stuff and started walking away.

"June, wait. I'm sorry. Don't go." Asher stood up, and his voice was softer.

"Too late. I'll talk to you later, but I don't feel like being around you right now." I didn't look back as I left. Even if Asher apologized, it wasn't enough. Him attacking me stung more than anything else the rest of the day, and I had seconds before the tears started falling, and I didn't want him to see me like that.