The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 34

ASHER

It felt nearly impossible to stop myself from moving too fast with Juniper on the roof. The way she tasted was nearly intoxicating. I knew she wasn't my mate. That wasn't possible, but I couldn't deny my connection to her. It had always been there, but now that we were older, it was much harder to ignore.

I loved her when we were children running around, playing tag and hide and seek. I was there when she scraped her knees and got back up like nothing could ever stop her. However, I was always on the sidelines as a child. James and Juniper were practically glued together, making it impossible for the rest of us to get closer to her.

We were all still friends, but it was different with Juniper and James.

However, now that he wasn't around, there was nothing in my way. I knew it was selfish of me to think that way, and if I had a choice to bring James back or have Juniper to myself, the choice would be an easy one.

I couldn't change the past, though, so I wanted to take advantage of the present.

My hands ran over her body, and I couldn't get enough of her. It felt like my wish finally came true, and I didn't want to waste it.

Juniper shivered in my arms. I ran my fingers over her arms, feeling the goosebumps attacking her skin. She wasn't wearing a jacket and the breeze made the night especially chilly.

"You're cold. We should go inside," I said. I didn't want her to catch a cold.

She pouted her lips. "I don't really want to go back to that party."

I didn't blame her. I had been to a few parties like this before, but tonight I wasn't interested in drinking or partying. I just wanted to spend time with Juniper, especially after hearing about what that wolfball player did to her. If I saw him, I wasn't sure I'd be able to hold back from attacking him.

I took off my sweater vest and gently pulled it over her head. "We can stay here a little longer, but if you get any colder, we're going inside."

My sweater was too big on Juniper, and the sleeves hung past her hands. She wrapped her arms around my waist and looked at me. "But aren't you going to be cold now?" She blinked at me with her amber eyes. Even in the dark, they seemed to glisten like stars. "I run warm anyway," I said. "Plus, if you're here to warm me up, I'll be perfectly fine."

I brushed a piece of her hair out of her face. I let my fingers linger on her cheek. When I first got up here, I smelled Axel's scent on her skin. Part of my rage was jealousy, knowing Axel had touched Juniper, but I was able to quickly talk myself down, knowing Axel would never betray me like that, and I couldn't imagine Juniper doing anything either. I knew he was probably making sure she was okay.

I still hated knowing he had touched her, and I wanted to erase his touch completely.

I brushed my nose against hers, the anticipation of her lips on mine making my heart race. She closed her eyes and leaned into me, setting my body on fire. I knew Juniper couldn't be my mate. I knew that whole heartedly, yet in this moment, I couldn't imagine being with anyone but her. I wanted to pick her up and take her to my room and show her how much I wanted her-how much I needed her. I didn't want to wait any longer, and I knew she was just as eager.

I had smelled her arousal earlier, and I could smell it now.

I slid my hand to the back of her neck and pulled her into a kiss. I wanted her to be mine in every way. I wanted her to love me as much as I loved her. I wanted her to remember our childhood, remember the promises we made to each other. She promised us all we would be friends forever no matter what. She promised she would never leave me.

James might have been her first choice, but she loved all of us in her own way.

I slipped my tongue into her mouth, and a moan escaped her lips. I slid my fingers through her hair, pulling her closer. I took my time to taste her, and I knew I wanted to taste every part of her.

If it wasn't for this party, she would be in my bed right now. I would be taking off her clothes.

I loved Juniper more than my heart could handle, and she was my girlfriend now-something I thought would never happen. I wanted to dive right into her head first. I wanted to make sure she knew I was here for her no matter what happened, because if Ethan's plan worked, she would remember us.

But it wouldn't be without costs.

There was serious danger in Ethan's plan, and once Juniper knew the truth, only my brothers and I could keep her safe.

I still didn't know if I agreed with Ethan's plan. I hated the idea of Juniper being put in danger. However, knowing she would remember us was more tempting than I wanted to admit.

"Hey," Juniper said, pulling back enough so she could look in the eyes. "Where did you go?"

I smiled, pushing back the fear that turned my stomach to stone. "I was just thinking, since you're my girlfriend and all... Would you go to the Homecoming dance with me?" As much as I wanted to tell her everything I was thinking, it wasn't time yet. Ethan assured me he was working on it. He wanted to find out more about the dangers Juniper faced before we put her at risk.

Ethan promised he was doing everything he could because he was done following our father blindly. Part of me still couldn't believe him. His entire life was spent doing exactly what our father told him to do. Yet, it was also a life I had lived myself. If he said jump, we jumped. If he said go across the country to switch schools, we left the next morning.

But Juniper gave me a reason to stop listening, so why wouldn't she have had the same effect on Ethan?

"Homecoming?" Juniper repeated, her eyes going wide. "It's been a while since I've been to a dance. I don't think I have a dress." She bit her lip and looked down.

"If that's what's stopping you, I'll buy a dress for you." I wanted to go to the dance with Juniper. I had been thinking about asking her for the past week, but I had been afraid she would say no. She didn't seem like the kind of girl who would go to a dance. However, she agreed to be my girlfriend, which was something else I was afraid she'd say no to.

"No, you don't need to buy me a dress." She looked up at me again and smiled. "I'll figure something out."

"So that's a yes?" My heart fluttered as I waited for her confirmation.

"It's a yes." She laughed and kissed me lightly. "You're really into these romantic things, aren't you?"

I shrugged. "Meeting you has been a bit of a miracle, and I don't want to waste a single second. I want to do everything with you. I want to go on cheesy dates and to school dances. I want to give you roses and wish on shooting stars with you. When we first met, you said you wanted me to woo you to prove I was serious about you. Just because I have you now, doesn't mean I'm going to stop. You're worth all of the effort, June, and I want you to know just how special you are."

I had to stop myself from telling Juniper that I loved her. The word almost slipped out. It was too soon to make such declarations.

"I want to do all of those things with you," Juniper said.

I felt like I was flying. Despite the party being a total disaster, Juniper agreed to be my girlfriend and agreed to go to the dance with me. There were very few things that could've made this night even better.

***

AXEL

I was a fool for thinking Juniper would show up. I was the one who told her to pick Asher. Repeatedly.

I don't know if it's easy to simply pick Asher-not when I feel this connection with you.

For a second, I thought maybe she would actually pick me. I waited in front of the library for hours. I should've left after thirty minutes. If she said no to Asher, I imagined her running over to me and jumping into my arms. Fool. i***t. Stupid.

I should've known better. Asher was the perfect boyfriend. It was why I told her to pick him.

That, and it was easier to tell her to choose him than get my hopes up and get rejected.

Yes, here I was, sitting on the steps of the library all alone with crushed hopes.

For just a moment, I let myself think about what it would be like for her to pick me.

I have loved Juniper my entire life. Even when she loved James more than the rest of us. I meant what I said to her when I told her I wouldn't be mad if she chose Asher. Her happiness was more important to me than having her myself. That didn't mean I wasn't heartbroken.

Her scent still lingered on my jacket, making me crave her lips.

I should have fought for her.

I shouldn't have put Asher first.

But I loved Asher and wanted him to be happy as much as I wanted Juniper to be happy.

Footsteps echoed in the distance, and I jumped to my feet. My heart as I searched for the source, hoping it was her.

A random student passed by, and the life drained out of me. I kicked the closest trashcan and screamed, letting out all of my frustration.

I shouldn't have let her go.

I had always loved Juniper, but it was different now. She wasn't my mate, but there was an inexplicable pull towards her that drove me crazy. Even as I fought to stay away, I found myself pulled back to her. It was as if the mate bond shattered when James died and pierced my heart.

I knew now that if Asher ever did anything to mess things up with Juniper, I would be ready to catch her for myself.