The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 75

JUNIPER

"Now isn't really a good time," I said. "If you haven't noticed, we're trapped on a plane."

"That's exactly why we need to talk," Asher said. "Ethan forced us all together, and it's obvious not one of us is happy about the situation. If we keep this up, one or all of us is going to go mad with the tension. We have to figure out how to get along, even if it's for only a few days."

I let out a heavy breath, not ready for this conversation, even though Asher was speaking logically. "I don't know what you expect me to say to make this okay. I can't ever seem to do the right thing in your eyes, and I'm done trying."

Asher took a slow breath. "I messed up. Repeatedly. I know that doesn't change anything. I hate everything that went down between us, and I know it's my fault. I know I pushed you away, and now you're happy with my brother. It kills me to see you so happy with him."

My chest clenched as Asher spoke. This was the first time he admitted that he knew he was the one in the wrong. "It nearly killed me when you said those things to me. I'm grateful that Axel was there for me, because without him, I might have spiraled out of control."

Asher flinched, as if I had just stabbed him with a knife. "I'm... sorry. I hate that I pushed you into his arms, and I know it's not your fault. It's not his fault either, but blaming Axel made everything a little more bearable."

"Instead of hating him, maybe you should be grateful he was there to catch me when you weren't there," I said. "I understand why this is hard on you. I'm not sure how I'd react if you were suddenly with someone else, because part of me still loves you. But you hurt me, and I don't trust you anymore. You told me you loved me and you trusted me, but the moment Moira planted a seed in your head, you turned on me.

"Axel has never doubted me. In fact, he has always put my happiness before his. Even though he liked me from the start, he told me to choose you. He told me you were the better twin, and that you wouldn't hurt me. It's ironic that it turned out he was the one who ended up not hurting me."

Asher was silent for a moment. "I didn't realize he said those things to you. I just wished you had told me all of this. I wished you had told me you loved me sooner."

"I was afraid to tell you I loved you. I've lost so many people in this life, so it's terrifying to let myself love someone. If you had just given me time, if you had just trusted me, I would've gotten there. I know I would've gotten there."

I didn't realize I had started crying until Asher brushed the tears away from my face. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I let my jealousy ruin the best thing I ever had, and I realize that I may never be able to fix it, but I can promise you I will do whatever it takes to make up for my mistakes."

A throat cleared behind Asher, and it was the man who was supposed to be seated next to me. "You're in my seat."

"Can you give me just a moment longer? If you can't tell, we're having a serious conversation right now," Asher asked. He flashed his signature smile, but it didn't have an effect on the guy.

"Have serious conversations on your own time in your own seat." He crossed his arms and started tapping his foot.

"Okay, just give me thirty seconds, and I'll be out of your hair," Asher said, turning his attention back to me.

"I'm getting the flight attendant," the man grumbled, walking away.

"June, I know I can't fix things between us from one conversation, but I just want you to know that I still love you, and I know what kind of person you are. You are brilliant, funny, and beautiful. You shine brighter than the rest of the stars around you, even if you don't see it yourself. I should've said all of that to you instead of what I actually did, because you deserve to be happy," Asher said.

"If you really think that, then you'll find a way to be happy for Axel and me," I said. My heart was racing as Asher spoke. Every word he said melted the anger I had been holding against him, but it didn't change the past. It didn't fix the broken trust. That would take more than words to fix.

Asher dug himself a deep grave, and it would take time and proof for him to climb out. Even then, I didn't know if I could ever get back to where I was with him. There would always be a part of me wondering when he was going to hurt me again.

"I... I'll find a way to do that," Asher said, pulling his lips tight. It was clear the idea of Axel and me together was hard for him to process, but if he could truly find a way to be okay with us, it would show me that he could get past his own jealousy and respect my wishes.

My seat mate was walking back to the seat with a flight attendant in tow. Asher saw that and hopped up. "Gotta go, but if you need anything, you know where I'm sitting." Asher scurried away before the flight attendant was able to scold him for sitting in the wrong seat.

The man returned and looked at the empty seat. He huffed and asked, "Where'd your friend go?"

"Out of your seat," I said with the friendliest smile I could. I didn't want to talk to this man for a moment longer-not when my head was swimming with everything Asher said. It was the apology I had wanted, but it had come too late.

I shifted so I was looking straight ahead, and out of the corner of my eyes, I saw the woman sitting on the other side of me staring. I looked at her and smiled, and she didn't look away.

"You dated that man?" she gaped, not caring that she made it very obvious that she had been intentionally listening to every word Asher and I had exchanged.

My smile quickly turned to one that was hiding my discomfort. "Um, yeah."

"And now you're dating his brother?" She had no shame at all.

"Yes."

She flopped back into her seat and let out a long sigh. "Man, you're so lucky. He was hot! Is his brother hotter?"

The woman looked younger than me by at least a few years. She had ash-brown hair, and her eyes sparkled with the wonderment of someone who hadn't had very many relationships. Her innocence radiated out from her, and I knew she didn't mean any harm by asking me these questions. I also didn't know how to respond without being rude.

"Would you mind your own business?" the man next to me snapped. He started pulling out a laptop. "I have work to get done, and the last thing I want to do is listen to your high school drama."

The girl glared at him over me, and I sank into my seat. This was going to be a long plane ride. I pulled out my headphones and put them in before either of my seatmates made a comment about my life.

***

ETHAN

I dropped Nathan off at the airport, and Asher, Axel, and Juniper had already left for their trip. Even though I lived by myself and had become used to solitude, it was a little strange to think that all of my brothers were off doing important work. I had a tendency to baby them, since they were all younger than me, but this was a good reminder that they all had grown into their own man, even if they had a lot of learning to do.

I still had my own growing and learning to do, especially if I was going to become the beta of all werewolves in the future. It was a lot of pressure, but I knew I could handle it. Part of me believed I could do a better job than my own father.

My father was cold in the way he helped others, and I knew there were secrets he kept close to his heart. Despite all of the research I had done into James' death, I never even found a mention of a curse. Something felt wrong. My father knew I was busy with the hunter when he showed up. He cornered Juniper into a conversation and then said that she was cursed and that was the reason James died. That felt even more suspicious.

If Juniper was truly cursed to cause the deaths of the people close to her, he should've told us that was the reason he ordered us to stay away from her. Instead, he kept it vague, never giving us a proper reason. There was no reason to keep the curse a secret from us. In fact, it would have been more likely to actually deter us from wanting to find her.

That was only part of the reason I had a hard time believing Juniper was actually cursed. There were too many other factors that didn't line us with this "curse." It made it feel like my father used the idea of this curse to scare her away from us, which only made me wonder what else he had been lying about.

I walked into Principal Clandestine's office, walking right past his assistant, who didn't even give me a second glance.

The moment Principal Clandestine saw me, his eyes rolled. He didn't even have the decency to hide his distaste for me anymore. "Would it kill you to make an appointment with me for once?"

"Oh, but it's so much more fun to see your welcoming face," I said.

"Just tell me what you want. I have a busy day."

"I need you to stop Juniper's request for a leave of absence. She will be staying at the school," I announced.

His face fell. "What do you mean she's staying?"

"She no longer has a reason to leave. I was able to help her with her issues, so she'll be staying. What about this do you not understand, Charles?" I asked.

As I watched Charles pull himself together, a strange feeling washed over me. From the beginning, he hadn't been on Juniper's side. He was ready to cast her out of the school because of rumors that had no proof to back them up. Now that I announced she was staying, he seemed more than disappointed by the news.

"Only the student can make that request. I'm not going to stop the paperwork unless she asks me specifically." His voice was meek as he spoke.

"Fine. When she returns, I'll set up a meeting with the three of us," I said. "Then she'll tell you herself. That'll make you happy, I'm sure. You wouldn't want your star student, leader of the student council, and predicted valedictorian to drop out of school because of bullying, now would you?"

He dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief. "Of course not."

I didn't believe a single word out of his mouth, and I knew there was something more going on with this man.