The Four Beta Brothers
Chapter 96

JUNIPER

Ethan laid me down on the bed and started removing my pants. He kissed my stomach, sending butterflies flying through my body. As he pulled down my pants, his mouth followed, leaving a trail of kisses behind. He tossed my clothing to the side and then spread my thighs. I closed my eyes in anticipation of his touch. He kissed my inner thigh, starting from my knees and moving down to my core. Just before he touched my core, he moved to my other leg and repeated the same process. This time, when he reached my aching heat, he licked between my legs, making my entire body shiver.

Ethan pulled away, and I whimpered, wanting more. He crawled up my torso and placed a soft kiss on my lips. "Patience," he whispered. "I've been wanting this for too long. I want to take my time and thoroughly enjoy every part of this." He started to pull away, but I grabbed the back of his neck, keeping him entangled in the kiss for just a moment longer. He tasted sweet like honey, and I just wanted to continue indulging in his every taste.

His hand pressed against the bed next to my head, caging me between his body and the bed. I felt safe and warm beneath him, and for a moment, all of the other horrible things that were happening outside of this bedroom didn't matter.

It was just me, Ethan, and everything we shared with each other. He didn't part from my mouth as he lowered himself against me. He reached to the side and opened his bedside drawer. He pulled back, finally parting from our kiss. He ripped the little foil packet open before rolling the rubber over his c**k.

He lined himself up at my entrance, pushing in just the tip. I bit my lip as he stretched me open. Before he filled me completely, he leaned forward and intertwined his fingers with mine. He looked into my eyes, and he looked completely free. In the entire time I had known him, he was always holding up walls made of brick and filled with responsibility. Even as a child, he took it upon himself to always look after his younger brothers and me. He was always living life for someone else.

Those walls were gone, and in this moment, he was doing something for himself for once. It made him glow in a way that made him more handsome than ever. I knew that this was a moment only for my eyes, and no one else would ever see him in this raw form. "I love you, Juniper," he whispered, as if the entire world was listening. This was our moment, and no one else deserved to witness it. His love was only for me.

"I love you, too, Ethan."

He captured my lips roughly. I felt him pouring all of his unsaid emotions into me. Years of loving me from a distance came crashing down into this single moment. He plunged into me, filling me completely. I moaned as the pleasure of having him connected with me erupted from my body.

Ethan kissed me over and over again, growing more passionate and desperate with each second that passed. It may have started out sweet and gentle, but it quickly turned into raw passion. He grabbed my leg and lifted it up to give him a deeper angle. His hips moved with the power and precision I would've expected from the future beta.

Everything quickly became too much for my body to handle, and I cried out his name as pleasure washed over every inch of my body. My walls throbbed around Ethan's member, pushing him over his own edge. With only a few more thrusts, Ethan stopped moving. The only sound in the air was our breath as we tried to recover from the intensity of what had just happened. I cradled his head, not ready to part from him. I knew I could stay intertwined with him forever. It was safe in his arms.

After several minutes, Ethan pulled out of me and then took the time to clean both of us up. When he was done, he pulled me into his chest and held me close to him.

Neither of us said anything. It didn't feel necessary. I had felt Ethan's emotions and felt like I understood him on a deeper level. His warmth surrounded me, and I didn't fight as sleep overtook my body.

***

"Tell me exactly what happened." Ethan's voice stirred me awake, but he wasn't in the bedroom. It sounded like it was coming from the living room, and he sounded distressed. I didn't have to ask to know who he was talking to. Something must've gone wrong with Asher and Axel.

I forced myself out of Ethan's bed. My body was heavy with exhaustion, but it was different from the exhaustion I was used to. This had a level of satisfaction that came with the stiffness in my muscles. This was a kind of exhaustion I wanted to experience on repeat for the rest of my life.

I grabbed one of Ethan's button-up shirts from his closet, since my clothes were still scattered around the house. Plus, I wanted to wear something clean. The shirt smelled like Ethan, and it relaxed my body.

I left the bedroom, and the hallway was dark. When I got to the living room, the bright light forced me to squint. It wasn't that late, only around eight at night, but falling asleep threw off my internal clock. It felt much later than that.

Ethan paced back and forth, holding the phone up to his ear. The happiness that filled his body not too long ago was nowhere to be found. Instead, stress filled his every cell.

"Is there any way you can make a copy of the documents before you go?" Ethan rubbed his mouth as he listened to the response.

I leaned against the wall, waiting for him to finish his conversation. It was killing me not knowing what was going on, but I forced myself to be patient. The last thing Ethan needed was the added stress of me asking questions. "Damn it," Ethan cursed under his breath. "Yeah, I know you're right. I agree with your plan. I just don't like it."

Ethan noticed me for the first time, and he stopped pacing. He mouthed the word, "Sorry," to me. Then he held up a finger, gesturing to just give him a few minutes. He continued his pacing again.

I licked my lips, noticing how parched I was for the first time. I went to the kitchen and started filling up a glass of water. It helped distract me from hanging on every word Ethan said. It wouldn't help me understand what was going on exactly without knowing the other side of the conversation. "Stay on your toes. There's a good chance you're walking into a trap," Ethan said.

The last word made my chest tighten. I hadn't spoken to either Asher or Axel since we parted ways at the airport. The thought of them going into a dangerous situation was paralyzing. I nearly overfilled my cup, but I turned off the water at the last second. I forced myself to breathe. Worrying would do nothing to change the situation.

Ethan's arms snaked around my torso, and his lips pressed against my neck. Shivers ran down my spine, and I knew this wasn't a sensation I would ever get used to. I leaned my head back, resting it against him.

"What's going on?" I asked, knowing I wouldn't be able to breathe until I knew. Even then, I wasn't sure if my lungs would start working again if he gave me the answer I feared.

"Asher and Axel found the box you and James hid." This should have been good news, but Ethan didn't sound pleased.

"It was still there?" I said, a sigh of relief escaping my lips. It meant that my trip back to the pack house wasn't futile.

"Yes, and you and James did a good job keeping everything dry, since you wrapped the documents in plastic. It protected them from the weather." He sounded impressed, but something still sounded off about his voice.

I set my cup on the counter and turned in Ethan's arms, so I faced him. "What are you not saying?"

Ethan tightened his grip on me. It felt like I was the only thing keeping him together. "They were attacked when they found the evidence."

My body tightened. "Are they okay? Who attacked them?"

"They're okay, other than a couple of minor scrapes and bruises," Ethan quickly said to subside my panic. "It sounds like the attack was never meant to be serious. It was just a way to get a message to them. Whoever attacked them demanded they deliver the box of evidence in exchange for Nathan's life. If they don't make the exchange by midnight, then they'll kill Nathan. Since they are in a different time zone than us, they don't have much time."

I swallowed hard, feeling dizzy. I understood why Ethan's bliss from before had disappeared completely. We needed that evidence to prove to Alpha Williams what Beta Burrell had been up to, but keeping the evidence wasn't an option if Nathan's life was on the line.

"I think I need to sit down."

Ethan led me to the couch and didn't leave my side until I was sitting. "They have a plan," Ethan assured. "And they understand that this could be a trap. They are not going into this blindly, and they can both handle themselves."

I nodded, knowing Ethan wouldn't tell me that if it wasn't true. It didn't make it any easier to stomach. I just wanted Asher and Axel to come home, and I wanted to know Nathan was safe. I just hoped that all happened at the same time.

Ethan squeezed my hand. "Will you be okay if I step outside and make a few phone calls? I know some of the neighboring alphas in that area, and I'm hoping to call in some favors. If I can get one of them to send some spare warriors Asher and Axel's way, then they won't be alone going into that."

"Why not just ask warriors from your pack?"

"I wish I could," he said, "but I don't know who to trust. I don't know who is on my father's side."

I nodded understanding. I didn't want Ethan to leave my side, but I knew those phone calls would be essential to helping out the twins. "Make the calls. I'll be fine."

Ethan hesitated, as if he didn't want to leave my side. "I'll be right back." He kissed my cheek and then headed out the door.

I pulled my legs into my chest and started going over the plan for Alpha Williams in my head to distract myself. If Asher and Axel had to give up the evidence against Beta Burrell, Ethan and I would have to be as convincing as possible to get the alpha to listen to us. The front door opened, and a smile spread on my face, expecting Ethan to walk through that door.

I jumped to my feet. "What are you doing here?" I demanded.

"That's no way to talk to your principal, now is it, young lady?"