Page 78 of Ruined Beta

Maybe because the only ones I ever met were awful.

I go to the door, wondering if I’ll end up at his bedroom door later, begging like he expects.

Right at this moment, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.

Chapter Forty-Three

E.A.

Ten minutes is all it takes to realize I’m not going to tire myself out running tonight. My thoughts are moving too fast, and being on the treadmill only seems to make them come faster. Physical exertion isn’t what I need. I turn off the machine, slow to a stop, and drink some water.

All I’ve really done is make myself sweat enough to feel like I need a change of clothes.

A quick shower later, and I’m in a fresh set of pyjamas, still wide awake and kind of hoping someone might feel like staying up to talk when they finally come upstairs.

I think about knocking on Toshi’s door, but I’m not sure he wanted company.

He’s been a bit shy about what he wants since he got here.

I don’t think he expected to ever belong to a pack.

Most Betas don’t. They think deep, meaningful bonds are only formed between Alphas and Omegas, because that’s what the world conditions everyone to think. In truth, mating bonds are just as common between Betas as they are the rest of us. Which is to say they’re rare, but they happen.

Packs seem to have a natural advantage to finding their mates, but it’s possible for everyone.

We’ve just been lied to for so long by the media, and the academies, and all the companies who want to sell things dependent on how special everyone wants to feel, that a lot of people don’t believe in fated mates anymore.

I sit down on the couch, and consider putting the TV on for background noise, when I hear the door opening again. Spencer’s low rumbling voice is attempting to sound quiet, so I can’t make out what he’s saying as he steps into the hallway, but I can tell by the tone that he’s flirting.

He still does that with Echo, but I know it’s with Leanne.

I hear her murmuring a reply, and then Spencer opens the hall door and steps into the living space.

“Oh, hey,” he greets, when I glance back at him, remote control in my hand. “Thought you went to bed.”

“I was more awake than I thought,” I admit. “How was dessert?”

I let my gaze drift over Leanne as she steps into the room behind him, and Echo as he follows.

“It was fine,” Spencer tells me.

It’s not like him to be dismissive of cake, but I can guess why.

Leanne agreed to stay tonight.

I’m not surprised, but I am curious.

She fits in with us as if she was always here.

I didn’t think it would happen this fast, but it feels like she’s almost ready to become ours.

“I’m just going to make up Toshi’s bed for Leanne,” Spencer says.

“He might already be sleeping.”

“Trust me, he’s not asleep.”

Spencer walks straight over to Toshi’s door and steps inside without knocking.

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