Page 13 of Wanted Beta

“This isn’t looking like much of a party,” Annie says as Carla stops the engine.

“Well, we’re kind of early,” I remind them after I check my phone. “And the party’s probably out back.”

“We could still go home,” Carla says, sounding hopeful.

They look at me, and I realize they’re both a little anxious.

I take off my seatbelt. “We came all the way up here. We might as well go inside.”

“I’m leaving if those stoners hit on us,” Annie warns me.

“I’m pretty sure this place is big enough that we won’t need to go anywhere near those guys.”

She sighs at my response before she gets out of the car.

I put a hand on Carla’s shoulder. “We can leave if you hate it.”

She turns. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

I mean it, completely, and it makes her smile.

I know she’ll be fine once we’re inside, and I hope we don’t have to leave, but if she really isn’t comfortable, I’ll make our excuses and I’ll handle any fallout from Annie.

Carla’s my best friend. I wouldn’t make her do something she really wasn’t happy about, but she’s also so meek that sometimes she needs a little nudge to do stuff before she realizes there was really nothing to worry about.

We get out of the car, and I get a thrill just looking at the mansion in front of us.

We’re about to get a taste of what it’s like for the insanely wealthy of this world.

Rourke’s father is an Alpha, and his mother’s an Omega. They’re both billionaires in their own rights, with Mr. Mariner making his fortune with a diverse investment portfolio and a host of profitable companies under his belt, and Mrs. Mariner is a retired icon who tried her hand extremely successfully at modelling, acting, singing, photography, and painting.

The buzz around town was supercharged when word got out about who was moving in here.

Everyone I know would love to get the chance that we’re getting right now.

I can’t help but smile.

“Well?” Annie asks at my side.

I see she’s wearing a short skirt that shows off her long legs, with cute ankle boots and an oversized mid-blue sweater that matches her eyes. This is her cutest outfit, beyond a doubt.

She must have spent a couple hours getting her long dark hair that perfectly poker straight. The silky shine it has is as eye-catching as the flicks she’s made lining her eyes with an inky black liner.

She’s just as excited as I am. There’s no doubt about that, even if she’s getting a little anxious now that we’re here.

“Well, we all look amazing, so let’s get moving,” I tell her, taking Carla’s arm in mine and moving across the driveway, toward the mansion’s front entrance.

I hear an engine getting closer, and I turn to find out some of the popular kids have just arrived.

Annie lets out a groan. “Great. Here comes the bitch squad.”

I grab her arm and get us moving.

The last thing we want is to be caught standing around when Chelsea and her crew get out of her car. Those girls are brutal to anyone who isn’t part of their circle.

Carla gives me a nervous smile as we make it to the front door.

---