Page 42 of Wanted Beta

That’s probably why it’s not super busy up here.

I put the leftover change back into my pocket.

“So, what time do you need to meet Dan at now?”

“Daniel,” she corrects me. “Five. He wants to have drinks before dinner.”

“Then, we should probably head home and get you ready,” I tell her, knowing she probably has a whole in-depth routine she goes into for date prep.

“We still have … Oh, maybe you’re right,” she says as she checks the time. “I didn’t realize it was almost four.”

I shrug. “It’s been a fun afternoon. I’m more than happy to head home.”

Especially now that I know I have chips I can eat while I’m vegging out on her couch later.

As for dinner … I probably shouldn’t, but I’m definitely going to that pizza place.

I can resist flirting with that waiter.

He probably won’t even be on shift or whatever.

I’m interested in the pizza, not the guy who brings me it.

I just need to keep reminding myself of that.

Chapter Eighteen

Rourke

There’s a fine line between criminal behavior and following Alpha instincts. Love can make a man capable of almost anything, and losing the woman he would do anything for blurs that line until it’s basically invisible.

I wouldn’t call what I’m doing right now stalking, but my superiors might.

I guess it’s kind of funny that the one job I gravitated toward outside of my parent’s control is the same damn job that would condemn the behavior that I’ve been driven to ever since I was forced to walk away from my one true mate.

I watch as Beth walks out of the mall’s top-level arcade with her eldest sister Catherine.

It’s only been a couple days since Beth was rescued by her friend’s mom, and knowing what she went through has made it impossible to concentrate on anything but watching over her.

If I’d only had the balls to speak to her before that asshole talked her into going home with him, she never would have had to go through any of that.

That’s what cuts me up inside.

I wasn’t looking after her like I should have been.

I let myself believe she would be better off without me.

But I know I’m not better without her, and she’s not meant to be alone.

Fate brought us together for a reason.

She needs the protection of an Alpha.

This is the only way I can give her that without forcing her to speak to me.

I know she hates me for what I did.

She should.

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