Page 154 of Wanted Beta

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“She worked out Arrow was my mate from my tattoo,” he adds, lifting his arm. “This tattoo.”

He takes a drink of water and slumps in the stool.

“Any one of us could have been there when she was connecting the dots. I’m sure it was more than just the tattoo that gave her a hint. She knows we’re a pack. She’s too smart not to question what that means. You’re just the one who was there when she asked the question.”

He frowns. “I don’t get why she was so mad. I don’t know enough about what she’s been through to figure out why it was so explosive to tell her she was fated to be with us. She likes us. I know she does. It doesn’t make sense.”

“It doesn’t make sense right now. All we know is she has a violent ex …”

He sucks in a breath, and his eyes widen when he looks at me. “Oh my God. She has a violent ex. That guy, he told me to get away from his true mate. He said those words, Enzo. Those exact words!”

I blink at him. “He did?”

“I told him she wasn’t his because she was ours.” He puts his glass on the counter and runs a hand through his bright hair. “This is insane. He was her boyfriend, and he was calling her his mate. Holy hell. No wonder she doesn’t like that term. He must have lied to her when they met.”

I don’t need to ask why a guy might do that. It’s pretty obvious.

Especially if the guy is manipulative and wants to exert some control over his woman.

There’s only one thing about it that I don’t understand.

“Why would she believe another Beta who tells her she’s his mate?”

She seems smart enough to know better, not that a person can’t be blinded by love.

He frowns at me. “Her ex wasn’t a Beta. Did I say he was?”

“If you did, I don’t remember. He was an Alpha?”

He nods. “What difference does that make?”

I wait for my instincts to kick in. When they do, I get a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.

That’s not a good sign, but I won’t let it get to me. Not right now.

We have enough to deal with without adding to our troubles.

“I’m just surprised, that’s all,” I lie.

Talking seems to have helped take his attention off the guilt he’s been feeling and that’s a good start. I don’t want to ruin it with a problem that may or may not exist.

I think about what Arrow said earlier, about us having a fifth mate.

One who was standing around outside until he suddenly wasn’t.

I don’t want to think about what that means.

“You okay, Enzo?” Jack asks.

“I’m just tired. We should try to get some sleep.”

“I know. We need to impress this friend Beth’s bringing over, I guess.”

“Don’t worry, I have that part covered with the lunch I’ll be making. Just try to avoid swearing at the table, please.”

“When do I ever … Okay. Sure. Good point. Best behavior. Good plan.” He smiles, and I feel a burst of relief. “I don’t think there’s anyone you couldn’t win over with your food.”

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