Page 156 of Wanted Beta

“I don’t know. I like them. They seem … different from other guys. I thought maybe that was a pack thing.”

“Anything else?” she asks.

I get the feeling she’s searching for something specific, but I don’t know what.

I take a second to think about it.

“I feel safe around them, or I did until Jack told me they think I’m their fated mate.”

“Hm,” Secret murmurs.

“What?” I ask, feeling a little anxious about the answer.

“Did anything strange happen when you met them? Was there any coincidental stuff that you can’t really explain?”

“Okay, now you’re getting spooky,” I admit. “There was this thing with a coin that I lost and Gio found. Then Gio took me to meet his pack, to the place Jack had already invited me out to.”

She smiles. “Honestly, Beth, I’m not sure why you need me for this.”

“Are you saying everything adds up?”

“I’m saying it would be a lot weirder if it turned out they weren’t your true mates. I don’t know what it is that you’re not sure about. It all seems pretty obvious.”

I stop walking. We’re getting close now. The restaurant is just around the corner.

“I have to admit something,” I tell her. “I dated an Alpha in high school. In Sapphire Valley.”

She raises her eyebrows, and they disappear under the frames of her glasses.

“I thought … You really seemed to hate Alphas. Oh. Oh! I’m so sorry, Beth. I had no idea.”

“He told me I was his true mate. He really had me fooled.”

“What an asshole! If you give me his name, I’m sure Seth can find him to make sure he learns a lesson for hurting you.”

“I appreciate the offer, but he’s a cop and I feel like that might complicate things for Seth and all of his rescue efforts. I’m sure we’d both rather have him out here in the world helping to save Omegas and women in general from the creeps who try to use them. Rourke just broke up with me after he’d had his fun. It’s nowhere near the same level of awfulness.”

Secret sighs. “It makes me mad that an Alpha did that to you.”

“I want to forget about him, but I don’t know how to forget about what he did.”

“I get it,” she says. “That’s … You should take it slow with these guys. I’m sure they’re great, but it’ll put your mind at ease if you take your time. You don’t have to rush into anything.”

“Thanks.”

“For what?” she asks, genuinely confused.

“For being here with me and helping me work this stuff out. You’re a good friend. I’m lucky to have you.” I give her an impulsive hug, which I swear makes Ryan huff behind us.

That’s a hyper possessive true mate bond in action.

He’d never stop her from hugging a friend, but he doesn’t have to like it.

I let her go. “Come on. We’re probably going to be late for lunch.”

Her mouth drops open. “Lunch? Are you telling me these guys have been making you food?”

“You think my future mates would ever not be the kind to make my food and serve it to me?”

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