Page 159 of Wanted Beta

“How could I be mad at you? You’ve done nothing wrong.”

I stare at her, stunned. She smiles at me.

“I’m not sure about the true mates label,” she adds. “I don’t think I can hear that without feeling like it’s just a bullshit line that gets used to make a girl feel special.”

“Whoever hurt you deserves to be hurt worse.”

She blinks at me, and I worry that I sounded too angry, then, she actually grins.

“You know what, I think he really is hurting worse than he hurt me. I never thought about it like that before, but he has nothing and no one and all he seems to want to do is bother me.”

“He’s still bothering you?” I ask quickly.

She shakes her head. “I don’t think he’ll be bothering me again.”

The sound of the kitchen doors opening draws our attention to the dining room.

Lunch is about to be served.

I look back at Beth. “So, what can I call you?”

“Um … I don’t know. You might have to think about that one.”

“My girlfriend? My girl? Oh, what about my woman?”

She laughs. “I’m none of those things yet.”

“Yet,” I echo, wondering how soon it might happen.

She shrugs as we move toward the table.

I don’t let the thought linger on my mind.

She belongs here with us, and it’s where she’s going to end up.

It doesn’t matter what it takes to get her there. It’s inevitable.

Fate brought her to us. No one can take her away.

Chapter Seventy-Six

Beth

Lunch is delicious, as expected, and the conversation stays light throughout. When it’s over, if there were any doubts left in my mind, they’re gone. Secret was right before. I’ve already had all of the signs. These guys were meant for me, and I’m meant for them.

It feels real, and it feels right.

“That was amazing,” Secret says. “We need to go now, but we’ll definitely be back for the grand opening. Beth can let me know when that is.”

I nod. “It won’t be too long. A week, maybe.”

“Great,” Secret tells me, getting up when I do.

Ryan gets up and murmurs, “Good meeting you all.”

“It was fun,” Arrow says, smiling and waving.

“I’ll be back in a few,” I let them know.

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