Page 75 of The Beta's Blind Date

My toes curl in my shoes, and I lean back, swaying my hips in a figure eight against his body.

Always, he said. I play it over and over in my mind as the night wears on, clinging to that one word and praying that he means it.

Because I don’t think my heart can handle his rejection if he doesn’t.

Chapter 26

REID

“Heythere,you,”Tarynsays as she walks up to me on the training field at Crescent Lake with a smile.

I hug her, no longer worried about who is watching or what they think.

She is my girl.

And soon she’ll know the truth of those words. I can’t keep it from her anymore. Not after our moment in the bar over the weekend. Not after I promised her I was all in.

I need her help, too. I tried to figure it out on my own, but that isn’t working. And while I could ask others for help—Wesley or even Sebastian—I should tell her the truth before I tell anyone else. I owe her that.

But I’m waiting until after her challenge tomorrow. She needs to focus, and my confession will be a distraction.

She takes a deep breath and burrows her face into my chest, and I curl myself around her, shielding her from the cold. She fits against me like a puzzle piece, her curves and muscles lining up with the hard planes of my body.

My fierce warrior. My perfect match.

“Are you ready for our last training before your challenge?” I ask, and she nods, her hair tickling my chin.

“What’s the plan for today?” she asks, looking up at me.

I smile. “Well, you’ve been working extra hard over the last few weeks, and tomorrow is the big day, so I thought today we’d just have a little fun.”

Her brow quirks up. “Fun? What kind of fun? And why do you have that look on your face? You’re making me nervous as hell.”

My grin grows and I take her hand in mine, leading her to the edge of the forest, where Sebastian, Maddie, Nolan, Wesley, and Haven all stand, waiting for us.

“Hey, Taryn!” Maddie says, waving.

“Hey.” Taryn waves back and smiles at everyone. “What’s going on? Reid mentioned ‘fun,’ and then he got this mischievous look on his face, so I’m kind of nervous.” She tucks her hands into her sleeves and crosses her arms.

“We’re playing hide and seek!” Haven says.

Wesley frowns. “I still think you should be resting and enjoying your break. You work so hard all the time. Especially recently, with all the wedding prep.”

Haven rolls her eyes. “I can’t sit still and do nothing for an entire week, Wesley. I will combust.”

“But how will you find us? You won’t be able to scent our trails?” Taryn asks.

“Nolan said we could be a team. He’ll help me out.”

“You’re going to be Nolan’s partner? What about me?” Wesley asks, pouting.

“Nolan asked first,” she says with a shrug.

“But I’m your mate.”

“And he’s my gamma.”

“Ouch,” Maddie says, wincing. “Do you need some ice for that burn, Wessy?”

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