Page 71 of Mates: Posy

I nodded. I wanted to know what had happened simply because it affected at least one of my mates so deeply, but knew I’d have to give it time.

Before I was ready, the yard was filled with beta wolves - and I had to meet them. Wanting to be brave for my mates, or at least not embarrass them by being a scaredy cat, I swallowed hard and took Ash’s hand when he held it out. He led me down the porch stairs and over to a lean guy who stood a little apart from the others. He had dark blue eyes and dirty blond hair with long bangs and wore a gray t-shirt, dark blue cargo shorts, and gray running shoes.

"Posy, meet Tyler James. His wolf is named River," Ash said. "Ty, meet our mate and your luna, Posy Briggs. Her wolf is named Lark."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, luna." Tyler’s cheeks and the tops of his ears turned pink, but he met my eyes and held out his hand.

"It’s nice to meet you, too, Beta Tyler." I shook his hand.

"Just Tyler or Ty is fine, luna. I’m honored to be your guard." His face grew determined. "I’ll work really hard. I won’t let you down."

Oh, my heart.

"Thank you, Tyler. I can tell you’re going to be a great beta, and I know we’re going to become good friends."

When I smiled at him, his blush deepened.

Then one of the other betas laughed in a rude way and muttered, "What a baby!"

Of course, I heard him, as did Tyler, who shoved his hands in his pockets and stared hard at the ground.

Are they picking on him because he’s so young, or because he’s new to the group?

Whatever the reason, I didn’t like it. Not at all. They should be welcoming him to the team, not hazing him. Besides, he, like most of us, had been prematurely thrown into a role he wasn’t quite ready for.

I looked over my shoulder at the guy who’d laughed. He wore a short-sleeved white polo, khaki shorts, gray canvas shoes, and a smirk aimed at Tyler.

I glared at him. I wanted to have a talk with whichever of my mates he was beta for. I was also going to get Tyler alone today and find out how bad the bullying was.

"Matthew."

Mason’s voice was the sharp crack of a whip, and the dark-haired beta instantly bared his neck. His bright blue eyes fogged up for a second and he winced. Then he walked over to us and held out his hand to Tyler.

"Sorry," he muttered, but I saw no regret in his face.

Yep. Definitely having a talk with Mason about this guy.

Tyler reluctantly took his hand out of his pocket and shook Matthew’s hand, but didn’t reply.

"Your apology means nothing since Mason made you do it," I told Matthew. "Be a better teammate so you don’t have to make apologies, forced or genuine."

A moment of shock rippled through the group. When I realized what I’d said and done, I clasped my hands tightly and twisted my fingers. If I scolded their betas, even if they deserved it, my mates might get mad at me.

That thought was why I flinched so hard when Ash’s long arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me against his side. I knew everyone saw it, too.

"You’re okay, princess. No one will hurt you for correcting the behavior of someone who should know better."

Ash’s voice was a rumbly growl, and I had the feeling that if I wasn’t standing there, he would have cuffed Matthew on the back of his head.

"This is Matthew Rose, Mase’s beta," Ash went on to introduce us. "His wolf is Arroyo."

"Hello, luna," Matthew said in a quiet voice.

"Beta Matthew."

He didn’t try to shake my hand, for which I was grateful. I gave him a curt nod and received one in return. I did not like Matthew Rose very much.

Then a dark-skinned guy joined us. His black hair was braided in thin rows tight against his scalp, and he was the dressiest wolf I’d met in a while with his white button-up shirt, light blue dress shorts, and brown leather loafers. Most shifters favored clothes that were easy to get on and off in case they needed to wolf out in a hurry.

---