Page 122 of The Beta's Heart

At least let us talk to our luna, Tristan said.We need to hear fromherthat she’s okay.

Posy’s sleeping.Cole told us with a smile.And Lark’s currently in the human version of a puppy pile. Our wolves wanted to snuggle her.

Wyatt sent us the image of luna snuggled in bed with him, Mase, and Cole, and we all relaxed to see the happy smile on her face. Then, maybe sensing the intensity of the gazes upon her, she opened her eyes, which flashed silver in the dim light.

What is it?Lark murmured with a sleep pout.Why my beta wolves upset?

They’re worried about you, precious,Mase told her.Can you tell them you’re okay so they can calm down?

I scared,she admitted,but I okay now. I safe. Nyx and king said so.

Luna happy now?River purred with a wagging tail.Luna getting cuddles?

Yep!Lark grinned happily.My mates so warm and snuggly!

Happy luna,Arroyo cooed, and Matthew rolled his eyes at him.Happy luna, happy pack.

We can be by your side in hours, luna.Bay all but shoved Crew aside to talk to her.Link us anytime for anything.

Even if you just want to chat or ask a question,added Creek as Tristan nodded in agreement.

Thank you, betas.

Sleep well, luna wolf,Cove crooned, and Em echoed him.

You, too.

After we said our goodbyes to Lark, we pulled out of the alpha link and chatted amongst ourselves for a few minutes before we, too, signed off.

“Whew!” Peri snapped off the bedside lamp, then fell back on her pillow. “Who knew being a beta’s mate would be so intense?”

“You would have been worried about your sister-in-law even if you weren’t my mate,” I chuckled and wrapped myself around her. “Besides, I’m worth it, aren’t I?”

I may have sounded like I was joking, but I knew what she’d seen earlier, her broken mate screaming in terror like a weak child—

“Stop it, Tyler.” Two soft hands landed on either side of my face, and two soft lips pressed against mine. “You aremorethan worth it. You are my mate, my love, and my life. There isno onemore worthythan you. I love you more than your doubts, more than your fears, more than your nightmares.”

“Thank you, Sunshine,” I whispered. “I love you so much.”

“You don’t need to say thank you for the truth, baby, but you’re welcome.”

This girl.

She had walked into my heart like she’d always belonged there, and now I could hardly breathe without her. She was the cure to all my wounds and the balm to all my scars.

Blinking against the sudden sting of tears, I gulped down the knot of emotion in my throat and buried my face in her hair, her butterscotch smell and the mate sparks cocooning me in safety and warmth and love as I drifted back to sleep.

27. Messy, Messy, Messy

Peri

As I walked through the forest, the sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I was looking for River and Sid, who’d been suspiciously quiet all afternoon. Tyler had been exhausted after having two bad episodes in a row last night, and he finally gave in to my badgering and took a nap.

I didn’t know how much sleep could help when your soul was tired, but at least his body would benefit from it.

Since River had said a very definitive no to a ‘nappy-nap,’ I’d given him permission to shift and go for a run with his best friend. I had a big sewing project I wanted to get done before school started and didn’t need him underfoot, whining about how bored he was.

Now, hours later, I was worried. Knowing their penchant for getting into trouble, I had a sinking feeling he and Sid were up to something, especially since neither of them would link with me.

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