Page 18 of The Beta's Heart

“What good qualities?” Tristan raised an eyebrow. “Other than being funnier than hell at times?”

“He’s crazy protective. He’ll do anything to keep me safe, and that will transfer to our luna. He’ll kill first and ask questions later. Well, no.” I stopped and corrected myself. “He’ll ask questionsnever. And when he’s not escalated, he’s really sweet and innocent. It’s like having a toddler with superpowers.”

Crew laughed at that, shaking his head.

“A toddler with superpowers, huh? That’s one way to put it.”

“Yeah. It’s challenging, believe me, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything. We’re a team, and we’ve learned to work together, even if he does make my butt itch from time to time.”

“Now what the hell doesthatmean?” Emerson threw his hands up in the air.

“Makes him mad,” Crew and Tris chorused again, then looked at each other with a grin before Tris added, “Damn, Em, you’ve been living here for how many years now? And you’re still as lost as last year’s Easter egg.”

“It’s notmyfault you can’t speak properly.” Em crossed his arms over his chest. “And I’m dead-ass sure you make up euphemisms to harass me!”

“What’s a euphemism?” Crew tipped his head to the left, his usually placid eyes sparkling with mischief. “One of them there words from up north?”

“Never mind!”

As Crew and Tris broke up laughing, Meanie Boy himself stuck his head in the locker room.

“If y’all are done cackling like a bunch of hens in there,” Matthew sneered, “the cleaning crew’s waiting to get in.”

“A meanie boyanda killjoy,” Tris said under his breath, making me snicker.

As I quickly packed my things back in my bag, he and Crew shuffled out the door, but Em hung back.

“If you ever need help or someone to talk to, we’re here for you, Ty. Even if all I can do is listen, I will.”

“Thanks,” I said, my voice suddenly going gruff, and I had to clear my throat. “That means a lot.”

As we left the locker room, I felt better about everything. Sure, it was going to be a hard row to hoe, especially if I couldn’t gel with Matthew, but I was determined now that River and I would find our way. Even if it was one tiny step at a time, I was going to prove that we were worthy of the beta position.

#

River

Moon so bright. Bright and big. Me like it! Like it lots! Make me feel strong! Me run fast, fast, fast! Trees blur. So fun. No one catch me!

Slow down, Riv, Ty-Ty say.

Me not want to. Want to run! Feel the wind! Den me hear a noise. Oh, boy! Bunny! Me chase. Fast, fast, fast! Almost catch bunny, but bunny goes in ground. Dumb bunny!

River, you’re about to cross the border, so turn around,Ty-Ty say.

Uh-oh! Not want to make Ty-Ty mad! Not like it when Ty-Ty mad. Me turn around.

Good boy,Ty-Ty say.

Den me see shiny ting! What dis? Pretty pretty! Me grabs it with my mouf.

Put that down, Riv,Ty-Ty say.We don’t need any more rocks.

Me not want to. It mine now. Me snarl at Ty-Ty, and Ty-Ty face goes sad. Why he sad? Not like it when Ty-Ty sad. Me put down shiny rock.

Good boy,Ty-Ty say, and dah mad goes to sleep again.

Later, I sit by dah fire. Me like it. Warm. Safe. Ty-Ty talk to me. Say need to be careful. Need to listen.

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