Page 53 of The Beta's Heart

Even so, I pulled Mr. Barlow aside before I left the party, wanting to know what had happened. He hesitated, his brow furrowing as if he wasn’t sure he should share, but he finally nodded and answered me.

“William and Winnie knocked her down, and her cover up slipped off. She scraped her hands and knees a little, but she didn’t even seem to notice that. She was too upset because we saw her scars.”

“Will you link me what they look like?”

“You are theonlyone I would do this with, since you know exactly what it’s like,” he said gravely. “I also understand that, as her beta, you’re asking with the sole intent to understand and help her, not out of idle curiosity.”

As I gave him a nod of agreement, he sent me the images, and they filled me with a mix of sadness for what she’d endured and a fierce determination that it would never happen again.

Not on my watch,I vowed, my heart clenching at the thought of my luna in pain.Not ever.

Since the alphas were giving me a ride back to the O, I waited until we were in the SUV to ask luna if she wanted to hang out with me tomorrow since I knew all of her mates had packed schedules.

“That is, if you don’t have other plans,” I added. “We can do anything you’d like to do.”

“Well, Jayden did say something about wanting to start a family night with board games, but I’m afraid I don’t remember too many.” She shyly tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “OnlyUnoandCandy Land, and Mason saidUnois banned in the house because Ash and Wyatt can’t play it correctly.”

“They cheat so much, I can’t stand it,” Alpha Mase grumbled from the seat behind us, and I chuckled.

“Well, then, luna, how about I come over and we’ll learnMonopolytogether?” I offered. “I’ve never played it before, but I’ve heard it’s fun.”

“Okay!” Her dark blue eyes sparkled as her happiness pinged through our bond, and I knew I’d made the right call.

#

The next morning, I was setting the game box on the kitchen table at the alpha house when Royal Price, Alpha Mase’s dad, showed up unexpectedly.

I’d known him for years now. He was best friends with Nathan Barlow, so he hung out at the Busted Knuckle a lot, and both he and Mr. Barlow trained with me many times, helping me learn to channel my instincts in the right direction and finding ways to control River.

“Oh, hey, Mr. Price. The alphas are all out on jobs, if you’re here to see them. It’s just me and the luna.”

“Ty, how many times have I asked you to call me Royal? And I’m here to visit Posy.”

Curious about why, I let him in and led him into the kitchen, where luna was washing her hands at the sink. When her posture went rigid and her little body started to tremble, I was at her side in a flash.Surprising me, she buried her face into my side and clutched my t-shirt as she half-hid behind me.

“Oh, hey, luna, it’s okay,” I tried to comfort her. “This is Royal Price, Alpha Mase’s dad. Didn’t you meet him at the party last night?”

She knows who I am, Ty,Mr. Price linked me.

Don’t take it personally,I tried to figure out what was going on here. It’s because the alphas aren’t here. She’s less confident when they’re not around.

That’s probably some of it, but the truth is, I stuffed up and scared her.

Well, that changed everything. Curling my arm around luna, I swiftly drew her fully behind me, protecting her tiny body with my much taller and broader one.

Whethersheknew it or not, Mr. Price knew there was always a beta patrolling the treeline that surrounded the alpha house any time luna was here alone. He also knew how deadly I—or any of my beta brothers—could be if we felt there was a threat to her.

Betas had more moon power, dominance, and drive to protect than anyone in the pack after the alphas. The moment we were elevated to the official position, that drive strengthened into a compulsion, which increased exponentially when a luna came into the picture.

So why is he here if he knows she’s scared of him and all alone?I asked myself as River let out a low, rumbly growl.

Al scare luna?my wolf asked Alabaster, Mr. Price’s wolf, and from River’s tone alone, we all understood that this could go to hell in a handbasketrealquick.

Not me, little one,Alabaster answered.

I did,Mr. Price admitted,but I’m here to apologize and make it right.

No scare luna again,River’s too-even voice was not reassuring at all. He was only this kind of calm right before he exploded.

---