Page 69 of The Beta's Heart

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Peri

I spent the morning with Callie and Keeley, helping Beta Matthew and Maria pack up the last of the twins‘ things since they were leaving with their mates tomorrow, both eager to see their new home and learn about their new roles.

As luna of Green River, Callie was already feeling the pressure, but her mate, Alpha James, was great at soothing her fears and reassuring her that he would be by her side every step of the way. As for Keeley, she was happy that her mate would be her sister’s beta. Even though Beta Aiden technically had alpha blood, Alpha James said he didn’t trust anyone else except his younger brother to guard his luna.

There was a small crisis when the twins realized they’d lose their link with Spring as soon as my alpha brothers released them from Five Fangs to become members of Green River. Thinking fast, I linked Jay to ask the king where Spring was staying in the Royal Pack, then to get a phone number.

When I explained why, he agreed and, before ten minutes had passed, I was setting up the twins’ phones with the contact information for one Dr. Alonzo York. Then I called him and explained the situation,and the good doctor assured me that any time the girls wanted to talk to their late brother’s wolf, all they had to do was call.

“Saved the day again, Per,” Callie sniffed as she wiped her eyes and Keeley hugged me.

“Eh, it’s a talent.” I shrugged, trying to lighten things up.

After a teary goodbye-for-now filled with promises to keep in touch and visit each other, I left them with their mates and went over to the alpha house early to help Posy with any last-minute needs she might have before Tyler’s birthday party.

My older brothers, however, intercepted me the second I stepped through the door. Dragging me to the man cave, they showed me the exploded bean bag chair and asked if I was able to fix it.

“Sure, but I don’t have the right kind of sewing machine to make the seams strong enough to withstand another moose attack.” I gave Ash a pretend glare, which made him grin. “My machine is just a cheapie from the superstore and can’t even hem up jeans.”

“We’ll get you whatever machine you need, Sissy,” Cole said. “Text or email me a link to what you want, and I’ll order it today. It can be your payment for helping us out.”

“All right, thanks.” I gave him a big hug. “I appreciate it. That will be a big help with lots of projects I’ve been wanting to do.”

“And don’t forget to order the thread and other supplies you need for it, too,” Mase chimed in. “Don’t stint.”

“Since it’s on your dime, I won’t!” I grinned.

Then Cole patted my shoulder, a sign he’d had enough of my hug, so I released him and went over to hug Mase, who patted my back awkwardly. Honestly, the only ones of these boys who knew how to give a proper hug were Jay and Ash! The other three hugged me like I was going to shatter into a thousand pieces if they squeezed too hard!

Which was weird because Wyatt was always shoving me around, and Cole had hooked his arm around my waist and spun me in circles more times than I could count. Hell, even Alpha Ice Mason Price wasn’t above picking me up and tossing me into the pool!

Boys. And they saygirlsare hard to figure out!

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As I finished arranging the last of the balloons around the cabana, Dove started to hop around like a frog on a hot plate, flooding me with so much excitement and happiness that I felt dizzy.

“What’s gotten into you?” I hissed. “Calm down!”

Can’t, Per! It’s happening!

“What’s happening, you dingbat wolf?”

You’ll find out!she sing-sang, and I rolled my eyes.

And then the world shifted under my feet as my nose filled with the delicate smell of lilacs freshly blooming on a cool spring morning.

“Oh. Oh, my.” Pressing one hand to my chest, I gasped for breath as my heart turned into a woodpecker hammering on a tree.

“Peri?”

Slender fingers touched my forearm, and I turned my shell-shocked eyes to Posy, who stared back at me for a second before her face nearly split in half with a wide grin.

“Oh, my heart!” she squealed. “You smell your mate, don’t you?”

Mute as a mime, I could only nod.

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