Page 28 of The Beta's Heart

Whether she does or not, you mind your big mouth today,Dove demanded.Don’t say one word about her size.

I know that, Dove!I shot back.I was just concerned for her!

As well as being physically tiny, she had an air of fragility about her, too, and a nervousness that made her jump at the slightest noise. And then there were my big brothers hovering protectively around her, their eyes watchful. I could see that all five of them were absolutely smitten with her, but something about their behavior waved a big red flag in my face.

“Hey, you must be Posy,” I greeted her with a warm smile, hoping to ease some of the tension that clung to her like a second skin.

She nodded hesitantly, her gaze flickering between me and my alphas brothers.

“Um, yeah. That’s me.”

“I’m Peri,” I introduced myself, offering my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” Posy shook my hand tentatively, her fingers cool and delicate in mine.

We fell into step together as Ash led us through the crowds, an effortless task for someone just shy of seven feet tall. As my other brothers walked in a loose square around us, I stole glances at Posy, noticing how she kept close to her new mates, almost like she wanted to hide in their enormous shadows.

“So, Posy,” I began casually, trying to draw her out a little to get to know her. “Are you excited about shopping?”

She hesitated, then nodded slightly.

“Yeah, I haven’t done it in a long time.”

Something in her tone told me that by ‘a long time,’ she didn’t mean a few days or even a few weeks.

“Well, I’m here to help you find some cool stuff. What do you need first?”

“Thanks.” Posy’s shoulders relaxed a fraction, and she glanced at me with a hint of gratitude. “Um, a couple of outfits would be nice. And definitely some underwear.”

“Sure thing,” I said cheerfully, leading her towards a trendy boutique. “Let’s find you something nice.”

As we browsed through racks of clothes, I kept a careful eye on the small girl. Her choices were modest, practical even, which didn’t surprise me given her demeanor, but when we ventured into the lingerie section, I couldn’t resist teasing her a bit.

“Hey, how about some fancy ones for the boys?” I playfully held up a sheer black set.

“Um, I... I don’t think so.”

Posy’s cheeks flushed bright red, and she ran back to the front of the store where the boys waited, and I immediately regretted my words, realizing I had pushed too far.

Me and my big mouth. It always gets me into trouble.

Don’t tease her,Mase told me in the link as I walked toward them.She’s innocent.

She needs to get some things here for sure, especially bras, Jay joined our silent conversation.She’s probably too shy or embarrassed to tell you, but hers are old and in horrible shape.

If she’s so innocent, how do you know that?I asked, half teasing and half serious.

I helped her pack her stuff to move here, then unpacked it into her dresser. All of her clothes are rags, Per.

She needs everything,Ash chimed in.Accessories, shoes, jewelry, hair supplies, all of it.

Can you help her without teasing or embarrassing her, Periwinkle?Wyatt asked with a seriousness that was unusual for him.She needs a friend.

Of course. I didn’t quite know what to expect from her, so I treated her like I would Callie or Keeley, but I’m getting the picture now. I need to handle her even more delicately than I do Sophie and Yola.

Exactly,Cole agreed with relief.Pretend Posy is Yolly on one of her extra shy, sensitive days, and that might be close enough.

With a tiny nod at him, I touched my fingertips to her shoulder, which startled her, and I wondered again what all this girl had been through.

---