Page 5 of The Beta's Heart

“Doesn’t matter, Sissy.” William wrapped his little arms around Winnie, who hid his face in his brother’s throat. “We’reliketwins. We do everything together, and we always will.”

Seeing them clinging to each other, I forgot all about them eating my chocolate-scented lip gloss the day before and hugged themboth, admitting that William was right. These two were twinnier than my friends Callie and Keeley Breckenridge, and they were identical twins!

“All right, babies, we’ll have one party like always, but only if you’re sure you’re not going to get jealous or resent each other.” After I explained what I meant, they nodded their bright blond heads and happy grins lifted their chubby cheeks. “Now we need to pick a theme. I was thinking dinosaurs or building blocks, since you both like either of them—”

“Race cars!”

“Wace caws!”

They shouted at the same time, proving how in tune they were, although their choice was hardly a shock. Like most of the males in the family, they were obsessed with anything that wentvroom.

“All right, then, poppet, hop into my shower while I fetch your clothes,” Mom said now, bringing me back to the moment. “Did you pick an outfit, or shall I?”

“I did, but my white dress isn’t an option anymore. Just grab any top you think is cute and my pair of stretchy black pants. Ugh! I hate this!”

“Look on the bright side, love. It’s only three more months until you turn eighteen and find your mate. Then your cycle will switch to yearly heats. Isn’t that a lovely little benefit?”

“Definitely,” I agreed as she walked away. “Thanks, Mom! I love you!”

“My pleasure,” she called back, “and I love you, too!”

3. Sudden Silence

Tyler

Gamma Landry and I pulled up to the school right as the morning bell rang, and he rushed off to get to his class on time since it was across campus. The hustle and bustle of students filling the hallways greeted us, and I couldn’t help but smile. School wasn’t my favorite place, but seeing my friends always made the day a little brighter.

“Morning, Ty!” Beckham Hall called out as I walked into first period, his voice as energetic as always. His identical twin, Bowie, waved from beside him. Both were giants, and their matching personalities were as big as they were.

“Hey, guys,” I replied, giving them a nod. “Where’s Bram?”

“Right here,” a familiar voice chimed in.

Bram Merriweather, one of the nicest and bravest people I knew, walked over to join us. His presence and gentle smiles were always a source of comfort, the special gift of an omega.

“Hey, Bram,” I greeted him, clapping him on the shoulder. “Ready for another day?”

“Always,” he said, his eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and determination.

The morning passed in a blur of classes and assignments, but my mind kept drifting to Peri Barlow. Every time I caught a glimpse of her in the hallway, my heart stuttered. She looked cute today, her long hair flowing freely, and her nearly black eyes sparkling with an inner light that drew me in like a moth to a flame. I couldn’t help but moon over her a little, even though I knew I’d never be good enough for someone like her.

Lunch was a welcome break, and I joined my friends at our usual table. Beckham and Bowie were staring off across the cafeteria when I sat down with my tray, and I looked at Bram for an explanation.

“Yoyo wore a skirt today,” was all he had to say, not even looking up from his pizza, and I snickered.

While I kept my crush on Peri Barlow a secret in my heart, all us guys knew the wild and crazy Hall twins were sweet on Yolanda Ramirez.Shedidn’t know it, though, and they wanted to keep it that way, which wasn’t going to happen if she looked over here and saw the drool gathering at the corners of their mouths.

“Did you hear about that trampoline park opening downtown?” I asked to distract them.

“Yeah, it sounds fun!” Bram chirped, nodding enthusiastically. “We should try it!”

“Let’s check it out this weekend,” Bowie said, his gaze and attention snapping back to us as I knew it would.

Neither twin could resist a fun physical activity, which was why they were part of a special training program. Alpha Mase had decided to create a first-response unit of elite warriors, and the Halls were his first candidates in what we all were calling Combat Club. So far, they loved it, but it didn’t leave them much time to do anything else other than school.

“Sunday would be good. That’s our break day,” Becks chimed in. “What about you two? Can you give up your weekly game of playing pretend with the gammas?”

“Don’t be jelly of our cerebral adventures,” Bram said primly, wiggling his shoulders in a feisty way, making me bark out a laugh.

---