Page 62 of The Beta's Heart

Hello, Toro!me say, member-embering all Ty-Ty say.Me big boy and good teddy and gentle bear! Promise!

Toro eyes go so big! He smile and put hand out. Me sniff, careful-careful.

“Hi, River! You’re so soft!” he coo and pet me. Me like! Toro so gentle and not pull fur! “Can I hug you?”

Dat a good idea! Me nod, and Toro give tight hug. So nice and warm, and me want to be good gentle bear and big teddy boy for him.

You’re doing so well, baby,Ty-Ty say.

Yay! Ty-Ty happy, too!

Me wag tail and lick Toro face. He giggle and stand up.

“Do you want to play tag with me?” he ask.

Me so excited! Me bark and jump, den member-ember Ty-Ty say no bark, no jump.

Uh-oh! Ears down, tuck tail ’tween legs.

It’s okay, buddy,Ty-Ty say, his voice kind and soft. Ty-Ty always so nice.He’s not scared, so it’s okay.

Dat good. Me want Toro be fend for always and always.

Yep-yep, Toro! Me play tag!

“You can be it first!” Toro yell and run off.

Oh, boy, me gets to be its! Me chase Toro. He quick! Fun, fun, fun!

I’m so proud of you,Ty-Ty whispers.Such a good boy.

Someting in me feel warm, warm, warm.

Tanks you, Ty-Ty! Was good idea to come! Toro new fend!

You like him, huh?

Toro wonnerful!

Just like you, baby,Ty-Ty say.

Yay! Me a wonnerful big gentle teddy bear good boy for Ty-Ty!

#

Tyler

“So what’s up, pup?” Alpha Jay plopped next to me on one of the two bean bags amid the gaming chairs and cushions scattered around the man cave.

This was the alphas’ sanctuary, a huge room in their house filled with a full-sized bowling alley, skee ball, air hockey, and more video games than any old-school arcade ever had. Dim, warm light from the vintage hanging lamps bathed the room, giving it a cozy and intimate feel.

Usually, I loved being invited in here, but now I fidgeted with the hem of my t-shirt as I tried to gather my courage.

It was the night before my eighteenth birthday, and I didn’t know who else to go to. Landry was as much of a virgin as I was and it looked like that might never change. Nia had screwed his head up so much, his walls were now thirty feet high and rigged with explosives. I doubted he’d ever even be comfortable enough to talk to girls again, let alone take a chosen mate.

Then there was my other friend, Reuben Ford, who didn’t keep it a secret that he was sexually active with both boys and girls, but after being tormented by a lesser demon at Tall Pines, his head was as screwed up as Landry’s. The deltas and witches were helping him, but he was still struggling, and I didn’t want to burden him with my issues right now.

That left Emerson, the only other one in the pack who I would have felt close enough or safe enough to talk to about the topic, but he was gay and mated to a man. What advice couldheoffer me?

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