Page 66 of The Beta's Heart

“All right, pup,” Alpha Cole narrowed his eyes on me, “you up for a game of pool?”

Of courseI was. He was the best player in the pack, and it was a privilege to learn from him. We made our way to the pool table while Alpha Mase supervised Alpha Ash cleaning up the mess and Alpha Wyatt used a broom to brush the stray pieces off of Alpha Jay.

As Alpha Cole racked the balls, I smiled, my chest warm with happiness. These guys really were like family, and their support meant the world to me. I was still nervous about the whole mating thing, but I knew more now than I did before I came here.

Hopefully, that’ll make a difference.

16: Best and Brightest

Tyler

Waking up felt different that morning. It wasn’t the usual groggy, heavy feeling I got when coming out of sleep. Instead, it was like I was shoved to the backseat of my own mind. I blinked hard, trying to take stock of my surroundings, and suddenly realized what was happening: River had taken control of my body before I was awake, which was a strict no-no except for the nightmare rule, and was busy messing around with his precious mate box.

River, what are you doing?I sighed, trying to push my way back to the forefront.

“Morning, Ty-Ty!” River’s response came with an excited mental wag of his tail. “Alpha Masey say me has ’mission to use dis body.”

He did?I was floored.

“Uh-huh. He ’wake. Me ask nice, say why, and he say yes!” River’s voice was filled with childish glee.

Why would he do that?I couldn’t wrap my head around why Alpha Mason would give my wolf—mywolf, of all wolves!—permission to ascend while I was asleep.

“Me not know why he say yes.” River’s brow furrowed.

Why did you ask him for permission?I rephrased, trying to get a straight answer.

“Today our birfday!” River proclaimed. “Find mate today!”

A mix of emotions welled up in me—hope, excitement, but mostly concern.

Baby, it doesn’t work like that. Just because we’re eighteen now doesn’t mean we’ll find our mate today. It can take years.

“But we ready! Today special!” River’s confusion was starting to turn to irritation, and I sighed.

Sometimes, talking with him about bigger concepts was like trying to explain calculus to a toddler.

It doesn’t mean we’re guaranteed to find her today. We have to be patient. What are you doing, anyway?

“Get mate box all ready for mate, Ty-Ty!”

Is that why Alpha Mase gave you permission to ascend?

“Yes, yes, yes!”

After a few more questions, I learned Alpha Mase had alpha-commanded him not to leave my room and only to play with his treasures, nothing else, until I woke up. While I was sorry River had bothered him, I knew Alpha Mase had recognized the importance of themate box to my wolf and, in his silently kind way, gave Riv permission to have his moment in peace—with the appropriate safeguards in place.

Aw, it’s his birthday, too,I told myself.Let him live the dream while it lasts. I only hope he doesn’t go ballistic when reality hits.

In silence, I watched as he checked each individual item, wiped it with a tissue, then carefully placed it back in the box. His determination was endearing and heartbreaking at the same time, and I prayed that, if wedidhave a mate, her wolf was a saint.

Baby, I tried one more time,we might not find our mate today. You have to be ready for that.

“No! We find matetoday!” With a huff, he shook his head fiercely. “Weready!”

Realizing I was getting nowhere, I gave up. There was no reasoning with him when he got like this.

After he finished his task, he closed the box with a satisfied grunt and patted the top like a proud craftsman. Only then did he finally relinquish control and curled up happily to take his morning nap.

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