Page 111 of Defiant Beta

“Della?” Vincent prompts.

They all look at me, waiting for my response.

“My mom… I don’t know how much you know about the Asylum,” I start.

“Only what we see on TV and whatever Vince tells us. He found out at the same time as everyone else, so it’s not that much more,” Xavier says.

“Everleigh isn’t my biological sister,” I explain. “I love her more than anyone in the world, but the Asylum paid my mom to drug Ever with suppressants and to raise her until Lawrence Wentworth was ready to claim her as his omega.” My voice is bitter.

“I didn’t hear about that.” Xavier gives me a comforting squeeze. “That sounds shitty all-round.”

“It was. When Lawrence took Ever, I told myself that I wouldn’t stop until I’d saved her. I gave up the idea of going to college or having fun. Finding and rescuing Eveleigh was all that mattered.” My cheeks heat up as I realize how ridiculous this sounds. Alphas are the heroes in our world, not betas.

I yawn and continue, “And anyway, it wasn’t even me who saved her, it was her scent matches.”

“You went after her and you didn’t stop until you found her. I’m sure she knows that.” Vincent puts a white cushion on his lap. “You can rest your feet here if you want to lie down.”

“Why would I want to lie down?”

“Just in case you do,” he says enigmatically.

“And you can rest your head here,” Xavier offers, placing a cushion on his lap.

Levi smiles as he continues hunting for the perfect movie.

I eye Vincent and Xavier curiously. “Why are you being nice to me?”

“Would you prefer if I rolled you off the couch instead?” Vincent asks, straight-faced.

He has to be laughing at me; there’s a definite hint of a smile in his eyes.

“Okay,” I say, only because I don’t believe he will let me.

I rest my head on Xavier’s cushion and my socked feet in Vince’s lap. It’s comfy.

“So, is there a boyfriend in the picture?” Vincent asks casually, eyes on the TV.

I lift my head and stare at him. “Are you asking me if I’msingle?”

“And if I were?” he asks.

I’ve only been this speechless about five times in my life, maybe less. If Everleigh were here, she’d be checking my temperature for a fever. It’s that rare.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot something on the screen. “Stop.”

Levi arches his eyebrow. “John Wick?”

“Yes.” I nod firmly.

He shrugs. “Sounds good. I heard the fighting isn’t terrible.”

He selects the movie. I lie back down, and Xavier finger-combs my hair.

Vincent’s hands are resting on my feet, and I can’t stop thinking about what he said.

Why would he care if I have a boyfriend?

Chapter 34

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