Page 7 of Beta and the Beast
"I can stop Fen if you want," I say with a cheery smile. "I'd offer to hop on Romulus, but I don't think any of us wants to find out how he'd handle that."
Romulus, who's underneath Scott and being pinned to the ground, turns his attention to me, a devious smile tugging at his lips.
"Hop on me anytime, beta. I'll handle you just fine."
I close my eyes as my cheeks start to heat. Thankfully, no one is aware of my utter mortification at my words being twisted like that. No, they're all too focused on how Fenrir's attempting to strangle Romulus. He was mad at him before, so I'm sure making sexually suggestive comments to me isn't helping matters. It's not helping the little kernel of desire I have, either. I take another drink and try to talk some sense into myself while everyone is still busy, trying to make sure Romulus doesn't die.
I refuse to find an alpha attractive, especially not this one. So I tell myself it's not happening, set mine and Lilah's beers on the patio table, and take a running leap onto my brother's back to wrap my arm around his neck.
"Give up, Fen," I tell him.
It's a ritual at this point. Whenever Fenrir gets too amped up or tries to fight Sam, I get the honor of breaking it up. Thankfully, Lilah's already seen this all play out, so she knowsI'm not about to hurt her mate. His ego? That's going to take a few hits.
It doesn't help that Lucas is standing near the side of the house, watching all of this unfold with a shit-eating grin. I'm sure he was waiting to see if Romulus needed help, but he doesn't. As much as I'd love not to worry about him being next door, it would only mean someone else would take his place, probably Sam, and I can't hate my brother for ruining my business.
No, I have to ensure Fenrir doesn't kill Romulus and, by extension, Henry, to ensure I have someone to hate forever. I'm such a rational woman. I surprise myself sometimes.
"Tap out, or it's lights out." I tighten my arm around Fenrir's neck, using my free hand to hold on. He finally pushes off the ground, reaching for me instead of continuing to try to kill Romulus.
"Get off of me, Sarah," Fenrir growls his displeasure as he tries to reach for me in a way that he can pry me off him without hurting me in the process. Fen would rather chew his leg off than hurt me, or Janie, or Lilah. He's a sweetheart to the women in his life. Or he would be if he didn't also try to be an ass so often.
"Not until you yield," I tell him, my lips ticking up in the corners when his growl vibrates louder in the backyard.
Romulus is finally getting up, or rather, Henry's getting up. Once Romulus was sure they weren't about to be maimed by the riled-up beast I have in a headlock, he gave control back to Henry.
"You good?" Henry asks, and it takes me a second to realize he's asking me even as I hold on for dear life to keep Fenrir in a chokehold. He removes his glasses, pulling out a tiny square of fabric from his pocket as he cleans them. I throw my head back and laugh. Henry's eyes squint as he looks at me. "Are you laughing at me right now?"
"One second," I say through laughs as Fenrir finally falls to his knees. He should fall to the grass entirely in about ten more seconds. "I'm busy saving your ass."
Fenrir falls to the grass with a thud, and then I roll off his back, release his neck, and check to make sure I didn't overdo it this time. Technically, this isn't healthy, but Scott's a doctor. He'll let me know if he thinks I'm doing serious damage to him. I roll him onto his back and check for his heartbeat and his breathing. I stand up once I'm sure he's just taking a nice pre-dinner nap.
"And to think," Lucas says, walking over to the rest of us and throwing his arm over his brother's shoulder. "We were all worried about how Remi and I would do."
Henry's cheeks turn a soft shade of pink at his brother's teasing, but it's sweet. Not sweet enough for me to care very much, considering I'm already heading back to the table to grab my beer. But cute enough that the stupid spark in my belly is making sure I'm aware of my weird attraction toward Henry.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and text Hazel. Besides my family, she's the person I'm closest to and the only other beta who comes to these family dinners. Not that I'm inviting her to dinner. No way, no how. Not because she's scared of alphas. Hazel is one of those betas who chases them, and sometimes they let her catch them for a little while.
I can't go out during the week, or else there's a chance I won't open the coffee shop the following day, but Friday nights are my night. I always have Derek, one of the baristas, open the shop on Saturdays so I can go out on Fridays. I wasn't having much of a social life until I came up with this plan. I like working too much, and the coffee shop is only open from six in the morning to four in the afternoon, so most days I don't mind working the whole time.
Sarah:Drinks on Friday at that beta club you like?
Hazel:Yes!!!!!!!
Hazel:Is everything okay?
Sarah:Everything's fine. I'll tell you all about it after a couple of shots.
Hazel:I can't wait!! Let me know if you need to borrow anything to wear
I tuck my phone back into my back pocket and settle in for the most awkward family dinner of all time. Scott's waking up, and Lilah's helping him sit. Henry looks straight at the ground as Lucas laughs and guides him to the table. Sam has his lips pressed tight together as he tries to figure out which issue he wants to tackle first, while Janie rubs a supportive hand up and down his arm.
Oh yeah, this dinner is going to suck. At least it'll probably be over soon.
4
Henry
Hop on me anytime?I all but snarl the words in my head at Romulus, who's still laughing about the whole stupid fight that happened.
