Chapter 8.
Chapter Eight: Beta Ceremony Part One
Phera POV:
As much as I said the triplets would take the backseat in my mind yesterday on the veranda after I talked to Adam, that notion lasted for a solid two hours. Then it was gone when a warrior of theirs had brought in a massive bouquet of yellow roses and a box of chocolates. And, just not any chocolates but chocolates from a specific family-owned chocolatier I loved back in California. How they knew that was beyond me. As much as I wanted to accept both things, I didn’t. I left them on the kitchen counter, ignoring the red note that stuck out like a sore thumb begging me to read it. I couldn’t. I needed to be strong if I wanted to get through today.
-L-twisted and turned in my bed the entire night, thinking about
the triplets. Life had gobsmacked me back to square one. Even though I wasn’t reliving what they and my sister did on the balcony, but reliving every moment after their eighteenth. birthday when they paraded some she-wolf in front of the pack,
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knowing I was their mate. I was still sour about the Newmara thing, which would always take precedence, but somehow knowing she was their brother’s mate and not theirs had that insecurity lessen a bit, by a fraction, but regardless lessen.
“You look amazing, P.” I heard Josh’s voice behind me, making me turn in his direction.
He stood in his dark navy suit and white shirt with brown shoes. looking utterly handsome but not as handsome as the triplets would look. I shook my head, kicking the thought of the triplets out of my mind. Ugh! F*cking mate bond and its dynamics! It was Nates beta ceremony tonight and Newmara and Adam’s mating ceremony. Usually, mating ceremonies weren’t held, but Adam being the triplet’s brother and alpha blood, his ceremony was an exception. He and Newmara didn’t want a separate. event, so they decided to combine theirs with Nick, which Nick happily agreed to. At first, I thought it was rude of them to do so. since it was Nick’s day, but with the triplets and mate bond drama now hanging on my head, was counting my lucky stars. for the blessing in disguise. With there being only one event, I can make up some excuse and go back to California tomorrow and be far away from the triplets. The thought had my heart. hurting, making me rub my chest, but I pushed the thought away regardless, telling myself I needed to be strong.
‘Remember how they denied acknowledging you, Phera, all
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those years ago as their mate’ I repeated the words in my head, ensuring my resolve didn’t break. But I knew it would all go down to shit when I would see them. My soul kept calling to them; it was the freaking mate bond. Pushing their thoughts out of my mind, I smiled at Josh and went to hug him, then pulled back
“Look who’s talking. You could easily fire those ramps back in L.A. Looking all G.0. model material.” I said, nudging him.
Joch chuckled; I swear I could see a tint of red on his cheek. He
was adorable. Asking the goddess again just why I couldn’t have him as my mate. Life would be so easy. But the thought of anyone but the triplets as my mete left a sour taste in my mouth.
“Hey! You okay?” Josh said, shaking my shoulder taking me out of the day’s probably fifty pity party I held for myself.
1 gave him a smile and nodded, but I knew he saw right through me. He always could; we were best friends for a reason. He sighed and crushed me against his chest.
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“I know you’re scared, but don’t be. I don’t think the alphas. would do anything tonight with so many people and different packs around.” He said.
I sighed! I was hoping that, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t be the case.
“You don’t know them as I do, Josh. They are known to be relentless and ruthless for a reason. On top of that, they are warm-blooded alpha males; protectiveness and possessiveness come hand in hand with that.” I said.
I had seen other alphas lash out when their mate was seen with other male wolves, especially with unmarked ones. They were possessive of their mates, and I had no doubt the triplets would be the same. Even growing up, they were possessive of me, especially when I had a phase of wearing short shorts and crop tops. Back then, I always thought it was because they saw me as a baby sister, but it was probably their instinct even though they didn’t want me.
“I understand, but there’s nothing you can do right now but pull up your big girl pants and be the Phera Evans that kicks everyone’s a*s back in the academy. I’m not sure what you want, P, but know I’ll always stand by you.” Said Josh giving me
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another squeeze before pulling back and giving me a smile which I returned.
He was right, though. I just had to pull up my big girl pants, and I could drown in my self-pity after this whole thing was over and I was on my way back to L.A. I couldn’t let anyone see me weak; I wasn’t that same meek she-wolf who left years ago. I was a strong, independent, a top warrior she-wolf now.
“Now, let’s go.” Said Josh, leading me out of the house and into one of the cars.
I took a deep breath and sat inside, looking down at my dress. I wore an ocean blue dress that fell a little below my knees with at strapless neckline and a floral print of lilies at the bottom with sequin on the flowers. I had matched the dress with red Louboutins and had done minimal makeup with a messy updo. I looked amazing, not the usual sweaty sweat pants and crop-top look I flaunted back in the academy. Even though while I was getting ready, I told myself I wasn’t getting ready to impress the triplets but more for my siblings but deep down, I knew I was lying to myself. However, I would never let myself admit that out loud and blamed it on the mate bond and its shenanigans. My
hand automatically went to a necklace that I had on. It was a round pendant with three diamonds and ruby encrusted wolves on it. Nate had given it to me on my eighteenth birthday; however, before I could thank him, he had told me it wasn’t from
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him but was mailed to our house. I had always wondered who gave it to me, but I always wore it. It felt like being close to home. I was broken out of my thoughts when the car came to a stop in front of the humongous packhouse. The ceremony was being held in the backyard. As I got down, my nerves caught up to me; It had been so long since had been here. So many memories, but they all seemed to be out of reach now. Josh squeezed my hand, making me look up at him; he gave me an encouraging smile and dropped my hand as we walked toward the backyard. I knew coming with Josh wasn’t the best of ideas if the triplets decided to hulk out on him again, but I didn’t care. He was my best friend, and he was here because of me. I wasn’t going to abandon him just because my so-called mates came along wagging their tails all these years later to claim me.
When we reached the back, my jaw dropped open. The backyard had never looked this amazing for any event. Four arches of white and purple flowers were lined up back to back, with a crystal chandelier hanging from the middle as glass candle stands lined the pathway. A curtain of fairy lights hung above our heads, covering heaps of land. Round tables with imminent white table cloth were spread everywhere with White and purple flowers in tall vases in the middle. The golden back seats complemented the white tablecloth, and the whole area gave the event a look nothing short of royal. Up front was an elevated stage with a massive white flower wall where I could see three chairs and a white marble table in the front present. I heard Josh let out a low whistle, complementing the work done.
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“Phera.” Newmara’s voice came from the side as she engulfed me in another bear hug, making me go stiff.
Pulling back, she smiled at me, her eyes holding sadness when she felt me not returning the gesture but quickly masked it with a smile.
“I’m so glad you came. And look at you; you look amazing, sis.” She said.
“Thank you! So do you! You’ve done an amazing job with the place.” I said
She beamed at the compliment, thanking me and telling me how much work she had put into this. I could see the love shining in Adam’s eye for his mate as she spoke. My heart broke a little. Why couldn’t that be my mates and me? I pushed the thought away as I met the rest of my family when they came over. After meeting my family, Josh had excused himself to go with his Alpha as he was in attendance as well. The moment he left, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand, and girls started giggling around me; it was then I knew that they had entered-my doom and salvation all at the same time..
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