Page 22 of Just a Beta (Betas in Waiting)
“Sure.Idle hands, you know.I am definitely not one of the soft ones.I can take a hit and get back to work.”
“But...the hospital.”
“Four of them attacking me for over twenty minutes based on the footage I got from the camera in my room.It took three alphas and a psychotic omega to do that to me.”
He stared.“The entire pack?”
“Yup.Nearly stomped to death and left for dead.Boy, were they surprised when the cops and ambulance showed up.”She laughed softly.
Mateo stroked her hair, the same black silk as his.“I am sorry this happened to you.”
“This time.Everyone is sorry this time.The other hundred assaults, no one cares about because, this time, I got out of the house after they had locked me inside.This time, Augusta was covered in my blood.This time, there were too many first responders for her to subdue with her skillset.”
Mateo stared.“You planned it.”
“Despite my grim humour, I want to live, and to have that be possible, I had to get out.”She looked at the healing bruises on her hands.She slowly clenched them into fists.“I was running out of time.”
Em looked up.“But I made it, and they can’t get me back.I won’t go back.”
Mateo looked shaken by whatever was in her eyes.“I...think I need to get to know you better, little sister.”
She was tired when she looked at him.“Don’t hurt yourself.”
Mateo blinked.“I have woken up with my daughter and Persephone, not to mention the kittens.”
“Kittens?”
Ruefully, Thanatos said, “Persephone owns a cat rescue.We all have cats.Mine is named Rigor.Owen and Mateo have the twins, and Armand has Princess.”
Em chuckled.“And four babies in the house.It must be a riot.”
Mateo smiled.“It is, and it is very enjoyable.Seeing the future in front of you brings a certain joy.”
She smiled.“It sounds pleasant and energizing.”
“It can be.”
“Congratulations, older brother.You needed a grip on the future.”
Mateo asked, “What can I do for you?”
“Help my lawyer, and make sure that I have a chance on the future as well.”
He nodded.“May I tell Dad?”
“Your father won’t care.I am pretty sure that he’s relieved I have been out of the picture for over a decade.”
A low voice rumbled from the doorway, and a majestic tarantula to her view stood there with a silver-headed cane.
Mateo looked at her.“He said he wanted to help.”
She looked at him and narrowed her eyes.“You little snitch.”
