Chapter 4: The Skeptical Beta
1532 Words
Liam Cross had never felt this out of his depth before.
He was an Alpha werewolf, for crying out loud. He'd handled rival pack wars, illegal hunters trying to kill his kind, and rowdy young wolves going through their first shift. But his younger brother Noah? Standing in his kitchen with that annoying smirk, holding one of Ava's homemade brownies like it was some kind of evidence? That was apparently his breaking point.
"So," Noah said, taking another bite and grinning wider, "three days and your Luna's already baking for you. Not bad, big brother."
Liam's chest rumbled with a warning growl. "Don't call her my Luna. She's not—"
"Oh, but she totally is." Noah's eyes lit up as he savored the brownie. "Your wolf claimed her the second you saw her. Hell, I could smell her all over this house before I even walked through the door." He closed his eyes dramatically. "Vanilla, peach, and cinnamon. No wonder you're going crazy."
"I'm not going crazy," Liam shot back, but even he could hear how defensive he sounded.
Noah laughed so hard he nearly choked on his brownie. "Dude, you're pacing around like a caged animal, sniffing the air every five seconds. I barely recognize you anymore."
Liam slumped into a kitchen chair, running his hands through his hair. Maybe Noah had a point. Three days since Ava Winters moved across the street, and he'd turned into someone he didn't even know. He'd caught himself staring out windows like some creepy stalker, picking wildflowers at dawn like he was twelve years old, and running off into the woods in wolf form whenever thoughts of her got too intense.
"I have no idea what I'm doing," he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "How am I supposed to make a human fall in love with me in a year when I can't even talk to her without freaking out?"
Noah's teasing expression softened. Despite all his jokes, he was still Liam's Beta, and he understood the crushing pressure his Alpha was under.
"Hey," Noah reached over and squeezed his shoulder, "that's what I'm here for. You've got the pack's best wingman ready to help."
Liam snorted. "Best wingman?"
"Absolutely. Who always gets the waitress's number at every restaurant? Who does Aunt Martha dance with at every pack gathering? Your devastatingly charming little brother, that's who."
Despite everything, Liam found himself smiling. Noah had always been the social one, equally comfortable with humans and werewolves. His ability to blend in anywhere was exactly why he made such a good Beta.
"Alright," Noah clapped his hands together, "tell me everything about your girl."
"Ava," Liam corrected automatically. "Her name is Ava Winters."
"Ava." Noah tested the name with a smile. "What do you know about her?"
Liam shifted uncomfortably. "She's a book editor. Moved here from the city. She's friends with Maya Rodriguez."
Noah stared at him. "That's it? You meet your Luna and that's all you've got?"
"I can't just walk up and interrogate her!"
"It's called making conversation, Liam. Normal humans do it every day."
Liam scowled. "You don't get it. Every time she's near me, I..." He struggled to find the right words.
"Your wolf takes over?" Noah guessed, his expression turning serious.
Liam nodded. "The need to claim her, to protect her—it's so strong. I'm terrified I'll do something that scares her away."
"Like shifting in front of her or howling at the moon?" Noah started to laugh, then stopped when he saw Liam's face. "Wait, you're serious? Liam, you're the strongest Alpha in three generations. Your control is perfect."
"Not around her." The admission tasted bitter. "Yesterday she brought those brownies over. Just stood there talking to me, and I could feel my eyes starting to change. My claws trying to extend. I had to focus everything I had on not shifting right there on my doorstep."
Noah let out a low whistle. "Damn. The bond really is that strong."
"Too strong! How am I supposed to approach her normally when my wolf nearly takes over every time she smiles at me?"
Noah chewed thoughtfully on the last piece of brownie, clearly working through the problem.
"Okay, here's what we need to do. First, we gather intel on her. Second, you need controlled exposure so your wolf gets used to being around her. And third—"
"Everything has to follow the rules," Liam interrupted grimly. "She has to fall in love naturally, without knowing what I am until the time is right."
"Right," Noah nodded seriously. "Because if an Alpha's Luna learns about werewolves before she truly loves him, the bond breaks. And if the bond isn't complete within a year of first meeting..."
"I lose most of my power and the pack falls apart," Liam finished flatly. "I know the stakes, Noah."
"Just making sure you don't forget in all the Luna-fever," Noah held up his hands defensively. "So what's your plan?"
Liam shook his head miserably. "I don't have one! That's the problem. How do you even approach a modern woman? What do they want? What do humans expect from relationships?"
Noah smacked his forehead. "Oh, my poor, clueless brother. You really do need my help."
"Do I?"
"Absolutely. And step one is observing her natural behavior patterns."
"That sounds like stalking."
Noah rolled his eyes. "It's not stalking if we're just being in the same public spaces. Think of it as market research for Brand Liam Cross."
Before Liam could argue, Noah's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and grinned.
"Maya's bookstore is having a soft opening today," Noah announced. "I bet your girl will be there supporting her best friend."
Liam eyed him suspiciously. "How could you possibly know that?"
Noah just shrugged with that mysterious smile. "I have my sources."
"What sources? Who?"
"Very reliable informants," Noah winked. "Come on, get changed. We're going downtown."
---
Downtown Oakwood looked like it had been ripped straight from a Hallmark movie. Victorian buildings lined the main street, quaint shops with hand-carved signs created that small-town charm, and people actually waved at each other like they were old friends.
"You absolutely have to try the sandwich at Miller's Deli," Maya was saying excitedly, linking arms with Ava. "Tom Miller bakes his own bread every morning with a recipe that's been in his family for generations."
Ava smiled, enjoying the impromptu tour from her best friend. When Maya had offered to show her around downtown, she'd jumped at the chance—partly because she genuinely needed to buy some things, and partly because she needed a distraction from thoughts of her mysterious neighbor across the street.
"And over there," Maya pointed to a red brick building with huge windows, "is where my bookstore's going to be! It's still being finished, but I can give you a sneak peek."
"I'd love to see it!" Ava replied enthusiastically. "But first, can we hit the grocery store? I need to grab some supplies."
Oakwood Grocery sat at the end of main street—one of those independent stores that sold local and organic everything. Ava grabbed a basket and started wandering the aisles with her short shopping list.
"Oh!" Maya suddenly exclaimed, checking her phone. "Ava, I'm so sorry, but Aunt Rosie just texted. There's some kind of issue at the bookstore. I need to run over there right now."
"No problem," Ava assured her. "I can finish this myself."
"Are you sure? Okay, just meet me at the bookstore when you're done. It's the red brick building with the big wooden sign that says 'Maya's Bookshelf.' You can't miss it."
After Maya left, Ava continued shopping at a leisurely pace. She was debating between two different coffee brands when she got that weird feeling again—like someone was watching her. The same feeling she'd had sitting on her porch when she'd realized Liam was staring at her from his window.
She turned around slowly. The aisle was empty except for her. Strange. She could have sworn someone was there.
Shaking her head, Ava went back to her shopping. She moved to the produce section, picking out some apples and peaches—her favorite fruit—when a warm, smooth voice made her jump.
"Mmm, peaches. Excellent choice."
Ava spun around to find herself face-to-face with a gorgeous guy—dark brown hair, bright green eyes, and a smile that showed off perfect dimples. Unlike most guys she'd seen around town in their casual clothes and work uniforms, this one looked like he'd stepped off the cover of a magazine in his dark blue shirt and perfectly fitted jeans.
"Excuse me?" she raised an eyebrow.
"The peaches," he gestured to the fruit in her hand. "They're perfectly in season right now. Very sweet. This variety especially—the scent is incredible."
Something about the way he said 'scent' made Ava feel like they weren't just talking about fruit anymore.
"Are you some kind of peach expert?" she asked with an amused tone.
The guy laughed—warm and infectious. "Not an expert, just an enthusiast. By the way, you must be Ava Winters."
- Writer
