Page 13 of Convincing the Heartbroken Beta

Chapter Five

“But I don’t want you to go.”

Sascha bit his lip, wishing he could explain to Jasper why he had to go with Brandon. “I don’t want to go either. But I’m sure I’ll be back to see you soon.”

In truth, Sascha wasn’t sure of anything.

Jasper scowled. “It isn’t fair. We haven’t even had a whole day together, and already you’re leaving. And why is that guy Cameron going there too? I thought he was part of Hawk’s—I mean, the Guardian Pack?”

Every time Jasper mentioned Cam, he got weird—almost as if he didn’t like the beta. “He is, but Brandon’s going to be working with Nic on investigating the Deltas, and he wants to make sure someone he trusts is guarding me.”

“Hmmph.” Jasper picked at the blanket covering his legs.

The healer, Asha, had given Sascha the all clear, but it seemed that Jasper’s abrupt termination of the suppressants had caused dangerous withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, Sascha had been weaned off the drugs once it was discovered he was pregnant. His feisty friend had been instructed to stay in bed for a few more days, and he wasn’t too happy about that development.

Jasper glanced up with a frown. “Are they hiding something from us?”

Sascha tensed. He’d been sworn to secrecy regarding his status as Brandon’s fated mate. As far as he knew, Cam was the only other shifter who knew the truth.

“Hiding?”

“You know, not telling us that we’re in imminent danger?”

“Oh!” Sascha shook his head. “No, I don’t think they are. I mean, I don’t’ know for sure, but I think we’re both safe. You’ve got Hawk and I’ve got… Well, Cameron is very good at guarding.”

Sascha noted that Jasper had wrinkled his nose the moment he’d mentioned Cam. “You don’t like him, do you?”

Jasper crossed his arms then gazed out the window. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sascha was perched on the edge of a folding chair that Alpha Nic’s dad had brought in for him, and he leaned over to poke Jasper’s arm. “If you’re going to be a father, you need to quit acting like a kid.”

Jasper whipped his head around, his jaw dropping. “Rude! What’s that supposed to mean?”

“For whatever reason, you don’t like Cam. But you’re acting like a brat about it. He’s been very nice to me, so I can’t imagine what he’s done that’s got you in such a huff.”

“Well, for one thing, he’s in love with my mate!”

Sascha gasped, his chest tightening at the thought of Cam caring about someone else. The feeling had been instant, but also made no sense.

“How do you know that?”

Jasper sighed, returning to his blanket-picking. “Hawk told me. I guess they’ve been best friends since they were kids, kind of like us, only I’m not lusting after you.”

Sascha smirked. “Ditto for you.”

“Rude again!” But this time, Jasper laughed.

Then Sascha remembered that Cam was supposedly in love with Hawk. It shouldn’t bother him, was none of his business, but he couldn’t help but feel sad.

“Well, he seems like a very honorable guy. I wouldn’t worry about him.” Sascha rubbed circles over his belly. The baby had been more active lately. “And anyway, he’ll be with me all the way up at the Denali Junction.”

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. Sascha called out, “Come in!”

The door slowly opened, then Cam appeared across the threshold. He gave them a nervous smile.

“Hey.” He cleared his throat rather loudly. “How are you feeling, Jasper?”

Jasper regarded Cam with a barely concealed frown. “Fine.” Sascha poked Jasper’s arm harder. “Ow!”