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Beta - The Bayou Boys 68
PHINIt had been a week since Viviana arrived, and I couldn't remember feeling this at peace in all that time. A calm settled over the Bayou pack, a sense of rightness that I hadn't felt in years. Viviana had brought more than just herself into my life; she'd brought a balance I hadn't realized I was missing. We spent our days together, learning the rhythms of each other's lives and finding comfort in the simplest routines.Viviana made everything feel natural, as if we had been doing this—being together, raising Marilee, building a life—for years. It was easy to fall into this new reality, to let myself believe that the past was finally behind me. No more ghosts of my father's mistakes haunting my every move, no more wondering if I'd ever find someone who truly understood me. With Viviana, it felt like I'd found that missing piece, and I didn't want to let it go.But as perfect as the week had been, there was still that nagging fear, that voice whispering doubts in the back of my min
Beta - The Bayou Boys 69
PHIN The Bayou was shrouded in twilight. As I walked along the worn path toward the docks, the scent of brackish saltwater and moss was thick, like before a storm. Teddy's scent was unmistakable, mixed with whiskey.He'd been keeping to himself more lately, and that never meant anything good.I found him where I expected, down by the docks, hunched over a pile of nets he was supposed to be mending. He had a bottle of whiskey sitting next to him, the amber liquid nearly half-gone. His hands moved methodically, threading the rope through the tangled mess, but it was clear his mind was somewhere else."Teddy," I called out as I approached, trying to keep my tone light, though my chest tightened at seeing him like this.He glanced up at me, the lines of worry etched deep into his face, but he didn't stop what he was doing. "Phin," he acknowledged, his voice rough from a mix of alcohol and whatever was eating at him.I sat down beside him, close enough to feel the tension radiating off
Beta - The Bayou Boys 70
I wandered through the packhouse, ensuring everything was running smoothly for the night. The smell of dinner lingered in the air, and laughter echoed from one of the rooms down the hall. It was one of those rare, calm moments when nothing was wrong, no fights were brewing, and everyone seemed settled. That in itself felt like a miracle. I glanced out the window and saw Phin heading down to the docks. Teddy was down there. Drinking, of course. I sighed. I trusted Phin would talk to him, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was pulling away. Teddy's been off lately, but he wouldn't talk about it. That was a conversation for later, though. As I made my way through the house, I caught sight of Viviana sitting quietly on the back porch, her hands resting in her lap as she watched Marilee play. Something about her posture was different, more relaxed, yet there was a lingering tension in her shoulders. I decided to join her. "Hey, Vivi," I said softly, sitting beside her. "He
Beta - The Bayou Boys 71
PHIN I watched Viviana's hands tighten on the steering wheel, her knuckles going white as the truck jerked forward and stalled out for the fiftieth time.She let out a frustrated breath and sat back, her eyes closed. I tried to hide my amusement, but it was impossible. Seeing her, usually so composed, struggling with something as simple as driving was... well, kind of adorable."Don't laugh," she muttered, glancing at me from the corner of her eye.I held my hands up in mock surrender. "I'm not laughing, Vivi. Just... observing."She shot me a look that could have frozen water. "You're not helping."I leaned back in my seat, trying to keep a straight face. "I'm helping by not saying anything. You're doing great. You've got this."The truck lurched forward, the engine stalling out again, and I bit back a chuckle as she slammed her hands against the steering wheel in frustration. We were barely a quarter mile down the dirt road on our land, and it was becoming increasingly clear that
Beta - The Bayou Boys 72
VIVIANA I can't help but grin when I glance at Phin's laptop, perched on the desk in our shared bedroom. I got an idea during the movie we watched last night. I had seen this cute, romantic gesture...A woman had changed her partner's screensaver to something sweet, a little love note. It made me think of the inscription Phin wanted on our rings. It was a small thing, but surprising him like that felt like a fun way to show him how much I appreciated the little things. He was always doing little things like that for me.But technology was still foreign to me. I was in my late thirties and had never used a computer, let alone Phin's laptop. I needed help, and Cassy was always my go-to for things like this. She'd practically grown up with gadgets in her hand, and I knew she'd know how to navigate Phin's computer without any trouble.When Cassy agreed to help, we sat down together, laughing as I fumbled through the laptop's unfamiliar layout. She clicked through the settings to find whe
Beta - The Bayou Boys 73
VIVIANA Phin turned around, his eyes almost sad as he closed the door behind him. "You sure about this?" he asked, but the question was more a formality than anything. His whole demeanor had already changed, and I could already sense the shift in him. The Phin who doted on me, who loved me so tenderly, had slipped away, replaced by the man from those videos.I nodded, though a part of me wanted to hesitate. "I'm sure."Without another word, Phin moved behind me, gripping my waist firmly as he directed me to the edge of the bed. There was no gentle caress or tenderness in how he handled me. He pushed me forward, bending me over the mattress in one swift motion. His grip tightened, and I knew then that this was what I had asked for. The raw, dominant side of him that didn't ask for my input."Hands on the bed," he ordered, his voice low and commanding. "Don't touch me. Just keep them there."I did as he said, pressing my palms flat against the comforter, feeling my heart thud in m
Beta - The Bayou Boys 74
CASSY The door creaked open, and I smelled the alcohol before I even saw him. Teddy staggered in from the docks, his movements clumsy, his boots dragging across the floor. There was nothing warm in how he looked at me. His skin was flushed, his breath heavy with whiskey. I knew this version of him too well.The one that drank to forget, the one that came back wanting things I couldn't give him.He walked over and tried to pull me into his arms. "Loupy," he muttered, leaning down, gripping my waist. "Come here."I pushed him back gently, stepping out of his reach. "Not like this, Teddy. You're drunk."He swayed slightly. He hated being told no, especially when he was like this. "What do you mean, 'not like this'? I'm your mate.""I know you are, but I'm not doing this when you can barely stand. You need to sleep, not… this."He frowned, moving to pull me closer again, far more insistent this time. I backed up, keeping the space between us. "Teddy, stop. We're not doing this tonight."
Beta - The Bayou Boys 75
VIVIANA I woke up with a start, the bed cold and empty beside me. Phin wasn't there. It was the knot of emotion tightening in my chest. I could feel him through the bond. He was upset, extremely upset. Panic took over as I sat up, the sense of his distress too strong to ignore. I climbed out of bed before I even had a chance to think. Where was he? Why hadn't he come back to bed? The bond pulsed, leading me toward Marilee's room. When I reached it, I stopped dead in my tracks. Phin stood at the door with it barely cracked open, his eyes fixed on Marilee as she slept. I saw his shoulders shaking. He was crying. Quiet, broken sobs that I'd never heard from him before. I froze, not knowing what to do. I had never seen him like this, never imagined he could break like this. I wrapped my arms around him from behind, pulling him close. The moment I touched him, the sobs grew louder and far more intense. He leaned back into me, his body trembling as whatever he was feeling see
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Beta - The Bayou Boys 101
KNOX - I pushed open the door to the house. Teddy followed behind, whistling some tune already stuck in my head. We'd left the twins with Phin. Koda and Marilee had been inseparable, and honestly, Phin seemed like he had things under control.I never thought I would say that, but it was true. He was doing pretty damn good handling this one. So far, anyway. Inside, the house was quiet. Too quiet.Teddy glanced around. "Where is everyone?"We stepped into the living room, and Cassy was lounging on the couch. She'd finally woken up, and I'm sure Mom had gotten all the kids out to give her some peace. I could barely register it before Teddy sprinted across the room and scooped her into his arms. He kissed her like the world might end if he didn't."Geez, get a room," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I leaned against the doorframe.Teddy shot me a grin over Cassy's shoulder. "Gladly," he quipped, lifting her effortlessly as she let out a playful laugh. He headed toward the hallway, carryi
Beta - The Bayou Boys 100
PHIN - I walked along the edge of the bayou at daybreak. Koda and Kage trailed behind me, their steps careful as they took in the surroundings. I had to remember that they were essentially city boys. Cypress trees loomed above us, the Spanish moss draping down like nature's curtains. They were in awe."Today, I will show you boys some ways you can help out around here." I turned to face them. "There's always plenty to do, and it's a good way to get to know the land better."Kage grinned. "I've been waiting for this. What are we doing first?""We'll start by checking the crawfish traps," I replied. "Then maybe give Viv and Morna a hand with the feast."Koda glanced back toward the house. "Is Marilee coming too?""She'll join us later," I said. "Right now, she's helping her Mama in the kitchen."We made our way through the marsh, avoiding the softer mud. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and wet earth. As we reached the traps, I saw they were packed full of crawfish, thei
Beta - The Bayou Boys 99
SKY - I stood in the kitchen, surveying the crazy mess of toys scattered across the floor. The twins, Nola and Huck, had transformed the entire house into their personal playground. They had an uncanny ability to find mischief in every corner at just a year old.I should have expected it just from watching their fathers. "Nola, that's not for chewing," I called out as she attempted to bite down on the remote control. She looked up with a cheeky grin, her tiny teeth flashing. They were teething and trying to chew the entire house up.Kyran chuckled beside me. "She's got your inquisitiveness, you know."I nudged him playfully. "And your knack for getting into trouble."Kael emerged from the hallway, carrying a laundry basket overflowing with tiny clothes. "Has anyone seen the other sock to this pair?" He held up a lone blue sock adorned with little wolves. Huck's favorite."Check under the couch," I suggested. "That's where Huck hides his treasures."As if on cue, Huckley waddled over
Beta - The Bayou Boys 98
PHINWatching my daughter cling to Koda like her entire world depended on him tore me apart inside. She was too young for such an intense bond, and the worst part? It was my fault. My failures as an Alpha and as her father had pushed her toward this. I couldn't undo it, but the guilt was eating me alive.Knox cleared his throat. "Alright, time for us to head back," he announced as he looked at Viv and me. "The kids need to say their goodbyes."The moment he said it, the air shifted. Koda's grip on Marilee tightened, her tiny arms wrapping around him even more fiercely. Panic flared in their eyes, a sudden realization hitting them hard. It was like a switch had been flipped. It was sad they had not even thought about being seperated. This is why I wished Leila had waited a little longer. How will they handle it? They cannot be glued to one another forever. I wanted to be with my mate and had to wait. Teddy wanted to be with Cassy but had to wait. It was just a part of it. A part they
Beta - The Bayou Boys 97
Finally, Kage took a few hesitant steps toward us. He crouched down, his face still uncertain, but then, with a quiet smile, he reached out and gave me a gentle shove, trying to pull me into the game. I barked and ran toward him, nipping playfully at his hand. He laughed softly, and for a second, it was like old times. Just the two of us, playing like we always had. But then he hesitated again, glancing over at Marilee, and the awkwardness settled back in. Kage tried to join in, tried to wrestle a little with us, but I could tell his heart wasn’t really in it. After a few more halfhearted attempts, he gave up, standing back up with a sigh. He watched us for a moment longer, then turned and walked back toward the adults, his shoulders slumped. I watched him go, feeling guilty. I should’ve been there for him, should’ve pulled him in, but it was so hard to focus on anything other than Marilee right now. She was everything in that moment—her laughter, her bright eyes, her hands running
Beta - The Bayou Boys 96
KODA - Everything felt different. The moment I shifted, the world around me grew bigger, louder, more alive. It wasn’t just me anymore. It was my wolf and me, together. My senses sharpened, picking up every sound, every movement, every shift in the air around me. I could hear the soft rustle of leaves, the water flowing in the Bayou, and most of all, I could smell Marilee close by. Her scent was sweet, warm, and safe. She wasn’t scared at all. “Koda! You did it!” Marilee’s voice was full of excitement. When she ran over, her fingers slipped into my fur like it was the most natural thing in the world. I leaned into her touch, letting my wolf take over for a moment. I felt every stroke, every soft scratch along my neck, and it made my tail wag before I could stop it. I’d done it. I’d shifted. For her. For Marilee. Her hand moved gently through my fur, scratching in a way that made me want to lie down at her feet and never move again. I wanted to be her wolf, to protect her, to alwa
Beta - The Bayou Boys 95
PHIN - Marilee clung to me, her little body still trembling from everything that had happened, but I could feel her relaxing. Finally, she pulled back just enough to look up at me, those big brown eyes wide and curious."Daddy, Koda said he got his wolf. Can I see it? Please?"My stomach dropped. Letting Koda shift in front of her made me nervous as hell. He was too young. Sure, the kid had shifted already, but that didn't mean he could control it. Wolves didn't just pop out on command like some damn party trick. Especially not when they were barely twelve.I opened my mouth to tell her no, that it wasn't safe, but those eyes. Damn it, how could I say no to those eyes? She had me wrapped around her finger, and she knew it."I don't know, sweetheart," I muttered. "Koda and I need to have a few conversations first, okay? It's a big deal, and he's still learning. But maybe."Marilee's face lit up. Koda was right there the second I put her down, taking her hand like it was the most natur
Beta - The Bayou Boys 94
PHIN - I couldn't get enough of her. After all the shit I'd said, all the ways I'd made her feel small, the only way to make it right was to show her how much I needed her. Not as some quiet background presence but as my equal. My everything. So I worshipped her the way she deserved. Her every curve fit perfectly against my body. This was me making up for every stupid remark I'd ever said. Her chestnut hair spilled over the pillow as I traced her skin with reverence, trailing kisses over her neck and down. I could feel her surrender, but it wasn't submission It was trust. Trust I had to earn back. "Je t'adore," I whispered. "You're everything, mon cœur." (I adore you... my heart) She let out a breath, arching into me. This wasn't just about sex anymore. This was something primal that connected us on a level I couldn't explain. As we moved together, I felt her wolf. It was faint, like an echo, but she was there. Viv hadn't heard her in so long, but now... Now she was stirrin
Beta - The Bayou Boys 93
TEDDY - We hadn't stood there long when a noise echoed through the trees. Crashing, banging, something big tearing through the brush. I tensed immediately, my instincts kicking in as I exchanged a look with Knox. Then, something streaked past us. A blur, fast and low to the ground. A white blur."What the hell was that?" Knox asked.I didn't wait to answer. My wolf surged, pushing me forward, and I took off after the white blur. Knox was right on my heels. Whatever it was, it was moving fast, darting through the trees like a flash of lightning.The chase lasted for miles. We ran hard, faster than I'd run in weeks, our wolves pushing to keep up. My muscles burned, and every sharp turn through the woods made my mind race. The scent it left behind was faint but undeniable. Wolf, but something else too. Something unfamiliar.It wasn't until we were halfway to the Bayou land that the thing finally slowed. We cornered it near a narrow clearing, and I shifted back to human, my lungs burnin
