Navy's Sons: Bullied by Quadruplet Stepbrothers novel Chapter 12

12. Restricted Area

Tabitha’s POV

He turns toward the men beside him. “Allow me to introduce

our guests. This is Eliott Sharpe, Alpha of the Deathclaw Pack, and his Beta, Karl Langston.”

Eliott is a broad–shouldered man with iron–gray hair brushed neatly back. My mom and I exchange a firm handshake with him.

“Appreciate the welcome. It’s been a while since I last visited Crystal Ridge,” Eliott says with a nod.

Karl, a slightly leaner man with a watchful gaze and a close–cropped beard nods at Alpha Emery.

“Always a pleasure to be among fellow alphas. We’ll try not to turn your estate into a battleground.”

Emery chuckles. “Hopefully, that won’t be necessary.”

“And this,” Emery continues, gesturing to the young man standing a little behind them, “is Rhett Sharpe, Eliott’s eldest son and the future Alpha of the Deathclaw Pack.”

Rhett gives a curt nod. “Nice to meet you,” he says, though his tone is flat and his eyes scan the room like he has better places to be.

He doesn’t seem the warm and chatty type. Fine by me.

Emery shifts his attention to the next group. “And here we have Yoseff Beckett, Alpha of the Stormblood Pack, and his

Beta, Ben Hale.”

Yoseff’s presence is quieter than Eliott’s, but no less imposing.

His silver–streaked hair is tied back into a low knot, and

there’s something unreadable behind his pale blue eyes. Still,

his smile is polite. So, this is Arthur’s dad. Huh, he definitely got some of his features.

“Thank you for the invitation. Stormblood has been keeping

close watch on rogue movement for weeks now. Glad to

finally speak on it with the others,” he says.

“We’ll do what needs to be done. That’s why we’re here.” Ben Hale adds.The Beta of the Stormblood pack is a burly man with thick brows and a voice that rumbles like distant thunder.

Then my eyes land on someone I recognize immediately. Arthur Beckett. He stands a few steps behind his father, dressed in a dark gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His dark blond hair is neatly combed, and there’s a spark of something… Amusement? Familiarity? In his gaze when it locks with mine.

Emery begins, “And this is-”

“We’ve already met,” Arthur interjects, taking a step forward. “At the engagement party. Nice to meet you again, Tabitha.”

He offers his hand. “Good to see you again.”

His smile lingers a little longer than necessary. I take his hand briefly, offering a smile. “You too.”

Arthur seems like a really friendly guy. Although I remember how our lovely conversation last night was briefly cut off due to Jace’s snooty interference. My eyes drift at my stepbrother and just as I expected, his expression turns sour the moment me and Arthur exchange pleasant smiles. He cocks a brow and gives me a look of–what I can only translate as utter displeasure.

What’s his problem? 

“Welcome to our home,” Mom clasps her hands as she welcomes the guests. “We’re glad you all made it safely.”

Yoseff returns the gesture with a gracious nod. “Thank you, Isla. You’ve kept this place running beautifully.”

“We try,” she replies with a practiced smile.

with Arthur? If I don’t know better, I’d say he’s jealous.

“I’ll see you around, Tabitha,” Arthur says, smiling.

“You should stay out of this,” he says flatly, eyes narrowing at me.

***

Lunch and dinner for Alpha Emery, the Aldair brothers, and their guests were served in the estate’s second dining room. Meanwhile, Mom and I ate in the regular family dining room, just the two of us. I didn’t mind. It was rather peaceful, actually. With Mom occupied by her growing list of wedding suppliers and Alpha Emery and the rest locked in what seemed to be a never–ending meeting, I figured it was the perfect chance to sneak away and visit the estate’s library. I’d been eyeing the place for days now.

The moment I step inside, I’m taken aback by the size of it.

It’s massive, easily comparable to our university library. The

ceiling stretches high above me, and the scent of old pages fills the air. My first goal is simple. I start scouring the shelves for anything that might mention breaking a mate bond.

I don’t find much.

There are thick tomes on werewolf history, history of Kaelara island, ancient treaties between packs, even some surprising volumes on witchcraft. But despite the hours I spend scanning, pulling, flipping through page after page, there’s  nothing that so much as touches the topic I’m searching for. At hour three, I start to get really frustrated. My eyes are dry, and my fingers ache from handling so many old covers. I’m about ready to give up.

“My back is killing me,” I mutter, arching as I stretch my arms overhead, trying to ease the stiffness from hours of being

hunched over books.

Right then, my eyes land to the far corner of the library where there’s a section cordoned off by a sturdy black gate with a wooden sign that reads “Restricted Area.” I frown. Why would an estate library need a restricted section? They’re just books. Unless, of course, there’s something in there someone doesn’t want to be read. Something that might actually be worth reading.

Maybe the answer I’m looking for is behind that gate.

Without giving it too much thought, I walk over and grip the gate and shit, of course it’s locked! With a hiss, I give it a tug, hoping that I will magically break it. But of course, it doesn’t budge. I try again, a little harder this time.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

I stiffen. I turn around to see my four stepbrothers standing by the entrance, wearing the kind of expression that tells me I’ve just crossed a line I wasn’t supposed to find–let alone touch.

Shit. I’m screwed.