Beauty and The Beta (Bailey)
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77

Chapter 77 – Asher I had been on my way back to my office to do some additional work, just the usual for me of anevening. I hadn’t been paying attention to where I was going as I was reading an article on myphone, and it was only when I felt the impact to my chest that I realized Bailey was there. Thesecond I realized she was falling, I quickly went into action, and leaped forward, grabbing her andpulling her to me, my heart pounding in desperate fear filling me that she was going to fall all theway down the stairs. But, thankfully, I had her in my arms, as I lowered myself onto the top step, Bailey still in my arms,both of us trembling. Her eyes had been clenched shut, but she slowly pried them open, looking atme with what could only be described as a look of horror and embarrassment. She jumped back, as if my touch was repulsive to her. And I had to say I was a little hurt by that, buttried hard to ignore it. “Are you okay?” I asked her, trying to check her over. As she quickly. movedherself from my embrace, to sit herself next to me. How do I seem to replace myself in these messes? She nodded. “Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.” I noticed a loose strand of her hair fallingover her face, and I don’ t know why, but I found myself reaching out to gently brush it back, but Isaw her eyes widen at me as I did. Did I do the wrong thing? Should I not have touched her? Wasshe hurt? Now I was more worried she might be hurt. Yet her big brown eyes look up at me, and Iswear my heart pounds harder in my chest as she looks at me, not saying a thing. 0.00% 11:16 “I think I may have been pre-occupied too.” I told her, not wanting her to take all the blame. Then asI looked at her, I saw tears leaking from her eyes. Had she been crying before? Or was it throughwhat had happened? I am sure I had stopped her falling, so she shouldn’t have hurt herself badly. Iam sure of that… She shrugged, going to stand up, but I reached for her hand without even thinking, wanting to checkshe was okay. “Bailey, you look like you have been crying, is everything okay?” I asked softly. “Didyou hurt yourself when I stopped you falling? Are you hurt?” questions seemed to blurt from my

mouth. Making me sound like a blathering fool right now, but I was desperate to know if she wasokay… As she lowered herself back down to sit down alongside me on the top step, she shook her head. “Iam fine. Beta Asher. Really, I am.” I had to say I was missing all of Zion’s sly comments right now, because no doubt he would haveplenty to say right now. But, since he had left me earlier today, he had yet to return, and as much asI had said I would be glad of the peace, his absence was beginning to bother me… Though, Bailey’s lack of information bothered me too. She didn’t seem fine. There was a wobble inher voice, but I don’t know if that was simply because she was shaken from nearly falling down thestairs. That would make sense. But, would that make her cry? I am not so sure that it would. “Bailey, I know I have not made the best first impression, and I doubt I ever will. I am not the bestwith people. But, please, Eden is desperate for me to make sure you are okay…” I paused, 12.931 contemplating if I should be honest here or not. “And, In truth, I want to make sure you are okay too.Me, not Eden. Me. I know there are somethings you are not sharing with us…” I faltered slightly,unsure how to word what I wanted to say, while Bailey looked at me, a little confused, a little scared.Could I blame her? No… because in truth I think they were a safe estimate of how I feel right now,and little rarely scared me. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, realizing she was expecting me to continue what Iwas saying. “Eurgh… I am even worse with words. Look, I realize some things are private, so youmay not want to share them. But am worried about you. Maybe I have no right to be. But I am. Youlook like you have been crying… or want to cry. And that bothers me. Look, you can tell me to mindmy own business, and in truth, I probably would if I were you, but, is there anything I can help with?”My words feel jumbled as they blurt from my mouth… I sit, my breathing rapid as I am feeling like a total idiot at the words I have just blurted out as Baileylooks at me, completely lost… Then, she suddenly sighed, a sigh that sounded like it came from her feet. It was so deep. But, sheshook her head. “Beta Asher, honestly, it isn’t even worth talking about.”

“Is any shit that makes you feel crappy?” I said, and she looked at me in surprise. “And, didn’t I sayto call me Asher?” I reminded her. She shrugged in response to my words. “Fine, Asher.” And I have to say, I am surprised just howgood my name sounds from her lips… it sounds pretty good… but she continued. “Like I said, it isn’teven worth talking about. Or worrying you about. Let 46.57%. 268 Vouchers. me say it is just me feeling sad over something that was never even mine.” She said quietly, beforelooking down at her feet, a blush of embarrassment crossing her face. “You missing the guy who met his fated mate I guess?” I asked, and at my words I saw the painacross her face. I know my guess was likely right.. “I don’t think there would be any shame in that.Especially if you guys were close. It is like losing someone, right? Losing a link that was there, andnow it feels like it is lost?” I suggested how I saw it, though it pains me to admit, I hate the thoughtof her being close to another guy… Bailey shrugged, and suddenly, out of nowhere, Zion is back. After being absent all afternoon andevening, he is back, pacing within my mind, so on edge, and he is whimpering, like he can senseher pain and he doesn’t like it. Not one little bit. Like he did not like to see her struggling. What isgoing on with my wolf today? I only prayed he did not get any louder, or she would be hearing himand I had no clue how I could explain that… “I sound like I feel sorry for myself, but I don’t. I just have the occasional moment where things geton top of me, I guess. I can say without doubt, I would never have wanted to be with Miles. Hetreated me so badly before and after he rejected me. I had a lucky escape. But, I can’t help butwonder if my own fated mate didn’t want me, and the guy I turned to and trusted enough to consideras a chosen mate isn’t there for me now, if I am forever going to be alone.” she whispered, and herwords are so quiet they are barely audible, but because I am sitting next to her, I can hear her, and Ican feel the pain within her voice. I saw a tear slide down her face. It sounded like she had been through too much, far too young. But,I know this pain she is

7108% 1289 Mouchers talking of. Because I have felt the same pain in the years since Isla died. A pain that eats away atyou. One that makes you wonder if you can cope. The fear of forever being alone…