Chapter 1

Betty opened the front door to her family home and her face creased into a beautiful, blinding smile. Jughead stood on the other side with a bouquet of tulips hiding the goofy grin she knew he was wearing.

"Hey bets, you ready?" He handed her the flowers and stepped closer, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Let me just put these in a vase and then I'll be with you," her eyes glittered with love as she turned away and headed to the kitchen.

Moments later she was closing the front door, her waist warmed by Jughead's leather covered arm. He guided her towards his motorbike.

"You know this never gets any easier, getting on this death trap," she laughed as she pulled her black helmet over her blonde hair.

"You find it sexy, don't lie," he joked, covering her blue summer dress with a leather bike jacket. His heart beamed with pride as she zipped up the Serpent jacket. They'd been dating two years and since her induction into the Southside Serpents a year ago their relationship had just grown and grown.

Ever since her family fell apart, the Serpents had become her family welcoming her with open arms. When she was with them, when she was with Jug she felt safe.

Swinging her leg over the bike behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head into his shoulder as he pulled away from the kerb.

20 minutes later they pulled up outside the Whyte Wyrm; the Serpents regular hang out. The sun had only just set, and it had cast a warm orange glow across the bar, the music could be felt through the flooring as they walked hand in hand along the decking towards the door. It was the annual summer barbeque and Betty had a surprise lined up for her boyfriend later in the night.

"Hey Toni, Cheryl" Betty smiled, giving the two girls a welcoming hug. Jug placed his hand in the small of her back and lent forward.

"Drink baby?" he asked, kissing her cheek as he spoke.

"Gin and Tonic please Juggy," she replied smiling back at him.

"Sure, do you two want anything?" He glanced over at the two girls cuddled up in the booth.

"Glass of White for me please and a beer for Toni," Cheryl smiled, her bright red lipstick parting to show her perfectly white teeth. Jughead nodded in reply and hustled his way through the crowd towards the bar, greeting fellow Serpents as he went.

The girls made small talk while they waited for their drinks, discussing plans they each had for the summer. Betty and Jughead had planned a couple of road trips, including one to New York to visit Archie and Veronica who had decided to spend the summer at the Lodge's house in the Hamptons.

"I can't believe you're taking a gap year," Cheryl said, her fingers placing with Toni's hair subconsciously. "I'm even more surprised your mother is letting you!"

"Well she didn't really have much choice, she's at the Farm all the time and we barely ever see other. Since I turned 18 she lost all rights to control my choices and my life," Betty felt a small pang of sadness at the loss she felt when she thought of her mother. "But I've got the Serpents as family now and with Jug being Serpent King, mum was too scared to argue once he started to back me up."

"You know you've always got us," Toni smiled, placing a hand on Betty's arm. At that moment Jug came back and placed their drinks on the table before sliding in next to Betty. Again the small talk began and as the night drew in their laughter got louder as they shared stories from their final year at school.

A couple of hours later there was a loud clash of a gong, sending silence rippling through the bar. All heads swung towards the young man stood on a chair at the far end.

"The bonfire is ready!" Sweet Pea exclaimed, sending the entire bar into a loud cheer. Everyone who cared got up and headed outside. This was what the night was about, sitting around the bonfire drinking and laughing with friends. Usually the guys played some pool while the girls watched from the hot tub that had recently been installed. The Serpents had recently come into some money, no one was really sure where it came from, but it had been poured into the Whyte Wyrm to revamp the place a little. This had included an outside pool table, dart board and a hot tub.

As the group ambled down the stairs, Betty felt her stomach flip at the sight of the huge bonfire set in the middle of the clearing. She loved these nights; it made her feel fully part of something that only those lucky enough to be inside could understand.

"I'm gonna go play a few games of pool," Jug said pulling his girl closer to his side.

"Sure thing, I'll stay with Cher and T; we'll probably be at the hot tub. I'll find you later," She smiled up at him, then on her tiptoes she placed a warm passionate kiss on his waiting lips. Their arms wrapping around each other effortlessly.

"See you later baby," He breathed when they eventually parted. Betty nodded and stepped to the side allowing him to head towards the group of awaiting guys. She made her way over to the hot tub, slipping her sandals off as she stepped onto the damp grass.

Cheryl and Toni had already shed their clothes, and were now sat in the tub in their bikini's; drinks in hand and laughing at some inside joke. Betty grabbed a beer bottle from the cooler and placing it on the edge of the hot tub she reached behind her and up-zipped her dress. Letting the fabric fall from her body she felt the heat of eye upon her. Usually she was in a high waisted bikini that covered mostly everything; tonight though she thought she'd try a new style.

Her legs were bare apart from the bright green bikini thong she wore, It sat high on her hips, showing off her toned bum and neatly waxed bikini line. It was paired with a matching bright green bikini bra that was see-through except for the perfectly placed stars over her nipples. She heard the whistles and whispers from the guys behind her and knew it wouldn't be long before Jug took notice. Cheryl and Toni looked at her from the water, their faces in an amused smirk, Betty met their eyes and winked as she reached up and pulled her hair from its signature pony tail. Cheryl nodded slightly as she peered round her friends' body, signalling that Jug was looking their way; with that Betty climbed the steps and lowered herself into the bubbling water. She heard a loud wolf whistle followed by a loud slapping noise and giggled. That would be Jug threatening whoever had been stupid enough to voice their appreciation at his girl.

"That was quite a show Betty," Cheryl laughed as the three girls clinked bottles.

"I thought I'd give a new style a try, put myself out there more," Betty smiled taking a sip from the brown glass bottle.

"Well it certainly got the attention of the lads, especially the new guy," Toni remarked nodding her head towards the pool table. Turning to see what she meant Betty spun round in her seat. Sure, enough at the edge of the crowd was a slightly younger guy that she wasn't familiar with.

"That's Jett, he moved here last year and was inducted into the gang about a month ago, so this is his first social. Clearly, he's not familiar with who belongs to who just yet," Toni explained.

Betty met Jett's eyes and he winked at her, a lustrous smile creeping across his face. Betty smiled back politely but inside she squirmed, the glaze in his eyes made her feel uncomfortable and suddenly she wished she was wearing something less scandalous. Suddenly Sweet Pea and Fangs bustled in front of Jett, blocking his eyeline to Betty. Glancing towards the pool table her swallowed hard; angry fierce eyes stared back at her as Jug leant on his pool cue next to the table. A quick but noticeable shake of his head he looked away and headed towards Jett; who was now looking very sheepish as the two guys grabbed an arm each, leading him away behind the bar and out of sight.

"I think I better go and make sure nothing serious happens," Betty said quickly, standing up and climbing out the pool.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Cheryl asked, worry streaked across her face.

"I think shes right babe, if anyone can calm Jughead down it will be her and the last thing we need right now is fight between members," Toni smiled almost regretfully at Betty.

"I'll be back soon, don't worry," Betty smiled reassuringly as she slid her Serpent jacket on over her swimsuit before sliding her feet back into her shoes. Still holding her beer she made her way quietly round the back, hearing voices as she drew near.

"I swear Jughead I didn't know she was your girl, I'm sorry," a panicked voice tore through the night as she rounded the corner. Jughead had Jett by the scruff of his shirt and was forcing him back against the brick wall. Just as Betty went to take a step forward a firm hand wrapped round her arm.

"Go back to the hot tub Betty," Fangs suggested firmly as he and Sweet Pea stepped in front of her protectively.

"Let go of me," she demanded.

"This isn't a fight you need to be involved in," Sweet Pea ushered as Fangs removed his hand, neither of them moved aside she noted.

"This isn't going to be a fight at all," She spat pushing her way past them and walking over to Jug.

"Betty alert," Fangs shouted as she drew closer to the scene. As Jughead turned around she saw blood dripping from a cut on Jett's cheek, instantly dropping her gaze to his hands she noticed Jug had a graze on his right knuckle.

"Betty go back round to the party," his voice was firm and angry but he'd softened the tone for her. His eyes raked up and down her body, noticing that she was only wearing the bikini and her jacket which was only half zipped up. He bit his lip as his eye fell on her cleavage.

"Only if you come with me," she said stepping closer to him.

"I'm nearly finished here," He said stepping backwards towards Jett, one hand still firmly in place on his upper arm. Jett's face was tight, and he looked hurt but his eyes still fell on Betty's chest. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around herself trying to cover her bare skin. Jughead noticed the small gesture and his head spun round to look back at Jett.

"Seriously?! I'm stood here and you're still eyeing my girl up," He spat angrily in Jett's face, moving his free hand to this throat. "Betty leave, go back round!"

"No Jug, not without you. He's not worth it," she pleaded placing a soft hand on his shoulder. "Please baby, come back round with me." Jug looked round at Betty who was pleading him softly with her eyes.

"Fine," he said, giving one last hard shove before releasing Jett, "but take this as a warning Jett, you look at my girl like that again and I swear…"

"I think he's got it Juggy," Betty interrupted grabbing his hand and pulling him towards her. Sweeping his hand through his messy fringe he wrapped a protective arm around her waist and guided her back around the corner followed by Sweet Pea and Fangs.

Betty decided to spend some time with Jug, attempting to calm him down and take his mind off things. She still had a surprise lined up but now she was beginning to doubt whether it was a good idea. For the next hour she sat on the edge of a table next to the dart board as he released some frustration. Toni had given her a spare pair of denim hot pants to offer come additional coverage even though she was still barely dressed. With every drink that passed her lips she became more and more relaxed and by the time her and Cheryl had finished another glass of wine she was up and swaying with the music.

"I'm gonna go dance with the girls," She said to Jughead and he flicked the cap off another beer. She only then noticed that he'd barely had a drink since the Jett incident.

"Okay baby, but be careful," he smiled warningly.

"Don't you panic Juggy, I'll be fine," She placed a lust fuelled kiss on his lips her hands unzipping her jacket between them. As they broke apart she shimmied her shoulders letting the leather slide from her body.

"Betty," Jughead warned grabbing the garment before it hit the floor.

"I'm hot," she laughed as she walked backwards towards the dancefloor. She winked as he stood staring at her in disbelief. She was now in just her bikini top and Toni's barely there hot pants. She knew it was a risk, Jug would be more protective than normal after the earlier incident but she was too drunk to care anymore.

Jughead stood next to the dart board watching as Betty laughed with some of the other Serpent girls. Normally he wouldn't have worried about her dancing in her bikini, she often ended up like that at the summer social's. However normally she was in a less revealing bikini. He glanced round the clearing as people joked and laughed by the bonfire, his eyes scanning the faces for any sign of Jett.

"Alright boy?" His father's voice interrupted his thoughts as he sat down on the table.

"Yeah, things are good," he smiled, handing a beer to his dad. FP used to be the king, but when he got back from prison, he handed control over to his son, although behind the scenes he still played a big part in the Serpents.

"I heard what happened between you and Jett," He said subtly, "You need to take it easy on the new guys, they aren't to know she's yours. You can hardly blame them for looking when shes doing that." He gestured with his bottle towards the dance floor. Following his fathers gaze his heart sunk a little. Two platforms had been dragged from the outbuildings and each had a pole sunk firmly into the centre. On one platform was Toni, now dressed in her black jeans and stilettos paired with her bikini from earlier. On the other was Betty.

Their eyes met and he willed her to get down; he knew it was hopeless pleading from afar though, she'd had far too much to drink to take any notice. When she got drunk, she became a wild version of her usual tame self. He loved it normally as her wild heart translated to the privacy of their bedroom later. However tonight was different. Jett would be somewhere nearby watching and something about the new guy made him feel threatened and over-protective.

"Betty…" Jug sighed as the crowds drew closer around the platforms. The music began pumping and the girls seemed to feed off each other and somehow became synchronized with their movements. Getting lost in the moment his body ached to grab her and hold her close; but he watched from afar getting more and more frustrated with every drop and swing. Looking at all the guys faces he was hit like a truck by jealously. All their eyes were on Betty, who could blame them? She was sexy as hell, even his most loyal guys couldn't help but smile at her body as it worked its way round the pole. The dance bought back memories of the night Betty was inducted into the gang, when without Jug knowing she'd got up on stage and danced in front of the whole bar. He'd be blown away by her confidence but also angered that now she couldn't back out from such an uncertain life. Things had changed since then though and now she was fully part of the gang and he couldn't imagine ruling without her by his side. As his anger started to settle the song drew to a close and the onlookers began clapping, Jug joined in as his father gave him a manly shove. Jug smiled and shook his head, there was something a little weird about his dad appreciating how hot his girl was, but he also knew that almost every guy here tonight appreciated it too. He was just about to go back to the pool table when he saw Betty stumbled too close to the edge, is heart jumped into his throat as she came crashing off the edge. He see's a flash of a body as arms wrap round her waist holding her close before she hits the floor. His feelings mellow for just a second before he notices who the arms belong to. Jett. Anger rising through him he rips through the crowds towards them, fists clenched. He clocks the movement of fellow Serpents following him and faintly hears his dads warning tone, telling him he should take it easy. All reasoning is ripped from his body when he see's a very drunk, limp Betty slumped in Jett's arms; his face plastered with a seductive grin. Jug notices his hands firmly in place on the edge of her shorts, one thumb ever so slightly tucked into the waist band. A red fog glosses over his vision as he lunges towards them, arm in the air ready to smack the smug grin off his face. Before he makes contact though his movement is stopped by someone grabbing him from behind and dragging his arms backwards.

"Calm it son," his father bellows stepping between the two guys. It's then that Jughead notices Fangs has moved in and is now holding a sheepish looking Betty. Throwing a look over his shoulder her shrugs out of the grapple of Sweet Pea who obligingly releases him, hands in the air surrendering.

"No fights tonight, Jett was simply helping weren't you boy," FP says, placing a hand on Jett's shoulder, giving him a warning squeeze that was probably just a little too hard.

"But Dad you didn't see…" Jug head steps forward fists still clenched preparing to argue this out.

"I saw it all son, but no fighting tonight. He's been warned and I'm sure like the loyal Serpent he's become he will stay away from Betty," FP looks at Jett, giving him a stare that lets him know he has no choice.

"I was just trying to help, don't worry I'll stay away from her," Jett agrees, swallowing hard.

"Good," FP smiles releasing his grip from the young lad. "Now Jug, I think it's time to head home with Betty." Jughead's eyes fall on a very drunk, very sleepy Betty still slumped in Fangs' arms.

"Sure," Jughead agrees reluctantly as he walks over and picks his girl up in a bridal carry and walks through the crowds towards his trailer.