Author's note: Throws chapter at ya guys. Have fun my fellow bughead babies.

It was quiet whimpering that woke Jughead up in the middle of the night. So quiet, he knew he had only heard the soft cries due to his wolf-hearing. Turning his head to the right of him, he listened intently.

"Mom, please come back," Betty's soft voice whimpered, and Jughead didn't have to strain to hear the pain in her voice. Swallowing down the pain he felt at who he knew to be was his mate, he got out of his bed and made his way to her room across his apartment. Tapping lightly on the door, he pushed it open partially.

"Betty?" Jughead asked softly, eyes falling on his mate as she tossed and turned in the bed; covers a crumpled mess twisting between her legs. He sighed, heart aching at her pain. Making his way towards her, he crouched down next to the bed, carding his fingers gently through her hair. "Wake up, please. It's okay. I won't let anyone hurt you."

The blonde woman's cries began to taper off as her body stilled upon his touch.

That'll never not be fascinating.

Eyes crinkling open slowly, Betty looked at Jughead, before peering around the room.

"Nightmare," she muttered sheepishly, rubbing a hand over her face. He nodded.

"I know," he murmured. Pausing to push a lock of hair behind her ear gently, he continued on afterwards. "Want to talk about it?" Eyes trailing to where her palms were clenched together, he spoke up once more. "And other things?"

Biting her lip, Betty looked down at her palms. "You feel the pain, too? Is that a wolf thing?"

"It's a mate thing. You know that," he whispered, eyes studying her face intensely.

Sucking in a sharp breath, she nodded, forcing out a laugh. "Yeah."

Rubbing her knuckles, he tilted his head at her curiously. "So, shall we talk?"

XXX

Jughead procured two cups of coffee for them – one filled with such an unhealthy amount of sugar he deemed it sugar water. Handing her the sugar water, he smiled softly as he took a seat on the balcony chair next to hers'. She had curled up underneath the throw blanket for his couch, feet tucked neatly underneath her as she stared out across his balcony.

"Tell me about your mom?" Jughead asked quietly, hopefully. He didn't want to pressure her into telling him anything – but he needed, craved, to know everything about her. He'd start with her family, then move his way to her palms.

Betty had a soft smile on her lips. "She was the best. A little overbearing when it came to mine and Pols' safety; but her heart was in the right place. Her intentions were pure."

"If she raised you to be the woman you are today, I believe it," he said softly, fond smile on his own lips. Betty dipped her head, soft blush coating her cheeks. "You don't receive compliments well."

It wasn't a question. Betty chuckled.

"I don't know what to do with them," she replied.

"I'll accept that as an answer for now, Cooper," he replied, tone teasing, and he sighed in relief as the pain in her eyes started ebbing away. "Were you and your sister close?"

His tone was still gentle as he captured her hand with his and interlocked their fingers. He couldn't, wouldn't, let his mate hurt herself in front of him.

Betty exhaled. "Yeah. She was my older sister. Protective but knew when to step back and let me make my own choices and mistakes so I could grow."

"Mistakes?" Jughead asked, curiosity piqued.

Opening her free palm, she batted her eyes down to her scars. "As ugly of a mistake that I can make."

Jughead sighed as he gently latched onto her other palm, cupping her hands together as he stared at her.

"Betty, honey, we all have demons. Unfortunately, instead of unleashing those demons onto the monsters who deserve them, some of us unleash them on ourselves."

"What if I am the monster that deserves it?" Betty asked, voice quiet as she stared down at their hands.

Startled, Jughead spoke. "Explain that absurd question, please."

"I-I didn't save my family. My dad told me to run and I did, I fucking ran, Juggie. From hunters – from my Aunt – who ended up slaughtering my entire family. I didn't stay and fight; I didn't protect them. I'm a fucking wolf. I know how to protect. So, yeah, I'm the monster my demons deserve to be unleashed towards," she said bitterly.

Jughead didn't hesitate to kiss her forehead, relishing in the way she melted into his touch.

Comfort omega, Jughead. Do your job for her.

"Betty, I need you to listen to me very carefully, okay?" Jughead asked, voice low and serious. "None of what happened was your fault. Your father told you to run because it's a fathers' job to protect his children. He knew you had a chance at survival. He seized the opportunity and told you to run with it. Do not blame yourself for him wanting you safe. And, yes, I know that it led you to fucking Malachi and Penny, but it also led you to the Serpents – to me. I like to think, hopefully, that that can at least be the good that came out of this horrific tragedy."

Her eyes were on him, tracing every facet of his features which, to his credit, he left open and honest so she could see he meant every word he said.

"I'm going to kiss you now, alright?" Betty asked softly.

Jughead smiled. "Alright, baby."

She leaned forward, eyes watching him carefully, and he took out the last bit of hesitation in her movement as he leaned forward as well, letting her know he had no objections whatsoever. Her lips met his for a moment – a shy brush of the lips at first, before he turned it into what his wolf craved from the moment he laid eyes on her in Penny's God-awful warehouse. Cradling her face, he relished in her gasp of pleasure as his kissed turned a bit rougher, a bit more bruising. He had to force his canines from emerging to mark her. He would do that with her consent and in a different setting, altogether if said consent was given.

After kissing her once, twice, three more times, Jughead pulled back, eyes fluttering open slowly as he caught sight of a dazed expression on Betty's face.

"Alpha," she breathed and fucking shit, had he ever felt his wolf roar in response to something as amazing as that. Blinking, he shook his head a bit and cupped her cheek.

"Fuck," he laughed.

"Fuck indeed," Betty said, still slightly breathless. He was still holding her hands – keeping them safe in his own – and he looked down at them, eyes trailing over her many, many scars. Kissing her forehead gently, he spoke up.

"We'll break this habit together, okay?" Jughead asked softly, and she nodded.

"Okay," she promised. "Okay."

Tucking her into his side, the two of them stayed up til the sunrise.

Author's note: Enjoy! We'll be bringing in Cheryl I think the next chapter or two. Then, Ronnie and Archie and where they play in this. Xxx