Page 107 of Bonding with the Beta

“Oh my God,” she hums in delight. “She’s grown so much already.”

Ava chuckles. “Tell me about it. Time is going by too quickly.”

“Oh, she’s the cutest.”

Jaxon begins to stand. “Let me put her down, then we all can talk. Hmm?”

I glance at Ava as she looks at me.

Kayleigh blinks in surprise, her eyes flicking between the three of us. “Oh. It’s something you all need to tell me?”

“Yeah.” I reach out for her hand, which is inside my hoodie. “They’re here to help me explain because this isn’t going to be easy.”

“What?” Kayleigh’s throat tenses.

“Sit down.” I motion towards the sofa.

She perches on the edge as Jaxon returns, shutting the door firmly behind him.

I stare back at her. Where the hell am I going to start with this?

Kayleigh shuffles forward and backwards in her seat with anticipation, eyes so full of worry that my stomach churns with nausea.

“I haven’t been completely honest with you.” I scratch the back of my head as I squat in front of her and take her fingers with mine.

Blood immediately drains from her face.

“Wait, wait, wait,” she murmurs. “Kayden, are you sick?”

“No. No.” I shake my head rapidly. “No. I’m not sick. I’m okay.”

Her chest heaves, and she nods, eyes flicking between mine, desperate for answers. “Then what?”

I purse my lips and think of a few ways to go about what I’m about to say. There’s no point in dragging this out. She’s been tortured enough. It’s going to sound insane either way, so I need to come out with it. It’s now or never.

“Kayleigh, I’m not human.”

She stares at me like I’m crazy. “What?”

“I’m notfullyhuman,” I clarify.

“What the hell does that mean?”

I sigh and roll my teeth across the inside of my lip. “I know this is going to sound crazy, and I need you to let me explain. I am human, but I am also a wolf.”

“Excuse me?”

“Kayleigh, just listen?—”

“Are you trying to fuck with me?”

She doesn’t blink. Not once. She’s in shock.

“No,” I exhale sharply. “Not at all. I want to be honest with you.”

Kayleigh coughs out a sour laugh and looks at Ava. “What the fuck is this, Ava?”

“He’s telling the truth.” She nods. “We all are. Wolves. Just listen to what he has to say.”

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