Page 153 of Bonding with the Beta

“This isn’t how I expected to meet you,” she murmurs with a tremble. “I thought you’d care.”

I glance at her, meeting her reserved green eyes. “I do care,” I admit. “Things are complicated, and I’m sorry.”

“How long do you need?”

My head tilts in confusion as Harley wipes her damp eyes. “What?”

“How long do you need to break up with her?”

I blink at her statement. “I’m not–”

“You’re not going to break up with her?” she rasps. “So, I’ve waited my entire life for you, and you’re telling me that a human is better than me? I’m your fated mate. The Moon Goddess put us together for a reason. You can’t turn your back on this. You can’t change the fates; that’s not how this world works.”

As I stare back at her, I feel the tug of the matebond—but it’s nothing like Jaxon and Ava have described. I thought it would literally knock me off my feet, but as I take in Harley before me, my wolf might be crying out for her, but my heart lies with Kayleigh.It always will.

“She means a lot to me,” I start.

Harley folds her arms over her chest, an unimpressive expression slashing across her face. “And I mean nothing?”

“I didn’t say that.” I shake my head. “I don’t know you, Harley.”

“Yet,” she hisses. “You don’t know meyet.”

I didn’t expect her to take it well. I half-expected her to be throwing things at me, possibly a punch to the face. Hell, I deserve it. I deserve it for putting them both in this position.

Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten involved with Kayleigh, but I don’t regret it. Not after knowing the intense emotions I can feel for her. Not after knowing how much love I have for her.

“I never wanted either of you to be in this position, and maybe that was selfish of me. But there is something about her that–”

“What about her?”

I drag a hand through my hair. “We both know she’s human, but I can hear her thoughts.”

Harley pulls back an inch. “You can hear her thoughts?”

“Yes.”

“Can you hear mine?”

For a moment, I pause, but I don’t sense any energy emitting from her.

“No.”

Her face pales a little, and she clears her throat, dropping her hands to her sides.

“Have you been to get answers?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I’ve struggled to find the time,” I confess. “It’s a long journey to the mountains.”

Harley narrows her eyes at me. “Everyone can find the time.”

Maybe I’ve been in denial because I don’t want anyone telling me how I should feel about Kayleigh.

“I guess there is only one way to find out. The elders will know what’s going on with you. And I refuse to get involved with you if you’re somehow tied to someone else. I’m not settling for less than I’m worth, and I’m not giving up on this before it’s even started. I know you wouldn’t be that stupid either. Our wolves will die without each other.” Harley folds her arms over her chest.

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