Page 177 of Bonding with the Beta

Genevieve walks to the kitchen as I approach Kayleigh.

“You okay?” I whisper.

She hums softly. “Yeah, just looking. Probably being too nosy.”

“No. I think they like knowing you’re appreciating our culture.”

When Genevieve returns with tea, we finally sit down. Kayleigh’s fingers rest in her lap, but she continues to tug at her knuckles.

“Kayden says we’re soulmates,” Kayleigh blurts. “And that sounds ridiculous.”

Genevieve laughs gently as she leans back in her rocking chair. “You’re right; maybe it does sound ridiculous. But from what Kayden told me about being able to hear your thoughts and sensing your danger, that is only something someone can experience if they’re in the presence of their soulmate.”

“B-but why?”

“It stems down from Kayden’s bloodline. His parents’ not being fated mates has altered his path to find his true soulmate instead of his fated mate.”

Kayleigh’s brows pinch together tightly. “Why would his path change?”

“Because he doesn’t carry the dominant mating gene that pairs him with a compatible mate. There isn’t anyone in the werewolf world who is technically compatible with him, as he was paired with someone who also doesn’t carry the gene. There aren’t many of them in this world, which makes it extremely hard for the Moon Goddess to find a true matebond,” she says before reaching for her tea and taking a sip.

I glance at Kayleigh, who is staring back at her in disbelief. “Why me?” she whispers.

“Because you are Kayden’s compatible.”

“But I’m human.”

“Like I said, there isn’t anyone in the werewolf world compatible with Kayden. But you, Kayleigh? You are the one compatible with him, even though you’re human. The Moon Goddess didn’t want anyone to have an unfair advantage, so she helped guide you both in the right direction.” Her smile is touching.

Kayleigh stares back at Genevieve, dumbfounded.

“Compatible because we’re?—”

She can’t bring herself to say the word.

“Soulmates? Yes. It might not be in the same form fated mates are, but you two were born to be with each other.”

“Have you seen this before?” Kayleigh asks.

She nods. “Yes. A few times. It’s not as common because most wolves end up finding their mates and having children with them, but it does happen.”

“What about our children?”

I blink at Kayleigh’s question, surprised she’s accepting this as easily as she is.

“What do you mean, my dear?”

“Well, if we had children, does that mean they’d have a fated mate and a soulmate?”

Genevieve shakes her head. “They wouldn’t have a fated mate as the weakened gene would officially be out of the bloodline, but I’m not one hundred percent sure whether they’d have soulmates.”

Kayleigh’s mouth opens and shuts twice before she runs her hand down her face. “Sorry,” she exhales shakily. “I’m just in shock.”

“Which is understandable,” Genevieve replies slowly. “It’s going to take a while to sink in, but over time, you’ll start to see little things and experience moments that will make you see that you were born for each other, even if it seems dysfunctional. This world isn’t perfect, but it created this beautiful bond between you.”

After a few minutes of silence, I take Kayleigh’s hand. We look at each other at the same time, and she closes her eyes, contentment washing over both of our expressions.

“This is a lot to wrap my head around,” she murmurs. “It sounds crazy, even a little silly. But is it weird that I kind of understand?”

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