Page 23 of Bonding with the Beta

“You know I’m right,” she says softly. “Sleeping around isn’t healthy when you’re in this frame of mind. I know you’ve been to the campus counsellor a few times, but you haven’t been in a while. I’m worried this is your way of coping when there are deeper issues going on with you, and you won’t talk to me.”

My body recoils. “Are you trying to slut-shame me?”

“No!” Evie shouts, resting a hand on my knee. “I am not trying to shame you. I’d never do that. All I’m trying to say is that I’m worried about you. You’re my best friend, and I want to make sure that you’re okay. It’s not doing anything for your self-esteem, Kay. If you were in a better frame of mind, I’d tell you to crack on, but you’re not. We both know it. You said it yourself, you need time to be single.”

I run a hand down my face with a strained exhale.

“I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life. I’m trying to look out for you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

My mouth twitches into a forced smile before my face falls again. “I know. It’s just hard.”

“I am always here for you, you know that?” she says as she reaches over to wrap an arm around my shoulders.

I nod slowly.

Evie pulls away and holds my face in her hands. “You deserve the world and more.”

“Thanks.” I laugh and avert my gaze because if I don’t, I’ll start crying.

She pulls back and sits cross-legged opposite me. “Was the guy nice, at least?”

I’m nodding before she even finishes asking the question.

“Yeah.” I grin. “He was really nice. A little unexpected and different from what I’ve experienced with others.”

Evie leans back on her palms. “Did you get his number?”

“No,” I whisper.

It’s probably for the best.

Kayden might be an attractive guy, but once he sees how damaged I am beneath the surface, he won’t want to stick around for my baggage. One night with him was enough—even if I wanted more.

I’ll have to use my imagination.

“Did he make you come?”

A hand claps over my mouth before I laugh again, but it’s too late. Evie is already gasping. “Shut the front door,” she gasps. “I know I shouldn’t be condoning this, but thank God you got the orgasm you deserve.”

“It was good,” I admit. “It was hot. He’s different. He wasn’t trying to get in my pants. He wanted to please me. Then we both said our goodnights. It was strange.”

Evie’s mouth twists to the side. “That’s because you’re used to immature university boys.”

“Yeah.” I nod once. “But like you said, I should focus on myself. I’m going to get my head down for the rest of the year and spend some time giving myself self-love instead. No more boys.”

“Vibrator orgasms only.” Evie points at me, and I chuckle softly.

“It’s better than nothing.”

She grins back at me. “Exactly.”

9

KAYDEN

As Ava and Jaxon prepare for parenthood, Jaxon plans to split his Alpha duties between his brother-in-law, Sebastian, and me. I practically looked after the pack when Jaxon had lost Julia, his first ‘mate’. He couldn’t even eat and dress himself, let alone run this pack.

Jaxon might be a perfectionist, but all his attention will be on the new baby and not on how Sebastian and I decide to run the pack. I kept us above water once; I can do it again.

---