Page 83 of Bonding with the Beta

“No,” I say immediately. That’s the last thing I need. “I’m fine. Just had a rough few days. I need to keep busy. I like running the pack. I’ve got donations and things ready to be sorted. Lucy and Evan said they’d help me later.”

Jaxon hums. “Alright.”

“I’ve also completed those territory reports,” I murmur. “They’re on your desk if you want to look through them before we submit them to the district.”

“Already?” He blinks in surprise.

I nod once. “And everything’s looking good. We haven’t had a threat in months or a false alarm. Our security has really stepped up.”

Jaxon tilts his head at me. “Thanks. If you need anything, let me know. I became a father, not a slob.”

“Give it a few months when the sleepless nights start to kick in.” I chuckle.

“Yeah.” He exhales a long breath. “I can’t wait.”

I slip my phone out of my pocket and swipe to my messages with Kayleigh. Every single one of them since I left her the other day has gone unanswered. Why is she ignoring me?

Kayden:

Hey, how are you feeling?

I really didn’t want to leave you.

Please call me.

Kayleigh, I’m starting to get worried. Please tell me that you’re okay?

I stare at the messages and groan silently to myself.

Why is she pushing me away?

When Jaxon leaves the kitchen, I call her phone again, but this time, it goes straight to voicemail. I curse to myself and rest my fist on the counter. My heart thumps in my throat, and suddenly, I’m imagining the worst.

26

KAYLEIGH

As I lay on my bed, attempting to finish reading for tomorrow's social psychology class, I’m distracted by the movie I put on my laptop instead. I’m snuggled up with my blanket and cosy socks, and my hair is thrown up into a messy bun.

Evie asked if I wanted to go to the library to complete the reading together, but I couldn’t think of anything better than this. Especially after today’s brutal classes, I needed a breather to myself.

There is a firm knock at my door which makes me jump. I roll my eyes groaning as I drag myself from bed. “Oh my God, Evie,” I call. “I told you I don’t want to go to the library.”

No doubt she’s here with some kind of bribe.

My fingers latch onto the door handle, and I swing it open. “You could have just texted me?—”

I immediately stop talking. Instead of the five-foot-two girl I thought would be there, it’s actually a six-foot-two man staring back at me with a hardened expression.

My gaze settles on his dark eyes and the lines beginning to crease his forehead. Even when he looks frustrated, he’s still as handsome as ever.How?

“Hi,” I manage to let out.

“Yeah,” Kayden strains. “Hi.”

We haven’t spoken in almost a week. That’s my fault.

I tug at the hem of my oversized jumper to try and cover up my exposed thighs, but it raises back up within a second. My heart pounds rapidly in my chest, feeling like it’s about to jump out of my throat at any given second.

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