Page 108 of Bonding with the Beta

She stands up, and I join her as she glances between us with a look of betrayal. The room is silent for a long moment, and it cuts through my heart like a knife, then she starts cackling.

“Then show me,” she demands, arms flying around. “Show me that you guys are ‘wolves’,” she air quotes. “Show me that you’re not human or whatever the fuck you are because this is a joke, right? This is where you do some stupid show and tell me it’s a prank.”

I swallow harshly and look at Jaxon, who stares back at me.

How exactly did you expect this to go?He quirks a brow.

Not like this,I admit.

Jaxon snorts quietly.You are fucked, my friend.

“Wolves,” Kayleigh barks again and laughs until her throat runs dry. “Seriously…seriously?”

Her arms fold over her chest as she glares at me, red blotches coating her cheeks. I inhale a breath as I step towards her, and she holds out a hand.

“Go on, show me,” she orders.

Jaxon and Ava step back, and I channel my wolf, feeling his soul. Within seconds, my bones begin to snap and my clothes begin to shed, a low growl escaping my mouth as I stand on four paws.

My brown wolf raises its head and looks straight at her. I glance down at her legs to find them trembling with no control. She’s frozen.

She holds my stare, releasing a terrified breath until her eyes roll into the back of her head, and she collapses down onto the floor before I can reach her.

Yeah, nice plan.Jaxon sighs as they drop to their knees to check she’s okay.That went really well.

Shut up, asshole.

34

KAYLEIGH

Something wet and cold is pressed against my forehead.

I attempt to open my eyes, but I’m weaker than I realise.

“She’s coming around,” I hear someone say quietly.

A grunt falls from the back of my throat as I shift on my back.

“Hey.” Kayden’s voice is low and soft.

My eyes crack open slowly, and I blink to defend myself from the blinding ceiling light. Kayden’s head moves in the way and removes the damp cloth from my head. He’s not wearing a T-shirt, just a pair of boxers.

What the hell is going on?

“How are you feeling? I didn’t mean to scare you.” Kayden’s fingers trail down my cheek.

I stare back into his eyes to find guilt covering his face. My eyes widen a fraction as I remember.

The wolf.

Kayden shifted into a fuckingwolf.

I press a hand to my head again, desperate to stay conscious. This cannot be happening. How is that even remotely possible? It’s not. This must be a dream.

“Easy.” Kayden moves forward, sensing my spiralling. “Take it easy.”

“Here.” Ava leans over as she hands Kayden a bottle of water. He smiles at her gratefully.