Page 110 of Bonding with the Beta

I purse my lips and blink.That doesn’t sound good.

But I’m too tired to argue. “Okay.”

For the next thirty minutes, they explain their werewolf world to me. My brain turns to mush as they explain their legacy, ancestors, and lifestyle. Kayden explains his duties as their Beta and how he helps to maintain the pack.

Kayden slips his hand in mine and cups the side of my cheek. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” I admit.

Am I okay?

Am I accepting this?

Am I going crazy?

When I manage to stand back up, Kayden takes me to his room and finally puts on some clothes as I perch on the edge of his bed. He sits beside me and brushes his thigh against mine.

“What did he mean about fated mates?”

Kayden’s eyes strain as I look at him, and my heart skips a beat.

“You know when you said Jaxon and Ava look like they’re a match made in heaven? From the way they look at each other, the way they found each other,” he says slowly.

I nod.

“Well, wolves have what we call ‘mates’,” he pauses, and the ache in my chest begins to grow before he even elaborates. “Mates are two people who have been matched together by the Moon Goddess, our version of God. They arereal-life soulmates.”

Soulmates?

My heart hammers. “I don’t understand. Why and how?”

“Jaxon and Ava are mates, which means they make each other better and stronger. They are made for each other within our world.” He reaches over to take my hand, flicking his thumb across my knuckles.

“How do they know they’re mates?” I ask curiously.

Kayden sighs once. “Apparently, it’s like all your senses are heightened. Being around them feels euphoric, touching them feels like magic, and our wolves crave every inch of them. I guess it’s like two pieces of a puzzle slotting together.”

His words gradually sink in. “And you said every wolf has a mate?”

“Yes.”

“So, you–” The words don’t even come out, my eyes stinging at what I’m starting to realise. “You have a mate?”

When he doesn’t reply immediately, I force myself to look at him. The lump in my throat is now impossible to swallow. I knew this was all too good to be true. I’ve seen how Jaxon and Ava look at each other, adore each other,needeach other.

How could I compete with something like that?

“Right,” I whisper, my voice wobbling. I stand up and brush my hands against my leggings. “It’s nice to know there is someone out there who is created perfectly for you, Kayden.”

“Kayleigh—” He reaches for me, but I walk across his room, desperate to put distance between us.

My eyes burn when I blink.

“So, what have I been?” I shake as his chest heaves uncontrollably. “Some fun on the side whilst you wait for her?”

His jaw tenses, and he shakes his head once. “No. Not at all.”

“Then what?” I choke, pressing a hand to my thrashing heart.

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