Page 147 of Bonding with the Beta

I don’t wait to hear what they have to say. I spin on my unsturdy heels and push my way through the sea of people until I reach outside. I gulp down the air like I’m suffocating.

Everything trembles inside me, yet fresh air doesn’t make me feel much better.

I reach the edge of the pillars and grip my fingers on the balcony, bowing my head to take low breaths. My eyes clamp shut, but I’m spinning like I’ve had one too many.

Shit. Have I been spiked?

No. Who the hell would spike me?

My wolf unexpectedly stirs inside me, and realisation suddenly dawns on me.

Oh, fuck.

No. No. No. No.

“Kayden.” A hand lands on my back and I jump. “Woah.”

My eyes meet Kayleigh’s as she stares back at me with furrowed brows.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I rasp and wipe my hand across my jaw. “Nothing.”

“Are you sure? You’re sweating like hell.”

I step away from her and shift between my feet. “Kayleigh, sorry…I just need a minute to myself.”

“Kayden,” she says as she wraps her arms over her elbows. “What’s going on?”

“Please,” I hiss a little too harshly. “Sorry. I just really need a moment. Please, give me a moment.”

Kayleigh’s eyes flick over me with confusion. “Uh…okay,” she hesitates. “I’ll see you in there?”

“Yeah,” I murmur and avoid her eyes.

She pauses for a moment before leaving me alone, but my chest is still vibrating like I’ve been given an electric shock.

Make it stop. Make it stop. Make it stop.

Not here. Anywhere but here.

I take a quick walk around the grounds to shake off this sensation, but it doesn’t leave my body. It only intensifies when I reach the front of the building again.

My gaze flicks across the group of people loitering outside with drinks in hand and laughing between them. I slide a hand through the back of my hair and tug at the strands.

My vision tightens as I sense someone walking directly towards me until my gaze rests on her. Dark hair, green eyes,and olive skin. She’s beaming, with tears in her lash line. Skin tinting pink.

Oh, Goddess.

I’m stuck. I can’t fucking move.

She doesn’t stop walking. She’s heading straight for me.

“Hi,” she whispers when she’s close enough.

My fingers itch to do something as my wolf howls deeply inside me.

“H-hi,” I stutter, my mouth tasting like sandpaper.

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