Page 149 of Bonding with the Beta

“What’s the matter?” She frowns.

I shake my head once. “Nothing.”Everything.

Harley’s eyes flicker for a moment, and her mouth presses into a thin line. “Are you not happy with what you see?”

“No,” I state instantly because I don’t want to hurt her feelings. “Not at all.”

There is nothing wrong with her. She’s pretty. But it’s not right.

“Then what?”

My lips part, but nothing comes out.

What can I say to her without shattering her to pieces?

I’m the fool. I’m the fool. I’m the fool.

Harley’s hands rise, and she presses them both to my cheeks. I freeze at the sensations that wash over me as she smiles softlyand tilts her head. I try my hardest to pull away, but I can’t. My wolf is drawing me in after being deprived for his entire life.

“I get you’re in shock,” she whispers. “But this is meant to be the greatest moment of our lives. We were made for this moment.”

She presses our foreheads together, and I close my eyes as my wolf takes over and dives into the waves of the matebond emitting off us.

I should pull away. Ineedto pull away.

But I can’t, and I hate myself for giving in to this moment when I know where my heart lies.

49

KAYLEIGH

“Have you guys seen Kayden?” I ask Ava and Jaxon as I approach them.

Jaxon looks up at me with Aurora in his arms as he shakes his head. “No. Why?”

I run my fingers through the ends of my hair. “He said he needed a moment, and I thought he’d come back inside, but I can’t find him.”

“Maybe he’s still out there,” Ava says, and I chew on my lip.

“Maybe.” I nod as I glance over my shoulder. “I’m gonna go have a look.”

“I’ll come with you,” Ava says as she links her arm through mine. “I could do with some air.”

We walk across the grand hall before stepping outside onto the patioed area that overlooks the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen filled with roses and peonies. Ava pauses and inhales deeply, and I scan the patio.

My entire body turns rigid as Ava snaps her gaze at me.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

I’m shaking aggressively as I stare ahead at Kayden and…some woman who is holding him close. Their foreheads arepressed against one another as she smiles and beams up at him. Her hands are tenderly touching his face as if they’re lovers.

That magnetic force I’ve seen before with Ava and Jaxon? It’s right here in front of me.

My stomach churns, bile rising in my throat. I push it down, but seconds later, it returns, and I’m fearful I’m about to throw up everywhere.

“Kayleigh,” Ava says worriedly as she follows my eyeline. “Don’t…wait?—”

I ignore her and walk straight towards them.

---