Page 152 of Bonding with the Beta

“Please don’t do this.” Kayden follows me.

I scoff to myself and wipe my face as I reach the Uber door. I turn to glance up at him with mascara-stained eyes. “You’ve already done it. Don’t you see that?”

Without another word, I slip into the car and slam the door in his face without looking back at him through the window. As soon as the driver pulls away from the curb and out of the establishment, I allow myself to crumble.

How did I end up back here again?

Because you are so breakable.

50

KAYDEN

As Kayleigh’s cab drives away, it feels like watching my entire life disappear.

I stand there for what seems like hours until there is a presence behind me.

“You need to sort this out right now,” Ava hiccups, and when I meet her gaze, tears have coated her cheeks. “Because that girl loves you more than anything.”

My eyes close in defeat. “This isn’t how I wanted this to go, Ava.”

“I knew this would be a mess. She was right. I should have told her to stay away to save her from this bullshit,” she spits.

I grit my jaw and raise a hand to rub the tense muscles.

Without another word, I turn and head back to the party, where I’m immediately met with Harley. Her hands are on her hips, and she glares at me from across the patio as I walk back up the steps.

“What the hell is going on?” she demands.

“I need to be honest with you, Harley,” I state.

She blinks once and then twice. “Oh, Goddess. Don’t tell me you have serious feelings for her. She’s a human.”

“I’m in love with her.”

“Really?” she scoffs.

“Yes.”

Harley presses a hand to her chest, shoulders slowly drooping with sadness as she remains silent for a long moment. All I can hear is the sound of my erratic breathing and pounding heart.

“Oh,” she eventually whispers before wrapping her arms around herself.

“I’m sorry.” I shake my head. “I didn’t…” I pause.

She says nothing, and that makes this a thousand times worse.

What was I going to expect her to say?

Oh, that’s fine. Don’t worry. I’ll leave now.

“Are you rejecting me?”

Those words make my wolf cry out in distress. I turn my back on her and run a hand down my face. “Oh, fuck,” I murmur. “I–”

“Do you need time?”

My head lowers. “Yes.”

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