Page 157 of Bonding with the Beta

“You, too, Genevieve.”

“And who may this be?”

“I’m Harley,” she says as she steps forward.

“Nice to meet you.”

Harley nods with a tight smile. “You, too.”

“Come sit.” Genevieve gestures to the chairs with colourful patterned blankets.

I wait for Harley to sit first before perching beside her.

“What brings you here today?” she asks before sitting down herself.

My eyes flick to Harley, whose expression is unreadable. I take in a breath and nod. “Harley is my mate,” I start, and Genevieve’s face softens. “But I’ve grown closer to someone else because I can hear her thoughts and sense her danger.”

Genevieve freezes for a long moment, her eyes bouncing between the pair of us.

“Why is it that I can hear Kayleigh’s thoughts when I’m mated to someone else?” I lean forward, pressing my forearms to my knees, more than eager for answers.

“Kayden, what do you know about your parents?”

My brows knit together at her question. “What do you mean?”

Genevieve sighs softly. “Do you know that your parents aren’t mates?”

I swallow harshly as I shake my head. “No,” I grind out. “I didn’t?—”

I had always assumed they were mates. They’ve always seemed so in love.

“What does that have to do with this?” Harley asks.

“Well…the mate gene usually only works to the best of its ability when the parents are fated mates. So, when werewolves mate with those who are not their mates, their children’s bond with their mate will be significantly less.”

My forehead aches from the heavy frowning.

“Harley, are your parents mates?”

Her mouth falls open. “I…uh?—”

I turn to look at her and her eyes find mine.

“No,” she admits. “They’re not.”

“What do you mean significantly less?” I shuffle closer to the edge of the seat.

“Because neither of you inherited the dominant mating gene, the Moon Goddess will match you up to those who do not have mates for parents. She did this because your ability to sense and feel a matebond will be significantly less than someone who has mates for parents,” she explains. “Imagine what it would be like if you were mated to someone who felt the bond a million times stronger than you did.”

Harley blinks and stands up. “That’s a load of rubbish. I can’t believe we came here to listen to this nonsense.”

I breathe through my nose. “Sit down, Harley. Don’t disrespect Genevieve.”

“I know it’s a shock to hear,” Genevieve says calmly. “But tell me honestly, Harley, does the matebond feel strong towards Kayden?”

“Yes,” she blurts and then flinches from her own voice. “No. Actually. Not as strong as I thought it would be.”

“The Moon Goddess was limited with her choices of who to mate you with. She tried her hardest—she always does—but she’s not perfect, and she can’t always get it right,” she says as she reaches for her water. “Just because you’re mates doesn’t mean you’re soulmates.”

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