Page 176 of Bonding with the Beta

Kayleigh gnaws on her lips for a long moment before nodding. “Okay. I’ll come with you.”

The journey upto the mountains is scenic, which keeps Kayleigh quiet. But I can hear her apprehensive thoughts buzz around my mind, and I frown. I lean over to hold her thigh, and she whips her head to me, her blonde hair flying around her shoulders.

“Breathe,” I tell her, keeping my eyes on the road.

“I am breathing; otherwise, I’d be dead,” she responds.

My eyes roll as a smile tugs at my lips. “Smartass.”

“Sorry for being a little apprehensive,” she murmurs. “This isn’t what most people would call normal.”

I grab her hand and tug her knuckles to my lips, leaving a soft kiss. “I’ve got you. Okay? It’s gonna be fine.”

“Hope so.”

Kayleigh squirms in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs.

“What’s wrong?”

“I really need to pee.”

I quirk a brow. “We’ve already stopped twice.”

“I can’t help it if I have a nervous bladder, okay?”

“Or those two large drinks you devoured in five minutes,” I say, giving her a knowing smile. “I told you there wouldn’t be anywhere to stop from here.”

Kayleigh huffs. “I know. I’m getting restless.”

“We’re almost there. Promise.”

She purses her lips and nods.

It takes another half an hour to reach the village, and as we step out of the car, I immediately take Kayleigh’s hand. She glances around with wide eyes and fascination.

I tug her towards Genevieve’s cottage and knock gently on the wooden door.

Kayleigh slides tightly into my side as the door opens, and I stare down at Genevieve, who beams back at us with the brightest smile. “Kayden, it’s so lovely to see you again, my dear,” she says softly.

“You too, Genevieve.”

Her misty eyes flick to Kayleigh, and she visibly softens at the sight of her. “And who might this beautiful young woman be?”

“This is Kayleigh,” I say. “Kayleigh, this is Genevieve.”

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Kayleigh says as she steps forward. “Thank you for allowing us to come by. Your village is gorgeous.”

Genevieve's smile broadens, and the creases in her skin wrinkle as she does so. “You must be Kayden's girlfriend. It’s about time you brought her over.”

Kayleigh laughs hesitantly. “Yeah, that would be me.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, too, my dear,” she says as she moves out of the way and beckons us into her house. “Come inside. It’s cold out there.”

We step into the cottage, and I shut the door behind us. Kayleigh’s eyes are instantly drawn to the wolf paintings hung against the dark walls. She takes her time admiring Genevieve’s house.

“Would you both like some herbal tea?”

“That would be nice. Thank you.”

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