Page 182 of Bonding with the Beta

I quickly greet her parents and Nathan as he slips his arm around her waist and kisses her temple. My stomach flips at the sight of them. Her happiness is everything and more to me.

After agreeing to see her later for a celebratory drink, my eyes scan the room for my parents amongst the swarm of other students and visitors until my eyes rest onhim.I do a double-take because I don’t believe what I’m seeing.

Kayden is standing with my parents, smiling and talking. He’s dressed in a white button-down shirt and a dark blazer with matching pants. My entire body erupts into flames.

I slowly make my way towards them.

He starts to tell my dad something before tilting his head, and then his eyes catch mine. He stops talking instantly, keeping his gaze firmly on me.

All I can do is stare back. He matches my actions and walks towards me. We stop when we’re merely inches from one another.

“You’re here,” I exhale.

Kayden’s lips twitch into a smirk. “You think I was going to miss the chance to see my girl graduate?”

My girl.

We’ve been in a relationship for over a year, but those two words somehow hit me square in the chest every single time.

“I-I thought you had stuff to do with Jaxon? Important stuff,” I murmur.

He shakes his head. “I wasn’t going to miss this for the world, blondie, and you know it. You are the most important thing in my life.”

Kayden’s eyes glance over my gown and my white lace dress. “You look so beautiful,” he whispers, leaning forward.

My cheeks burn as I beam up at him. “Thank you.”

His left hand holds the bouquet of red roses. To me, they’ll always be timeless. “Congratulations,” he says as he hands them to me.

“Kayden.” I blink back the tears in my eyes. I know they’re only flowers, but they’re much more—and he knows that. “They’re so beautiful. Thank you.”

He grins and leans down, wrapping an arm around my waist to tug me closer. “You’re welcome,” he says before planting a kiss on my lips.

“Oh, my. Look at you,” my mother gushes as she steps forward to look at my gown. “You look so beautiful, honey.”

My dad nods in agreement. “You look lovely, Kayleigh.”

“Thanks.” I beam at them both. “Right, we should probably head over. The ceremony will start soon.”

We walk across campus to the auditorium before my mum hugs me again. “Good luck. We can’t wait to see you out there,” she coos.

Then my dad points a finger at me. “Don’t stack across the floor.” He winks. “You got this, champ.”

I release a nervous laugh. “I’ll try my hardest, Dad.”

I turn towards Kayden as his hand gently presses to the side of my cheek. Those dark eyes analyse me as he releases a soft sigh, a smile forming on his handsome lips. “I don’t have anything to say because I am so in awe of you and everything you have achieved, Kayleigh,” he whispers. “You deserve this.”

My throat tightens, and I swallow back the lump forming. “Thank you for being here,” I say, my hands beginning to tremble.

“I’d never forgive myself if I missed this.” He leaves a lingering kiss on my forehead, making butterflies erupt in my stomach.

This might be the best day of my life.

If there isanyone who can clap louder than my dad, it’s Kayden.

Their support got me through this journey in the first place, and I’m grateful they can be here to help me get out of it.

After the ceremony, it takes me a while to find them after slipping through the sea of people. I spy my parents and Kayden at the Student Union bar. As I inch closer to them, I hear Kayden’s voice. “She’s incredible,” he says simply, and I stop in my tracks.

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