Page 82 of Bonding with the Beta

“Good. Ava’s with her. Sebastian said you were a little distracted at the meeting today.Again,” he comments.

A short laugh escapes my throat. Of course, Sebastian is up Jaxon’s ass. “What else did he say about me?”

“Not much.” He leans on the counter behind me and folds his arms over his chest. “Just that you didn’t seem as switched on. That your eyes were wandering. What’s going on with you?”

My lips part, but I freeze for a second. I’ve seen what bottling up your thoughts and emotions can do—Jaxon was in one of the worst states I’ve seen two years ago. I know it’s better to voice your problems to people you trust.

My head shakes, not wanting to remember the night that could have ended very differently. “I took Kayleigh out for dinner on the weekend,” I start. “We were pulled over by this cop, and–”

I take a moment to gather my thoughts before I lose my temper, thinking it through again. Jaxon turns to look at me with worry.

“He was drunk, and he was making these awful comments to Kayleigh and tried to touch her, then he pulled a gun on us and pointed it at her.” I run my finger along the edge of my hairline. “I managed to get the gun off him, but he pulled the trigger, and for a second, I thought he might have hit her.”

Jaxon’s mouth presses into a thin line, his forehead creasing as I continue.

“Kayleigh was fine. She called the police, and they came and arrested him. But she was really shaken up. The whole thing was a fucking mess.”

“Holy fuck, Kayden. Why didn’t you mindlink the pack or me?”

I shake my head. “I wasn’t thinking straight, all I knew was at that moment in time, I needed the gun away from Kayleigh. Besides, you have a family to think about now.”

“Kayden, you’re my family,” he states harshly. “Regardless if I have a daughter now. We could have helped. We could have done something.”

A heavy sigh rumbles from my chest. “I know. I know.”

The kitchen turns silent for a long moment. “I didn’t know you and Kayleigh were gettingthatclose,” he says suspiciously.

I close my eyes and turn towards the window. “If you’re going to lecture me on what I do in my personal life, now really isn’t the time I want to hear it.”

Because Kayleigh is ignoring me, and it isn’t what I need right now.

Jaxon holds up his hands. “I’m not saying anything.”

“Ava probably told you,” I mutter.

“Yeah.” He nods. “Ava tells me everything.”

“Then you know your answer,” I say before raising the mug to my lips.

“If you can hear her thoughts, then why haven’t you done anything about it?”

My brows crease. “I’ve planned to go and see the elders multiple times, but the journey is long, and you need me here. I can’t bail on my role as the Beta. It will have to wait, and maybe I’ll have more clarity the closer I get to Kayleigh.”

He hums once but doesn’t say anything more.

Footsteps echo around me until Jaxon slaps a hand down on my shoulder. I glance at him as he flicks his blue eyes between mine. “I’m glad you’re both okay,” he says wholeheartedly. “I wish we could have been there to help.”

“I’m just glad she’s okay.” I drop my tone as I picture any other outcome.

Gunshots. Blood. Crying.

I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. It’s not the case. Kayleigh is unharmed. I could have shifted. I could have called the pack, but then I would have had to explain everything to Kayleigh.

If we keep seeing each other the way we are, I know I have to tell her.

She deserves to know. I can’t keep this from her.

“Do you need time off?” Jaxon asks.

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