Page 1 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

1

KAYLEIGH

M y best friend is having a baby.

I’ve known Ava since we were eleven years old. I remember noticing her long brunette hair plaited in the prettiest braid on the first day of secondary school and telling her how amazing it looked. She said she’d teach me how to do it. The rest was history.

Fast forward ten years, and now she’s having a baby with the love of her life.

I adjust my light blue sundress in the mirror, twisting the fabric in the middle to line up at my sides. My hands press to my hips, and I smooth down the dress. Loose blonde curls fall over my shoulders as I reach for my bag and head downstairs to the campus car park, thinking how relieved I am to have Ava back in my life.

Today is their baby shower, and I feel a smile tugging on my lips knowing I can be a part of moments like these now. She wasn’t just a friend; she was my sister. I felt lost when she never returned to Russell Vale—the place we grew up. I didn’t know how she could leave without saying goodbye. Then I learnt the truth about her kidnapping and the torture she endured for two years. It broke my heart.

But what matters is that she’s in my future, and I can support her in any way I possibly can. We’ve already started making up for the years we lost. I’m never going that long without seeing her again.

I pull up outside their gated community. I have no idea what Jaxon really does, but all I know is they’re rich as fuck. Inside my head, I’m cheering Ava on. She really bagged the jackpot, but most of all, I’m glad she’s safe and content.

A guard at the gate checks me and my car over before letting me inside. Baby pink balloons are littered across the gate and walls, over the trees, and on the arch of their house. I pop my car door open and walk towards the front door. My knuckles raise, and I stand back, clutching my fingers together, a gift bag hanging from my index.

The door swings open, and I’m met with Jaxon’s tall stature. He smiles the second he lays his eyes on me, a kitchen cloth over his shoulder. “Hey, Kayleigh,” he greets me, pushing the door wider.

I beam at him. “Hey.”

“Come in.” He beckons his head, and I step into their glamorous hallway with high ceilings and dark oak furnishings.

“Thank you.”

The first time I visited, I was blown away by the beauty of this place. It’s one of a kind. The decor is to die for. I’ve never seen a house so homely and welcoming, with wooden features and cosy pictures on the walls.

“Ava is in the kitchen,” Jaxon says as he closes the door behind me.

I nod before walking across the hall, directly towards the noise echoing from the kitchen. My head peeks inside to find a bunch of people I don’t recognise, but I spot Ava by the island.

As I approach, she turns, and our eyes collide. “Hey,” I say and grin.

She squeals at the sight of me. “Ah, you’re here!”

I’m bundled into a tight hug, and I wrap my arms around her immediately, careful of her small baby bump. She pulls away, and I glance down at her stomach. Almost eight months gone, and she’s impressively tiny.

“Oh, my. Look at you,” I exhale as her pink dress cups her bump.

Ava laughs and rolls a hand over her stomach. “I know. I’m convinced she’s tucked herself behind my ribs. That explains why I feel so out of breath. She’s crushing my lungs.”

“You look incredible,” I gush. “You’re glowing.”

A hand presses to her face, and she shakes her head. “That’s called being flushed from stress.”

I laugh. “Here, I got you this.” I hand her the little gift bag. “Well, it’s for the baby.”

Her dark brown eyes light up with exhilaration. “Aw, Kay. That's so sweet of you. Thank you. Come, let’s get you a drink.”

She places the gift bag on the side with all the other presents and then swipes a glass of champagne from the counter. My heart thumps at the sight of the bubbly goodness. I could do with some liquid courage in a room full of strangers.

“Thank you,” I say politely and take a rather large sip. “So, how have you been?”

“I’ve been well, thanks.” Ava nods and munches on strawberry after strawberry from the food platters. “Being pregnant is so taxing. I mean, I knew it would be exhausting, but I didn’t know how exhausting. I can’t wait to meet our little girl because my back is killing me.”

A smile curves my mouth as a drop of strawberry juice rolls over her lips. “Not long to go now. Have you thought of any names yet?”

Ava hums with an eager nod. “We have a few possible names, but we aren’t one hundred percent sure ye–”

I glance over my shoulder to find Jaxon approaching us. “Hey,” he calls and kisses away the red strawberry juice from her lips. She hums in surprise. “Sorry to interrupt, but can I steal you for two seconds?”

“Everything okay?”

Jaxon kisses her cheek again to reassure her. If I know anything about Ava, she’s a born worrier–words of affirmation are her love language. “Course, baby. I just need you to help me with something real quick.”

His hand slides around her waist as she turns her attention back to me. “Sorry, Kay. I’ll be right back.”

“Sure, no worries.” I lift my champagne flute to them as they walk away.

I turn around to the kitchen, and chatter echoes around me. The glass sits against my lips as I take slow sips before refilling with more champagne. Ava’s life changed when she met Jaxon, which includes a whole new group of friends I don’t know.

A voice in my head tells me to go say hello and introduce myself, but I’m not the confident girl I once was. I sigh and glance out the window. I should go and touch up my makeup in the bathroom to stall time until Ava comes back.

I nod to myself and turn sharply. My body collides into something incredibly hard and warm. My eyes clamp together in shock. Liquid dribbles down the side of my hand as my champagne spills over. I open my mouth to apologise to whoever I’ve bumped into, but instead, I look up into a pair of mesmerising deep brown eyes.

My voice is trapped in my throat. If anything, it’s like the first time I met him—for all of five seconds—when I came to visit Ava after not seeing her for two years. I was in awe then. I’m still in awe now.

He’s not gorgeous. He’s stupidly gorgeous.

The tips of my fingers begin to tingle, and before I know it, my glass has slipped from my grip altogether, shattering against the floor. Liquid splashes my bare legs, and I jump back instantly.

My face burns. Why am I like this?

We both glance down at the mess I’ve made. I resist the urge to press a hand to my forehead, but I’m distracted by my thundering heart.

“Ahh, crap.”

I quickly grab some paper towels from the side and bend down to the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” I mutter with shaky hands.

The towels soak up the alcohol, and I start picking up the smashed flute. Kayden sinks to my level, wrapping his hand around my wrist.

I look up into his eyes, merely inches apart. I shouldn’t, but I take a moment to admire his face—from his plump pink lips to his messy brunette hair falling onto his forehead slightly to his defined jaw that would make statues want to scream in envy.

“Kayleigh?” I’m snapped out of my trance like a bucket of ice.

“Huh?” I blink.

Then he smiles, showing two dimples on his cheeks. Fuck me.

“I said you’ll cut yourself,” he says, and all I can manage is a nod.

Kayden’s fingers are still wrapped around my wrist, and I eventually pull away. I clear my throat and avert my gaze. “Have you got a broom or a brush or something?”

The words are a jumbled mess in my mouth, and I scold myself for sounding so jittery. I’m intimidated by his attractiveness. That’s all. Who wouldn’t be?

“Uh, yeah,” he stands and opens one of the cupboards.

He rummages inside, and the dark navy fitted T-shirt clings to his devastating biceps. The muscles flex and stretch with his subtle movements. Looking at him makes me feel like an excited schoolgirl admiring their crush.

After a few moments, he pulls out a dustpan and brush. “Thanks,” I say, reaching to take it.

He shakes his head quickly. “I’ve got the glass. You get the champagne.”

“Sure.” I nod and clean up the rest of the spillage.

I chew my lip as I stare at the floor, my cheeks radiating more heat than an active volcano. I’m too mortified to look up to find people watching us. Somehow, I always manage to draw unwanted attention to myself.

“You know I was more than capable of doing that,” I mumble.

Kayden’s eyes flick to mine with a playful smile on his lips. “After you casually dropped a glass of champagne?” His brow quirks, and I blink away the embarrassment. “I think not.”

“I’m not clumsy,” I huff as I stand up. “Just to clarify.”

When I look at him this time, he’s grinning at me with pearly white teeth. “I bet,” he exhales with a wink.

Everything in my mind glitches.

Why can’t I stop staring at him? He’s drawing me in, and I can’t help it.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” he asks, and my blood runs cold.

Someone set me on fire already.

He sweeps the last of the glass into the pan and empties it into the bin. I throw the tissues away and place my arms over my chest, stretching out the tension in my back.

“Like what?” I shrug cluelessly.

But I’m not clueless. I’m in denial.

Kayden smirks, and it’s not helping my situation. “You know what I’m talking about,” he rasps.

Goddammit. I’m the least subtle person ever.

He takes a confident step towards me, standing dangerously close. If he comes any closer, he’ll hear my rapid heartbeat. A glint of something flashes in his eyes as he looks down at me. I don’t want to have to crane my neck, but his height forces me to.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I murmur before running my tongue across my bottom lip.

“In a second, I’m sure you’re going to start droolin–”

“Oh, please,” I cut over him before he can finish that humiliating sentence. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

My mouth is crying out for a drop of water. Alcohol. More alcohol.

He laughs at my dramatic outburst, his face displaying pure amusement. “I’m joking, Kayleigh.”

There is something about the way he says my name that sends shivers down my spine. A bead of sweat trickles along my back, and I need some fresh air or something to distance myself from this tragic encounter.

My head aches. This is not how I wanted this conversation to go.

Of course, it was a joke. I’m far too on edge to take part.

Kayden turns away from me, picks up a bottle of champagne, and pours me a fresh glass. “Here,” he says softly.

My lips wobble as I attempt to smile. “Thanks.”

Our fingers brush for a fraction of a second as I take it from him. I try to ignore the wave of excitement that rushes through me.

“I’ll catch you later,” he says and gives me a slow nod.

“Sure,” I whisper as he walks past.

The second he’s out of view, I place the flute to my lips and down the entire contents. The bubbles roar in my stomach, and the fizz bursts against my tongue, but it whips me back into reality. My eyes water from the pressure, and I wipe at my mouth.

One might be enough…or seven.