Page 57 of Bonding with the Beta (Fated Souls #2)

57

KAYDEN

I can’t take my eyes off her. I refuse. Not when I’ve been deprived of her for so long.

Especially when she devours her pancakes with syrup and blueberries, as if it’s nobody's business. I sip on my coffee and watch as she enjoys her food and smiles with every bite.

Kayleigh drags her eyes up to mine and laughs before wiping her mouth. “What?”

I shake my head once. “Nothing. I like watching you enjoy food.”

“You’re weird.” She narrows her eyes.

“No,” I rasp. “I like knowing you’re taking care of yourself.”

Kayleigh tilts her head and purses her lips. “This is the most I’ve looked after myself in almost two years.”

“I’m glad.” I smile and drop my mug to the table. “When’s your next therapy session?”

“Next week,” she says before popping the last piece of pancake into her mouth. “We’re going to start reviewing my sessions soon, as it would have been almost two months, and see how else I can benefit from therapy.”

My hand automatically slides across the table, and I take her hand delicately in mine. A few sparks of something electrocute my heart, and it makes me never want to pull away.

“You know I’m so proud of you, right?”

Kayleigh’s cheeks raise in a pink tint as she drops her head an inch. “Yeah,” she whispers. “I know.”

“Then look at me,” I demand.

She sucks in a breath and tilts those pretty blue eyes to me. In this moment, I know she feels seen and vulnerable, but that’s not particularly a bad thing. Therapy can’t be easy, although the step she’s taken is brave, and the pride in my chest glows to think about her trying to achieve a healthy mentality.

“You are incredible, okay?”

Kayleigh laughs hesitantly. “I’m–”

“You are.” I squeeze her fingers. “I don’t want to hear anything else.”

She clamps her lips shut and nods. “Okay. Thank you.”

My thumb brushes over her knuckles gently as I stare at our hands moulded together. I swallow the growing lump in my throat. My eyes move back up to find her already looking at me.

“Did you know that you’re my soulmate?”

She laughs again. “Sure. We’re soulmates.”

My eyes narrow. “No, Kayleigh. You’re my actual soulmate.”

“Who told you that…the Gods?”

“Not the Gods, but someone with lots of knowledge.”

Kayleigh pulls back and stares at me for a long time. “What are you talking about, Kayden?”

My lips curl at the sides. “I went to the elders months ago.”

“Who?”

“They’re a group of people who live in the mountains, who are well into their hundreds. They’ve seen a lot in the werewolf world, and they know a lot. I went to ask them why I can hear your thoughts.”

Kayleigh blinks in surprise. “And what did they say?”

“They said I can hear your thoughts because you are my soulmate.”

“I am so confused.” She chuckles hesitantly but doesn’t take her weary eyes off me. “W-what about your actual mate?”

I shake my head. “She doesn’t matter. We were never compatible. It’s always been you.”

Kayleigh is silent for a long moment before her fingers brush her lips. “Kayden, this?—”

“I know,” I cut over her. “I’m willing to take you there so you can hear it first hand from them. You deserve answers and reassurance, and this will give it to you. Will you come with me?”

Her throat contracts as she pulls her hands into her lap.

“What if they meet me and tell us they were wrong?”

“They won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I know exactly how I feel about you, Kayleigh.”

She flicks her gaze to me. “This sounds crazy.”

“Completely, but please come with me and let them explain.”

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

The journey up to 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.”

Genevieve walks to the kitchen as I approach Kayleigh.

“You okay?” I whisper.

She hums softly. “Yeah, just looking. Probably being too nosy.”

“No. I think they like knowing you’re appreciating our culture.”

When Genevieve returns with tea, we finally sit down. Kayleigh’s fingers rest in her lap, but she continues to tug at her knuckles.

“Kayden says we’re soulmates,” Kayleigh blurts. “And that sounds ridiculous.”

Genevieve laughs gently as she leans back in her rocking chair. “You’re right; maybe it does sound ridiculous. But from what Kayden told me about being able to hear your thoughts and sensing your danger, that is only something someone can experience if they’re in the presence of their soulmate.”

“B-but why?”

“It stems down from Kayden’s bloodline. His parents’ not being fated mates has altered his path to find his true soulmate instead of his fated mate.”

Kayleigh’s brows pinch together tightly. “Why would his path change?”

“Because he doesn’t carry the dominant mating gene that pairs him with a compatible mate. There isn’t anyone in the werewolf world who is technically compatible with him, as he was paired with someone who also doesn’t carry the gene. There aren’t many of them in this world, which makes it extremely hard for the Moon Goddess to find a true matebond,” she says before reaching for her tea and taking a sip.

I glance at Kayleigh, who is staring back at her in disbelief. “Why me?” she whispers.

“Because you are Kayden’s compatible.”

“But I’m human.”

“Like I said, there isn’t anyone in the werewolf world compatible with Kayden. But you, Kayleigh? You are the one compatible with him, even though you’re human. The Moon Goddess didn’t want anyone to have an unfair advantage, so she helped guide you both in the right direction.” Her smile is touching.

Kayleigh stares back at Genevieve, dumbfounded.

“Compatible because we’re?—”

She can’t bring herself to say the word.

“Soulmates? Yes. It might not be in the same form fated mates are, but you two were born to be with each other.”

“Have you seen this before?” Kayleigh asks.

She nods. “Yes. A few times. It’s not as common because most wolves end up finding their mates and having children with them, but it does happen.”

“What about our children?”

I blink at Kayleigh’s question, surprised she’s accepting this as easily as she is.

“What do you mean, my dear?”

“Well, if we had children, does that mean they’d have a fated mate and a soulmate?”

Genevieve shakes her head. “They wouldn’t have a fated mate as the weakened gene would officially be out of the bloodline, but I’m not one hundred percent sure whether they’d have soulmates.”

Kayleigh’s mouth opens and shuts twice before she runs her hand down her face. “Sorry,” she exhales shakily. “I’m just in shock.”

“Which is understandable,” Genevieve replies slowly. “It’s going to take a while to sink in, but over time, you’ll start to see little things and experience moments that will make you see that you were born for each other, even if it seems dysfunctional. This world isn’t perfect, but it created this beautiful bond between you.”

After a few minutes of silence, I take Kayleigh’s hand. We look at each other at the same time, and she closes her eyes, contentment washing over both of our expressions.

“This is a lot to wrap my head around,” she murmurs. “It sounds crazy, even a little silly. But is it weird that I kind of understand?”

“No, not at all.” Genevieve shakes her head. “It’s probably because the connection you have between you feels so magical. Right?”

Kayleigh starts nodding before Genevieve finishes her sentence. “Exactly. When we’re together, it’s like something I’ve never felt or knew I could feel.”

Genevieve smiles at us. “I know you haven’t been introduced to our world for very long, Kayleigh, but eventually, it will start to sink in, and you’ll see the power it holds.”

“Oh, I’ve definitely seen.” She smiles. “I’m excited to learn more and welcome these things with open arms. I hope it welcomes me back.”

I take Kayleigh’s hand and give it a supportive squeeze. “Trust me, it will,” I tell her sincerely.

“You were made to be here with us,” Genevieve says slowly before standing. “Excuse me for a moment. Let me double-check I didn’t leave the hob on.”

She stands from her chair and leaves the room. My attention is turned back to Kayleigh again as she blinks at me over and over. “We’re soulmates,” she whispers heavily. “Like actual, actual soulmates.”

I nod once. “Yeah. It sounds crazy, but I don’t care because I know it’s real and so damn special. I am beyond blessed to have this bond with you.”

Her shoulders tremble as she flicks her eyes between mine. She cups my cheek and draws our lips together. “I love you, Kayden,” she whispers against me. “I always have, and I always will.”

My lips stretch into a grin, and I kiss her back. “I love you, blondie. You’re mine, you know that?”

“Yes.” She nods with glistening eyes.

I hold her close and devour every second of this moment.

My heart almost bursts at the seams, and I will cherish this moment forever.