Not My Mate - Finished

Chapter Eighteen - Found Mate

Weeks turned into months and Kayne and I fell into a parenting routine with Luka. Kayne went back to work within a few weeks, leaving me home alone during the day with Luka. It was an adjustment, but as weeks and months went on, I became more confident in taking care of him. As months went on, we began sleeping more at night as Luka's waking in the night became less frequent. I had learned to use my breast pump to keep bottles of milk stocked so that I could have a full night of rest once in a while.

At six months old, Luka was sitting on his own and it had been an incredible adventure. His first smile, first roll, first laugh. They were amazing milestones and Kayne and I were enjoying him so much. I wished I could bottle up these days and keep them forever, fearing my memory might fail me one day.

Luka was sitting on a blanket in the living room. He had dark hair covering his head. Kayne was sitting on the couch, enjoying a cup of coffee. I smiled at him as I approached them, and gave Kayne a kiss as soon as I reached him.

“We need to get ready.” I told him.

Today was Seth and Makayla's marriage ceremony.

I had ended up seeing Seth once or twice a month for one night. We were keeping our relationship going, and enjoying being intimate with each other again. We both felt wrong, a little, because we were very much in love with our partners. Their unwavering support for our relationship was incredible, and we were grateful to them.

I had spent a lot of my time there helping them plan their special day. The theme, the colors, the flowers, the venue, the cake and the music. Makayla and I had a lot of fun, shared a lot of bottles of wine, and spent many hours hunched over notebooks. We had grown to be very good friends and as long as we refrained from sharing details about our individual relationship with Seth, we had no problems.

I got Luka dressed in dress clothes and got dressed myself. Makayla's sister was her maid of honor, but I was a bridesmaid. I put on the dark purple dress and white flower crown.

Kayne dressed up in a suit. I made myself a promise to take that off as soon as we got home. He looked so sexy in a suit.

We got to my parent's house, where all mating and marriage ceremonies were held. I quickly went to each vendor to ensure everything was perfect with the help of Makayla's sister. Everything had gone off without a hitch.

I finally ran into my parents. My mom took Luka from Kayne. My father shook Kayne's hand.

“Alpha Kayne, I'd like to warn you that the Alphas from Water Moon and Spirit Moon will be here today. I understand you have not had a good relationship with Water Moon and I have made sure they will be on their best behavior. I expect no conflicts.” My father said.

“Yes, of course, Alpha. Did you say... Spirit Moon?” Kayne asked. He nudged me so that no one would notice. We locked eyes quickly.

“Yes. Alpha Tiffany just took over. She will come with her mate, Dylan, who came from our pack.” My dad said.

“Do you think the two of us could meet with her and Alpha Ryan from Water Moon briefly before the ceremony to speak about possible alliances?” Kayne said. He was going to distract her. I could have kissed him right there.

“Sure, sure, as long as it stays civil.”

“Of course.”

I took Makayla to the bathroom. I told her it was so we could not let Seth see her. She agreed and we went there. I kept peaking out the door. I vaguely remembered Dylan, we were roughly the same age. I waited and kept checking, until I saw the four Alphas go into the meeting room. Their mates sat at the table. I stepped out and whisper yelled for Dylan. He looked up at me and I motioned for him to come here. He looked confused, but did.

He stepped in the door and when his face met Makayla's, they both burst to tears. She ran for him and they hugged.

“Makayla, I missed you so much. I love you so much.” He sobbed, he held her and kissed her repeatedly. His hand found his way to her stomach, where their child would have come from months ago. “The baby? Where is he? Will he be out there, somewhere I could hold him? Tiffany would kill me if she knew I spoke to you but said I could hold my child.”

“She didn't make it Dylan, I'm so sorry. I miscarried her a few weeks after you left. I couldn't save her.” She cried in his arms, remembering their lost daughter.

“A girl? I'm so sorry, baby, I'm so sorry I wasn't there. I'm so sorry this is happening. She won't let me out of her sight, I'm not allowed to leave the house. I've wanted to call, I've wanted to come check on you, but I can't. She used me to get pregnant and outside of that we've barely spoken but she still won't let me go.”

“Dylan?” We heard Tiffany call. He wasn't phased. He held onto Makayla.

Tiffany came to the bathroom and saw the two of them clinging to each other. Her face hardened. That's when I noticed her belly under her dress. She would give birth any time. Kayne was behind her.

“What have I told you, Dylan? You were not to speak to her. You were only allowed interaction with your child, not her.” Tiffany shrieked. Kayne put a hand on her shoulder.

“Their baby died. She lost their daughter without him. The least you can do is allow them this.” I said angrily. Kayne stepped between us.

“We've got a ceremony to get to.” Kayne warned.

“Please. I'll do anything. Let me see him, or call. It's been almost a year.” Makayla said, sobs breaking her voice. I was glad they used waterproof make up on her. She was begging.

“Let's go.” Tiffany demanded. Dylan hesitantly let go of Makayla, who tried to cling to him.

“Where's Seth?” Makayla asked.

“I'll get him.” Kayne said, leaving.

He returned minutes later with Seth, he had filled him in.

“It hurts.” Makayla said, clutching her chest, barely catching her breath between sobs.

“I know, baby, I know it does.” Seth calmed her and knelt down next to her. He hugged her, tight, and stroked her hair. She eventually calmed and relaxed into his arms.

We fixed her hair and make up and gave her a few minutes to collect herself.

The ceremony went well. It was beautiful and they both held their composure throughout, even though I knew Makayla was breaking and Seth only wanted to take her away from all of this. There was music and dancing, plenty of food. I barely saw Luka outside of nursing him because he was with my family.

I was slow dancing with Kayne, resting my head against his shoulder. I suddenly felt dizzy and sick.

“I don't feel well. I'm sick to my stomach.” I whispered. “I need ice water.”

“You haven't needed that since you were pregnant.” He chuckled. He froze with realization, I did too. “No... you couldn't be, right? You'd be huge. We've gotten so caught up in taking care of Luka and the pack that it's been... two months? You'd be ready to give birth.” 

“Wait,” I said.

“Seth...” He realized.

“We need to go home.” I said.