THE FEMALE ALPHA'S BETRAYED MATE

Raine (24)

Raine (24)

I watched Aria laugh as I twirled her around the garden. Anna was sitting on a chair beside the picnic table as she was talking to Sophie and had started setting out the plates.

“If she throws up, you are the one cleaning her up and taking care of her!” Anna said good naturedly

I chuckled, slowing down as I lowered Aria to the ground. Aria giggled as she moved around, her feet and body swaying as she tried to find her land legs again. I reached out just as she started to call out to me, only for Kai to reach her before me as he slowly lifted her bridal style that had Aria giggling harder, her head leaning back against his shoulder.

I didn’t even see him move. Earlier, when they had arrived for the weekend BBQ, Toby and Kai’s other siblings and cousins had played for a while, running around like typical pups as they fought and chased each other. While Kai did play and chase them all a little, his eyes often strayed or remained on Aria.

“Ari” Kai said, smiling wildly and chuckling “You know you get so dizzy that you can’t stand straight after you do this”

“I know” Aria giggled

“Then why do you do it?” Kai asked, shaking his head

“Because it’s fffffuuunnnnnn!” Aria squealed

“Your so cute Aria” Kai said with a laugh

Immediately I heard the growls and I rolled my eyes. Sheesh. Poor girl. I looked around and saw my brothers look at Kai with suspicion and the beta and some of the warriors frown. Anna and Sophie looked at the men and shook their head.

“Do we have a problem here, gentlemen?” Scott asked

I watched as he and Kelsie came out of the house, their new four month old son now awake and making noises in his mothers arms. I watched as Kelsie sat down beside Anna who immediately took Nate into her arm’s and started to blow kisses on his exposed stomach, causing him to laugh.

Scott walked over, standing behind Kai who still held Aria close to him. Scott folded his arms, the muscles now bulging as his protector side came to life. His eyes started glowing as he looked at them, his eyes falling on each of the male faces as he let them know his protective side was here.

“Scott” Sophie said, her voice soft

“Oh honestly” Anna huffed, glaring at her mate and Ray

Jason cleared his throat, shaking his head at Scott before he looked at his men, letting them know to stand down. Ray still frowned even as Jason walked towards Kai, still holding the spatula he was using on the BBQ grill.

“I think that’s far enough” Scott said, his voice extra low and deep

“You ok baby?” Jason asked, ignoring Jason but stopping far enough not to make Scott tense up.

“Hmm hmmm” Aria said, her head lifting up from Kai’s chest

“You need some food, Ari” Kai said

He looked down at her, his eyes soft and I swear it made me suck in my breath. I couldn’t fathom how deep his love was for Aria. And it was love. You had to be blind not to see it.

“I feel sleepy” Aria said

Kai slowly walked with her in his arms as he gently took her beside their camping tent and we all watched in awe as he made the blowup bed slide out from under the tent and out in the open. He placed her gently on it, making sure the pillow cushioned her head before slowly pulling up the covers of the throw around her until her shoulders were covered

“I told you it was too much” kai said as he smiled

“I-” Aria had barely opened her mouth before Kai slowly helped her drink the bottle of mineral water he produced from his magick

I watched my brothers fight with themselves as both pride and annoyance filtered on their faces. I grinned, walking towards Jason and gripped his shoulder

“He’s got this” I whispered

“That’s what I’m afraid of” Jason nodded

Clearing his throat, he looked at Ray who nodded and turned back to the grill, his eyes still straying over here. I chuckled under my breath as I watched Kai attend to his mate, his action so grown-up.

“Kai” Sophie called out “Why don’t you let Aria have some rest and instead, come here and help make up a plate of food for her”

Kai looked at his mother before watching Jason, his eyes earily old and filled with Jason’s measure. Nodding to him, he slowly walked towards his mother and Jason let out a small sigh as he approached Aria.

“You ok, baby?” Jason asked her, crouching down

“Hmm. Kai thinks I’m a baby. But I’m not daddy” Aria said “I can still go round, more”

“I know sweetheart” Jason said, caressing her cheeks “But sometimes doing it too long can make you sick, remember?”

“But I feel fine now” Aria said

She sat up slowly, the covers falling off her shoulders. She smiled as she stood up with Jason, her eyes darting towards Kai.

“Food’s nearly done guys” Ray shouted “Start washing up”

All the kids started runing towards the house once again with some of the warriors chasing after them. Squeals of laughter and rambunctious chatter followed as the children started talking excitedly about the food. Through it all, Aria stood with her hand in Jason’s as they spoke quietly.

“Dad” Toby, my nephew spoke “Can we swim in the lake?”

Jason looked up at the weather, nodding

“Only for a short while” Jason replied “It’s still warm enough. But only with the warriors”

“Awwww maaannn” Toby grumbled “We can do it on our own”

“No you can’t” Jason said with a shake of his head “Three of you are below six and can’t even paddle. With the warriors or not at all”

Like a typical male pup, he grumbled and tried to puff up his chest. He looked at Jason who only stared down at his son. Seeing he couldn’t fight his dad, Toby nodded and turned back around.

“Well” I said, getting closer to my brother “That was an impressive stare-down”

“Yea” Jason said with a slight grin “He’s been trying it a lot lately”

“Just like someone else I remember” I whispered

“I wasn’t as bad” Jason said

“No” I replied “You were worse. I still remember the amount of times dad cuffed your ear”

Jason choked on his words, looking at me

“Daadddyyy” Aria cut in “Kai’s made my plate. Can I go eat now?”

Jason looked towards Kai who was staring back at us, his hands holding a plate of food for Aria. Jason nodded, lifting Aria up and kissing her cheeks before she ran towards Kai with a happy squeal. Aria sat on the bench, her hands about to grab for the food before Kai gave her paper towel to wipe her hands with first.

“He cuffed my ear more because I didn’t agree with his outlook” Jason replied quietly as we still stared at the kids

“Just like Toby” I replied

“He’s testing boundaries” Jason nodded, smiling

“Again” I said “Just like you. And like mum, Anna’s always the peace maker”

“Mum knew how to get around him” Jason replied with a smile, one I could hear is his voice

“Mate’s usually do, don’t they?” I asked

“Yeah” Jason murmured

“Kinda like how Kai and Aria have to be, around you” I said

I didn’t know why I was getting involved. I wasn’t going to be here, in this life for long. I didn’t need to maintain a relationship that was about to change and yet…..here I was. Trying to guide my brother to open his eyes to what was in front of him - that despite us all together, we couldn’t protect Aria better than Kai. He would lay down his life for her and it was obvious

“That’s different” Jason growled low

“Oh come on Jas” I huffed “Do you really think with how mature Kai is, hes doing to do anything with Aria in that way?”

“He’s still a boy” Jason grumbled “I remember how my hormones started acting up around his age”

“Yes” I agreed “Because you, Ray…hell, all of us were normal pups. Kai is not and clearly never will be ‘normal’. He doesn’t even let her get too dizzy from playing and spinning round in circles. He’s not going to sexually - “

“Don’t” Jason flinched “Don’t use that word in the same sentence as them”

“Jeez Jas” I said shaking my head “I wasn’t talking about them doing that. I’m saying regardless of Kai being a boy with male parts….How can you not see clearly that his intention for that is not there. At least not yet”

“And I don’t want there to be” Jason grumbled

“Unrealistic much?” I asked, shaking my head

The kids had all started to gather around, sitting and eating their burgers and sausages as it came hot off the grill. I saw Ray look at us from time to time as the warriors also took some food as they sat beside the kids, protecting them as well as serving them desired drinks.

“It’s going to happen” I said after a while “But right now and I suspect, for a while - that’s not where his mind is. Ease up on him a little”

“You seem to be in his a favour a lot” Jason said, still not moving his eyes from Aria

“Because he remind’s me of this brother I had once” I whispered “Who’s dad came down on him hard. Not realising that a part of my brother was pretty grownup and he knew wrong from right. He just had a different mindset and didn’t agree with his dad’s thoughts about some stuff”

I kept my eyes forward as the memories caused a lump in my throat to form. I saw from my side vision that Jason had turned to look at me but I couldn’t look at him. I felt too vulnerable and I was scared that I may give it all away

“I didn’t realise you could tell” Jason whispered

After a few moment s of silence, I couldn’t handle his stare. I turned to look at him too

“I miss them” I whispered

“I do too” Jason said, swallowing a few times “Ray does too”

Jason turned around to look at the kids, his eyes connecting with Anna who looked at him with worry. Jason shook his head even though he smiled

“Then no offense Jas” Scott said, walking to stand beside us “You should understand Kai better. He’s a kid who’s living like an alpha and running the pack while he misses his dad, sees his mum struggle without her mate and worry for Aria. Don’t rag on him so much”

Jason look at Scott with sombre eyes and stood taller

“It still bothers me he has such an affect on Aria” Jason said. When Scott opened his mouth, Jason put a hand up “But it doesn’t mean I don’t trust him. Its just hard to see your daughter already mentally and emotionally leaving her father who should be her number one guy till at least eighteen. I’ve barley had five years with her”

“Noted and understood” Scott said with a nod “But as his protector, you being that way towards him makes it hard for me to control my wolf”

“Noted and understood” Jason repeated “He’s really running the pack?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe” Scott nodded “John checks with Kai every morning on decisions he takes; just to make sure they are correct”

“Wow” I whisper “that’s….impressive”

“If you knew the true extent, you wouldn’t begrudge him his time with Aria when that is the only time, that boy genuinely smiles a lot. Even then, he worries about her first” Scott said

Jason nodded, looking at them all. Clearing my throat, I put the first phase of my plan in motion. Hoping to catch my brother in a more amicable mood

“So” I said, tapping my fingers against my jeans “I was thinking that with Anna’s pregnancy making her tired a little and Toby playing a little rough with other pack boys…..that maybe one day, Aria and I could have a sleepover. Girly one”

“Ok” Jason said absent mindedly

“At mine” I said in a rush

Jason whipped his head around to look at me, his eyes a little wide. I turned to look at him, smiling as I tried to keep my heartbeat steady, understanding the importance of this moment

“Why can’t you do it here?” Jason asked with a frown

“Because you don’t have everything that we need” I replied lightly,

“Like what?” Jason asked

“Like lots of make-up and nail polish. Girly hair accessories and jewellery. And the ok to have as much junk and pizza as she likes without being told its enough and to go to bed” I said

Jason sucked in a deep breath and Scott shook his head

“You need all of that?” Scott asked “I thought too much sugary stuff was bad for pups. Esp for the boys?”

“Girls can be different. Plus, she should get to to talk about whatever she wants without worrying shes offending anyone” I added

“What?” Jason asked wide-eyed

“She wants to talk…sometimes ask questions” I said “But she stops herself because you get upset about Kai”

“Your lying” Jason said in shock

“I swear i’m not. Ask Anna” I said “Sometimes, she has to take Aria into the training room so she can hear footsteps and knows to stop talking”

“Ask Anna what?”

We turn and watch in surprise as Anna has walked over to us, Scott's son in her arms. He saw his father and immediately put his arms out, asking to be lifted.

“Kelsie said you may need to check his nappy” Anna chuckled

Scott reached for his son and once in his arms; he throws the boy in the air before catching him and bringing his son’s bottom to his nose. Scott scrunched up his face, shaking his head

“Yep” Scott ground “this boy needs changing already”

The laughing pup made me laugh as he tried to grab Scott's hair, his happy face laughing at his fathers pretend offended antics as he playfully growled at his son

“Boy” Scott laughed “You need to ease up on the milk because your poo poo is POO POO bad”

Walking off together, father and son laughter and chatter could be heard as he stopped and kissed Kelsie. Scott looked back at us then Kai, his question clear. Jason nods and Scott acknowledges it before walking back towards the house.

“So” Anna asked “What do you need to ask?”

“About the training room and Aria” I replied

Anna’s open mouth shock had Jason gaping at her, his own mouth opening and closing with suppressed emotion. Finally closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighs and looks back at us

“well..uh” Anna stumbled “She’s just….trying to understand things Jas. She just…”

“Misses her mate” Jason whispered

Now it was our turn to look at him in shock. My mouth opened and closed a few times before I let out a laugh

“I can’t believe you said it” I said

“Neither can I” Jason said with a pale, pinched face

“Oh Jas” Anna whispered

“I can’t believe I am even talking about this!” Jason groaned “It’s too f*****g soon”

Anna hugged Jason, chuckling. Ray looked at us with a question on his face and I smiled, letting him know I would be over to talk about it.

“We can’t be blind, Jas” Anna said as she kissed her mates cheek

“I may be stubborn but i'm not an ostrich. Even though I want to be” Jason grumbled “I just wish my little girl was like Toby and this conversation wasn’t happening until she was eighteen”

I laughed at his words even as Anna chuckled.

“So” I asked, walking a little backwards towards the grill “Can I?”

“Can you what?” Anna asked, confused

I paused as Jason frowned at me. I saw his eyes glaze over and realised one of the warriors must be mind-linking him. His face contorted a little for a short period and he looked like he was going to blow up in anger but then eyes cleared up after a second so it couldn’t have been that serious. He blinked and looked at me, his jaw tightening a little

“Only if you promise to have some of the guards stationed around the house and no…..adult mate talk” Jason said with gritted teeth

I felt my heart leap in excitement, unable to believe it was really happening. I looked at my brother who was explaining to Anna what I wanted as I turned around and walked towards Ray.

“I’m serious Raine” Jason shouted across

“Noted and understood” I joked back

I wanted to punch the air but I forced myself to keep my steps even and clam. I wanted to laugh and dance in victory as the thought of my plan coming to fruition almost made me want to shout out in happiness but I was aware of the eyes around me.

I saw Ray look at me with questions in his eyes. I smiled, walking towards him as I started making plans in my head