Her True Mate

Chapter 9 - Donuts and a Talk

Present Day

Kaitlin’s POV



The rest of my set was thankfully uneventful. I desperately needed a shower as I scowled down at my soaked clothes sticking uncomfortably to my skin. I headed to the locker room to do as such. Thankfully, I remembered to pack a spare set of clothes in my gym bag. I felt like I needed to, and now I know. I don’t need to inform Blayn; I can feel him close. After his admission of my position to the douche Beta Ryan, I feel a bit more connected to him than I have but it could just be from missing him so damn much as that person when I didn’t have him close.

I feel bad I haven’t given our bond a chance to solidify again. Trust has been massive, and I am trying to reestablish trust in others. Blayn has nothing to prove to me; after all, it should be the other way around.

Blayn has shown me his dedication to me and my new position over the last few weeks. I try to sort out my thoughts while I enjoy the feeling of the ice-cold water. I am so damn sticky it feels marvelous and waste a bit more time than I usually do.

I don’t take my sweet time as I don’t want to be a frozen popsicle, and I am getting hungry. I shower quickly after my stomach grumbles and get dressed. As I exited the locker room, I scanned the room for Blayn. He is leaning against a vending machine, his phone in hand. I walked over to him as quickly as I could.

“Need coffee? There is a Dunkin’ Donuts on the way back to the Hyatt,” he said, showing me his phone.

Did I mention this man is fantastic?

“You have read my mind!” I looped my arm through his, and we exited the gym. The city has woken up since we arrived, and cars are zipping by during their morning commute. I swear it is more dangerous here than New York! We stroll, discussing how much we dislike the city, and enter the store, which is packed as always.

When we finally reach the counter, Blayn orders us our usual Lattes and a dozen donuts to share. I love sweets, and so does he. We just burned so many calories, it’s a rewarding treat for both of us within reason. I think we both could devour a dozen each if we wanted to.

We laugh as the thought occurs to us both, and he shrugs his shoulders. As he pays, I breeze to the side and look out the front window. I start to think about the day. We meet with the council at 11:30 A.M. They will introduce us all according to the itinerary in my mind, and I have no idea what to expect from there.

This training isn’t just for me. Three other Alphas have just been announced since I took the position, and we are all getting an “impromptu crash course,” whatever that means.

Blayn struts over with our coffee and a box of donuts, and we head back towards the hotel.

Instead of going up, we grabbed a table on the patio outside. The hotel is stunning and has beautiful views of the harbor that I want to enjoy before all hell breaks loose and I’m stuck in a room for hours in my own personal hell.

I am enjoying the breeze from the water and am truly calm for the time being.

“This is probably the only beautiful thing here,” I state. Blayn nodded in agreement as he shoved the entire donut into his mouth. I laugh at him and take a bite out of my third. I hear footsteps behind us, and they quickly stop. I caught a familiar scent, but didn’t want to turn around, so the footsteps slowly resumed.

The scent of the annoying Beta from earlier grows stronger.

What was his name again?

‘Beta Douche?’ Annika quips and I chuckle.

‘Don’t think so,’ I reply and then remember, oh yeah, Ryan.

“Alpha Hamil?” I heard his familiar voice, which wavers a bit as he addresses me, and my interest was somewhat piqued.

“Are you sure you want to approach? I have already had enough of your masculinity in my morning routine so far.” I said, bored. I hear him clear his throat nervously as he approaches us, then see him in front of me.

He has cleaned up and wears the hell out of a black suit that fits him perfectly. It’s tight over his muscles but tailored to every ridge, and I can see the fuss most girls have with men dressing like this with a body like his. Damn.

‘You could say that again,’ Annika drools.

I bite the corner of my lip and smile playfully up at the Beta. He relaxed at the look on my face and smiled politely back at me.

“I wanted to apologize again, Alpha. I should have known better, regardless of who you are. My behavior was unacceptable.” He started. I held up my hand and leaned forward on my seat.

“Do you always treat women the way you just did?” I said coolly. He looks nervous, sticking his hands in his pockets. The flash of a watch brings my attention to his perfectly sculpted thighs, and I linger for a moment before dragging my gaze back up to his face.

“Um, yes, ma’am. Well - I mean not always no.” He sputters, and I scoff with Blayn, who rolls his eyes and shoves another donut in his mouth.

“Do you think it is appropriate to talk like that to all women you don’t know?” I cöcked my head to the side, looking at him sternly.

“No, ma’am.” His voice is a low whisper, as if his mother is scolding him.

“If I were you, seeing as you are,” I paused, letting him see me checking him out. His eyes were wide as he watched me, “mighty fine, Beta Hart. I would seriously reevaluate what the word woman means to you. Regardless, if you found I wasn’t an Alpha, the way you spoke to me was unacceptable in any situation.” I paused, giving him a moment to process what I said.

“I can tell by that little interaction we had that you have not found your mate, and probably are used to a very different rection based upon how cocky you were. If you started on the way you did with me to her… I can almost guarantee you would have lost her almost immediately. Women are not some object you can look at and talk to like we don’t have feelings, thoughts, or emotions of our own.” I say to him firmly, some of my Alpha Authority in my voice.

“Real women deserve the same treatment you give to a man you meet for the first time. We do more for you than cook and clean your home or things. We bear your children through hours of intense pain, help you with your troubles when you need an ear to listen, help clean wounds when you’re injured, and nurse you back to strength when you fall. Think about this the next time you decide to approach a woman like the way you did with me. We are more than a plaything for your amusement.”

He looks at me like I see most men do when I start imparting wisdom, as I like to call it, with wide eyes and a stunned expression.

“If you find that girls, note that word, throwing themselves at you without a hint of respect for themselves or your mate, are not worthy of your time and usually end up causing you a headache of trouble.” I rolled my eyes thinking of several episodes lately of such girls, and Blayn snorted an “mmhm.”

“That is why they are girls, childish and selfish, wanting something out of you that you likely cannot give when the time comes. This can ultimately affect your bond with your mate. Women respect themselves and their partners. They are not throwing away a gift that is themselves to others, and a mate should cherish that.” I finished my speech and sat back in my seat, smiling with a look of smug satisfaction as what I said registered something familiar in his eyes.

He looks at me after a moment, and I see pain and actual remorse in his eyes.