Chapter 69

“No.” I pouted and hugged Cora tighter.

“Talk to him.” She said flatly, pushing me off.

I glared at her as she opened the door and walked out. The stupid Kyle walked in and shut the door behind him. I glared at him for a second and my eyes moved to the wall childishly.

“Jim. Stop being so stubborn. You know I was just kidding.”

I continued my pouting, “Don’t talk to me.”

“Jim…” Kyle sighed, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would hurt your feelings. But you know I was just kidding.”

I shook my head, “You knew it would hurt my feelings.”

“No, I didn’t. You know I love you. You’re the best little brother in the world.” He proclaimed proclaimatively.

“Better than Rick?” I asked quietly and sadly.

“Better than Rick.” He confirmed.

I squealed and jumped into his arms, “I forgive your mean, hurtful comment!”

He hugged me tightly in return, “Love you, little brother.”

“I love you too, big brother!” I poked his forehead playfully and he sighed and stood up. We both walked down the stairs at the same time.

Cora's POV

The fact that Jimmy is so sensitive, emotional and easily hurt bothers everyone; me especially.

But the fact that Kyle knew these facts and still went ahead to upset him was bullshit.

These thoughts flew out of my head as I heard footsteps and looked up to see Kyle and Jimmy walking down the stairs and talking amongst themselves.

Jimmy is so easy to please that it's almost embarrassing.

I turned to Carey with a smirk on my face, “So, Carey, Jake, where were you guys earlier?”

Carey blushed scarlet, “Huh?”

“We were making love.” Jake said in a 'duh' tone. Way to point out the obvious and embarrass the poor girl.

Carey blushed harder and smacked his arm, “Shut up.”

They move very fast. All the guys laughed and hooted as they saw how red Carey’s face was. Behind me, Kaden chuckled and shook his head.

Seeing how Carey and Jake already mated made me feel kind of guilty. Kaden and I had known each other and been together longer and we hadn't mated yet.

Jake and Carey had only known each other for what? 10 minutes. I know Kaden says we can wait until I’m ready but I know he needs his mate, fully.

I felt selfish to the both of us. He had to wait because I told him I wasn't ready. Meanwhile, I kept telling myself I wasn't ready because I was actually scared.

I frowned and looked down at my lap.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Kaden asked worriedly

I smiled, “Nothing. Ben, can I talk to you real quick?”

Ben nodded, “Yeah. I’ll be right back.” He said, kissing Ali’s cheek.

I pecked Kaden’s lips, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

He frowned but removed his arms from my waist. I smiled and got up, leading dren to the backyard where we sat down beside the pool.

“What’s wrong, Ley-Lee Bear?” He asked worriedly.

“Is it weird for mates to not be mated if they’ve known each other a while?” I asked.

“It’s not weird. Some mates want to take it slow, get to know each other first. The bond that you have with your mate when you first meet makes you want to complete the bond right away. But some mates just don’t want that.

Either they want to wait or their mate does. It all depends on what your wolf wants. Powerful werewolves can fight their wolves though. Alphas, they’re the only ones. But sometimes, they cant fight their wolf and their wolf ends up raping their mate.

And once you mark your mate, fighting your wolf off only gets harder. If mates wait too long, the wolf comes out with a raging list.” He finished his sentence, looking at the water.

“So, you mean, Kaden is fighting his wolf right now?” I asked slowly.

“I don’t know. It may not come to that. Kaden is strong. If it does come to that point, he can fight his wolf off. He loves you enough to push his wolf away for you.” He smiled at me.

“But why would he even have to fight his wolf off? Isn’t his wolf– him? Like his alter ego or something?” I asked confusedly.

“They’re not really the same people. Kaden is– Kaden. He wants to wait until you're ready but his wolf doesn’t. All of the male wolves want to claim their mate when they first meet them. But the human in us lets us wait.

Our wolves are horny little bastards.” He laughed.

I smiled, “So, it’s alright if I’m not ready?”

“It’s perfectly fine. You just can’t wait too long. You know when Kaden marked you? I don't know but did he mention that you have some sort of two week deadline?” dren asked cautiously.

I nodded so he continued, “Over the two weeks, the bond grows stronger. Everyday closer to the deadline, you become more physical with your mate.

But on the last day, the wolf rapes you. If it comes to that –which I doubt it will because you guys will probably already be mated– Kaden won’t have any say in it. He won’t even know what’s going on.”

I stayed silent, letting it all soak in.

“The only reason you guys have that deadline is because Kaden’s the Alpha. Alpha wolves are more aggressive and needy. If you were mated with a regular wolf, you could wait years if you wanted too.” He added, swinging his feet in the water.

“You and Ali don’t have a deadline?” I asked.

“Nope. But I don’t think we’d need it anyway.” He smirked.

“Oh, that is so gross!” I laughed, scooting away from him, “You didn't need to say that!”

He laughed, “What? We don’t. I was just saying.”

I gagged and stood up, “So nasty.”

He laughed harder and got up, “How is it nasty? You're definitely going to do it soon.”

“I know but I don’t want to hear about you and Ali’s sex life, you dork.” I rolled my eyes and walked back into the house.

He laughed and followed me in, “We don’t have one. Yet.”

I turned around and punched his arm, “Shut it.”

He threw his arm around my shoulder, “Nahhh. But I bet she’s great in bed. Look at her, she looks like she's definitely a freak, she looks flexible.”

I looked up at him, “I’ll slice you.”

He laughed, throwing his head back. “Okay, Ley-Lee Bear. We’ll see.”

“If you keep talking about sex, yes we will.” I glared.

We walked into the living room just as the doorbell rang. Kaden was the closest to the door so he went to get it. I sat down on the couch next to Stephen and poked his leg.

“What's good?” I asked, giving him the casual nod.

He laughed at my failed attempt to be lit, “Nothing.”

Suddenly Kaden barked aggressively, “Gabe, get over here! Now!”

Gabe frowned and got up, walking over to Kaden and a blonde girl.

“Go on.” Kaden urged, nodding towards her direction.

Gabe, still confused, reached out to grab the girl's hand. When he touched her hand, he immediately brought his hand back like he was touching fire.

“Is she really–” Kaden asked.

Gabe narrowed his eyes at the girl before glancing at me and then back to Kaden, “Yeah, she’s your mate.”

I frowned but stayed silent. Kaden looked at the girl with a smile on his face that broke me completely. The same smile he always gives me.

Kaden held his hand out for her to take and when she did, he jumped like he had been electrocuted. He beamed at her, “You really are my mate.”

I felt a sharp pang go through my chest, making me gasp. Another shot of pain went through my chest and I clutched it tightly. The pain spread through my body quickly and this wasn't the kind that I could heal.

“Cora? What’s wrong?” Jacob’s worried and concerned voice rang in my ear through the pain.

“I-It hurts.” I panted helplessly.

“What hurts?” dren asked with worried eyes.

“E-Everything!” I writhed in pain on the couch, “I-I need to get out of here!” I yelled in pain.

I looked up and saw Kaden still holding the girl's hand, looking into her eyes. More pain came through my chest, making me scream.

I stood up quickly and ran out of the house, right past Kaden who didn’t even notice me leaving.

I ran all the way to the park, ignoring the pain that was subsiding in my body. Sitting down on the swings, I started to cry; harder than I’ve ever cried before.

That pain in my chest showed me that Kaden had found his real mate or whatever. That I was no longer his and he wasn’t mine.

There was rustling in the bushes behind me. I turned around sadly and saw four pairs of red eyes glaring at me. I turned back around dismissively, “Might as well come out.”

I heard an evil laugh, “Yes, might as well.”

They all walked out and stood in front of me with evil grins on their faces. The leader was the wolf that had run away from me previously at the seers mansion with the promise that he was going to kill me.

“Hello Cora. Remember me?” He asked tauntingly but I didn't even give a shit.

“How could I not? You’re hideous.” I retorted emotionlessly.

He laughed and shook his head, “Even in pain you’re still as annoying.”

“It’s a gift.” I chuckled humorlessly.

“Stand up!” He ordered.

“I don't follow rules and orders.” I shrugged looking up at him with cold eyes, “But I’ll stand up because this swing is boring as hell.” I said, standing up, “Why are you here?”

“To kill you of course.” He answered cheekily.

I put my hands on my hips, “What’s stopping you?”

And that was when he threw the first punch.

Kaden's POV

I smiled at the beautiful female standing casually in front of me.

“What’s your name?” I asked with my ever shining smile plastered on my face.

“Jackie.” She smiled, tightening her grip on my hand.

She truly was beautiful. She was my real mate. I couldn't believe she was my real mate. Bentley wasn’t. Or was it Cora? Who really cares?

“Beautiful name for the most beautiful girl in the world.” I smiled lovingly.

She blushed shyly, “Thanks.”

Suddenly, it felt like I was being punched in the face. I stumbled back and Bentley's face came into my mind. She was being beaten. Cora, not Bentley. My mate. My actual mate. My only mate.

“Where’s Cora?!” I asked frantically as I came into realization, looking around confusedly.