Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty
Over the past six weeks Malakai has been more openly affectionate. Kissing me softly or commenting on my beauty in front of our house staff. Nora and Nova always watch with furrowed brows but say nothing. They will exchange suspicious glances but continue working. When I asked him if we should be kissing in front of them, he shrugged his shoulders and said, ‘they won’t say anything to your dad I promise.’
Pulling away from Malakai I smile. “I’m going to head upstairs and get ready for school.”
Shaking his head, he says “You aren’t going to school. We have already talked about this. You are doing online schooling until your father says otherwise.”
“But I miss Lucas.” I say with big pouty eyes and lips.
Malakai tenses. He knows Lucas is gay and there is nothing between us, but he still hates the thought of me missing another man. “Lucas can come visit you then.” Malakai says through clenched teeth.
“What if I want to do a sleepover at his house?” I ask batting my eyelashes.
Malakai’s face hardens and his eyes turn black as he answers harshly. “Over my dead body Leilani.”
“Why not?” I ask thrown off by his sudden anger.
“You will not step foot in that house as long as Logan lives there.” Malakai practically spits at his name, making my eyes widen. There is pain in Malakai’s eyes, noticeable even through his wolf eyes. We never talked about me with Logan that night, and honestly, I had forgotten about it. I tried to push him and Amara out of my mind.
A rush of guilt overcomes me, thinking about the way I used Logan to hurt Malakai. I wish I could take it back. Everything about the kiss with Logan felt wrong. Kissing Malakai gives me butterflies and tingles in places I didn’t even know existed. When I kissed Logan, I felt sick, and disgusted with myself. “I’m sorry” I whisper quietly looking away from Malakai as tears gather in my eyes.
Malakai sighs and grabs my chin, pulling my face up to his. “I know angel. It’s okay.” His face softens when he sees the tears in my eyes. “Hey. Don’t cry angel.”
Tears begin falling freely as I stare into his eyes. “It’s not okay.” I manage to choke out through my sobs. Malakai stands suddenly, pulling me in to him. I bury my face in his hard chest. “I..I… I just wanted revenge; I didn’t realize how badly it would hurt you. I thought you hated me and that’s why you were with Amara. And, and I just wanted to feel better. I thought if I found someone else it would make me feel better. And…” Malakai cuts me off before I can say anything else.
“Shh baby breathe. You are going to hyperventilate you need to take some deep breaths.” Malakai says as he rubs my back.
I try taking a deep breath but end up coughing instead. “I can’t breathe.” I inhale sharply causing my lungs to burn. Malakai grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eye, having to bend down to reach my eye level.
“Baby, listen. I am not mad at you. I understand why you did what you did with Logan. I hurt you and I am so sorry. I will never do it again.” Malakai says in a very soothing voice.
“But I hurt you.” I sniffle, fighting back the tears.
“Let me ask you one thing angel. Did you enjoy it when Logan kissed you or when Lucas was grinding against you?” Malakai says in a tone that suggests he already knows the answer.
“No.” I sniffle again, trying to slow my breathing.
Malakai smiles and pushes the hair away from my eyes. “Do you want him or any other guy to kiss you or touch you the way I do?”
I shake my head frantically, eyes wide. “No! I only want you.”
“Then I’m not mad at you baby. I know you won’t do anything to hurt me. Let’s just move on and be happy. Okay baby?”
I shake my head in agreement, wrapping him in a tight hug as I bury my face in his chest. Malakai kisses the top of my head. The dining room door opens, and I instinctively pull away from Malakai. He frowns with disappointment.
George walks in wearing a black suit and white gloves. His gray hair is slicked back, showing the wrinkles on his face. George is a werewolf, so it’s impossible to tell his real age. I have always been afraid to ask, I don’t want to hurt his feelings. Werewolves age slower than humans so I always guestimate he is at least a hundred by now. “I’m sorry for interrupting. Beta Malakai the alpha would like to speak to you.”
“Thank you, George.” Malakai says in a polite voice.
He kisses me softly making me blush, as he turns to leave the room. The door shuts behind him leaving George and me alone in the dining room. I clear my throat unsure of what to say. George wiggles his fingers as he glances around the room.
Unable to stand the awkward silence any longer I turn to leave, but George stops me. “Leilani, may I speak with you.”
A lump forms in my throat. I’m sure he wants to talk about me and Malakai kissing. I really hope that’s not why my father called. I nod slowly, unable to trust my voice right now.
George swallows loudly. “I hope I’m not overstepping little Alpha, I just umm. I noticed since your father has been away on business you and Beta Malakai have been getting very close.”
I bite my bottom lip. Shit. “I umm… I..” I stutter not knowing what to say.
“Forgive me for getting in your business, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just want to make sure you are not being forced to do anything you don’t want to do.” George says concerned.
“Oh, no, no, no. Malakai isn’t forcing me to do anything. I am one hundred percent willing, and we have really only kissed and slept in the same bed. He is my mate.”
George nods as he soaks in what I have said. “How do you know he is your mate little Alpha? You are only eighteen.”
I hesitate for a moment. Malakai and Lucas are the only ones who I have told about shifting on my fourteen birthday and being able to sense my mate at eighteen. George gives me a puzzled look waiting for an answer.
“My first-time shifting was when I was fourteen years old. I never told my dad; I didn’t want him to think something was wrong with me. On my eighteenth birthday I found out Malakai was my mate. And yes, on New Year’s we went through some things, but we are better now. Malakai has been nothing but patient and caring.”
George smiles. “Okay little Alpha. Do not do anything you don’t want to do.”
“I won’t. George, can you not tell my dad? I want to tell him when the time is right.” I plead with my eyes.