Chapter 7: |6|

Sleeping next to my mate has to be the best feeling in the world. Well, maybe the second. I know when I finally get to kiss her it will be the best. Last night we stayed up talking until Avery fell asleep watching a movie. I picked her up and carried her to my bedroom.

My wolf Titan has already claimed her as ours. It doesn't matter that we're not eighteen yet. He doesn't want anyone else and neither do I. If she's not my fated mate then I'll reject my mate for her. And if her mate tries to stop me I'll challenge him for her. I'll kill him and she will be mine.

I can't help but stare at her. I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable so I undressed her last night trying not to peek as I put one of my shirts on her. I have to admit she looks absolutely gorgeous in my clothes. But Mama raised a gentleman so I kept my eyes and hands to myself.

I woke up this morning to Avery curled onto my bare chest. Normally I would sleep naked but with Avery in my bed, I couldn’t and slept in my boxers. But still, I couldn’t control how hard I was when I woke up with her on me.

As I lay here with my beautiful mate I scold myself. Last night I almost took things too far. I couldn't control myself, her heavenly scent mixed with her arousal had me hard as a rock. My wolf almost took over. We want nothing more than to mark and mate her, have her screaming our name all night.

Avery stirs beside me and I can feel her waking up. Maybe now is the time to tell her how I feel. I told her last night I think we're mates but she brushed it off. I want to let her know how serious I am. That she's the one for me. I don't want her out there looking at other guys or flirting with them. I think if I see another wolf touch her I’ll rip their eyes out. She's mine!

Avery opens her perfect green eyes and she looks confused. “Kai, what’s going on? Did I sleep here?” She whispers and I nod. She jumps out of the bed looking around the room for her clothes I assume. “I can’t believe this!” She shouts and I can’t help but laugh.

“Aves please calm down it's fine. We fell asleep watching a movie that’s it. Nothing happened.” I tell her even though I wish something had happened.

She turns her back to me as she slips her dress back on. I can’t help but stare at her perfect round ass. My wolf is itching for me to go claim our mate and mark her.

Avery faces me dressed and angry. “This was a mistake!” She answers and it sends a pain right to my chest. “I’m supposed to be waiting for my mate. What if he found out about this? He could reject me thinking I’m some pack slut!” She shouts and I growl.

Avery is perfect. Any guy would be lucky to mate with her. I wouldn’t think she was a slut if she slept with someone else. She is amazing, beautiful, smart. Everything I could have asked for and more.

“He wouldn’t think that. Your wonderful Avery. I told you we're mates so no need to worry."

"But what if we're not? We almost took things too far last night. It can't happen again I'm sorry Kai." She says and marches out of the room and I hear the front door slam.

Sighing I fall back on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I wish she would just understand how much I love her, we're mates I just know it.

After my shower, I throw a white cotton shirt and jeans on, brush my teeth, and fix my hair. Then I head downstairs for breakfast. Hopefully, Avery will show up and I can let her know we did nothing wrong sleeping together. Even if we aren’t mates she's my best friend. We used to sleep together all the time as kids.

After grabbing my tray piled with food I go find Lance and Matt sitting at a table already eating. Both look like they had a long night and I’m actually well-rested for once. Sleeping beside Avery calmed the beast in me.

“You guys look like shit,” I tell them as I sit. Lance refuses to look at me while Matt rolls his eyes.

“I shouldn’t have drank so much. How did your night go?” He asks and I smile. Matt looks shocked because I never smile.

“I found her, my mate,” I say proudly and Matt can’t stop smiling.

Lance looks up finally. “Was it the brunette? I saw you drag her away,” he asks and I nod.

“I’m surprised you saw with your tongue down different girls' throats,” I answer sarcastically. Matt shakes his head at Lance then turns his attention to me.

“Are you sure? You're not even eighteen yet." Matt reminds me.

"What’s her name?” Lance asked excitedly. He knows if a girl has piqued my interest she has to be special. She-wolves ask me out daily and I reject them all.

"Remember the girl I told you was my best friend as a kid?” I ask and they both nod. “Well, it’s her Avery. She spent the night with me. She's not eighteen yet. We actually share a birthday but my wolf can sense it we're mates."

Matt looks unsure “You have the same birthday?”

Lance takes a bite of his food before speaking. "Well, I'm happy for you man. I hope it works out."

Matt growls at him. "Don't encourage this! Kai, you need to be sure. Wait until your birthday tomorrow before you do anything. If she isn't your mate you're going to be heartbroken."

“He'll be fine. He can handle a simple rejection if she isn't his mate." Lance argues. And I can't believe they're talking about me like I'm not even here.

Matt shakes his head. “Do you remember what happened when his mom died? His wolf went on a killing rampage. We don't want that to happen again. Alpha Cylus had to pull lots of strings to cover it up."

I slam my fists on the table. "Stop it! Avery will be my mate regardless. I lost her once and I won't do it again." I growl and they bow their heads in submission.

A heavenly scent wafts through my nose and Avery appears. “Hey, Kai can we sit here?” she walks up beside me smiling. She looks perfect in her white shorts and red camisole shirt.

“Sure, take my seat.” I blurt out and she chuckles.

“You’re so silly. I’ll just sit beside you.” She sits beside me and I quickly sit back down.

“Nice one Alpha.” Matt snickers.

I ignore my beta and focus on the woman beside me. Avery is in a completely different mood than when she left earlier. Hopefully, she’s happy because she’s finally accepted we're mates.

I look at Lance as I sit back down waiting for his smart remark like always. Instead, he eyes one of Avery’s friends and he looks terrified. He grabs his food tray and leaves in a hurry. I’m confused but maybe it’s one of his past conquests he wants to avoid.

“So girls this is Kai my best friend. Kai these are my friends I told you about Bea and Kayla.” She points at the girls and I half smile at them.

Matt stretches his hand over the table. “I’m Matt the beta of Blackwater Pack.” He smiles and her friends shake his hand. “So you ladies find your mate yet?” He asks and smirks at me.

I’ll kill him.

“Not yet but I hope so.” The one named Bea answers.

“I don’t want a mate,” Kayla answers and then stabs her sausage on her plate. An angry one she is.

“What about you Avery? Excited to find your mate?” He asks and I kick his leg under the table. He flinches trying to mask the pain.

Avery has the biggest smile on her face and I put my hand on her bare thigh feeling the sparks between us. I just have to touch her constantly.

“Not yet but this place is huge. If he's here I'll find him. I just hope he isn’t an overprotective alpha. I heard about this one called the Monster. They say he is a crazed killer and enjoys torturing rogues and his pack members are terrified of him. I would hate to be mated to someone like that.” She answers and then starts eating.

My chest hurts at her words. The wolf she's describing is me. Another reason I’m called Killer Kai is because of my pack's treatment of rogues. We don’t just kill them. I make sure they suffer first. I hate rogues after they killed my mother. I told Avery about my mother last night but not how she died and the heartbreak I went through afterward. I didn't want her to view me any differently. She's right I'm a monster that's why everyone fears me.

How am I supposed to tell her we're mates now?

“What if Alpha Dean is your mate? He so has a crush on you!” Bea announces and Avery starts choking on her food. I pat her back trying to hold in my growling.

“No way Bea! He's our future Alpha. We are friends that’s it.” She says and I hope she's right. Maybe I’ll go find this Dean guy and have a chat with him.

“So do you have a mate?” Her friend Kayla asks looking at me suspiciously. My hand I had on Avery's thigh is now wrapped around her waist and she looks at it.

“Does it matter?” I ask and her friend growls at me.

“It does. Don’t want to give girls false hope.” She says and glances at Avery.

I hate that her friend assumes the worst of me. She thinks I’m like other alphas sleeping with whoever I can and making fake promises to girls so they think they can be Luna one day. But I’m not. I have always known what I wanted and that's Avery. I just never thought I would see her again. Now that I have her I won't let her go.

Avery nudges me and I turn my attention to my beautiful mate. Her eyes meet mine and I see the gold flecks in her green eyes. Her wolf trying to reach out. “Kai you told me last night you have been waiting for your mate. Don’t tell me you lied to me?” She asks and starts to frown.

I try not to stutter over my words as I try to explain. “N-no. I am. I just don’t go around telling people. You know I’m an Alpha I have a reputation.” I wink and she frowns more.

“You care more about your reputation than your mate?” She asks and my wolf Titan whines. We can feel how disappointed she is in us.

“He probably already cheated on her or-” her friend Kayla starts and I growl loudly making everyone within three tables submit to my alpha aura.

“STOP! We’re not here to discuss me or my mate!” I slam my fists on the table and everyone bares their neck at my Alpha command except Avery who is immune of course.

Avery frowns and stands up with her hand on my shoulder. “I’m going to find something sweet to eat. I’ll be back. Kai, please calm down.” She tells me walking away without sparing another glance at me.

Her friends quickly follow after an upset Avery while I cover my face with my hands. I can’t believe I'm this close to Avery again but I’m literally everything she despises. I can’t even control my temper around her. I’m going to scare her off at this rate.

For once I’m afraid. I've never wanted anything as bad as I want her. I can't lose her again. I won’t be able to handle it. My wolf has already claimed her as our mate and I'm already attached to her like when we were kids. I hated being away from her then too.

Once when we were younger Avery didn't show up to school and I had a panic attack because I was so worried about where she was and if she was safe. Turns out she was sick which is odd for a werewolf. The two days I had to stay away from her were the longest most stressful days of my youth.

I look behind me and see the girls getting some fruit. I turn to Matt who is watching me with concerned eyes. “I can’t lose her Matt. She's my mate I know it. My wolf has already claimed her. What am I going to do?"

He sighs. "Even though I think you should wait until your birthday I can see how calm she makes you. You're like a lovesick puppy around her. I'll give you some tips to control your temper so you can win her over."

“Thanks. I'll owe you one." I smile at him. He rolls his eyes back at me and the psychologist major in him gives me advice.

Finally, Avery and her friends show up. As Avery sits beside me I can’t help but smile at her and the food in her hand. She’s still the same as when we were kids wanting dessert first.

“Come on I know it’s only eight in the morning but this ice cream sounded so good.” She licks her strawberry cone and we all laugh.

I wrap my arms around her waist as we eat our food. I won’t lose her, not again.