Chapter 15

Malakai

She's infuriating.

I put our differences aside and tried to make our pairing work and she throws Matteo's death in my face. I thought she'd even have a smither of sympathy for what she'd done but I saw nothing when I stared into her face but her guiltless eyes.

Taking his life truly meant nothing to her.

And that hurt even more.

She had no idea the lives she'd impacted by killing him. The nationwide mourning that was currently going on at the death of the Royal Beta. He had family and friends who I had to personally talk to, explaining his death. The hours I'd spent on the phone comforting his parents and organizing his funeral.

The guilt I'd been drowning in from letting him leave the palace in the first place.

She had absolutely no clue.

So she laughed at it. Like it was a joke with a sick, cruel punchline that I simply couldn't understand.

I wished she got to meet him. Even once.

Even now as we were sitting across from each other, she held no remorse. Leo and his mate kept up their hospitality like a true Beta couple by welcoming her with open arms despite her crimes. They were mourning too.

But she didn't know.

She doesn't know.

"Don't let her get to you Kai".

My skin froze up as I felt Scils hand come in contact with my shoulder. I was quick to shrug it off. "She's stupid and-

"I can't hold it against her Scil, she didn't know" I breathed.

"It doesn't matter, if she was a good mate-

"She doesn't even know what that is" I defended her once more.

"Well if she'd at least try to listen-

"Priscilla" I stopped her. "Just knock it off".

The door to the Dining Hall opened and a familiar smell of caramel popcorn hit my nostrils, immediately lifting my spirits. I fixed my posture as my lips broke into a bright smile. "Andro!"

The little boy simply gave me a tired smile as he trudged into the room, still wearing his racecar pyjamas. His hair stuck out in all corners, most of it in his face. I should probably get to taking him for a haircut before it's too late.

I mentally sighed, fatherhood.

"Hey Uncle Kai" He greeted me with a yawn. I outstretched my arms and he walked into them, making me carry him into my lap. He was quick to get comfortable on my chest and I had no doubt in my mind he'd be out like a light soon.

Harlow

I stared at the small child in horror, not believing my eyes.

The resemblance was uncanny but it was only when we connected eyes was I able to see it crystal clear. Beta Matteo had a son.

My appetite flew out the window as I stared into the innocent eyes of the boy in Malakai's lap. I turned to Ivory for an explanation but she simply turned away from me. Leo did the same but I caught his expression before he looked away.

Guilt.

"Is Dad coming back today?"

My heart shattered in my chest at the question. They hadn't told him. I almost face-palmed, of course, they hadn't. He looked like he'd started walking last year.

"I'm afraid not buddy, he'll be back soon though"

My eyes met Malakai's in disbelief, I wanted to yell at him for giving the boy false hope but even I would stall in this situation. The boy's father had been killed in cold blood just a few days ago. When he left I'm sure he told his son that he'd be back soon.

And I'd forced him to break that promise.

"I hope he does, I miss his bedtime stories" The child grumbled. Malakai feigned offence as he clutched his heart dramatically.

"Are you calling me a bad storyteller"

In turn, the boy put his hands up in the air defensively. "I ain't say it, you did" he replied. Hopping off of Malakai's lap. He waddled himself to the seat on the other side of Malakai and tried to lift himself onto the rather tall chair.

Malakai moved to helped him but the boy declined help "Don't worry I got it" He assured him, finally getting onto the chair with a little squeak. My heart melted. "Uncle Kai?" He whispered but not in a very good way.

"Mhmm?"

"Who's the lady?" He asked pointing directly at me shamelessly.

"She's my-

"I'm a guest here for the time being," I answered before Malakai could. He looked at me.

"I'm Aljandro," He introduced himself, slightly mispronouncing his name. "You can call me Ale or Andro but never Jandro, my Abuela calls me that and she says it's off-limits," He told me strictly. He then stared at me waiting for me to introduce myself.

"I'm Harley" I smiled at him and he smiled back, revealing some of his missing teeth.

He's so precious.

"You have hair like my mommy," He told me. I didn't exactly know how to take it but chose to take it as a compliment.

"Thank you"

"Y-welcome" He beamed "Uncle Kai I think I like her, she's very pretty, I think she needs a hairbrush though" He commented to his Uncle, trying his best to whisper. But inevitably failing.

Ivory let out a chuckled but covered it with a laugh when she caught my side-eye. "She's not the only one bud, you've got a birds nest on your head" Malakai joked, messing up his hair more. Ale slapped his hands away with a scowl.

"I didn't have time to get ready, Colette said there were cinnamon waffles and I had to come before Uncle Leo eats them all like he does all the time" He explained. It was now Leos turn to act dramatic.

"I do not"

"Do too!" Ale shot back.

He then stood up on his chair and began reaching for things to pile onto his plate. Malakai watched him attentively only stepping in when he really needed it until it was time for him to grab a muffin that was on the other side of the table.

Conveniently next to Priscilla.

Instead of asking he merely tried to reach for it but huffed once realizing his arms were too short to get it. Priscilla grabbed one and offered it to him with a smile. "Here you go Andro".

He glanced at the muffin in her hand than looked at her face for a second before getting back into his seat "Nevermind I don't want one anymore" He huffed, grabbing his glass of orange juice "And don't call me Andro, I never said you could call me that".