Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 23

~Kimbriella POV~

I flounce into the kitchen, beaming.

''Kim!'' Brinley screeches, running over and throwing herself to the ground, encircling her arms around my legs. ''WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IT IS SO BORING HERE WITHOUT YOU, I HAVE HAD TO WATCH ELISON AND ASHALYN BE ALL CUTE AND COUPLE-Y AND UGH IT'S BEEN AWFULLL!''

''Brinely.'' I tap my chin. ''We need to find you a guy.'' At this suggestion, she frowns.

''Kimbell, I am a strong, independent chicken nugget, and I don't need a man.'' At this, we both crack up, hysterically laughing.

''Kimbell?'' Elison asks and chuckles. I point my finger at him, glaring murderously.

''Shut up, Beta.''

''Beta?''

''I told you to shut up.''

He holds up his hands in surrender.

''I don't want you to shut up.'' Ashalyn gazes into Elison's eyes in the manner with which one does things when in love. I rolled my eyes.

''You're right.'' I whisper in Brinley's ear. ''They are being all disgustingly couple-y.''

''Traitors.'' Ashalyn mutters. Elison pecks her cheek. ''You still got me. They're just jealous.'' With that, his lips move to her mouth, and Ashalyn moves from her chair onto his lap. Ashalyn, who before a few weeks ago, hadn't even had her first kiss.

''Well dang.'' Brinley gapes.

''I'm not jealous.'' I huff.

''Whenever somebody says that, they are totally jealous.'' Ryker observes, walking into the kitchen.

''Anybody thirsty? I can grab some water.'' I offer innocently, moving toward the cupboard and drawing out a few cups while making direct eye contact with Ryker.

''Um, am I missing something?'' Brinley asks, glancing around the room.

''I'll take some water.'' Ryker agrees. I fill two cups with water, placing the remaining cups back.

''And for the record, I was not jealous. I have a perfectly wonderful, sexy werewolf for my own.'' I add, putting my hand on Ryker's chest for emphasis. Elison and Ashalyn break apart, staring at me.

''I think we're missing something else here.'' Brinley waves her fingers wildly, gesturing between Ryker and I. Ryker looks a bit stunned, as if he might drop his water.

''I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Seriously.'' He ponders, stroking my hair casually.

''Um, Bree? Your neck?'' Ashalyn points to the silvery mark. ''What happened?''

I giggle nervously. ''Uh, well, you see-''

''I bit her.'' Ryker interrupts.

''That sounds a kind of hot..'' Brinley remarks, studying her nails. I roll my eyes. ''It's part of the mating process.'' I inform her.

''And you're okay with that?'' Brinley asks surprised.

''Well.. it wasn't exactly a 'Can I bite you?', Oh, sure you can, Ryker kind of situation.'' I say dryly.

''Did you slap him?''

''Mayby..'' I can help myself, a smile spreads across my face.

''Are you getting pleasure from my pain?'' Ryker gasps, stepping away from me. He thumps a hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt.

''You guys have a seriously messed up relationship.'' Brinley declares and walking away.

''I'm okay with that.'' I lick my lips, craning my neck to look at Ryker.

''You read my mind.'' He whispers, his deep timbre soothing to my ears. He spins me around and kisses me full on the mouth.

''Okay, we're out of here too.'' Ashalyn announces, grabbing Elison by the hand. We draw away in sync to glare at them.

''Sorry,'' Elison mouths. I poke his cheek. ''Bye Beta!'' I grin. Ryker's giant hands pull me closer to him. He dips me close to the ground, making me squeal.

''What was that for?'' I pout, giving him the lip as he pulls me back to my feet.

''I don't like it when you touch other males.'' He gives me the lip right back.

''But he has a mate.'' I point out. ''And he's happy with her. And even if he was secretly in love with me, which he isn't, he knows you would exile him and then murder him.''

''I don't care.'' He frowns. ''I'd rather you never look at any guy ever again.''

''No Dylan O'Brien?!?'' I gasps in horror.

''Nope.''

''Never gonna happen.'' I shake my head furiously. He sighs. ''I know.'' I lean my head against his chest, suddenly tired again. ''You're cute when you're jealous.''

''So now I'm cute, wonderful, and sexy.'' He recaps.

''Yep.'' I agree tiredly.

''Great.'' He chuckles, kissing the top of my head. ''Your hair smells good.''

''Uh, thanks?''

He scoops me up. To exhausted to protest, I curl against his chest. Hey, I don't do well without my sleep, okay? A minute or so later, I can feel the coolness of the covers against my face as Ryker deposits me onto my bed.

Automatically, something inside me shifts. I'm still extremely tired, but something inside me isn't ready to sleep. It feels like... all of last night. I stumble out of bed, tripping over nothing. I get up and shuffle out of the door.

''Where are you going?'' Ryker shouts after me.

I thump downs the stairs, not bothering to respond. My feet guide me to my destination, the library.