Mine, Forever Mine

Chapter 13: I Can Explain

"Alexa, I can explain." I say, trying not to do something I'll regret later. "Explain. NOW, KANE." I take a deep breath, "He wants you Alexa. He wants you as a mate, but your wolf is already found her mate. You just have to accept him." I pause when she opens her mouth but closes it, "Ace isn't your mate. Yours is probably looking for you." She nods and hugs me, "Thank you Kane. Thank you for making me realize." She steps back and shifts. Everyone moves back, ears flat and heads down. I stay still when she comes to me. Alexa presses her head against my hand, and I cautiously pet her head. A rumble vibrates from her throat, and I stop. She shakes her head, and I continue to pet her. She moves from me and walks to where the pack was standing. She starts sniffing at Jason, at his neck and scruff. He keeps his head up and eyes straight, but he sneaks a sly glance at me. Alexa turns her head away from him, and moved on to Liam. Jason barks, Alexa! Don't you leave me! I'm your mate! I know it! Alexa! He yells through the pack bond. She meets his eyes and releases her Alpha power, making the pack fall to floor. You will not speak to me in that way Jason. She snarls, and bites down on his ear. He yelps in pain and she releases him, leaving a mark. And if we were mates, I'd reject you in a heartbeat. She sniffs at Liam, and moves onto Bren. She passes him too. When she checks Dec, a slight spark lights up her dark eyes. She moves onto Luke, and her eyes brighten more. He nuzzles her ear, and she sniffs Kyle. Her eyes turn to its normal white blue but she moves away from him. Kane, I don't know who's my mate. She whines. I don't either. You reacted to both Luke and Kyle. If it comes out like this, you're going to have to choose. But Kane. I don't want to ruin relationships. That's the law, Alexa. She huffs, Can I get another day Kane? Just so I can figure out my feelings. I nod, One day, Alexa. Tomorrow I will hold a pack meeting, and you will make your choice then. She nods, and sits at my side. Kane, I'm gonna go to the creek. I'll be back soon. Promise. I only nod.
*****
Alexa's P.O.V
I shut my eyes, hating that my wolf is making me choose. If only you would listen to me. She snaps. Shut up Echo. I growl back. She finally decided to let me know her name, and now all she does is sass me. Go figure when she's your copy but wolf. Alexa, choosing Luke will ruin things with Dec. Choosing Kyle, will possibly ruin things with Luke. Yeah, but I reacted more to Kyle. True, but who knows you the best? Luke, obviously. But isn't it fair to give him a chance? I guess it is. That's my point, and I'm done arguing. Alexa, Kane only gave you a full day from now. Yeah, so what time tomorrow will the meeting be held? Well, by the sun it should be around 5. Okay, so I have all night and day to think about it. Not really. What? She doesn't reply and I see why. Luke comes to me with a small grin, and sits next to me. "Hey Lucas." I say. "A, you haven't called me that since we were like 4. B, I came to talk to you." "About?" "Choose Kyle, Lex. He's better than I am. He'll get to know you, and I won't get hurt or jealous." I lean my head on his shoulder, "And that's why you'll always be my best friend, Loser." "Hey! I'm not a loser. I've actually won a lot of my lacrosse games." I giggle, "I've won all of my softball games." "You don't even play softball, liar! The lies you speak!" He laughs. I playfully smack the back of his head, and I get up. "Let's go before everyone comes looking for us." He walks before me when I stop to tie my shoes. I jump up and walk quickly when I feel that I'm being watched. I stop, finding a little fox. I look for an adult or a den, and find nothing. I scoop it up, and when I see Kane I can feel the heat racing up my neck. "Alexa, what is that?" He asks. "It's an um..." I think of a way to say and I roll my eyes, "I found this fox cub abandoned and I got motherly feels and I took it in." He raises an eyebrow. "How are you going to take care of it?" "Feed it obviously." He growls, but shakes his head, "Only you ever take in animals." Briar, Kaye, and Elle come to us, and pet it. "It's so cute." Elle says. "It's really fluffy." Kaye agrees. Briar scratches under its muzzle softly, "It's eyes." She says, backing up. I look at its eyes, and see they're a light golden green. I put it down, and it looks at everyone. The guys all stay away, except Bren who scratches its head. "Its not going to kill you." I say. Kyle and Liam look at it, "What if it's got rabies?" "Then Kyle, you're going to take us to the vet." I say, looking him dead in the eye. He doesn't break the gaze, "Sure. I'll take you guys." I nod, and bend down to pick it up. "What do we name it?" I ask the girls. "Is it a girl or boy?" Briar asks. "Use your sense of smell." Luke adds. She sniffs, "It's a boy." She says, disappointed. "Name him Red." Kyle comments. "Name him Loki, from the Avengers." Dec says, trailing off when everyone looks at him. "Scout. Name him Scout." Kane says, rising from his perch. "Scout does sound good." Elle and Kaye say. "Scout it is." I smile, and I laugh softly when he bites my finger. "Kane, I think it's time we get to buying this land. Don't you think?" He nods, but doesn't look at me. Weird. Something's bothering him. Talk to him. I hand Scout to Elle, and Bren tries to take him from her. I shake my head at them, and I sit next to Kane. What's wrong Kane? Nothing. Don't lie to me. Nothing, really. Just, Ace's pack has me on edge. They won't do anything. How are you sure? Cause his pack is basically older wolves. Like King Chase's pack? Yeah, having older wolves is good. He snaps sarcastically. Yeah, but that's King Chase. This is Ace, your friend from Alpha camp. I guess you're right. I'm always right. Hardly ever. I laugh and get up. Bren, and Elle are playing with Scout when he whines. Bren leaps up, but Elle holds him. She rocks him, and he stops whining. I smile, and mouth a Thank You and she smiles back. I sit with Dec and he raises an eyebrow at me. I shake my head slightly, and I shut my eyes. A sudden pain racks my head, and I feel it start at my temples. Kane snaps his head towards me. "Alexa, are you okay?" I barely shake my head before the pain begins. Echo, what's going on? I don't know Alexa. It's not me. I'm scared. I'm here. You'll be fine. Thank you Echo. Kyle kneels in front of me, and takes my hands into his. I've got you. He says. Echo perks up, and I barely nod. "I think it's time to rest." Kane says, and everyone jumps into action. "Kyle, you're not staying with Alexa." Kane say. His wolf rises to the surface and his eyes get a ring of gold. He growls but does move away. The pain gets worse when I don't feel his touch and I curl up on the floor. Echo, take over. Make me shift. You sure? Positive. Okay, it's gonna hurt a little. I don't respond, but hear my bones snapping and rearranging. I grit my teeth and I kick off my shoes. I crawl to behind a large log and peel off my clothes. My skin prickles at the cold, and coarse hair starts sprouting. I don't scream when my back extends into a tail. Some time during the pain I had closed my eyes, and now that I open them I am completely shifted. I pull myself up and walk out. Elle tries to keep Scout in her hands but he jumps away. He walks to me, his fluffy little tail wagging. I nuzzle his head and lay down. He curls up against me and I look at Elle. "Well Alexa, looks like you're a mother now." She laughs, and I let out a wolffish laugh too. I look to where Scout is, and see he's disappeared in my fur. I shake my head and curl myself around him. Kyle's eyes shine and he sits across from me, just as Kane had told him. Kane shifts, and slowly everyone else does too. The girls stay with me, and the boys basically stay around. Kane shakes his head and plops down next to me. It's the twin nightmares. Bren says with a laugh. Kane and I laugh and look at each other. I lay my head down and close my eyes, feeling the effect of today. After everyone had fallen asleep, I feel a soft nudge. I ignore it, and feel it again but stronger. I peek open an eye and see Kyle. What Kyle? It's late. I wanted to talk to you. How if I have Kane next to me and Scout on me? Sneak away. Follow my trail. I nod, and look at Scout. He opens his eyes and I nuzzle his head. He gets up, shaking his fur. He walks to Kaye and curls up between her and Bren. I look at Kane and he's fast asleep, and he moves to where his back is turned to me. I quietly get up and follow Kyle. And shift back. He says. I groan mentally, but do. I shiver and follow after him. He's sitting at the edge of the forest where a field of flowers grows until it hits the opposite side, Ace's side. "This is far away enough to where we can't be heard." He says. I sit down beside him, and I look at the flowers. He grabs my hand, "Alexa, do you love me? And not because of our reaction. For me." "I don't know you that well Kyle. But I will fall for you." He smiles that one sided grin, then it fades. "Do you love Luke?" "As a brother." That smile returns and he holds my chin with a gentleness I've never seen in him, and makes me meet his eyes. "Did you know, that at one point, my father was an Enforcer for your pack?" I try to shake my head but I barely move my head. "Which is why we are compatible. Don't I speak to your wolf, Alexa?" "You do. When she's near you, she feels wild. Reckless but safe. Luke makes her feel safe. And tied down." He smirks, "Do I make you or your wolf feel reckless and wild?" My breath catches and he takes that as a yes. He leans forward slowly and his nose brushes against mine. His minty breath fans around me, and I close my eyes. He places a feather soft kiss on my lips and pulls back. I blink, and he smirks. I grab a handful of his shirt and pull him to me. After the surprise passes, he moves his mouth against mine. I part my lips and he follows. His tongue touches mine, and I can taste the mint gum. I pull back, and he nips my bottom lip. I smile with a slight blush creeping up my neck but I kiss him again. I hear a growl and Kyle holds me to him. He raises his head looking, and I curl to his chest. I look behind us, and see nothing. Kyle keeps his eyes glued to Ace's side and I see why. Ace is glaring at us from across the way. Kyle keeps me close and Ace growls more, and fiercer. Alexa, run back and bring the guys. But stay with the girls, protect them. I won't leave you Kyle. You'll have to. Go! Hurry! I kiss him and run off. I shift mid stride and a low whine starts. I push Kane, and bark. Kane, wake up! What Alexa? It's Kyle. Where is he? At the tree line where the flowers separate Ace from us. Jason! Bren! Dec! And Luke! Come on! He barks and they jump up. They run off, barking and howling like dogs. I stay with my girls, scared and worried. He'll be fine, Lex. Echo says, trying to soothe me. What if he gets hurt? Or Luke, or Bren, or Dec, or Jason, or Kane? They're big boys. They've been wolves for a long time. They know what they're doing. Yeah, but Ace has old wolves for a pack. Even his Enforcers are in their 40's or 50's. Relax Lex. They've got it. Kyle won't get hurt. His wolf is strong. He's born to a family of Enforcers. He's going to make it. What about Luke and Dec? They're Betas. They can last. And Bren? That boy is a whole other thing. I don't reply, and sit on the ground. Kaye slinks forward and rests her head on my lap. Elle comes to my other side. Briar lays her head on my knee. Scout jumps onto Kaye and she huffs. He flattens his ears and jumps off to lay between my legs. The girls shift back, and sit beside me. "Lex, what were you doing with Kyle so far away?" I blush darkly, "Nothing." I lie. Elle snickers while Kaye and Briar look at each other. "Um Lex, we can smell your lying." Kaye says, looking down. I blush more and she giggles, "Oh did you guys make out?" I shut my eyes, and pet Scout. They all snicker, "Is he a good kisser?" Briar asks. Echo growls, and they all look at me. "Did I growl out loud?" They all nod, with wide eyes. I look down, and Scout blinks up at me. Kaye rests her head on my shoulder and Elle gives me a side hug. Briar hugs us all, and releases us. I lay on my back and they do too. I laugh and we all look up at the stars. Scout lays on my stomach and rolls onto his back like us. Elle laughs and I smile. A sudden pain grips me and I groan. I grab my stomach, feeling a sharp pain. I shut my eyes, and lay my head back. "Lex, you aren't pregnant right?" Briar asks, looking at me. "Of course not!" I say, my voice rising a pitch. She nods, lowering her head. I open an eye when I hear a lone howl. Scout turns his head to the howl, then looks to me. He blinks and it dawns on me. "You're no fox."