The Alpha's Mate

9

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!" I snarled the words out as I threw down my controller, crossing my arms and pouting.

Jace, Sasha, Esbeth and I were playing Mario Kart. They were ganging up on me since I was better than all of them and they didn't want me bragging that I'd won. Caine and Misabelle were curled up together on the couch and had been laughing at my frustration for the past twenty minutes or so.

It'd been three months since the incident. I'd visited my parents' graves every day for the first two weeks since I'd missed their funeral and I couldn't help but feel responsible for their deaths. It didn't help that Noah knew everything and was pissed at me for getting pregnant. Like it's my fault!

Wait, it kinda is. But still...

Jace pulled me onto his lap and cupped his hands around my swollen belly while placing kisses on my neck. I giggled, pulling my shoulders up to my ears to stop the tickling sensation it gave me. He chuckled and lifted me so that he could place me on the floor between his legs which were now framing me in.

"Don't be a sore loser, baby."

"I'm not a sore loser! I just don't like losing."

"Uh-huh, right. Whatever you say."

I snickered and crossed my arms over my chest. He was so whipped, he didn't even want to start a playful banter with me. The twins were bickering over the remote for player one. I just rolled my eyes.

"Whoa, game night? And you didn't invite me?"

I grinned at my brother's teasing tone, craning my head back to look at him. "Hey bro! I'd get up to hug you but then I'd have to go through the effort of sitting back down."

"Typical, Laylee. So very typical. You're even lazier now that your carrying that bun."

Jace laughed and his thumb started drawing circles on my protruding abdomen. I stuck my tongue out at Noah, snuggling deeper into Jace's chest. Esbeth had turned and was staring at my brother with a dazed expression. Noah noticed and smirked at her, winking and using all of his 'pretty boy' charm.

"Whoa, don't wear yourself out there, Noah. Save some of the charm for later. Bad move wasting it all now." I teased, laughing when he scowled at me.

"Like it's my fault that you've got hot friends that I feel the need to impress." He looked back down at Esbeth and winked again. I rolled my eyes and leaned back into Jace's chest.

Esbeth blushed deeply and turned back to face the screen again. Jace chuckled softly and I tilted my head back in his shoulder, looking up at him. He dropped a kiss on my lips, then brought his lips to my ear.

"She... Well, actually, her wolf recognized him as their mate."

I snorted, drawing all eyes to me. I grinned widely and crossed my eyes, knowing that they'd all lose interest after I pulled that face on them. Sasha rolled her eyes but sent me a smirk, knowing that I was playing something off. I looked back at her with wide, innocent eyes which cause her to shake her head, then jump back into the video game.

"Hey Laylee, when are you finally gonna pop that thing outta you?"

"Soon hopefully. I'm tired of not seeing my toes and having to waddle around everywhere."

"That reminds me, I took a video of you the other day. I think one day you'll be able to look back on it and reminisce the peace and quiet while it was still in you."

I leaned over and smacked Noah's arm. He laughed even though he rubbed at it. Caine grinned but quickly hid it in Misabelle's hair. There was soft snickering from behind me and I craned my neck around to glare at Jace. His eyes widened and he stopped laughing. Instead, he dropped his gaze and looked very much like a child whose hand was caught in the cookie jar.