The Beta's Mate

10

1327

«Hey» I said to Kent, leaning my back against the counter, as I watched him rummage through the fridge for food. My heart felt like it was panicking as I tried to muster up the courage before speaking again, "You remember that attack? Where I got hurt?"

Kent grunted a reply, making me smile at his attempt to distance himself. It almost felt as if I had never left. "Why?" he asked, a curious look playing on his face, incredibly noticeable in his eyes.

I swallowed, unable to think for a moment before willing my gaze away, too caught up in his eyes. "I just- It just appeared to mind" I smiled, thinking about the state Janine had told me he had been in when he had run to tell her and Chris how I had been injured. "You know, Janine said you cried".

Frowning, Kent stopped what he was doing, turning his entire body towards me. "I didn't". God, he looked good. The dark-washed, band-shirt he was wearing clung to his chest because of his muscles and his black jeans were loose, making me smile. He knew I didn't like skinny-jeans on guys, at least not on him. It just, didn't fit right, he looked so much better in sweats.

Laughing, I wagged a finger at him teasingly, "Liar, liar, pants on fire".

"Sorry, they aren't"

"Mhmm" I continued to tease, my hands enclosing themselves over my chest as I stood leaned against the counter, noticing my cheeks heating up from the thought of his pants.

Kent just gave me a look, and I could see his eyes straining on the ring on my finger, scrutinizing it.

Something in my heart fluttered at the sight of him like this. He almost looked protective, as if he didn't enjoy the sight of me having moved on, but to be honest, I hadn't.

I loved Magnus, I really did, but Kent still owned a big spot of my heart. My stomach churned at the situation I had gotten myself into. I had never meant for anything to happen with Magnus. He was supposed to be a friend, a travel-buddy, instead I had managed to get myself drunk on were-alcohol, marrying the guy at a chapel in Vegas. It was never my intention to allow it this far, but what can you do?

"Earth to Ariana" Kent waved his hand, mere inches away from my face. His brows were furrowed, brought together in a slightly worried look.

"Ahh, sorry" I blushed. My hand went to slide through my hair as I asked him what it was he had said.

"It was" he began to speak, though he stopped to frown at himself, "It was nothing". Kent shook his head, his dark hair, falling to cover his eyes.

Swallowing, I nod although I was desperate to know what he had said.

Kent walked out, and I followed as I didn't want to be alone. Not yet. I hated the feeling of being alone, hated how secluded I felt, and I definitely hated how hard it was to get myself out, to make myself stop feeling that way.

Kent raised an eyebrow at my stalking, nonetheless settling himself comfortably on the couch. His plate now rested on the coffee table as he took the remote to the tv in hand, zapping through the channels. He stopped on a documentary about bigfoot, and I laughed at the irony of his interest in supernatural creatures that most likely didn't exist, specially as he was one that no one thought did.

I had settled myself, now on the chair beside the couch, allowing me to see him, speak to him. He may not answer very often, but it was good to talk to him.

"What?" Kent asked with a gruff voice in response to my laugh. I shook my head from side to side, still laughing a little.

"The irony, it's really cute".

"It's not ironic" Kent took a big bite of his homemade sandwich, making the words come out almost inaudible.

I laughed again, this time at the sight of Kent mumbling with food in his mouth. Some of the salad fell out of his mouth, soon resting on both the table and the carpet on the floor.

"It is" I claim victory when he doesn't answer, too occupied with eating his lunch.

Suddenly noticing the silent house, I asked, "Where's everyone? Has anything happened? Why's it so quiet?"

As I ramble on, Kent only gives me a look of boredom, although I swore, I could almost see a smile lurking on his lips, eager to show.

"Work, school, hanging out somewhere" Kent shrugged his shoulders, finishing the last of his sandwich before settling himself further into the couch, bringing his left ankle to rest on his right knee.

"Why are you here?" I asked, knowing how he usually followed my brother around.

"Watching you" His words sent a giddy feeling to my stomach, and caused a warm shiver to run through me, until he spoke again, "Alpha's orders".

Deflating, I bury myself into the chair as my eyes turn to the floor, trying desperately to blink away the small hope I had. Suddenly in a sour mood, I grumble, "I don't need a babysitter". My words earned a sarcastic look from Kent, making me even more annoyed.

"So, found any girl while I was away, or are you still the cute but brooding virgin?" I asked as I tried to bring the attention away from my continued worse mood.

Kent's eyes widened a little, making me smile inside that I had earned a reaction from him. His head moved, so his eyes met mine, before his eyes zeroed me in, eyebrows furrowed, and a frown displayed itself on his lips. The expression looked good on him.

"Ari" he said disapprovingly, and I smiled at him, trying my best to look innocent. "I'm watching something?"

"So? We can't talk?" I joke.

"No."

I laughed, nowhere near done with teasing the man in front of me. "Oh, come on, you're allowed to have girlfriends" I said, though I didn't even believe my own words. Did I think it was alright for him to have girlfriends? No, but if I was to deny him I would be the biggest hypocrite in history.

"I don't do girlfriends" His voice was deeper than normal, and I knew that I was getting to him. His eyes were strained to the tv, but I knew, he wanted to make me shut up.

"No? Seriously dude, you're like what? 400 years old or something?" I retorted, definitely not believing his words. He has had to have had at least one girlfriend throughout his years. "Dude, you're basically ancient, don't tell me you've lived in celibacy all that time".

Kent didn't answer, though he did look at me now. His eyes were trained on me, one eyebrow raised as he looked at me as if he was figuring me out. Taking his silence for his way as saying he actually had lived in celibacy for all that time, my eyes widened to the size of plates.

"Wow, respect, dude" I said, realising how lucky I had been to be given him as a mate, and how unlucky he had been to get me. Not only was my brother threatening to kill whomever was my mate as I was young, I had also married to someone else now, and through all this time, Kent had been waiting for his mate, probably angry as hell that it had been me.

The room became quiet as Kent went back to the tv, whilst I continued to gaze at the man, almost in a trance. Blushing, my eyes went back to the tv too, and we stayed like that for a while. Silent, and peaceful as we enjoyed the company of each other, or rather, I enjoyed his company, and he was annoyed by mine.

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Author's note:

Hey Everyone! Hope you have all had a wonderful week!

Please, excuse any spelling mistakes I have made and I wish you all well! <3

- E <3