Chapter 81: Chapter 81
Katie POV
“I won’t be too long.”
Mason’s words from earlier replay in my mind, as I look at the clock against the wall. Stella’s nap has come and gone, and bedtime is fast approaching. What the hell is he still doing with Kane and Axel?
Stella has been fussy since she woke up from her nap, and I cannot blame her. She is in a strange new place, and she must be picking up on my anxiety. Oh yeah, and I passed out right in front of her earlier. Amazing first day for all of us.
“Let’s go explore, Babygirl,” I pick up Stella after changing her diaper. “The Alpha said his home is ours, and Mommy is bored sitting around.”
I walk out of my quarters quietly, bouncing Stella to keep her at least somewhat quiet. The change of scenery seems to distract her because her little eyes are darting all around the hallway, taking in the sights.
I briefly wonder if I am not overstepping, but I remind myself of Alpha Kane’s words: ‘My home is your home.’ He said with such an intense gaze that I thought I might light on fire. Just thinking about his look sends a rush of warmth through me.
Kane has that weird way of doing that, making me feel special, like I am the only person in the room. There is just something about him. The way he looks at me and talks to me.
Wait, no. What the hell am I doing thinking about Kane like that? I am with Mason and should not think that. Besides, I am sure Kane treats me the same as any other female guest. He is an alpha, he is hot, and surely, he must be aware of his effect on women and is using it to his advantage.
Wandering the halls, I got lost in my thoughts, and now I was just plain lost. The mansion is crazy big, and I have been too distracted by all the tension earlier to notice how we got from the den to my quarters.
Could I even find my way back there? But just as I was about to start panicking, I heard Kane’s voice. Quietly, I follow his voice like a beacon at sea.
“It isn’t good for us, Axel,” he says. “It isn’t good for anyone here.”
I can barely hear him, but I notice a room with a partially open door. I quickly peek inside. I see Kane and Axel, but not Mason.
Maybe he just left and is on his way to my room. All I need are directions to my room.
“I know,” Axel says before I can knock on the door. “I can smell her everywhere, even on Mason earlier.”
Oh, no! I take a step back as a sick wave of recognition washes over me. They are talking about me.
“Being under the same roof is too much to handle,” Kane continues, and the warmth I felt for Kane turns to an icy knot in my chest.
“We’re going to have to do something about her,” Axel says in a grave voice.
Talk about being kicked in the gut! Am I truly that unpleasant or repulsive that they are discussing getting rid of me?
My heart is pounding so hard, I worry they will hear it. So, I start backing away slowly, but Stella’s lip starts quivering.
“No, no, please, baby girl,” I whisper-beg, trying desperately to pull up my shirt to get her to latch and shut the hell up.
She lets out a tiny wail, and I freeze.
Axel POV
“Did you hear that?” I frown, getting up and checking on the twins sleeping in their bassinets beside us.
“It has to be her,” Kane frowns, looking at the door.
Shit, it is open. Only a little, but enough for a shifter to hear through. We hear another baby’s cry, and then a shushing noise.
I march to the door and throw it open, Kane trailing behind me. And there, a few steps away, is Katie, her eyes as wide as saucers. My eyes travel down, pausing when I see her breast out.
Shit.
What the hell is wrong with me? She is obviously trying to feed Stella. I am not supposed to be turned on. But Blade is a whole other beast. He is pawing at me so fiercely, it feels like he is digging up my insides.
I hear Kane’s laboured breathing behind me, and I know he is wrestling with Hunter, too.
“What the fuck?” I ask, turning to face him.
“I told you,” Kane replies. “This can’t keep happening. She needs to get out of here.”
“No!” Blade roars, and I place my palms on my temples. Between Blade and Kane, my head is literally spinning.
Truthfully, I do not want her to go. I cannot even bear the thought. How did Katie get under my skin so quickly? She is Mason’s mate.
Stella’s cry rips me back to reality. Katie yanks down her shirt and bites her lip, casting her eyes around like she is looking for an escape.
I ignored Kane and Blade, acting on instinct alone and stepped forward.
“May I?” I hold out my hands for Stella.
Katie eyes me suspiciously, but hands her over.
“Do you not like what we’ve done with the place?” I ask jokingly, holding Stella gently to my shoulder, patting her back.
Stella calms down a little, and I motion to Katie to follow us into the library.
I lay Stella in the bassinet with Lanie. They are both so tiny that they fit with room to spare. We all stand back and gaze at them. A warm, soft sensation settles around me at the sight of the pups together. It feels like home.
I glance at Katie, and she is smiling so brightly that it even lights up her eyes.
“Sorry,” Katie blurts out, her smile fading. “I didn’t know if I was allowed to wander. And then I got super fucking lost.”
“It’s all good,” Kane gives her a goofy smile, and all traces of his concern from moments before are gone. “Were you looking for Mason?”
“Yes,” she nods.
“He went for a run with his wolf after our meeting,” I answer. “It got a little tense, and he didn’t want to bring the negative energy back to you guys.”
“Oh,” she smiles stiffly. “Thank you.”
“You guys are good with them,” she says, nodding toward the twins. “It’s cute.”
“Cute?” Kane teases, but I can tell the compliment hit him like a lightning bolt, the same as it did me.
“Would you prefer maternal?” She smiles quirkily, and the innocent gesture nearly knocks the wind out of me.
“Would you like to sit closer to the fire?” I ask, changing the subject. I need her next to me.
“Oh, I’m okay,” she replies sheepishly, but she is fidgeting and shuffling her feet.
Suddenly, her face turns red, and she turns away, breathing deeply.
And then it hit me. Her scent.
