Falling in love with my Ex's Alpha Chapter 17

'MATE! MATE! MATE!' Zyon rolled over with happiness. I stood stunned, staring at him.

His beautiful smile widened, and he started to walk toward me. I just shook my head at him, hoping he understood and contained himself. He then stood still, and I noticed that his smile softened a little, and his eyes turned sad.

'What are you doing? Mate is over there! Let's go to him! We finally found our mate!' Zyon asked restlessly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that both Chad and Katie noticed what was happening. It felt like my feet had taken root in the ground, and I couldn't walk, Katie grabbed my hand, looked at me, and tilted her head towards the two of them.

"Come on, I'm here," she whispered softly.

This can't be happening. How is it possible for my mate to be a man? I've never even had feelings for a man before. I am straight! This seems like a bad joke.

I looked at Katie, and we continued strolling until we reached the table, the good smell of him was driving me crazy. He was sitting on one side and Chad on the other, as Chad was waiting for Katie to sit with him. I then turned to Chad.

"Do you mind if I sit next to Katie?" Chad looked at Katie, then he looked at my mate and he nodded. Then he turned to me.

"Of course... No problem." he got up and first greeted Katie with a hug. He must have said something to her, but I couldn't even pay attention. "Katie, Chad, that's Jason," he pointed to my mate. "He's the Beta of the pack and an insufferable one I can barely stand," he smirked.

'Jason! That's the name of our mate!' Zyon stated with excitement.

Katie held her hand out to Jason, but he pulled her in and hugged her.

"Chad told me all about you, I was looking forward to meeting you, petite girl," He said, teasing Katie. I just watched the interaction between the two.

"I'm not short. You guys are giants," she snapped.

He turned to me, and I held out my hand to shake his just to be polite. Obviously, I didn't want to feel his muscles through a hug... Obviously.

In the end, I ended up feeling it because he pulled my hand too, and hugged me.

I tried to avoid it, I pushed him, but he kept insisting until I gave up squirming.

"Jacob… I like your name. You don't know what a pleasure it is to finally meet you," He whispered in my ear.

The scent of him calmed me down. His muscles are even more rigid now that I'm feeling it. He finally released me, and I ran to Katie. We sat down in two chairs in front of them.

Disbelief held me firmly in its grip, a feeling that seemed to be mirrored by Katie's actions. Her hand slipped beneath the table, seeking mine in a gesture meant to soothe my mounting turmoil. It was as if she could sense the waves of doubt and confusion that surged within me. Her attempt to calm the tempest of my emotions a stark reminder of the inconceivable reality I now face. The touch was meant to be grounding, a lifeline in the midst of my turmoil.

Amidst the awkward silence that lingered, Katie took charge and chose what we were going to order, a role she seemed to relish. Her discerning palate always led us to the most delectable items on the menu, a talent that never failed to impress. I think that's her greatest talent.

Katie and Chad made valiant attempts to salvage the stifling silence that hung heavily in the air. Their conversational gambits were like lifelines tossed into the abyss of quiet, intending to rescue us from the awkwardness that had settled upon our gathering.

Yet, amid their efforts, I felt Jason's unwavering gaze like a weighty presence, relentless scrutiny that bore into me. The intensity of his stare was enough to ignite a simmering mix of embarrassment and irritation within me. It was as if every passing moment under his penetrating observation only exacerbated the discomfort, making the silence even more unbearable.

Before our paths ever crossed, I had been privy to vivid descriptions of Jason's character. Chad had painted a picture of him as a man who danced on the edge of recklessness, one who cracked jokes about thinking before acting and championed brute force as the ultimate solution.

Chad's anecdotes left no room for doubt. Jason was the embodiment of raw strength and unyielding resolve, a warrior who sought resolution through sheer might. In contrast, I favored a more measured and strategic approach. The dissonance between our philosophies hung in the air like an unspoken challenge.

Now, the twist of fate had thrown us together, linking our lives inextricably. The thought of sharing a bond with someone so divergent from my own sensibilities was a source of quiet discontent that simmered beneath the surface. The stark disparity in our worldviews and approaches loomed over our connection like an ominous cloud, adding a layer of complexity and tension to our newfound bond.

"So I need to pick you up more often after you leave the hospital," Chad and Katie laugh, I don't even know what they were talking about, I couldn't even pay attention, I'm lost in my thoughts and to make matters worse Jason is still staring at me.

"Will you stop staring at me?" I yelled at him. He got scared, he didn't think I was going to have this reaction, but then he immediately smirked.

"Sorry, but that must be the price you have to pay for having such a handsome face," he courted me.

Katie's eyes widened, and she put her hand over her mouth to hide her laugh, Chad turned his face away so no one could see him laughing. If I thought he was startled by what I said, I was surprised by what HE said, I gasped in shock.

"For Goddess' sake," I said, looking away and crossing my arms. He chuckled even harder.

Chad changed the subject, and Katie joined in, trying to lighten the mood.

'He thinks we're handsome... and he hasn't even seen *me* yet,'' Zyon said excitedly. I sighed.