Falling in love with my Ex's Alpha Chapter 77

***Katherine***

As soon as the words left my mouth, he looked at me with a stunned look, and then quickly, his reaction changed.

I can feel the hatred emanating from him, I hurry to explain, "It's because... Well–"

"Is it because of Chad?" he interrupts me with a harsh voice.

"What? No! No! It's not that. It's because..." I let go of him and wrap the blanket around myself, suddenly feeling very exposed to the change in tension in my room.

"So what's this about, Katie? What important reason do you have for me not to mark you?" He speaks ironically, and when I look at him, he is already wearing the black shorts he was wearing when he got here. He takes his shirt while I analyze the words carefully.

I don't like seeing Kaiden angry because he transforms in a way that makes me a little scared.

"Kaiden... I would like to first tell my parents that you are my mate before you mark me. I would like them to meet you first. You don't even know I have a brother! I just wish they knew first." I say the last part a little low, looking at my hands because I don't want to see his angry face right now. It feels like we don't even know each other well.

He sits on my bed and puts one hand on top of my hand and the other he uses to gently lift my face so I can look at him. He takes a deep breath before saying, "Okay. I can wait a little longer." His voice a little colder, he asks, "When?"

I can't control the huge smile that appears on my face after seeing him understand my reasons, "I'm going to my pack the day after tomorrow, and I'll tell them."

"And you just decided to let me know that you're leaving my pack now?" He lets go of my hand and narrows his eyes.

"Well, I forgot. I was going to tell you, this whole fated mate thing is new to me, Kaiden," I confess.

"Don't you dare leave my pack without informing me first." He speaks sharply and cups my face with one hand, "Do you understand me?"

I try to assimilate what he said. Well, it's not a very insane demand, "Yes," I say, looking into his eyes, and he smirks.

"Good girl," he says, and I try to hold back another smile because it feels like there are butterflies in my stomach. Immediately, I get goosebumps.

I take advantage of the fact that he is calmer and ask, remembering that we were in a fight before all this. "You're going to leave Chad as Gamma, aren't you?"

"I don't know, Katie," he makes a serious face and walks away from me.

"For me, please."

He curses. "Okay," he says as if he's been defeated. I smile a huge smile of happiness. Chad deserves to continue as Gama, it would be very unfair to him if he loses his position.

I lean in enough to hug him. "Thank you," I whisper close to his ear.

"Don't ask me for anything else," he says firmly, and I chuckle.

"I need to go," he stands up.

"Wait," I say, and he turns to me. "This is the last time I'll see you before the trip... Aren't you going to give me a goodbye kiss?" I say, blushing from face to neck, but it's worth it.

"Okay," he nods and gives me a peck on the lips before leaving the room.

And I'm staring at my bedroom door that he closed when he left and thinking about how much I should have specified for him what kind of kiss I wanted to say goodbye.

🐺 🐺 🐺

"You know, Jake, this is what normal people call torture," I tease, throwing him a mock glare.

Chad smirks beside me. "And here I thought we were going for a leisurely stroll."

The park is bathed in the soft, early-morning light of spring, a picturesque setting for what is about to unfold. We stand together, Char, Chad, Jason, and myself, ready to embark on our grueling training session. It's 5:30 a.m., and the world is still waking up, but we're wide awake, thanks to Jake's torture. And apparently, we're going to stay here for a while longer because he seems to have an endless arsenal of exercises up his sleeve.

The air is cool, carrying the promise of spring, mingling with the crispness of morning dew. We've already run for half an hour to warm up, and now We've been at his workout for half an hour, but Jake's unyielding.

Jake chuckles, undeterred. "Oh, you guys are just getting started."

We dive into the routine, each movement demanding our full attention. The ground feels solid beneath me, a reassuring anchor as we power through push-ups and lunges.

As we transition, Jake turns his attention to me. "KitKatie, your lunges need work. Keep that form steady."

I shoot him an exaggerated scowl. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind while I'm dying."

Chad can't contain his laughter, and even Jake cracks a smile.

"You don't think you're getting too hard on Katie?" Jason defends me.

"I agree with Jay," I say with a bratty smile.

"Today, I'm working harder because I know she won't work out a single day while she's at Three Tree." He gives me a stern look, "Every time, it's the same thing. She promises to work out every day of the trip, and when she gets there, she doesn't even remember that there is 5 o'clock in the morning during the day." Jake rats me out.

I roll my eyes. This is the truth, but that doesn't mean it needs to be said. "I promise to go this time. Trust me!" I say, even though I know it's a pure lie.

"Are you going to your pack?" Char asks. I love it when she comes to train with us.

"Yes, Jake and I are going there tomorrow, why don't you come with us? Jason is going too," I ask her. In fact, that was the reason I asked her to come work out today with us.

"I want to go too," Chad says, getting up to get some water.

Jason and Jake look at each other, talking silently with just their eyes since they can't talk via mindlink. "Sure, why not?" I tell Chad.

"I need a vacation, to tell you the truth." Char finishes her repetition and sits on the floor to wait for the next set. "How's your pack?" she asks.

"Well, it's very different from here. It's tiny but very cozy. You'll love the rivers and waterfalls there. Plus, there are thermal springs water, I'm sure you'll love them!" I'm trying to sell my pack. Internally, I'm rooting for her to go with us because I really like having her around.

"Sign me because, after this description, it's impossible for me not to go!" She says happily, "I just need to sort out a few things first. It'll be nice to meet Jake's family, and it's been a while since Jason, and I have been on a trip." She says the last part with sadness in her eyes. I don't ask because I think if she wanted to say why, she would have.

I didn't invite Kaiden because I thought it would be better to talk to my parents before they met him. Kaiden isn't the friendliest person in the world. I'm afraid of my parents' reaction before I explain it to them, and I'm afraid of trusting Kaiden there, and he somehow makes the situation even worse.

I'm sure my parents will be happy that I have a fated mate, but I don't know how much they know about Kaiden's ruthless reputation.

I'm really excited to go, but I'm anxious to tell my parents all the news. This is a totally different trip from the others. The last time I was there, I didn't know about my gift as a healer, much less that Kaiden is my fated mate.

I wanted to see Kaiden tonight, but I don't want to bother him, because I know how busy he is, especially because he's the Alpha of the pack.

"Jake, if I survive this, I'm demanding breakfast in bed." Jason says with a cocky smile.

Jake's laughter is infectious, and it spurs us on. "Only if you make it through the next set." He says, blushing.

Everyone complains, but as the sun rises higher in the sky, we push ourselves through the last set of exercises.

We catch our breath, our bodies exhausted, and by the time we're done, we're a collective mess of sweat, sprawled on the grass like fallen soldiers.

Jacob surveys us, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Well done, team. You've earned yourselves a well-deserved break." And then he turns to Jason. "And you, a breakfast."

I give him a mock salute, my breath still ragged. "You're too kind, Jacob."

He laughs as he holds out his hand for me to get up.

In this park, at this ungodly hour, while they talk and tease each other, I start to think how grateful I am to have met Char, Jason, and Chad.

*Especially* Chad.

🐺 🐺 🐺

"Are you sure you got everything?" Jake asks for the fourth time.

"Yes, I do. I've already checked off the entire checklist." I respond and look at Jake and realize he is apprehensive about something else. "Hey, everything will be fine. Your parents will love Jason. There's no way it could happen otherwise!" I say as I approach him and try to get his attention.

He stops checking his luggage and takes a deep breath, and then he sits in a chair next to him. "I know... But I'm still scared that they won't accept him."

"They will! Don't worry about it, Jake. They'll be more than happy for you to find your mate!" I say, running my hand through his hair, he looks at me, I'm standing in front of him, and I see how much this is bothering him just by the look he gives me.

"If by chance something goes as you didn't expect, we won't even unpack our bags. We'll just come back!" I told him seriously. "Besides, don't forget that my parents miss me as much as they miss you! They will be so happy that you finally met your fated mate, Jake!"

He nods, takes a deep breath, and stands up. I hug him tight, and when he lets go, he starts carrying our two luggages. "Well, at least my fated mate isn't Kaiden. Just imagine having to introduce him to your parents," he says mockingly as he heads towards the exit.

I grab our carry-on suitcase and close up our house. When I get close to him, I jump and give him a light slap on the head, "ha ha ha".

We walk to the exit, "I'm glad Kaiden isn't going. First, I tell my parents. Second, they assimilate the information. Third, they accept the information, and fourth, I introduce Kaiden to them." I conclude with a smile. "That's a great plan. Foolproof plan if you ask me!"

"Certainly, there is no better plan." He says with a naughty smile that I don't understand until we leave the building, and he says, "You just forgot to tell Kaiden to follow this script."

He points to Kaiden standing in front of his car. I immediately stand still without understanding what he is doing here! He just came to say goodbye, right?

I walk towards his car and see that Char and Jason are already inside and waving at me, while Jake greets Kaiden and heads towards the trunk.

Wait, what?

"What are you doing here?" I shout at Kaiden, and he takes the bags out of my hands.

With a cocky smile, he answer me. "You didn't think I was going to let my mate travel alone, did you?"