A Mother Before A Mate
Chapter 22

When we get to Jett and Grace's, I'm surprised at how many people are here. I was expecting something smaller. Lexi seems surprised too. There is a big banner that says 'WE LOVE YOU LEXI'. This isn't a dinner party, it's a party. Jett's place is large and is open concept, thankfully, because there have to be at least 30 people here. The counter has loads of liquor, wine, beer, water, juice, soda. The island is full of food. Pizza, wings, salads, chips, dip, charcuterie, brie, fruit, cheesecake, cupcakes. Quite the spread. Lev grabs Molly from my arms, "I want to spend a little time with her before you guys go. Come see Uncle Lev, princess," he says. Jett hands us both a beer, and Lex and I walk around and Lexi introduces me to everyone. I don't think I'll remember anyone's name. Then I see Marcus making his way to us. I instinctively pull her closer. I know how he was looking at her the other day. There is no mistaking that. He tries to avoid even looking at me, but Lexi introduces us. I shake his hand, but I can't even fake a smile. I know what he wants, and I don't blame him, but I'm not going to let him think for one second that he has a chance, or that he'd survive an attempt at stealing her from me.

When I see him notice my love bite on Lexi's neck, I can't help but smile. He looks straight at my neck, and when he sees the hickey she left on me, he makes a visible frown. Like I said earlier, I like that she gave it to me. "I guess you've found your mate," he states. Lexi is smiling wide, and nods, then she looks at me adoringly. I think she is completely oblivious to the fact that Marcus is in love with her. I lean down and give her a kiss, but linger an extra second on her lips. Okay, maybe that was petty, but she's mine. "Lex, I fed Molly some pizza and stuff. Can I get her out of here? She's not having fun. You enjoy your party. I'll take her into town, we'll get some ice cream, and then we'll have a 'frozen' movie night? I'm going to miss her, I want to have some extra time with her," Lev asks. "Sure. Thanks, Lev."

"I'll put her to bed tonight, stay out as late as you want," he offers. Lexi hugs Lev and scoops up Molly, and gives her a hug and a kiss.

"Are you going to go with uncle Lev for Ice cream?" Lex asks excitedly and her little eyes brighten and she squeals, "Ice cweam? Yay!"

I put my arms out to her, so I can hug her goodbye too, and her hands open up to me. That felt really good. I give her a big hug and kiss her forehead.

"Bye Molly," we both say to her, and she waves goodbye.

We look back at Marcus, and that seems to have hurt him more than the kiss and matching hickeys.

"Excuse me," he says and walks away.

"Molly's gone! Shots! Let's go, Lex!" Jos says to her. All of a sudden, there are girls all around, and they're doing shots. Lexi hands me one every time she does one. After about five shots, she looks to me, "Okay, I'm starving," and grabs my hand and we make our way to the island. By 9 o'clock everyone is buzzed, except pregnant Grace, obviously.

"Let's go to the bar! I need a man!" Lexi's friend, Cora, whines.

The overall consensus is that the majority of people want to go. "I packed all my cute clothes, I can't go to the bar," Lexi states.

"Okay people, we're leaving for the bar in 30 minutes. Do what you have to do to get ready," Grace yells.

"Bitches, my room. Now!" Grace orders a few girls. Lexi gives me a kiss and goes off with the girls. All the girls disperse, to change. It's so weird to me that women call women they like bitches, and then women they don't like bitches.

Most of the guys hang out waiting for the girls. All the other girls that went into the room with Grace and Lexi, end up leaving after 20 minutes, saying "We'll be back," Their hair and makeup are done all fancy now. Soon enough, the ladies start piling back into Jett and Grace's place again.

Some of the women aren't wearing enough clothes. I mentally groan thinking about Lexi wearing something so revealing. Guys are throwing themselves at her when she wears an over-sized f*****g hoodie. How bad will it be if she's showing off her beautiful body? Regardless of what she's wearing, I'm not taking my eyes off of her tonight. We're going on human territory, I can't even display my Alpha dominance, and scare everyone with just a growl.

I feel someone's hand glide down my back. I turn, expecting to see my beautiful mate, but I am surprised to see Sophie, with a mischievous smile. I give her a dirty look. "Don't touch me," I snap.

"Can't we just go for a walk, you won't regret it. Lexi doesn't have to know," she says quietly and moves her hand to my arm and I swiftly removed it.

"It's not going to happen. I thought I made myself clear."

"Lighten up," she flirts.

"You're bordering on pathetic, now," my words laced with disgust. I'm being harsh, but she is disrespecting my mate, and I won't have it.

Her eyes widen, and mouth falls open, "You know what? f**k you! You're an a*****e," she raises her voice.

"Why? Because I won't sleep with you?" I question, just as loud. Everyone is looking at us now, and her face is red with embarrassment, and stomps away. Hopefully, that'll end that. The room is filled with little snickers, and Jett immediately apologizes for his sister's behaviour.

"I had to be harsh with her, she was at Lexi's the other night disrespecting Lex, and hitting on me right in front of her. I can't allow someone to disrespect my mate, like that," I explain.

"I get it. I would do the same, and if some guy was pulling that s**t on Grace, I'd expect her to put him in his place if I wasn't there to do it for her."

"Yeah." I agree. The thought crosses my mind of what I would do if another guy tried being so persistent with Lexi, and in front of me. I'd kill him either way. I'm broken out of my murderous thoughts by arms snaking around my waist. This time, it is my beautiful mate.

I turn around and see her. Her hair doesn't have its usual curl to it. It's completely straight and parted to one side more than the other. She has more makeup on than she usually does, but she still looks beautiful. She always looks beautiful. I look down and see her wearing a black glittery skirt and a white tank top.

The skirt goes about mid-thigh, and the tank top doesn't have cleavage. I feel relieved. She looks sexy as hell, but also classy. I'm glad she's not exposing too much. "You look sexy," I whisper into her ear, and then lightly nip at it. She smiles, as she leans into me, and I feel f*****g giddy with excitement.

"I love you," I whisper when we break apart.

"I love you too," she smiles so brightly at me. I see that she feels it too.

We made it to the club with our group of about 25. Almost everyone came with us. We replace a large area of chairs, and our group occupies it. I ordered a few bottles of Patron and 10 bottles of champagne and we're all enjoying a drink.

"Lexi, come dance with me," Jos says while grabbing her hand and pulling her.

"Cora, you too. Single ladies," Jos says loudly.

"I'm not a single lady anymore," Lexi tells her.

"We can pretend for one dance. Please?"

Lexi looks at me, and I smile, "Go, have fun, babe!"

She heads to the dance floor with her friends, and I can see them dancing. I'm glad because I want to keep an eye on her and make sure she's okay. I'm standing around talking with Jett, Eli, Mila and Grace, and glancing over at Lexi every few seconds. "She'll be fine," Grace smiles.

I smile back, "I know, I just love her."

"You love her?" I hear a man's voice questioning me from behind. I turn to see Marcus. I furrow my brows, confused by his question.

"Yeah!" I respond.

"How could you truly love her after just a few days? Lust happens quickly, but love? That takes time," he tells me.

"You obviously don't understand how strong and intense the mate bond is," I rebut and he shakes his head, in annoyance.

"Mate bond makes you love her body, her scent, her touch, but it takes time to love her mind and soul," he tells me. I know exactly where this is coming from and what he's getting at.

"And let me guess, you do?" I ask, with one brow raised, and a smirk.

"Does it matter?" he presses.

I stop to think for a second, "Nope! It doesn't, because she's mine," I chuckle and turn my back to him again.

"I'm sure she'd love to hear you refer to her as your property like that," he says, and I can hear the anger laced in every word. I turn back to look at Marcus for a second.

"She loves it," I smirk. "Looks like you don't know her mind and soul as well as you thought you did," I add and turn my back again, and I'm f*****g beaming with delight.

I hear a drink slam on the table, and I'm guessing Marcus is having a little tantrum. Grace smiles and I can tell she's trying not to laugh. I take a look over at the ladies dancing, and they're gone. What the hell? My argument with Marcus had me distracted. My heart starts racing faster, and then all of a sudden I see her and her friends walking towards us, weaving through people.

She makes her way over to me, and she wraps her arms around my waist.

"Lexi, we were trying to solve a debate earlier. Can I get your opinion?" Marcus asks.

"Of course," she responds. Is he seriously going to ask her if she's okay with me claiming her as mine?

"If a man says that a woman belongs to him, what would you say about that?" I can see he's got a little smirk, and he thinks he's going to catch me in a lie. He kind of worded it worse than I said it too.

"Well, that all depends. If he also belongs to her, then it's hot, but if it's one-sided, hell no!" she explains.

"I was telling Marcus you were mine, and he thought you wouldn't like me talking like that," I explained to her with a small smile.

Marcus looks so pissed off. I love it.

"You own me, babe! And I own you. Now come dance with me," she grabs my hand and starts walking towards the dance floor. I own her? HA! Could she have given a better answer to get under his skin? I'm beaming with pride. She really is perfect for me. I know her way better than he does.

He may have known her for longer and might know little details about her past better than I do, but I know her on a deeper, more personal level than he ever could. Lexi and I are dancing and she's grinding into me, and things are getting pretty hot and steamy. We're kissing, and I want to rip her clothes off. It's still early though, and I don't want to ruin her goodbye party. We'll be together every day. I want her to have a good night. "Let's go get a drink, so I can cool down," I adjust myself, and we head to the bar.

Lexi wants to do some shots: she does four, and she wants me to do them too, so I do. We are having so much fun together. We always have fun together, we are always laughing at something which is really out of character for me. I've always been quiet and more reserved. It feels really good, though.

"I've gotta go to the washroom, babe," she informs me.

"I'll wait in line with you. I don't want you going by yourself."

"That's okay, babe. Cora! Jos! Come pee with me!" she yells and they nod, and they all head to the washroom together.

I order a double whiskey, neat. I'm sitting at the bar, sipping. A blonde sits in the chair beside me, but I don't even turn my head to acknowledge her.

"Hey!" she says. I turn and give a polite nod. Before I met Lexi, I would go to the bar, and I'd pick up women and go back to their place with them. I didn't want to sleep with any of the she-wolves from my pack, because I didn't want the drama. Before I met Lex, I would have totally hit on this girl, and my success rate was pretty high. But I'm not interested one bit in anyone except my mate. No one compares, either.

Now that I have Lexi, I have no desire to even look at this woman, or anyone else for that matter.

"Aside from being sexy, what do you do for a living?" she asks, and she puts her hand on my knee.

I physically remove her hand, "No thanks, I'm taken," I tell her.

"Well, where is she? I sure wouldn't let you out of my sight if you were my man," she tells me with a smirk. "You know, it can be our little secret, she would never have to know," she adds and gives me a flirty smile. She's vile. Why would she want to hook up with someone who isn't single?

"I love her, and I'm not interested in anyone else," I say firmly, "And that's why she can let me out of her sight," I add without even looking at her.

"Your loss!" She says.

"Nope. I'm not losing anything," I scoff. I pay attention to my drink, and the bartender, and I take a sigh of relief when Lex gets back.

We go back to her friends at the back and spend the next few hours dancing and hanging out with them. Overall, I didn't drink that much, so I'm sober. Lexi isn't as bad as most of her friends, lots of her friends are slurring their words, but Lexi seems just really buzzed.