My Step-Dad Is My Mate
Chapter 35

"You guys are family”, I looked at every one of them and paused when Igot to Richard, "including you Richard."

Kaden wore a scowl on his face and I sighed, "I know all of you hatehim and trust me, I hated him for a while too but think about this,especially you Kaden. If he and I didn't reject each other, you probablywouldn't have ever met and you wouldn't have the chance you havenow... to have another mate."

Kaden's facade turned from a scowl to something more sympathetic ashe realized what I said.

"And Aiden, you probably wouldn't have met Adrianna when you did ifit wasn't for the rejection either and taking me out afterwards.”

"Still mad about that." Kaden muttered and Aiden scoffed

"It was before your time." Aiden said with a laugh, making Kaden rollhis eyes.

"-Sure...he caused me pain and to my mother as well.but he isn't a badguy. He cares and I know it's weird... me being friends with my ex matebut he will always be a part of my life whether I want him too or notand I can't hate Him forever. I want to keep him in my life, as a friend.Honestly, I wouldn't ask this of you guys to agree to keep your lives aswell but it will be a means of moving on from the past and getting onwith our lives."

Aiden was leaning against a tree with his arms folded and a somewhatcontent facade. He looked over at me and gave me a nod then a shortsmile afterwards.

My mother however, had a frown. Of course, I'd expect her besidesKaden to be the one who disapproved most of my decision to keepRichard in my life, but if I could try to get over it, being the one whowas hurt the most in the situation then I believed she could too. I gaveher a pleading look and she simply looked away for a moment beforeshe turned back and with a rolled of her eyes she gave a reluctant nod.My focus now trailed over to Kaden, who was squatting, glaring atRichard.

I gave him a light hit on the knee and he looked over me. Kaden sighedand stood up, and slowly strode over to Richard, who was standing abit away from all of us, watching.

The two eyed one another for a few minutes and Kaden shocked us allby stretching out an arm to Richard.

Richard watched Kaden's outstretched hand then took it a few briefmoments later.

"I'm doing this for her." Kaden said, making me smile and Richardnodded.

"Me too."

Two Months Later

"Oh come on. That's cheating.” Racheal yelled as she throw the dice onthe floor.

"You're just mad you're about to be short $200!" Aaron yelled back ashe grinned at his seething wife.

Racheal might be an extremely sarcastic person but hercompetitiveness is like..wow.

"Watching Kratos fight with Zeus?" Kaden whispered in my ear as heslid his hands around my waist.

“Yes but who is who?" I whispered back with a giggle and sipped frommy glass of water.

"Oh I think you can figure that out.” He replied as he kissed his mark onmy neck.

"Alpha Kaden! Alpha Kaden!" A little girl screamed as she ran up to theboth of us.

"What's up Marcie?" Kaden asked her as he stooped down to her level."Everyone wants to know when you and Luna are going to have a littlebaby! We want a new playmate.” She pouted as she referred to the'us'as the small army of kids who stood behind her.

"Soon." I answered, "Soon."

"Come play with us.” Marcie said as she yanked on Kaden's arm,dragging him outside with the others.

I smiled and looked around and to my awe, I saw Richard talking to oneof the older females in the pack. Her name was Sophia I believe. Heglanced over at me and I raised my glass at him, showing him myapproval and he laughed before focusing back on the woman whoseems to have stolen his eye.

Unfortunately, Aiden couldn't be here. He and Adrianna are still havingproblems. I know he's worried about her but she just won't talk to himabout whatever could be wrong with her.

But whatever it may be, I hope it sorts itself out...

And soon.

THE END