My Step-Dad Is My Mate
Chapter 5

"So Beta Aiden, how is has our pack been treating you so far sinceyou've arrived?"

Aiden shifted in his seat next to me and looked up at my mom with agorgeous smile.

"Well, first off ma'am you can just call me Aiden and it's been good. Imean, I have just been mainly doing perimeter checks with your Alphaand Beta to get a good enough pattern collection of when and whythese rogues disturb your pack so I haven't had much time so socialize.Honestly, you were the first to actually reach out to me.”

Let me clear up some stuff just in case you're confused. Aiden, hisAlpha and a few other members of his pack are still visiting mine sincemy birthday party to help with a little rogue situation. It's never majorbut our guards keep sensing rogues and we can never pinpoint themso Aiden and his pack are helping us

Now, currently we are having dinner with him and his parents whileRichard is sending him death glares from across the table.

"Richard, you okay hunny?" My mom as she laid her hand on top of hisand I looked away to avoid seeing the sight. Aiden nudged my arm andI glanced at him. He tapped the side of his head and I nodded briefly ashe created a mind link between us.

"Everything alright birthday girl?"

"Yeah, of course. " I replied to Aiden, trying my hardest to believe myown lie.

"What are you two mind linking about?" Richard asked as he took ahard swig of his wine.

I looked at him and sent a him a Piss off' look but of course, Richardignored it and sent me a fake smile.

"Oh Aaron aren't the two of them cute? You know sweetie, Aiden wouldhave been lucky to have a sweet girl like you for his mate.” Aidan’smom squealed out as she clapped her hands.

"Mom..." Aiden said in a warning toon and pinched the bridge of hisnose. I giggled and nudged his shoulder then sent a wink his way."Racheal, stop embarrassing the boy." Auden’s father, Aaron said with asmirk.

I felt the table shake as Richard's fist went onto it with a hard force. Allof our eyes went to him and he chuckled dryly.

"Pesky mosquitoes...” He mumbled.

"Oh speaking of mates" My mom added and looked to me with a smile."Did you ever replace yours hunny? I forgot to ask. *

My breath hitched and I found it hard to breathe again. How the hell doI answer this? 'Oh yeah mom and he's your fucking husband???" Likethat answer would be practical. I can't say that to her in front of Aidenand his family. This is private business and besides, I doubt this wouldbe a good time anyway despite the fact we have company.

Richard looked at me with pleading eyes and I knew he'd probably linkme right now if he could but I put my walls up. I plastered a fake smileon my face and shook my head.

“No. I didn't mom."

The words made me feel like throwing up but I kept a cool facade andtried to sell my lie

Richard on the other hand, was obviously seething on the other side ofthe table but I only knew because I could feel his anger through ourlink. His face was as calm as could be and also slightly relieved and Ijust wanted to claw his freaking face off.

"Awe sweetie. Well don't worry, you'll replace him soon enough.” My momconsoled me and I nodded and drank some of my juice.

"Don't worry Danica. When you replace your mate, he's going to love youso much and you both will be happier than ever.” Racheal said to me asshe smiled to her mate. The amount of love that radiated off the bothof them alone made me feel like crying more than her words.

"Enough about this. Time for desert! You guys ready?" I changed topicswiftly and everyone nodded. Standing up, I took my plate and Aiden'sas well as Racheal's and carried them to the kitchen.

"Help Danice Richard.” I heard m mother mumble and I cussed silently.The kitchen for swung open and his scent invaded my nostrils morethan oxygen itself.

I sat the plates down on the counter and soon a second pair joinedmine as he copied my actions.

"Danica..."

"No Richard. Don't just don't.”

"I don't want to hurt you like this." He whispered.

"You may not want too, but you are so you are free to shove it and getaway from me."

"Danica please. You're my mate, I love you and the last thing I want is tosee you suffer like this but what choice do we have?" Richard whisperedagain to me to avoid having anyone hearing him. Times like this iswhen enhanced hearing sucks.

I faced Richard and rolled my eyes.

"Allow me to get you a dictionary so you can replace out the meaning oflove. Richard, we wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for you!" Myvoice raising near the end and the tears escaped my eyes.

"What's taking you two so I- Danica! What's wrong baby?" My mothercame into the kitchen and ran to my side but I pushed her away andran out of the kitchen back door.

I was so unfocused and distraught I couldn't even shift into my wolf. Alight drizzle Began to fall as I ran into the forest towards my Haven. Theonly place I could release all this pent up frustration and pain.

He loves me he says...He has no choice says, but Richard has obviouslymade a choice. He made he choice to let me suffer and stay with mymother. I had also made somewhat of a choice; to reject him when I getthe strength and let them be..but that doesn't stop it from hurting.

My heel broke and I tripped and fell. All my determination to doanything was gone.

The little strength I had. Gone.

My heart....shredded.

I sat on the Cold forest floor and bawled my eyes out.

I cried for my mother, myself, Richard and I felt like that was all I coulddo. In this moment I felt helpless and weak.

A pair of hands wrapped around me and I couldn't even move to fightoff whoever it was.

"Shhh, It's okay sweetheart.”

I leaned into Auden's arms and continued to cry until I felt like Icouldn't anymore.

My entire life is a disaster.