Chapter Four: The Mate Outing

3019 Words
Kaleb's POV I drove to the hotel Elina told me she was staying at and as I reached the front, she was just walking out with Dominique. She wore gray fitted jeans along with a plain white T-shirt while Dominique wore pink leggings and a long patterned T-shirt that covered her thighs. I honked the horn and Elina saw me making her way to my car. She got in after she placed Dominique in the backseat then I drove off to our destination. "So where are we going?" Elina asked me "To the park. It also has a zoo inside so that's good for Dominique" I said to her. She hummed. "So tell me about yourself since we're friends," She said then smiled. "What do you want to know?" I asked "Just tell me what you want me to know as your friend," She said rolling her eyes "Well I'm 25 years old and both my parents are men and I'm not adopted. One of my dad's my birth giver and the other is my birth father as well. Was born and raised here in the US along with my little sister who is 17 years old. I don't have any kids and I've been single for almost 2 years now. I'm bisexual and I hate people who tap pens, talk with their mouths full, strangers who like to touch you, crowded places, people who say something insulting then say 'no offense', people who eat ice especially the cracking and crunching sound. I also have a clean hearing so I hate loud noises. Those are my pet peeves but my biggest is when people spell my name with C instead of K. I classify myself as an alpha male. I'm very competitive, demanding, driven, and confident though some might say cocky. I'm known to be a great leader and I'm very blunt. I also believe in myths. Like werewolves, vampires, all that stuff" I said to her "So basically you're an ass?" She asked making me chuckle "If you wanna put it that way then fine. What else do you wanna know?" I asked her "What do you look for in a woman?" She asked "Honesty, faithful, strong, or maybe she wants to be and I can help her accomplish that, independent, blunt, direct, confident as can be," I said "That's great. So um, have you found a woman to match up to your standards?" She asked looking over at me. "I have. She just doesn't know it yet" I said to her. She laughed and it sounded so beautiful. "You're arrogant but I like your confidence," She said to me "Thanks. So tell me what words or phrases describes you best" I said to her "Well I am independent, I go for what I want, I don't trust very easily, I grew up in foster care after my parents disowned me, I think of myself as an honest and strong person who is also confident," She said. I took my eyes off the road for a brief moment looking at her. "I'm sorry about your parents. Though I'm interested to know why you trust me to take you out when we met yesterday" I said to her making a left turn. "Well when I met you yesterday, I was surprised. Something about you just told me I should trust you and I won't regret it. I haven't trusted anyone in my life hence another reason why I never went to college. I didn't want strangers with my daughter but then I let you hold her without worrying. I'm still trying to figure out why because it scares me" She said. My wolf happily jumped barely containing himself. "Thank you. So where's Dominique's father if you don't mind me asking?" I questioned, seeing her daughter in the backseat with her headphones on. "Can't say people haven't asked me that question a lot and I'm not sure if I should answer or ignore it" She said looking out the window as we got closer to the zoo. "It's that bad?" I asked her gripping the steering wheel as my knuckles turned white and I could hear the wheel straining causing me to stop. The car fell silent for maybe 5 minutes then she heaved a sigh. She looked in the back seat at Dominique then turned back in her seat. "When I was in high school, I was popular. I played volleyball and I had boys falling at my feet but for some reason, none of them was for me. There was this one guy who was the most popular in the school and he wanted me. Men always want women they can't have and he knew I wouldn't give him the time of day. Bare in mind I was still 18 years old and still a virgin because I think your first time should be special as well as memorable. One evening I was walking home and his car pulled up next to me. Before I knew it, I was dragged away by him in his car. He took advantage of me that day and then went to school bragging about how I gave it up easily. I got so angry with him for spreading rumors about me and I beat his ass. Gave him a few broken ribs and busted his face up pretty badly. I got suspended for two weeks and I never reported him because I was less fortunate while his father owns a lot of businesses in our small town so even the cops were in his pockets. A few weeks later I found out I was pregnant and luckily I was close to graduating. I was already working so I had some money saved up so I could take care of my baby and I gave her all my attention. When I look at her, I don't see what that bastard did to me. All I see is my baby that I loved the very moment I knew about her. I did cry at first because I didn't have much money but I had faith" She said. I haven't even realized we had reached our destination and I was so f*****g angry at this point. "Is he still alive?" I asked her feeling my heart racing and I could hear it pretty damn loudly. "Yes, he is. I couldn't have killed him or I would have given birth in prison then my baby would have been taken away from me. I don't care who hurt me but there's no way I'll let anyone get away with hurting my baby. I have been through a lot with her and she has been the complete angel, my rock as well as my biggest inspiration and motivation. I will never give her the life I lived" She said to me "Sounds like you're an amazing mother," I said to her trying to change the topic "Moms are superheroes and so am I," She said making me laugh. "I hear you. Let's get out now because I'm sure Avery has already arrived" I said to her unlocking the car doors and then opening mine just as she got out taking Dominique with her. "Baby, I'm gonna leave the tablet okay? We're gonna see dolphins" She said to her "We see Dofens?" Dominique asked "Yesss baby," Elina said talking in a baby voice making Dominique giggle. The sight was heartwarming. I checked out our surroundings ensuring everything was alright then I saw Avery making his way to me with a blonde boy who I know is Emery. He's about 5'10 with a lean body since he plays baseball. According to Avery, he's a great guy who is sometimes child like and no, not like the disorder. He's just like most people who like things kids like hence the reason Avery chose the zoo. Emery is obsessed with dolphins and I don't see what the fuss is over the damn creature but apparently, he and Dominique like them very much. He eats a lot of candy and he pouts a lot or maybe whines like a baby. I swear I never expect him to be like that considering he's a jock. "Hello, again Elina. It's really good to see you again" Avery said shaking her hand "You too Avery," She said politely "This is Emery. Em, this is Elina, the little one is Dominique and my best friend Kaleb with a K" Avery introduced making me chuckle. "It's nice to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you," Emery said shaking my hand. "Likewise," I said then he shook Elina's hand. Soon he stooped talking to Dominique who blushed hugging her mom shyly. "Kale, remember to talk to Emery for me. Don't force him to want me but make his vision clearer because he's blind. He probably needs a prescription for glasses" Avery said to me through the pack mind link. I chuckled which caught their attention. "So is the park crowded?" I asked clearing my throat "Sort of. I told A we should have come in the evening but he said no" Emery said standing to his feet "Well, the later you come the more the ticket cost and we can stay until evening. I'm sure neither of us has much to do since it's Saturday" Avery said then walked off then Emery ran to catch up to him. "Shall we?" I asked Elina. She nodded putting Dominique between us then she grabbed my hand causing me to look down at her. "Hi" She beamed making me chuckle. "Hey, how are you?" I asked as we walked. "I'm fine. We see dofens?" She asked me "Yeah, we're gonna see dolphins," I said to her smiling "I like dofens. I swim with dofens" She said smiling "That's really nice but you have to swim in small a mouth of water since you're so small. When you get bigger you can swim with bigger dolphins" I said to her as a lady brushed me. I used my hand to ease her off feeling my body shiver in disgust. "So um, earlier you said you believe in myths. Like werewolves and vampires. Why would you believe in myths?" Elina asked me "There's not necessarily a why and isn't it wrong to question one's belief?" I asked her chuckling. "No, but I'm just saying I couldn't believe in something I've never seen before," She said to me "So if I show you a werewolf right now you would believe?" I asked as a guy painting faces caught Dominique's attention. "Mommy, I paint my face too?" Dominique asked looking up at Elina "Yes baby, you can," Elina said to her as we walked over to the painter as well as Emery. "So, as I asked before. Would you believe it if I showed you one?" I asked her "Yes. Where can you find one?" She asked me "You're looking at one right now," I said to her. She rolled her eyes and then laughed. "You're so unbelievable," She said making me laugh. "You said you'd believe it if you see it yet you don't believe me," I said chuckling "Whatever. So, what do you like to do for fun?" She asked me "I'm a workaholic and it's just me along with my parents and little sister. I also have Avery with some other friends" I said to her referring to my pack "No girlfriend? No boyfriend? No hookups?" She asked surprised "One night stands from time to time which isn't regular since I've been an adult. A mature one at that" I said to her "So what does this woman you have your eye on thinks?" She asked. I smiled. "I'll let you know when I tell her," I said to her After that, Emery and Dominique got their faces painted we went around the park then I bought us all tickets to the zoo. While Dominique got occupied with the monkeys, I went to talk to Emery who was busy eating a huge burrito. He smiled as I approached him making me chuckle. "This is so good. I have to buy another before I leave" He said showing me his burrito. "Yeah, I guess. So um, how is school going?" I asked him "Cool actually. I seriously can't wait to graduate though because living at home with my siblings is really stressful" He said grinning "Where do you wanna go to college?" I asked him "USC hopefully because I love this city and I'm not necessarily financed to go elsewhere. All I need is a decent job and a place to live." He said to me "I see, so any love interest? Girlfriend or maybe boyfriend?" I asked him. He chewed his burrito and then swallowed looking at me. "Can I tell you something?" He asked "Sure, what is it?" I asked watching Elina, Avery, and Dominique play with a baby monkey. "So um for a while now I've been experimenting mentally and I've found out that I'm into just men," He said to me. I already knew that. "Alright, nothing is wrong with that," I said to him "Well, my family is religious and very very homophobic. When my dad realized I'd never had a girlfriend he drilled me until I just told him I'm focusing on school since we can't afford to send me to college. Have you ever realized the majority of poor people have the most kids?" He asked me "So because your family is religious and homophobic you're afraid of being who you are?" I asked him "Well, you wouldn't understand unless you were in my position. Anyway, so I'm gonna be honest and say that I find Avery really attractive and I like him. He has also made his feelings for me known and I don't know how to react considering I'm just a regular teenager still in high school when he's a millionaire with millions of options" He said sipping from his drink "It's not about money or age Emery. I know you're already legal of age and don't you think being yourself is better than being someone you're not?" I asked him "It is but I will be kicked out or maybe they will send me off to a conversion camp. I've heard about them and honestly I am not looking forward to that" He said to me "I understand. So how exactly do you feel about Avery?" I asked him as Dominique smudged her cupcake over his nose and then burst into giggles. "Okay Kale so, if he says he doesn't like me romantically you're gonna convince him to," Avery said to me in mind link. "When I met Avery everything was so different. Most people just judge me the moment they know I play sports and think I'm an asshole. When I say I'm from a Christian family, they immediately think I'm homophobic. Firstly, not all Christians are homophobic and Avery knew that. He actually listens to me when I talk and he doesn't judge me. When I'm at home, I never get recognition as I did with him and he makes me feel important. For the first three months of talking to him, I immediately started feeling better about myself as well as more confident. I used to fake my confidence because I'm really insecure and I care about what others think about me but he made me realize that I'm normal and there's nothing wrong with me. At school I have popularity I don't need and at home where I need the most attention, I get ignored unless it's convenient for them. Avery is a great man and I fell for him. I am in love with him which is weird you know. He believes in my stupid werewolf and vampire fantasies which most people think are both weird and childish. I'm really smart and I don't necessarily care about when people think my knowledge is child-like or nerdy because I know for sure that I am smart. I may not know everything in the world but I'm smarter than most kids my age. The only reason I'm scared of a relationship with Avery is that I come from nothing and he is wealthy. People never just want to do good for me considering how small-minded my family is so it's weird." He ranted then sighed. "I'm sorry for talking too much. I get like that when I'm carried away and most of all nervous" He added "Why not give him a chance and see where it goes?" I asked him "Because my parents are homophobic and no adult would want a secret relationship," He said sipping his drink as he looked at Avery. "I'm telling you this because I know Avery wants this more than you. You're all he talks about when he's with me and sometimes it's annoying. It's always Emery this or Emery that. He gets so worked up when he doesn't get to talk to you and that leaves me to entertain him while he speaks about you. Personally, I care about just Avery's well being so I expect you to be honest with him about how you feel and stop stringing him along. He has a heart as you do and he's trying. I can guarantee you that he loves you before you even met so if you're gonna do this which you are, ensure you're not playing him" I said to him. His eyes widen at my intimidating figure. "Well, I am not leading him on or anything. I just don't want him to be in a secret relationship until I feel brave enough to tell my parents" He said to me "Well you have until tomorrow to tell him or I'm gonna convince him to move on. I'm sure he can find better" I said then walked away hearing his heart beating so fast and instantly knew he was angry as well as terrified of losing Avery. Ahh, the mate bond and the power it holds. ◈◈ ◈◈ ◈◈
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