Beauty and The Beta (Bailey)

Chapter 0126

Caleb had sat himself down on the sofa in my office, and now he looked at me with curiosity. “Oh, really? Am I missing something? Was there a little more than welcoming the new girl that went on Asher?”

I felt anger rushing over me. How fucking dare he imply I tried it on with the poor girl. I did not think of her in that way, and I knew for definite she would not be looking at me in that way either. We were far from being compatible. “Don’t be so fucking ridiculous.” I snapped. “She had been upset when I passed her in the corridor, but she wouldn’t elaborate as to why.” I lied.

Caleb nodded, looking at me with suspicious eyes. “Is that right?”

Great, now he thinks I have a thing for the new teacher. Just what I need. Especially if Eden gets a hold of that piece of information, she will be doing all she can to match-make. And that is just not going to happen. My mate had been Isla. I was destined to be with her, and fate had chosen her for me. After her, I was doomed to be alone. Live a lonely life on my own.

“Yes, that is right. I do not like seeing someone upset, especially if it could bring trouble to our pack, Caleb. But, I assume you looked into her past appropriately, did you? Her family history, mate etc?” I demanded, hoping this way Caleb may look into things for me.

“Erm… I don’t know, I left it all with Eden. She seemed pretty determined to have Bailey working here.” Caleb said with a shrug, like he wasn't even concerned, only irritating me considering the things I now knew.

“So no checks were done then?” I demanded, and I saw Caleb puff his chest up at me in a dismissive motion.

“Not a clue. She is a Beta’s daughter, Ash, not like she is going to be causing problems for us. She seems sweet enough. Obviously got you hooked already.” He winked at me.

Zion sharply and unexpectedly pushed forward, causing me to growl, causing Caleb to look at me with his eyebrows raised, not in the slightest bit intimidated by me nor my wolf. “Oh really?” he boomed. “Back off Zion.”

“Well, do not imply I am sweet on some fucking new girl to pack, just because I am concerned about her when the truth is, I am on edge for the safety of our pack. You are questioning my loyalty to Isla in even suggesting that.” I snarled, turning away from him, my fists clenched, moving toward my coffee machine.

“Ash. I was messing. And it is not questioning your loyalty to Isla. She will always be your mate.” Caleb’s voice was softer now, as he joined me by my side. A look of concern upon his face. “I am sorry if you saw it that way. It was meant as a joke. But, even if you did choose to look for another mate, there would be no shame, you know that, right? That is not betraying Isla. What you had will always remain precious. She will always remain your fated mate, and you hers. Fated by the moon goddess. But, I doubt Isla would want you alone and isolated forever. Not when you were so young, when she left you.”

His hand was upon my shoulder as I messed with the coffee machine, sorting it to allow me to make my morning coffee, desperately wishing I was anywhere but here, and able to avoid this conversation. His words were gripping at my heart. They hurt. I would always be Isla’s. I could not think of myself as somebody else’s. That to me made it feel like I was forgetting her. Betraying the bond we had. And I don’t think I could forgive myself for that.

“Well, that is irrelevant, Cal, because it isn’t happening. Least of all with the new girl, so back off, right?” I said bluntly, while Zion, stalked away, curled up in the far reaches of my mind, his emotions such a mess…