The Alpha's Fated Mate Is an Outcast-Chapter 52

"You could have asked anyone else to escort you," Kaelis mumbled, not exactly very enthusiastic about stepping out of the alpha’s mansion, at four in the afternoon.

Alexis gave him a crooked smile. "Who else would I ask? Augustus? Lyndon?"

"Yes...?"

"Kaelis, they are the chief staff."

"Why did I start talking to you again?" the man screwed his face at her, annoyed.

She smiled at him. "Because...we’re friends?"

"No. We are not that close." He rubbed his temples and let out a soft breath. "What were you planning to do again?"

"I want to get a cell phone and...find a job at a convenience store. I think I’m suited for that. I don’t have to move a muscle."

Kaelis’s brows came together in confusion. "Don’t we earn largely enough as staff? Why do you need to work another job?"

Alexis shrugged. "It’s kind of personal. Besides, I have a lot to spend on. You wouldn’t understand," she said and walked out through the exit door.

Kaelis moved after her and snatched her by the arm, spinning her around to have her face him. She blinked at him. "What?"

"You can’t go out looking like this, dude."

"What do you mean?" She glanced down at her outfit, which was just a full piece of her suit, properly worn. "What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? You’re in a suit too..."

"Not exactly." The man shook his head at her, spreading his arms at her.

She examined him from head to toe. He was in slacks of course, but his suit jacket was nowhere to be seen. The white shirt was well tucked in, yes, but the arms were rather rolled to his elbows, his nice veins in full display. About three buttons were left open.

She met the hazel of his eyes. "You want me to dress like you?"

Kaelis for the first time since she’d met him, smiled widely as if she amused him. "It wouldn’t suit you, you’re petite. Come here."

He grasped her hand and yanked her closer all of a sudden. Alexis flickered her lashes but stood still as the man began popping open the buttons of her suit jacket. He spread it out, then proceeded to untuck her shirt from her pants.

All the while she darted her eyes around, never once making eye contact with him.

Kaelis fixed the tie properly and looked her over, and then proceeded to ruffle her curls. He nodded in approval. "Now you look cool."

Alexis looked herself over. She wasn’t sure what exactly seemed cool about her jacket seeming kind of oversized when left unbuttoned and nearly covering her entire palm.

"Why are we doing this, again?"

"You never know if you will find your mate out there." Kaelis grinned. "Unlike alphas, we betas have a low chance because Omegas don’t give a fuck about us. As a matter of fact, some of them reject their mates if they turn out to be betas."

"That’s cruel." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

They both grimaced.

"That’s why you need to look your best all the time. Impressive."

Alexis slowly nodded as if the information was anything important to remember. "I just want to buy a cell phone and find a job."

"Idiot. Wait until you’re thirty and still have no mate."

She chuckled softly. "I don’t think you’re the problem though. You’re quite handsome."

Kaelis smirked, but when they turned, they were jolted still by Keelion who stood, hands shoved into the pocket of the slacks he had on. His suit was tailored to perfection.

Both snapped their heads down and greeted respectfully before straightening up.

Soulless blue eyes narrowed and held her gaze.

She struggled for no reason to breathe under his intense scrutiny, and Kaelis who stood next to her was not exactly oblivious to whatever tension was hanging in the air.

Silence stretched, heavy and weighing.

Keelion didn’t smile, in fact, he didn’t even hold an expression and just when Alexis thought he was going to say something, he walked up the steps, stalking past her into his home.

The lump in her throat dropped as she swallowed and she turned to Kaelis who had his brow cocked at her. "What was that?"

"What was what?" she responded quickly.

"That tension, Alexis." Kaelis narrowed his gaze suspiciously. ’The way he looked at you..."

"W-what about it?"

"Like he wanted to devour you."

Alexis made a face at him, denying whatever he was saying. "That makes no sense."

"Only an idiot wouldn’t notice. And you know one thing I’m not?" Kaelis asked. "An idiot."

"Can we go now?" she pleaded. "Please. You’re going to get me into trouble."

"Fine. But I’m definitely sure of what I saw," he said and threw his arm around her shoulder as they headed off towards the staff erand car.

Keelion stood at the floor-length window of his office, watching with no obvious interest. He snapped to himself, scowling at where Kaelis had his arms around her.

"Always messing with my head. Wild."

[Or maybe just agree we’re going to keep her. She belongs to us. We are nothing alike]

He showed no interest in his wolf, but instead turned and slowly approached the leather chair at his table. He slipped off his midnight blue vest, and sat at the edge of the desk, picking up the expensive fountain pen.

[Here she comes again]

And a knock came at the door. The scent alone was enough for Keelion to tell who it was. His entire mood worsened.

"Come in."

Althea stepped in and shut the door behind her. Her gray eyes rose to his broad back and she stepped toward him, lifting her hands to wrap around him.

"Don’t touch me." His voice was soft, despite the very unpleasant words.

Her arms hung in the air for a few seconds before she pulled away and walked over to stand in front of him.

"I can’t even touch you now?"

Keelion looked at her. "I’m not in a good mood. Is there a problem?"

"We never discussed what happened the other day, Keelion—"

The man was in her face, so quickly, that her body reacted, taking immediate steps back.

"Never you say my first name, Althea. It’s Fane," he reminded. "Fane."

She breathed out and clenched her fists. "Do you like that beta? Are you choosing him over me?"

"Althea—"

"No, everything has changed since he came here." She tightened her fists. "I know this was an arrangement, but you’ve at least always paid attention to me. You never minded when I touched you. You never look so unfeeling when you see me. You’ve never looked at me the way you look...the way you look at him. I don’t understand, what is it about him? What—"

"I do not like the beta," Keelion said cuttingly in the calmest of tones. "There is nothing between us. But there is also nothing between you and me. This is arranged, you understand that very much. You are going to be my Luna and that’s it, that’s what you were chosen for, nothing more. I don’t want you getting into your head. Don’t cling to me, Althea, you’re only going to hurt yourself."

"Fane—"

"And you’ll have only yourself to blame, not me." His words were a warning. "I am not the kind of man you love. I do not do love. Do you understand?"

"Fane, you—"

"Do you understand, Althea?"

She bit down on her lip, suppressing the burning ache in her chest. "I understand. But at least, don’t love anyone. Be that man that can’t love and stay true to it. I’ll live with that."

She walked off, storming her way toward the door to leave.

Nyx scoffed inside Keelion’s head.

[I...adore our mate]