Long Awaited Mate Is A Baby novel Chapter 18

Allie runs her small fingers over the light stubble on my cheek. "Is that why you shock me?" she questions softly.

"Yes, baby girl," I answer her. Unconsciously I close my eyes an lean into her touch. The effects of the mate bond may scare her, but they have the exact opposite effect on me.

She takes her fingers and uses them to pull my eyelids back open, causing me to state straight into her blue ones.

I wait for her to say something, but she doesn't. And that scares me.

"How do you feel about that, baby?" I question as gently as I'm able. My wolf inside is howling just at the mere thought of losing Allie.

"Will we be like my momma and daddy when I'm big?" Her eyes are wide and innocent, and I can practically see the gears turning over in her head.

And before I can even think of something else, I'm responding in a way I never thought I would to my mate. "Not if you don't want to, baby. I'm fine where we're at,"

My statement is a lie and me and wolf both know it. Right now I'm fine with being Allie's protector, her best friend. But I know that even though I don't feel it now, I will. And one day I'll want more with my mate.

"If you want to stay my best friend forever then that's fine," I continue against my better judgement. "Whatever you want, baby,"

Allie stays stock still, then glances at me through her dark, thick, eyelashes. "Kaden?" she questions.

"Hmm?"

"Momma said that mates have things that they do when they find each other, but she didn't tell me what. What are they?"

My breath hitches in my throat. This is what I wanted to do. Maybe second wants it too?

"Well, the first thing is the mark," I explain.

Allie raises a small, caramel colored eyebrow. "What's a mark?"

I pull her closer to me and kiss the spot on her neck where I would mark her. Just so she can understand better.

"Its a special thing that shows everyone that you have a mate, and who they are. It shows up right here," I kiss her in the same space again.

Allie giggles and and leans into me. "Does every mate do it?" she asks, smiling up at me.

"Yes, most of them do," I respond.

"Why don't they all?"

"Well some mates don't like each other and they are rejected. But I'd never reject you," I kiss her forehead, away from the spot that's tempting me to claim her right this second.

"You love me, don't you?" Allie whispers.

Maybe I shouldn't, and maybe it's too soon, but I believe her. If she says he's ready, she must be. But there's still one more thing she needs to know.

I hold Allie even tighter to my lap and kiss her hair carefully, trying to soften the blow if what's coming next to her.

"Allie, before I do it, I have to tell you something,"

She nods, and looks up at me, expecting. But she couldn't anticipate what I'm about to say, there's no way.

"Its going to hurt at first, baby. But not long," I murmur, studying her reaction with intent.

Allie pales at my words and ducks her self into my chest, shaking lightly.

Maybe she isn't ready....

"Baby, you okay?" I question, leaning down closer to her; I hear faint whispers escaping her. They tug at my heart and almost make me regret bringing the whole situation up.

"How bad will it hurt?" Allie whispers, lifting her head up to see me. Her blue eyes are brimming with tears and in reflex, I clutch her tighter.

I take my fingers and wipe the tears from her eyes warily, kissing her cheeks when they cease they cease to flow.