The Kiss And Tell

Chapter Thirty-One

Ariana Belle

My lips burned, my cold finger tips kept running over my bottom lip as I walked back to the pack house.

My feet stumbling over rocks and branches on the ground.

And my mind kept running back to that kiss. The feeling it held.

Out of all the things I could feel through it, love was the most prominent. And it scared me.

'Don't be an idiot Ariana. We have our mate who we love.'

I know I do love Caleb.

I replied to my wolf calming her from her outburst.

'So why are you thinking of that pathetic lower class dog.' She growled.

Anger swelled in my chest as she talked ill of Jake. No matter what I knew Jacob, and I knew he was better than half the Alphas out there.

He's a beta for goodness sake!

Don't Rose.

I growled back quickening my steps like if I could outrun my mind, my wolf, and my feelings.

'You forget we are the same person, the same wolf, and I can see how much you are thinking of him Ariana!'

Shaking my head I burst into a sprint, not caring if branches cut into my legs or tore at my dress.

All I wanted was to clear my mind. To ignore everything other than nature.

But I couldn't, not for long.

Breaking into the clearing I stood in front of our massive pack house.

Where my mate and my pups were. Waiting for me to come home.

And a couple miles away was my best friend my everything waiting for me at the river.

How could I chose between my love, my family, and someone who I loved and who was there for me throughout most of my life.

'You know who you'll chose every time Ariana.'

Rose muttered quietly. Her anger melting off as my heart began to race.

I knew as well. But walking into that house, I knew everything would change.

The pack would be able to smell Jake off me. They must've heard him already and to know that he had been so close to their Luna.

It would cause a rampage.

They didn't trust him anymore. He abandoned us when we needed him the most.

And then Caleb.

He would burst with anger.

And now I wasn't sure I could assure him that my feelings, my heart, belonged to him only.

"Hey darling."

Turning back I smiled at my dad, Gerardo. "Hey dad." I sighed as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"What's on your mind?" He asked pulling me along with him.

"Nothing dad." I smiled.

"Don't lie to me. You know I could always tell when you lie sweetheart."

Breathing in I stopped walking and stepped away from his hold.

"How are you and mom?"

Frowning he crossed his arms, "It's tough but we love each other. So we're working on it.."

"And if .... If you were to find someone else. Would you ever doubt your mate bond with mom."

Biting down on my lip I began to pace back in forth.

'What the hell are you going on about Ariana.'

Rose warned her presence again clouding my mind.

"Ariana what is this about?" He asked softly grabbing a hold of my shoulders, stopping me from pacing around.

"Jake came to visit me." I blurted. "Yeah I figured. I can smell him on you. But, oh honey no. Don't tell me you're doubting your bond."

"I'm not!" I shouted.

My cheeks began to heat in embarrassment as his eyes slightly widened at my outburst.

"I don't think I am." I mumbled my eyes began to sting with tears. Smoothing down my dress I turned away from him.

"Baby girl, hey listen to me."

"When I found out that I wasn't your mothers mate, I was devastated. I even thought of letting her go so she could find her own mate. But the thought of loving someone else, anybody other than her tears me apart. Even to this day knowing that her heart doesn't fully belong to me..... I pray that you never have to experience that." His voice shook as he spoke.

"And if Jacob would have been destined to be your mate Ariana I would have been over joyed. He was such a huge part of your growth. I honestly thought you too would be. But the moon goddess knows what's best." He smiled softly.

"I never asked what you thought of me and Caleb?"

He sighed and rubbed his jaw before looking down at me.

"Caleb. That boy is a pain in my ass. And I won't lie to you baby girl I honestly wanted to rip him to shreds when he impregnated you." He growled making me laugh.

"He has screwed up royally plenty of times. But the moon goddess knows why she put you both together."

"So you don't like him?" I asked biting down on my lip.

"Well he isn't my favorite person but I see how much he's trying and I've got to give it to him. He's turned out to be a great dad and well he's working on the mate part." He chuckled.

"But if your heart wants someone else baby girl. Don't let me be the reason to hold you back." Kissing my forehead he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me until I decided it was time to head in.

I had to face them all sooner or later.

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"Ariana where have you been!" Groaning I turned around and grimaced as Quinn stood there in her grey maxi skirt, tribal print crop top, and her tapping bare feet.

A sign that she was pissed.

"I went out for a run, mom." I joked trying to make her laugh.

"It isn't funny Ari! I was worried sick I went out to go look for you. But then your stupid idiotic annoying cousin went after me!" She burst slamming her foot against the tiled floors.

"That hurt didn't it." I laughed noting her grimace.

"Screw you." She laughed.

"So how mad is Caleb? On a scale of one to ten." I asked as we interlocked our arms and made our way into the house.

"Hmm let me see. After he heard Jacob was back on the territory. I'd say about fifteenish."

Frowning I sighed and stopped outside his office door.

"So I guess I should go in alone?"

"Good luck. I'll be in the back with the kids." Kissing my cheek she wished me good luck before she rushed out of view.

Breathing in I knocked on the door before pushing it open.

"Caleb?"

Before the door fully opened he grabbed a hold of my waist and hugged me to his chest breathing in my scent only to pause mid way.

"Before you say anything. Just know he didn't hurt me. He's just confused." I spoke hushing him before he could say anything.

"Confused?" He spat pulling away from me to stare into my eyes.

"He left us here without a beta Ariana. He isn't just another wolf here, he's here to protect this pack. He knew better!" He shouted slamming the door shut.

I jumped as the sound echoed through the office. "And then you go and meet him, do you see how this makes us look? My mate going to see a traitor?"

"Jake isn't a traitor! And I didn't go meet him!" I shouted back pushing his chest as I walked in.

"Don't lie to me Ariana!"

"I am not the liar! I have never lied to you!" Shaking my head I run my fingers through my knotted hair.

"What did he want with you?" He asked crossing his arms across his chest. Just by looking at him I knew that if I told him he would burst. His veins were popping out and his fist began to curl.

"To see me." I mumbled crossing my own arms.

"And?" He stressed grinding his teeth.

"Why do you want to take steps back in our relationship when we were just starting to fix everything Caleb!" I groaned rubbing my temple.

"Don't change the subject Ariana. You know our relationship means everything to me. But this is different."

Sighing I avoided his stare as the words spilled.

"He told me how he felt for me." I whispered knowing he would hear me.

"How does he feel?" I could hear the grinding in his jaw. And I had the urge to snap at him for doing that to his teeth. Anything to get away from this conversation. But I knew it was hopeless.

"Caleb please." I begged staring down at my feet.

"He told you he loved you didn't he?"

I nodded

"Did you respond."

"I said I loved you." Rolling my eyes I glared at him for making it sound like I would fall into his arms.

'You did'

"There's something you aren't telling me Ariana." He stressed rubbing his face with his palm.

"Please drop it Caleb. He wasn't here to harm us." I begged once more walking to him.

Wrapping my arms around his waist I laid my forehead on his chest.

His heart beated wildly in his chest. And as his arms wrapped around me I could feel his tension his anger. And I knew that he wasn't going to drop it.

"I'm sorry but I can't."

Shutting my eyes I told him.

"He kissed me."

Authors Note;

Four more chapters to go!!! It's almost over and it kinda makes me want to cry but then I also want to finish because you guys deserve it! After a year, months, weeks and days of waiting. Jeeez you guys are the best!!!

Also this chapter might be choppy... I was watching the voice. I'm sorry 😔 but it's Matt McAndrew and John Williams 😍😍😍 love them!