The Alpha King's Series

CHAPTER SEVEN.

BRINLEY.

It felt like knives all over my body as I hit the water, but that was a rush. So much adrenaline was pumping through my veins. When I surfaced, Thomas was already above the water smiling at me as I came up. "Fun, huh." I couldn't help but giggle, "Yeah, it was.” "I got a blanket sat out over there. Do you wanna talk for a while?" I nodded, "Okay," We both swam towards the shore, not bothering to get dressed, knowing we would be back in the water. "How many girls have you brought here?" "Girls?" Thomas chuckled, "I don't fuck girls, 508."

My mouth went dry and unable to form words. "I've brought a few women here, though." I didn't say anything. Instead, I watched the waterfall and how the water hugged the rocks as it fell into the pond. I knew that Thomas wasn't a virgin no way he could be looking the way he does. That only made me more insecure, knowing I haven't slept with anyone, and Thomas will not want someone inexperienced that he thinks will cling to him. Thomas chuckled, "Don’t think so hard. Your cause wrinkles." "Would wrinkles make me more appealing to you?"

"You're kidding, right?" I met Thomas's gaze, but I stayed silent. Thomas hovered himself over top of me. His body was only mere inches from mine. And the unfamiliar ache in my core began to throb. "508, you're beautiful. And if you think it's easy for me not to be able to touch you, to kiss you— your wrong." Again, my eyes fell to his defined chest, and this time, I couldn't help myself. I ran my fingers over his chest and the hills of his abs. Thomas closed his eyes. I can feel his muscles retract from my touch by taking a deep breath. No doubt he feels the spark. "Why are you against my age? Were mates that shouldn't matter.”

Thomas opened his eyes, and they locked on mine. Thomas moved back to his side of the blanket, lying on his back, looking up at the stars in the black sky. My body missed his heat and the way he made me feel hovering over me. "My father, Harry, was not a nice person. He would beat on me and my half-brother Knox. One day I got the courage to ask him why he hated us so much. I was eight, so I didn't fully understand. I knew my mother had an affair with James Deluca. Who is Knox's father, but why hate me? I was his blood son. He was miserable because my mother wasn't his mate; he was forced to kill his mate. She was sixteen. He was twenty-two." "He killed his mate because she was younger?" "No," Thomas shook his head, "She had two mates and chose the other guy close to her age. My dad couldn't handle the rejection, so he killed her," I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Thomas," I whispered his name low. His silver eyes met mine, and at that moment, I knew. Thomas didn't need a mate right now; he needed a friend. Thomas's childhood sounded as bad as mine was. But, even though Delores was a step-monster, she did care for me more than my father and sister. Delores even trained me in the field when she could sneak away from my dad.

"You don't want a mate, do you?" "I'm not rejecting you," Thomas said, clenching his jaw. I furrowed my brows, "I don't want you to reject me, Thomas. Just be a friend,” "You'll be okay with just being friends?" I nodded my head. Thomas sighed and shook his head, "The more we are around each other, the stronger the mate-bond gets. Can you handle that?"

"Can you?" He inhaled and exhaled a deep breath, "I can try if you want me to," I purse my lips, "Okay," I nodded. I crawled on my hands and knees over to Thomas. He arched his brow. "Let's go swim," I told him, and he nodded.

ONE WEEK LATER

Today Julia and I are going into town for coffee. I'm glad we both get the same day off. Julia and I have become great friends. Unfortunately, though her tendency to speak her mind doesn't bother me, she can often get pretty raunchy. And that is just outright embarrassing in public. "Are you in Thomas still in the friend zone?" Julia asks. I nod, "Yes," She groans, "I don't know how you can stand it." I shrug, "We both decided to take things slow," I lied. It was either friends or Nothing, and I didn't want him out of my life entirely, so I chose friends. Thomas was right about the mate-bond. The more time we spent together, the stronger the bond got.

"Well, Xander and I. Can't keep our hands off each other,” Julia laughs, "So things between you and Xander are good then?." Julia nods, "More than good. It's a lot of up and down." I blushed and covered my face. Julia caught me off guard, but I should have suspected it.

I haven't seen Katie yet, nor have I called Amanda back since she told me her mate was Gabriel. I miss my friends, and I could use their input to express my feelings toward Thomas. I like Julia and all, but she is twenty-one and so wild. So, it is hard to talk to her sometimes. I plan to ask Kyle if I could see Katie if it's only for a minute or two. I really need my friend.

"I'm going to see Xander. Do you wanna meet him?" Julia asked. I shook my head, "I haven't had to meet him yet, and I don't plan on making a social call to him." Julia laughed. "I'll see you soon then?" I nodded, "Where can I find beta, Kyle?" Julia arches her brow but doesn't ask me why. "Second floor in his office maybe. Ask your escort he will lead you to him,” I nodded, "Thanks."

I pressed my buzzer, which sent a signal to Tyler that I needed him. Hopefully, he will take me to beta Kyle. After ten minutes, a knock came on the door. I walk to the door and open it. "508. You called?" I nod, "I need to see beta Kyle," Tyler frowns, "Why?" I shook my head, "That's none of your concern. I want you to take me to him,” Tyler nodded. "Follow me,"

The palace was breathtakingly beautiful with all the hand-carved woodwork and marble flooring. Everything else was modern but still had its character. Tyler led me to the second floor and Kyle's office. "Here he is. Do you need anything else?" I shook my head, "No, thank you," "Hey, will you go on a date with me? Next Saturday?" Oh, my Goddess, what should I say? No, I have a mate? Or yes? "Can I think about it?" Tyler nods, "Of course, you can. You can tell me your decision Tomorrow?" "Thanks," Tyler walked back the way he came, and I faced a dark brown door. I knocked, and moments later, he spoke.

"Come in,"

I walked into Kyles's office, and it was Nothing too fancy. But it was a friendly office. Primarily everything in it was black. "508. What can I do for you?" "I want to see Katie, please.”

Kyle sighed, "That's not allowed. I've had to explain this same thing to her. I cannot favor one slave over the other. It's not fair." I purse my lips, “The other slaves are much older than me. And they've all had sex. I have things happening I need to talk to Katie about.” Kyle arched his brow, "Talk to Mrs. Bates. She can help you."

"Kyle, please?" He ran his fingers through his hair, "Fine, I'll mind- link her here, and you can have five minutes with her. Only this once.” "Thank you so much, Kyle," He shook his head, "Katie has been wanting to talk to you about some things." With that, he walks towards the door. "She's here,” He informed me.

"I know—the smell of flowers and saltwater. But the smell is different now,” Kyle smiled and opened the door, and Katie walked in.

Her strawberry blonde hair came down in waves. Her blue eyes were bright, and she was glowing with happiness. "What was important?" She asked Kyle, and he gestured with his head towards me. Katie's face lit up.

"Oh, my Goddess. Brinley,” She said, running to embrace me. I open my arms. "I've missed you," I told her. "I've missed you too,”

"I'll give you two some privacy. Ten minutes, and 508 has to go back.” Katie narrowed her eyes at Kyle. "Her name is Brinley,” Kyle shook his head and left the room. "Brinley, I have so much to tell you." I nod, "I have a lot to tell you,"

"Brinley, I'm pregnant.”