The Mating Rules

Bailee’s POV

Polly brought Travis to see me the day after Payton’s birth, my little man rushing into the room clutching a teddy bear before waving his hands at me to lift him up.

Bending over the side of the bed, I gingerly lift him up, placing him on the crisp clean sheets as he throws himself into my arms before crawling across the blankets to peer over the side of the incubator.

‘Is that my baby?’ he asks, his little voice filled with awe.

‘Swinging my legs over the side, I pull him onto my lap, ruffling his hair, ‘this is Payton, she’s your baby sister’ I introduce him warmly.

Travis’ lips part as he studies the tiny baby for a few minutes, ‘she doesn’t do much’ he finally announces, ‘when can she play chase?’

I laugh, pressing a k**s to his curly locks, ‘not for a while yet champ’ I reply, ‘she needs to learn to walk before she can place chase.’

‘Oh’ Travis pouts for a moment before turning to face me excitedly, ‘can I have ice cream?’

“Sure sweetie, when Polly takes you home you can have ice cream’ I sigh, rolling my eyes at my friend as she snorts out a chuckle.

Now, three days have passed, and Doctor McKinock has finally agreed that Payton is strong enough to leave his care.

I have been suffering from a perpetual headache from Arthur trying to break through my block against his mind links. True to her word, the Luna made absolutely sure that he couldn’t get into the clinic, I have a feeling that she told her Mate what had happened because when the Alpha came in to see me the next day, he took my hand, patting it and said he hoped that I was getting some peace.

My time is up though, I can’t hide away any longer, I need to go out there and face my Mate and the rest of the pack that I’m sure have been whispering about how the Beta hasn’t even met his new child yet.

Packing up the few clothes that Polly brought for me and Payton’s diapers into a bag, I throw it over my shoulder before moving to the small plastic cot that holds my daughter and carefully lift her up into my arms, snuggling her securely in the baby sling I already have fastened to my front.

‘Hey sweet girl’ I croon as she yawns, snuggling deeper into my embrace,

‘shall we go and see your brother? I bet he’s missing us both badly!

My little munchkin just closes her eyes, seems she’s not bothered one way or the other, shaking my head, I turn toward the door, walking over and pulling down the handle.

I suck in a fortifying breath before I tug the door open and step outside of the room that has been my sanctuary for the last three days

Stepping out into the hallway, I stride with purpose down the corridor toward the swinging doors that will lead me out into the waiting room. Walking through, I can feel eyes on me, and I turn to the nurses’ station to nod my thanks.

‘Are you OK Beta female?’ one of the women asks hesitantly, ‘do you need help to get back to your suite?’

“No thank you, I’m fine’ I reply, forcing a small laugh, ‘not my first time being laden down with a baby and bags!’

The nurse nods, her and her friends watching me until I disappear out of the front doors and out into the grounds.

I stop on the edge of the slight step, tilting my head up as the warmth of the sun’s rays hits my face.

Payton makes a soft gurgling noise and I glance down at her, a smile lifting my lips at the tiny hand that’s gripping the edge of the sling tightly.

“You happy to get out of there too, huh little one?’ I ask softly, tilting my head to press my lips to her fingers. ‘Come on, let’s get this over with’ I add before I stride forward with purpose, walking in the direction of the pack house and the s.hit storm that’s about to hit.

I greet members as I pass, stopping repeatedly so that everyone can coo over the latest in the Beta bloodline.

She

may be second born, but that doesn’t make Payton any less exciting to the lower ranks. More high ranking pups means a stronger pack and more protection

I finally enter the pack house, blinking a couple of times as my eyes get used to the dim light inside after the brightness of the sun’s rays.

‘Umm Beta’ a small voice calls out to me nervously and I turn to see the warrior that was spread out on my Mates desk hovering nearby. ‘Congratulations on your pup’ she mutters, eyeing me like prey watching a predator.

‘Thank you’ I respond curtly,

, ‘congratulations on f*****g

my Mate, I hope he was worth having your name pulled through the mud.’

‘1 didn’t ..’ she starts,

her cheeks paling.

‘Didn’t what exactly?’ I cut across her, facing her fully as l rest a protective arm across my child. ‘Didn’t know he was Mated? Despite the Alpha introducing me when he brought me back and that this is his second pup? Didn’t mean to f**k him? It just happened, right? You went in to talk about fighting strategies and your clothes mysteriously combusted leaving you naked and you couldn’t possibly say no when he made a pass at you. I mean, that would just be rude! Flaunting your nakedness, no matter how accidental it was, and then not providing a service would be a shameful reaction.’

I press my hand over my heart as if scandalised, ‘don’t worry though’ I add sweetly, smiling brightly as I continue.’ The Luna and the Gamma female have made absolutely sure that everyone in the pack knows about what happened so no one is going to think for one second that you tease men and don’t deliver.’

The she wolf flushes, stammering as I turn away from her, not interested in any further conversation she may want. I don’t care that she’s a younger wolf, or that she is lower ranked, she knew Arthur had a Mate, knew I was pregnant and she stripped her clothes anyway, she can deal with the pack’s hostility on her own.

Heading up the stairs, I reach the Beta and Gamma floor, turning to the right I head down toward our suite. Pushing down the handle, I open the door, stepping inside the light, airy living room where I find my Mate seated on the couch, reading the paper.

Glancing up, he snorts softly, ‘I see you are back’ he mutters.

Lacing my bag onto the table just inside the entrance, I nod, yes, the doctor said Payton is strong enough to leave the clinic.’

‘Payton?’ Arthur scoffs, ‘I don’t remember that name being discussed, then again, I didn’t get much say what with you getting the Alpha to order me away from the clinic’ he adds angrily.

1 shrug, moving further into the space, I like the name Payton, I pushed her out of my v****a without any help from anyone, so I decided that is what I would call her’ I respond

Arthur stands up, glaring at me angrily, ‘I would have been there if you hadn’t have been so childish’ he retorts bitterly.* Do you know how bad I look to the pack now? My own Mate banishing me from the birth of my child? These people respect me Bailee, respect my authority as the Beta of this pack, and you have undermined that authority.’

I arch an eyebrow, ‘I didn’t think you’d care’ I reply smoothly, you were so busy when I found you during my labour pains, it seemed wrong to drag you from your needs just for something as tiresome as me giving birth.’

Arthur’s face reddens, his hands curling into fists by his sides, l told you that was just a biological need’ he grits out. I’m a Beta wolf, I need release! That slut was just a hole, there was no feelings involved, it’s really no different to using my damn hand! Now you’ve had the pup everything can go back to normal, you can perform your duties so I don’t need anyone else.’

He smiles at me like I should somehow be grateful that I’m good enough to f**k him now I’m no longer pregnant.

Ignoring him, I glance around the room, ‘where is Travis?’ I ask curtly.

“In his room’ Arthur replies uncaringly, ‘1 think he’s playing with his trucks’ he adds.

Rolling my eyes, I stride past him, knocking his hand away: as he tries to reach for me.

‘Can I at least see my child?’ he calls after me as I disappear through the doorway that leads toward the bedrooms.

‘She’s asleep’ I snap back, ‘I don’t want to disturb her!

Leaving him grumbling to himself I head down the corridor, pushing open the first door to the left that opens up to the brightly painted room that belongs to my son.

Travis is sitting in the middle of the rug that has a road woven into the pattern, pushing some toy cars around as he makes engine noises.

‘Hey little man’ I coo, stepping inside and crouching down as my son’s head whips toward me, a smile breaking out on his face before he scrambles to his feet and ambles toward me.

‘Mommy, you came back’ he whisper yells, his gaze moving to the bundle on my chest before he presses his finger to his lips. ‘Baby is sleeping?’ he asks worriedly.

I nod, running my hand over his head before kissing his forehead, ‘she is, you’re OK, she’s a very deep sleeper, you won’t wake her up.’

He nods, relief crossing his face as he grabs my hand and tugs, ‘come see my cars’ he says excitedly, ‘Polly got me a new one, it’s yellow!’

“Wow’ I enthuse, shuffling on my knees after my little boy. and taking a seat on the edge of the mat as he lifts up a new car proudly.

‘It’s a race car he informs me solemnly, ‘it goes super fast, and makes a noise like neooooow! That’s what Polly said, Neooooow’ he adds, racing it over the mat with gusto.

I smile warmly, watching my son as he plays, oblivious to what is going on between myself and his father. That’s how i want it to stay, my children, free from the pain of adult life.