Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136

“Merry Christmas,” Kyle said, plopping down next to me.

I smiled at my big brother. “Merry Christmas.”

“Crazy year, right?”

“Definitely. I mean, who would have thought this time last year that you would even be thinking about kids, let alone have one on the way, Daddy,” I teased.

He looked at his mate and the love apparent on his face was fascinating. A year ago I hadn’t known Kyle was even thinking about a mate, let alone had found her and kept it to himself for two years.

“How’d you do it?” I asked him.

“Do what?”

“Keep it from her. How did you live over two years of your life seeing your mate every day and not act on it? Not show even a hint of recognition?”

He frowned at my question. “It was a sacrifice I had to make, and in hindsight, knowing what I do now, I’d never have waited to talk to her, E.”

I felt like he was trying to

onvey to me more than his words, but I didn’t want the truth of them to resonate with me. I wanted his secret on how to deal, so that when the inevitable time came, I could

face Patrick with as much indifference as he had shown all that time to Kelsey. I didn’t want to make

a fool of myself. I didn’t want to be mean about it. But I was too scared to risk a life with him knowing I could lose him to something as stupid as the challenges. I knew my heart couldn’t take it. I wasn’t strong enough. I couldn’t love enough to endure that.

The heaviness in my heart lifted some as we sat around opening presents. I got a beautiful blue cashmere sweater, two new books I’d been wanting, a couple of gift cards, a planner for the coming year, and various other odds and ends. My favorite was a diamond heart necklace. It was stunning, but simple enough to wear every day. I adored it, but there was no tag on it and no one would confess who it was from. I didn’t care. It was my favorite. I knew my siblings wouldn’t tell me because it was over the fifty–dollar per–person limit we maintained to keep Christmas somewhat in control and sustainable. It was fine by me. I needed a little spoiling this holiday.

You would think our pack would go all out for Christmas, but it wasn’t like that. We went all out for

64.6%

New Year’s, whereas Christmas was a more low–key, individual family affair. It was intimate and I loved it. It was a time to just enjoy those closest to you.

I looked around at each of the people I loved, ending on Kelsey. “Kels, I’m so happy to have you here with us this year. We love you. You’re not just pack, you’re family.”

I don’t know why I said it, but it was true. Of course she immediately started bawling and Kyle shot me a death glare that made me smile. I hugged my sweet sister–in–law. She may have been strong and powerful, and could kick my behind anytime she wanted, but I loved her and sometimes you just needed to tell that to the people who mattered most to you.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed out. “It just hits me over the oddest things. I mean that was understandable, but sometimes it’s like out of left field and I don’t even know why I’m crying.”

We all laughed and Mom and Dad launched into various stories of when she had been pregnant with each of us.

“Mom, Patrick doesn’t have anyone here in San Marco. Can I invite him to family dinner tonight? I just hate knowing he’s all alone on Christmas,” Chase said.

Kyle’s head jerked my way and he stared at me.

“What?” I mouthed to him.

“Nothing,” he mouthed back, shaking his head, but he kept watching me oddly.

I started to panic. Did he know? How? No, there was no way he could possibly know Patrick was my one true mate. I was just being paranoid. And when Mom readily agreed that no one should be alone on Christmas, I immediately began thinking up excuses on how to get out of the dinner.

I knew I’d have to tell them before Patrick arrived. Maybe my trip would be cause enough to get me out of dinner. At that point it was worth the try.

“Kyle, can I talk to you for a minute?” I asked.

“Yeah sure, what’s up?”

“Um, not here. Can we go to your office?”

Okay.” He sounded skeptical, but we made our way to what used to be our father’s office and was now Kyle’s as Pack Alpha. “What’s up, E?”

I was suddenly nervous, second–guessing telling him at all. I could just leave a note when I left. I