The Runaway Breeder

Chapter 20

"You ready?" Tate's voice floats across the room towards me, the melancholy inside its depth reminding me what we are about to do. I sigh, taking a last look at myself in the mirror with my blue eyes holding unshed tears in them once again as sorrow fills me. I stand wearing a long-sleeved black lace dress with my hair in a high bun. Today will be a long and depressing day, one the I am not truly ready to face. Strong arms turn me away from my pale reflection and press my head into a sturdy chest and with shaky breaths I take in Tate’s scent to calm myself down and stop the tears the threaten to spill.

"You don't have to go if it’s too hard, Laina. Everyone would understand." He whispers, placing light kisses on my forehead as he rubs my back gently. He knows I am close to breaking again, heck, any mother would be close to breaking on the day they burry their baby.

“I have to, Tate. She deserves to know how much I love her and will miss her.” I whisper out with a whimper into his chest. Taking another deep breath to steady my emotions. Once I feel ready, I take Tate’s hand and the two of us make our way down the stairs where Jack and Chris fawn over Julia, a soft smile on my lips as I watch the three of them.

"Who is a fabulous little baby? You are, yes, you are little Julia. And your big cousins here are going to make sure you stay fabulous with clothes fit for this little princess.” Chris coos as he taps gently on Julia’s tiny nose. Sadly, I have a feeling that what he is saying will come true and that, like myself, Julia will be showered with clothing growing up. I feel Tate stiffen beside me as Chris bounces Julia in his arms while he talks about all the things she will get growing up and what she might become in the future, causing my mate to growl lowly where only I can hear it. Tate has grown is extremely possessive ever since rushing me to the hospital and I guess with Chris acting this way my mate must feel that his position of being Julia’s father is being threatened.

“Behave, Tate. Chris and Jack are always like this, especially Chris. He means no harm.” I sigh out, wrapping my arm around Tate’s waist and trying to calm my mate down as best as I can. Instead of calming down, Tate rolls his eyes and continues to glare at Chris, pulling away from me. Hurt fills my already bruised heart at my mate’s reaction. Trying to calm myself down, I turn away from Tate and shy away from his touch when he reaches for me, the realization at what he has just done settling into his face as I walk towards Chris and Jack taking Julia from Chris’s arms and cradle her as I breathe in her baby scent.

“Julia and I are riding in your car, Chris.” I decide, hearing Tate give a low, possessive growl. I turn to glare at my mate. Today is already a hard-enough day for me, and I will not allow his attitude to take over and hurt me even more emotionally.

"Wouldn't you rather be with Tate?" Jack asks cautiously, his eyes darting between Tate and me.

“No. I would rather ride with family than be stuck in a car with a possessive ass that can’t control his attitude today.” I answer honestly, bending down to place Julia in her car seat before Jack carefully picks it up. Chris grabs Julia’s diaper bag getting ready to leave with worried filled eyes directed to me.

"Why are you being so difficult? A moment ago, you were ready to cry, and now you're acting like a class-A bitch!” Tate growls, directing his anger towards me. My heart cracks slightly as a few tears slip out from the corner of my eyes, and I shake my head at Tate.

“I’m only acting like this because of you.” I snap back at Tate, watching as his eyes widen in shock.

“Chris is being not only a cousin but also an uncle to Julia, and you get jealous of him. He’s gay and has a mate, but just because you feel slightly threatened, you start growling and being an asshole. Today is not the day to do this, Tate. I am burying one of my pups. Do you understand the pain I am in?” I continue, more tears streaming down my face as Chris holds his arm out, preventing me from going to where I left Tate and slapping some sense into him.

“Chris is my best friend. When my parents died, he raised me. So, excuse me for taking my family’s side when my mate starts acting like a grade-A douchebag.” I finish my rant and turn on my heels before proceeding to drag Chris to his car. I need to be away from Tate for a moment. Jack follows suit and helps me secure Julia and her car seat in the back seat before the three of us settle into the car ourselves.

“Just drive, Chris.” I sigh, seeing the hesitation in my cousin’s eyes for leaving Tate in the house alone. When my mate smartens up, then I will talk to him. But today is not the day to act the way he is. The engine starts, and Chris proceeds to back out of the driveway.