The Hybrid's Hope

Chapter 8: Shopping and Presents

Levi

Something that my mother, sister, and Alpha Eli have taught me as I was growing up is that, as an Alpha, you always face the consequences of your decisions. You do it honestly, openly, and you listen when someone tells you that you are wrong. I may not agree, but I'll never know if I am wrong unless I listen to those who say I am.

So, when the door closes behind Hope and Beta Amber, I face Beta Carlos, ready to face his wrath.

However, he surprises me. Rather than railing at me for being irresponsible like I expected, his shoulders slump and he scrubs his hands over his face.

“Levi, I’ve always liked you. Amber and I have always thought that you would be the perfect mate for our daughter. Obviously, the Moon Goddess agrees with us. However, the one person you need to convince of how perfect the two of you could be together, is Hope. You know as well as we do how Hope feels about having a child. I know you would love that child no matter if it was a pup, a cub, or a hybrid. I know that Amber and I would also love our grandchild unconditionally. But Hope is the one who has suffered because of who she is all her life. You HAVE to think about that, to think about her, before you let your emotions or your d**k overrule your brain. Because I will tell you right now, if you do anything to threaten the tenuous balance that you’ve somehow created so she didn’t immediately reject you, you’ll lose her. Do you understand what I’m saying to you, Levi?”

“Yes, sir, I do. I swear I won’t let it happen again.”

“Good, because I don’t think any man could be as good for my daughter as you. So even if she were to reject you and get a second chance mate,” he says, making me growl. He holds up his hands. “IF that were to happen, I don’t think she’d ever be able to trust anyone the way she trusts you.”

“I want to be a good mate for her. I want to be the best possible mate there is for Hope, Beta.”

“I know you do, which is why we’re having this conversation. You need to think ahead in the future. You need to make sure that you always put my daughter first and always take her thoughts and concerns into consideration. Use this head,” he says, pointing to his head, “not this one, to make decisions,” he says, pointing to his pants.

“Yes, sir.”

“And for goddess’ sake, buy some f*****g condoms. The mate bond only strengthens over time. Your need and desire to be together will increase the longer you’re together and once you've marked each other ....” He shakes his head. "There's nothing you'll want more that to be with her, in every way possible. All the time."

“I plan to get those condoms after hearing what Dr. Sirona said to Hope,” I tell him, just as there is a knock on the door.

“That will be breakfast. Did either of you get any sleep last night?” he asks as he walks to the door.

“No sir. We spent a lot of time playing in our animal forms, running up and down the beach.”

He nods and we get quiet as the carts of food are wheeled into the room. When the servers are gone, we both begin to set out the food.

“How did Malcolm like the sand and sea?”

“He liked it a lot more because Qadira was there,” I say. Malcolm did not really like either, but he will never say no to spending time with his mate.

“How’s it feeling on your skin now?” he asks, grinning.

“Not very good.”

“Go take a quick shower before they get done. Then you can go out and get condoms so I can stop worrying about it,” he says.

“Thanks, Beta,” I say, going to get my bag.

He points me to the bathroom he wants me to use and I grab some towels. I shower quickly, thankful to get the sand and salt off my skin and out of my hair. I’ve just come back out when Hope and Beta Amber walk out of the room.

I rush up to Hope, anxious to hear what Dr. Sirona said.

Once I hear that there’s a morning after pill, I feel better. I make sure she won’t open presents until I get back, and then I head to the pharmacy.

I think the Moon Goddess is punishing me because I end up having to ask the pharmacist where I can get the morning after pill. She doesn’t say anything, but she gives me a look that is as judgmental as it gets.

After she shows me where to get Hope’s pill, she gives me another judgmental, fake smile.

“Condoms are on aisle four.”

“Thank you, that was next stop.”

As I turn to walk away, I hear her mumble that it should have been my first stop yesterday.

I grab multiple boxes of multiple sized condoms. I have no idea what size I am compared to humans, but being an Alpha I grab some large, extra-large, and extra-extra-large sizes.

When I get to the checkout counter, the woman behind the counter looks at what I’ve got. “Buying for multiple guys or not sure which one will fit you,” she says.

“Uh, not sure which one will fit,” I tell her.

“I could help you with that. How long are you, cutie?”

“Uh, I’ve never actually measured, but about this long?” I say, putting one hand at the base of my d**k and estimating about how long I get when I’m with Hope.

“Oh,” she says, her eyes wide and the scent of her arousal spiking in the air. “Um, these are going to be too small for you. Are you um … thick as well as long?”

“Umm,” I hold my hand out, with my fingers separated about the distance that they are when I take care of myself.

“Mmhmm,” she says, her eyes glassing over and the scent of her arousal spiking again. “Um, none of these will work for you. You’re going to need a magnum.”

“Oh, I didn’t see those. Where can I get those?” I ask.

“Uh, I have some back here. How many boxes do you want?”

“I’ll take as many as you have,” I say.

“Oh, so you have a lot stamina, too” she says, and now her cheeks are tinging pink and her heart rate is starting to increase.

“Are you okay?” I ask her.

“Yep. Mmhmm, I sure am. I take it you have a girlfriend?” she asks, pulling out several boxes of condoms labeled magnum.

“Yes, I do.”

“Lucky girl,” she murmurs.

“I’m the lucky one,” I tell her.

“Right. Well, if, uh, you and your girlfriend ever break up, come find me. I’d be happy to take care of you,” she says.

“Uh, thank you,” I say, but it sounds more like a question.

‘She’s f*****g hitting on you, Levi! Seriously, do you not know when a woman is hitting on you?’ Malcolm growls.

‘I told her I had a girlfriend. It’s not my fault she’s human and human men don’t measure up to Alphas,” I say, paying for my purchases.

“I hope to see you again soon,” she says.

I nod, knowing that she won’t. Not only do I not live around here, but there’s no way I’d ever want Hope to think that I’m interested in this or any woman that isn’t her.

When I get back to the hotel, Faith greets me excitedly.

“Finally! Now we can open presents!” she says.

“Here baby,” I say to Hope, handing her the pill she needs and kissing her quickly. I’m not sure how she feels about me kissing her in front of others yet.

She stares at the bag in my hand. “How many boxes did you get?”

“All of them. Apparently, I’m ‘magnum’ size,” I say, waggling my eyebrows.

“What does that mean?” she asks.

“It means that shifters are better endowed than humans apparently. Did you eat?” I ask as I drop my condoms off by my bag and reach in to get Hope’s present.

“I did, but I know you must be starved.”

“I could eat,” I say.

“We ordered you more food, Levi. This got cold,” Beta Carlos says as I walk over to the couches and sit with Hope. I set my gift with the others that are already sitting on the coffee table.

Faith claps her hands together excitedly. “Open mine first, Hope!”

Hope chuckles and opens the box from Faith. Inside it’s a hair clip with jewels that are close to the color of Qadira’s fur and Hope’s eyes.

“It’s blue topaz and citrine. I couldn’t find one that I wanted, then mom found a place where I could have it made especially for you,” Faith says excitedly.

“Oh, Faith. It’s beautiful.”

“It matches Qadira’s fur and is very close to Hope’s eyes,” I tell her.

“That’s what I was going for! It’s a gift for both of you,” she says.

“I love it, Little Sister,” Qadira says to her.

Faith comes over and hugs Hope before sitting back down.

“Okay, Levi’s next! That’s the only one I don’t know what it is,” Faith says, directing the event.

My food arrives and I get it quickly, knowing that Faith is dying to see what I got Hope.

I sit down, digging into my food as my stomach complains that I’m not eating fast enough.

Hope smiles at me, then opens the necklace I got her. I watch, hoping she likes it.

“Oh, Levi …”

She pulls the necklace out and looks at it.

“What is it?” Faith asks excitedly.

“It’s the two sides of Qadira,” she whispers, looking up at me. “Right?”

I nod, reaching up to wipe the tear that drips from her eye.

“It’s like a yin and yang,” Beta Amber says, looking at it.

“Yes, exactly. Two parts that fit together, making one perfect whole,” I say. “Do you like it?”

Another tear drips down her cheek. “I love it. Will you put it on me.”

When I do, she gets up and goes to look in the mirror.

“Oh, it even has stones the color of Hope’s and Qadira’s eyes,” Faith says, walking over to look at it in the mirror too.

“Does Qadira like it?” I ask, hoping she does.

Hope turns and looks at me, pressing the pendant against her chest.

“We both love it. Thank you, Levi.”

“You’re very welcome. Happy birthday, Hope.”