My Step-Dad Is My Mate novel Chapter 36

"You guys are family", I looked at every one of them and paused when I got to Richard, "including you Richard."

Kaden wore a scowl on his face and I sighed, "I know all of you hate him and trust me, I hated him for a while too but think about this, especially you Kaden. If he and I didn't reject each other, you probably wouldn't have ever met and you wouldn't have the chance you have now… to have another mate."

Kaden's facade turned from a scowl to something more sympathetic as he realized what I said.

"And Aiden, you probably wouldn't have met Adrianna when you did if it wasn't for the rejection either and taking me out afterwards."

"Still mad about that." Kaden muttered and Aiden scoffed.

"It was before your time." Aiden said with a laugh, making Kaden roll his eyes.

"-Sure...he caused me pain and to my mother as well..but he isn't a bad guy. He cares and I know it's weird...me being friends with my ex mate but he will always be a part of my life whether I want him too or not and I can't hate Him forever. I want to keep him in my life, as a friend.

Honestly, I wouldn't ask this of you guys to agree to keep your lives as well but it will be a means of moving on from the past and getting on with our lives."

Aiden was leaning against a tree with his arms folded and a somewhat content facade. He looked over at me and gave me a nod then a short smile afterwards.

My mother however, had a frown. Of course, I'd expect her besides Kaden to be the one who disapproved most of my decision to keep Richard in my life, but if I could try to get over it, being the one who was hurt the most in the situation then I believed she could too. I gave her a pleading look and she simply looked away for a moment before she turned back and with a rolled of her eyes she gave a reluctant nod.

My focus now trailed over to Kaden, who was squatting, glaring at Richard.

I gave him a light hit on the knee and he looked over me. Kaden sighed and stood up, and slowly strode over to Richard, who was standing a bit away from all of us, watching.

The two eyed one another for a few minutes and Kaden shocked us all by stretching out an arm to Richard.

Richard watched Kaden's outstretched hand then took it a few brief moments later.

"I'm doing this for her." Kaden said, making me smile and Richard nodded.

"Me too."

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