Page 2 of One True Mate

I didn't usually feel comfortable around new people, but I immediately felt at ease with Elise Westin, and set to work doing the best I could on each task she asked of me. In the end, she seemed pleased with my work and optimistic we'd find a match.

Two days later I received a call back. I had a personal interview with the CEO of Westin Foundation, who was interviewing personally for a new administrative assistant. When she told me the pay grade, I nearly had a heart attack. I had to have this job.

KYLE

Chapter 2

My wolf had been restless for weeks. I had taken off more work than ever letting him run, and every time he headed to the little cottage that butted up to the south property line. The pack had all been abuzz about the new little she-wolf that had moved in. Why hadn't she come to me or my father already and make her presence known?

She had to know she was in Westin territory, and proper protocol for an outside wolf would be to meet with the alpha immediately and state her business in the area. Yet rumors said she mostly kept to herself, roaming around town, barely talking to anyone, and showing no signs of aggression nor submission. If it wasn't for the obvious scent her wolf put off, it was largely agreed that no one would even suspect she was a shifter.

My sister, Elise, had even reached out to her, and upon meeting, said there were no formalities or any signs whatsoever of acknowledgment. It was the oddest thing I'd ever heard, and now my evil sister had manipulated the situation to ensure we met by offering her an interview for my much-needed new admin position.

My wolf was restless and wanted out again. I had just spent the night letting him run. I didn't understand why he was feeling so aggressive when we were usually at peace with one another. Perhaps it was the scent of the new wolf in town. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the situation myself. How could any wolf be so blatantly disrespectful of territory lines? And why was a young she-wolf even here unprotected and alone? Where was her pack?

“Kyle.” Elise peeked her head in without even knocking and before I saw who was with her, her scent hit me like a ton of bricks. It literally knocked the breath out of me and I had to sit down. My heart was racing in my chest, and I imagined my wolf jumping for joy and running in circles. “I have Kelsey Adams here for her interview, are you ready?”

I must have looked as shocked as I felt because the smell of worry immediately flooded my senses, pouring off my sister, but also taming the smell of the young she-wolf in the next room, and allowing me to return to my senses.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, um, just give me a minute, okay? Have her wait out there. I just need a minute.”

I could tell Elise was still frantic with worry, but she nodded and closed the door. My wolf ears noted she did not leave, but stayed with this Kelsey Adams, the lone she-wolf who had strolled into my town. Who dared to live in my territory without the proper respect given to be here? The woman whose smell alone assaulted all my senses and raised me to a new level of awareness. My mate. My wolf howled his approval in my head as I made the acknowledgment. My mate was standing just on the other side of this door. I had never laid eyes on her, but I knew she was mine just from one whiff of her scent.

Bracing myself for what I knew would be the full impact of my mate's scent, I took a deep breath and opened the door to the reception area outside my office. Her scent struck me, but I was more prepared this time. Big brown eyes met mine and showed no signs of recognition. Nothing. My wolf growled in my head and I fought to keep from letting it escape me.

“Kyle,” Elise said, eyeballing me with open curiosity and still scenting of worry, “this is Kelsey Adams here to interview for the position of your new assistant. Kelsey, this is my brother and CEO of Westin Foundation, Kyle Westin.”

She stood and walked over to shake my hand. The first thing I noticed was how tall she was. She had to be at least 5 foot 10 inches, taller still in heels, and nearly looked me in the eyes. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches, it was rare to find a woman that could match my height. I liked it immensely. Second, her handshake was firm and professional, but the touch of her skin sent shockwaves through my arms, nearly taking me to my knees from the impact. Yet the only indication she felt anything at all was a slight dilation of her pupils.

She eyed me curiously but said nothing about it, and while professional and respectful in every human manner, my wolf was put off at the blatant disregard she showed him. He tried to reach out to her wolf, but it was like she wasn't really there. It was very unsettling.

“Hello, Mr. Westin, it's a pleasure to meet you.” Her voice was like the sweetest of chimes on the wind, and I couldn't help but smile back, and hearing it set my wolf's agitation at ease some.

“Please come in.” I held open the door to my office and allowed her to walk in first. It was a human respect. An alpha wolf would never allow anyone to enter ahead of him, anyone except his mate, and the gesture immediately piqued curiosity from my nosey sister. I knew an ambush of questions would ensue later tonight.

“Do you want me to stay?” she asked with unease and anxiety still wafting off her.

“No, thanks. I've got this,” I told her, trying to be cool and not alert her to the fact that my mate had just walked into the room. My one true mate.

As I turned to enter my office, closing the door behind me, it dawned on me that we were truly alone for the first time. My wolf howled in approval, begging me to take her right there on my desk and stake my rightful claim, but she hadn't even acknowledged my wolf. It was as though she didn't even know I was a wolf shifter too.

“Please, have a seat,” I told her politely.

I had to find out her story. Who was she? Where had she come from? And why was she here? The slight sting of rejection from not recognizing and acknowledging me as her true mate made me angry and upset at the same time, and I set out to learn everything I could about Ms. Kelsey Adams.

“So, Kelsey, please tell me a little about yourself. I understand you're new in town. What brings you to San Marco?”

She did waiver a bit, but it was like she had rehearsed for just this question.

“I love the outdoors and wanted a place I could afford on my own, with opportunity to work while I finish my degree.”

“What's your degree in?”

“Business Management.”

“And what college do you plan to attend out here in the middle of nowhere San Marco?”

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