Page 27 of One True Mate

“Why is that, Kelsey? I mean, since we're getting things out in the open, we all know you're a shifter, so why go to such great lengths to deny it?”

I started crying, and Kyle burst through the door.

“Dad, that's enough.”

“Out, Kyle, this doesn't concern you.”

“Yes, it does, and you of all people know that.”

“Son, out. Kelsey asked to talk, and we are only talking. You know I would never hurt her.”

I felt a similar flow of what I knew now was alpha power, only stronger than anything I'd ever felt from Kyle. It not only gave me goosebumps but made me shiver just a little. I could see it made Kyle furious, but he turned and left the room without another word.

Jason Westin sat down and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. It was such a Kyle move it made me smile.

“I'm sorry about that, Ms. Adams, please go on. We can come back to my question later. Mike shifted in front of you?”

“Right, so I turned and ran back toward headquarters and when Kyle showed up I tried to wave him off. Mike was in wolf form and chasing after me, but instead of listening he changed too and they fought, but only for a minute.”

“I really freaked out then and ran home to leave, but Kyle, Elise, and Lily showed up at my house before I could get packed and out the door. I tried to hide. I even shifted into wolf form but had to reign it back when Elise came into my den and my wolf saw her as a threat. And I guess that's why I wanted to talk to you. Kyle explained some things, so did the girls, but I know there's a lot more they aren't telling me yet, and that's okay, they gave me more than enough to take in.”

I sighed, feeling a headache coming on from all that had happened in one day.

“No one's come right out and said anything, but I know you and Kyle have been protecting me from the pack. My mom told me to never trust a wolf, to steer clear and run far far away from any I came in contact with. I don't understand why she never told me the truth about what I am and I'll never know because she died a long time ago. But I know there are certain pack protocols. And while they didn't spell it out or say anything about it to me, I know how it felt when Lily and Elise came down into my den. My territory. They are my friends and I wanted to rip their throats out. For some reason, my wolf doesn't respond the same to Kyle, but she sees the girls as threats even when I know they aren't. And that got me thinking. This is your territory, sir.” The tears were free flowing now. “Why didn't you attack me? Why didn't you make me leave? Why didn't you say anything? And I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry. They tell me I'm not supposed to look you directly in the eye as it's a sign of disrespect. If that's disrespectful, I cannot even begin to imagine the level of disrespect it must be for a lone wolf like me to settle into pack territory without acknowledgment, but I swear to you, sir, I never meant any disrespect. I had no idea you people even existed, not like that, not shifters.”

He came around the desk and pulled me to a stand and silently hugged me close. It wasn't the same as when Kyle had comforted me, but it was nice and reminded me of my own father. He let me just cry in his arms until the sobs subsided.

“You're right, Kelsey, I should have come to you. But at first, we were all so shocked with your arrival that we hesitated and waited for you to come to us. After a few weeks, and with you working at the Westin Foundation, it was clear to my children that something was wrong. They assured me you were no threat to us, and I know they were right. Kyle petitioned the Pack Council himself on your behalf to let you stay and leave you in peace. He's been watching over you, both against possible threats, such as Mike, and waiting for the time you were ready to open up about who you are. And who are you, Kelsey Adams? Where did you come from? I'll be honest, the curiosity of that has been what's kept you alive the most. Even after what, two years now? Even so the pack as a whole is still completely infatuated with the mysterious little lone she-wolf living amongst us who didn't seem to know she was a wolf at all.”

I laughed, “Then I guess I at least did that much right.”

“What do you mean, child?”

“I never wanted anyone to find out what I was. I..,” I shook my head, “it doesn't matter the reasons or how silly they seem in hindsight, they were truly all I knew. Hide, run, don't let anyone close. Those are the rules I've lived by that have kept me alive. Now, I honestly don't know what to do!”

“What do you want to do, Kelsey?”

“I want to stay,” I said without hesitation. “I want answers. I want to understand and to learn your ways. I'll understand if you ask me to leave, though. I've been a disgrace to your pack and to you. And even though I know Kyle is scared I'll run the second he turns his back, I fear he'll hope I will as today sinks in for him too.”

He laughed at that. “I seriously doubt that would ever happen, but tell me what you mean.”

“Well, for starters, I'm far more damaged than any of them realized. I'm not sure I can be fixed or fit into the pack, even if you'd have me. Plus, I don't think the pack will ever let Kyle live down what happened this afternoon. I didn't mean to embarrass him!”

Jason Westin laughed even harder, “Now this I must hear. What on earth could you have possibly done to embarrass my heir, little wolf?”

“I-I-I,” trying to contain my stutter, I looked him directly in the eyes, “I challenged him, and then I kicked his ass in front of everyone, sir.”

I lowered my head in shame as he let out a full belly laugh causing Kyle to run back into the office.

“Father,” he growled.

“Simmer down pup, this little wolf tells me she challenged you and then embarrassed you by kicking your ass in front of everyone? Care to elaborate?”

I chanced a quick glance his way and found him smiling and proud, not looking embarrassed at all.

“I tripped!”

“Like hell,” I said. “I won fair and square. I beat your best time even.”

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