Page 45 of One True Mate

“Babe, you not only used your power, you pulled Pack power, and a lot of it. Nearly knocked the breath out of me even though you were aiming for Dad. Basically, you crippled him of his power and power punched him with both yours and his at the same time.”

He chuckled, sounding impressed.

I smacked him. “It's not funny! What if I had hurt you, either of you? It's too dangerous to be messing with!”

“No, I'm sorry, my dear, but the three of us are going to need to work on this for balance and control. Though I find it very interesting that your power is practically non-existent in you right now, only acting as a defense mechanism.”

“A what?”

“Babe, he's saying your powers kick in only when you feel threatened. Vanessa was a threat to you. Dad turned his powers on me and you acted to protect me whether you realized it or not.”

“Word ever gets out about you, and we're going to have a fight on our hands. We will need to train and work on controlling this. Do you understand, Kelsey?”

I nodded, still in shock.

“Not a word to anyone. This knowledge does not leave the three of us.”

“Not even Mom? Or the Pack Council?”

“No one, Kyle. It's the best way to keep your mate safe. I can't promise the day won't come that I tell your mom, but for now, this stays between us. There are very real reasons and fears regarding alpha she-wolves. No one wants to kill young innocent pups but the power within you, it terrifies many. We will work to help you control this, but it absolutely stays between the three of us.”

We all nodded solemnly in agreement.

Then he broke into a big grin. “She's going to make one heck of a Pack Mother and an even better mother to my grandpups someday.”

I blushed at his supposed compliment as Kyle proudly put his arm around me and pulled me closer kissing my temple.

“Okay, well, enough of that for today. We have a few other important matters to discuss. First, I need you both to keep up a normal pretense. Not a peep about your mating to anyone. You continue to show no interest or favoritism towards each other. Are we clear?”

We both nodded and he continued.

“The last thing I need is challenges being issued or threats made causing you to unleash your power on another unsuspecting she-wolf.”

I cringed at his accusation.

“Second, Kelsey, go back to work as usual today and tomorrow, too. Go home, keep to your normal routine.” I heard Kyle growl next to me and his father sighed. “Go home, Kelsey, then you can change into wolf form and head to Kyle's but at least your car by all appearances will be at home where you would be expected to be.”

“Okay, I can do that.”

“Kyle?”

I could tell he wasn't happy with the situation, but he begrudgingly agreed.

“Next, cover your markings.” This elicited a growl from both of us. “It's only until the pack meeting on Sunday, just a few days,” he assured us. “Again, I can't have challenges being issued before the announcement.”

“What announcement?”

This time Kyle spoke, “Our mating announcement will be made at the pack meeting. At that time the limitation for challenges will be given. It's typically four months.”

“What do you mean by challenges?”

They both shared a look that I didn't like.

“When a new mating is announced,” Mr. Westin began, “any unmated wolf has the right to challenge. It's a fight to the death. The announcement will go out to all unmated wolves within three packs, though word that Kyle has taken a mate could draw a crowd of potential challengers from even further away. You may not realize, but he has been the most eligible alpha for quite some time and there will be many displeased to find him off the market.”

“I have to fight off these girls in death battles????” Where they crazy? I'd never fought anyone for anything in my life. I flee, not fight.

“Calm down, it's going to be okay, babe.”

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