Page 46 of One True Mate

“Though those in our pack will think twice about challenging Kyle, we have had numerous requests for mating compatibility inquiries for you, Kelsey.”

“Me? What?”

“She has no clue how sexy she is,” Kyle proudly proclaimed.

I know I turned all ten shades of red once again.

“Two final things,” his dad continued, ignoring his comment, “Kyle, I need you to attend the Pack Council meeting this afternoon. We'll discuss to what degree we share information with them, but most importantly we need to petition them to lower the challenge time. And finally, I'm afraid you're going to have to break the news to your mom.”

KYLE

Chapter 18

I knew mom was going to be furious and excited at the same time. I had more or less told her Kelsey was my mate at family dinner, but in her mind, everything would have happened too quickly and a normal mating would have petitioned the Council before consummation. That was another thing the Pack Council wasn't going to be thrilled to find out. We'd broken protocol plain and simple. But I also knew that once my mother got to know my mate, she'd love her as much as I did.

Leaving my father's office, I took Kelsey by the hand, reassuringly brushing my thumb across the inside of her palm. I felt her shiver beside me and smiled, smelling a combination of nerves and arousal mixed with her usual scent. I loved knowing I had that effect on her. It made me stand a little taller and maybe even puff my chest out a little. I just couldn't help it.

“Mom!” I called out as we neared the kitchen, expecting to find her there.

“Kyle?” She returned as she entered the room and saw us. First fear flickered across her face as she demanded to know, “What's wrong? Why aren't you in the office? What's going on?”

Then I saw it in her eyes as she caught sight of our joined hands. Kelsey shifted uneasily next to me.

“Nothing's wrong, Mom. Everything's fine.” I grinned looking over at my beautiful mate, “Everything's better than fine.”

To say she was surprised would be a major understatement, but then she smiled, a true smile, not a forced friendly one for Kelsey's benefit.

“This is what you were trying to warn me of the other night at dinner isn't it? I'm sorry for being an old meddlesome wolf. I just want to see you settled down and happy, and if you think Kelsey can do that for you, then I'm behind you 100%.”

She stepped forward and embraced Kelsey in a warm and welcoming hug as I struggled to pull my hand back in time.

I felt the change in the air the second she caught my smell mixed with my mate's. She gasped, pulling away quickly.

“Kyle, no! Tell me you didn't go behind the Council's back. Please tell me you two got permission first.”

I raked a hand through my hair, fighting off the stream of questions Kelsey was pouring into my head. I leaned over and kissed my mom on the forehead. I was more than a head taller than her at this point in life, yet I still squirmed under her scrutiny.

“It's going to be fine, Mom. Dad and I are meeting with the Pack Council this afternoon. It's going to be okay, you'll see.” I tried to assure her, hoping beyond hope I was right.

She nodded, “Nothing we can do about that now. And they'll come around, you're right.” Then she turned her attention back to my mate, “Kelsey, how much training have you had?”

“Training for what?”

Mom shook her head at her answer. “Fighting.”

Her eyes went wide with shock. “That wasn't a joke? I'm going to have to fight to the death? I've never been in a fight in my life. I wouldn't begin to know what to do.”

My arms immediately went around her and pulled her close to comfort her.

“It's okay. You're a lot stronger than you know and there's a chance no one will challenge you.”

“A really small chance,”I thought then quickly apologized knowing she heard my thoughts.

Mom studied us curiously then dismissed it. There was no way she would suspect the strength of our bond.

“Okay, Kelsey, I need you to go to work. There'll be enough questions and comments regarding the both of you being out this morning, so for now, I need you to lay low and maintain your normal schedule. Right after work we need to meet up and start your training immediately.” She pondered that, “I don't want it to look odd or disrupt your routine incase anyone is watching you.

“Do you think they are?” She was suddenly stiff in my arms.

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