Page 50 of One True Mate

“I'm sorry, sir, as I already told my father, that is not an option.”

The older man sighed and nodded in acknowledgment.

“So, all that's left is to set a date of notification.”

“The sooner the better, sir,” I told them just wanting it all passed us. “Sunday. There's already a pack meeting being held. Announcements to the other packs can be emailed on Monday to expedite. The sooner this is all over, the better.”

“That soon? You're certain the girl will be ready?”

“Kelsey may not have been raised in a pack, sir, but she's a fighter, she's super fast, and I have full confidence in my mate.”

“Sunday it is then.”

“Thank you.” I stood and shook hands with each of them thanking them for their time before leaving.

The weight of the world seemed to be holding me down as I thought ahead to the next month. I was confident I could hold my own in any fight, and even more confident that few, if any, would dare to challenge me. But Kelsey? Could I just stand there and watch her fight to the death, for me?

Kelsey

Chapter 19

My biggest concern of the day was Elise and Lily. They had said don't let anyone get too close because they could smell Kyle's scent mixed with mine, but I was supposed to ride home with Elise, so did she know already? If not, surely, she would once in the car alone with me.

Lily had the bigger mouth of the two, though, and was more likely to pick it up in the office. So all afternoon I listened for the clacking of heels in the hallway, unable to concentrate on anything remotely considered work.

When I finally did hear the click-click-clicking of heels in the hallway, I immediately grabbed the phone and began talking into it. I motioned to it and waved Lily off. I knew it wouldn't keep her away, but it was the best I could do. Three times this occurred and each time stressed me out even more.

I decided to retreat into Kyle's office during the afternoon break. Lying down on his couch, surrounded by his smell helped calm me a little. When Lily barged into his office with that 'ah-ha, I found you' look on her face, I cursed myself for not thinking of locking the doors.

“Hey, Kels, what's wrong?”

“Headache,” I lied, not bothering to get up from my sprawled out position on the couch. Maybe she'd think I was sick and stay away.

“I take it big brother isn't coming in today?”

I immediately sat up, realizing how out of character it must look with me being in his office so intimately. I hadn't even thought about it until now.

“Sorry, I just needed to lie down for a few minutes. And no, I don't think he's coming in today. He's, uh, fixing my car,” I tried to hold to our cover story, but I felt like she saw right through it.

She sat down across the office from me, “It's fine, Kels, I'm not gonna rat you out to the bossman and doubt he'd care anyway. Lay down, relax. You look more stressed than usual. Is it because of everything we told you?”

“What?”

“You know, everything that happened the other day. It had to be a lot to take in.”

“Was it really just the other day? God, it feels like a lifetime ago already,” I said, throwing my arm over my face to blot out the light. I really didn't have a headache, but we had stayed up entirely too late and with the added stress of talking to his parents, I was beyond exhausted.

“So, you're okay with everything?”

“Yeah, yeah, I'm a big girl, I can handle it. I feel a bit stupid after knowing it all, but I'll be fine.”

“So, I was in the tattoo parlor yesterday checking out Cole's new designs after seeing the fabulous job he did on yours, and he was going on and on about how amazing you are and how he loved your work. What exactly was going on during those fill in sessions?”

She made it sound so clandestine that I actually snorted when I laughed.

“Oh yeah, Lily, me and Cole Anderson, that's it, right?” I laughed, “You're insane!”

“I don't know, Cole's really cute. Kyle would say he's too old for me, but then I don't think he'll ever approve of anyone for me, and certainly not Liam. Liam would freak out if he heard me talking about a guy, any guy.”

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