Page 58 of One True Mate

Kelsey and I fell into an easy routine. It wasn't that we always agreed, but after working closely for two years we already knew how to communicate and resolve differences without arguing or causing hurt feelings. So, as she slowly moved into my house and began turning it into a true home, everything just fell into place naturally. My only fear was that everything was going too smoothly. I was waiting for this nearly perfect life we were creating to crumble and crash and burn.

For two weeks, no one had issued a challenge. We'd had a few visitors from other packs and I knew a large group of people from three different packs would be coming in over the weekend. I didn't want to be nervous, but I knew getting through the entire month without one or both of us being challenged would truly be a miracle and too much to ask for.

Kelsey's position as future Pack Mother of the Westin Pack made her an easy target for challenges. I was more than a little shocked that someone hadn't already stepped up and issued her a challenge. I wasn't as surprised that no one from within my pack had challenged me, though I thought the chances of someone from outside the pack was highly likely. The Westin Pack was one of the biggest and strongest in existence and anyone who challenged and defeated me would stand to take over as next in line as Pack Alpha. It was a unique position that put me in potentially grave danger.

Earlier in the day I had a meeting with Cole Anderson. It had not gone unnoticed by me that he had not given his consent to my mating of Kelsey and I confronted him on it. After much discussion, I was both relieved and pissed by his thinking. He had told me that he would not challenge me directly, but that he would not consent on the chance that I was challenged and defeated. He made it very clear that he would challenge my victor for Kelsey to keep the Westin Alpha in pack. I couldn't argue his thinking, but the thought of him and Kelsey together was driving me nuts and making it hard to focus on anything.

A knock at the door jolted me out of my thoughts.

“Mr. Westin?” Kelsey peeked her head in. I grinned and shook my head at her determination to keep everything normal and professional at work. “Your father is here to see you.”

Dad? A feeling of dread immediately settled into my gut. We didn't have plans that I could think of, which meant he had to be there for pack business, or worse to give me a heads up on an upcoming challenge.

“It's okay, send him back.” I told her trying to keep my thoughts to myself and not share my feelings through the bond, but the second I thought that she started laughing and walked in and closed the door behind her.

“Kyle Alexander Westin, you've been ranting and stressing since Cole Anderson left here, and now you try to hide your thoughts and worries? Silly boy, don't you realize you can't keep anything from me? This sound proof office of yours isn't sound proof enough for our bond.”

“Shit,” I said under my breath. “Babe, I didn't want to worry you...”

“No, save it, mister. We're in this together. I'm just as worried about challenges as you are and I know exactly what's at stake. Stop trying to protect me. You can't protect me from this anymore than I can protect you. It sucks, but come on.”

I rose and went to her immediately pulling her tightly against my chest and breathing in her scent.

“I'm sorry. I know this is stressful enough. I just didn't want to worry you further.”

It dawned on me that we were alone in my office and she was letting me hold her. Kelsey was quite strict about what was and was not appropriate during business hours. My thoughts immediately flashed to a fantasy I'd had of taking her over my desk pretty much since she walked into my life and my wolf howled in my head in approval.

I knew I had broadcast the image loud and clear when she pulled away and smacked me.

“What?” I tried to suppress a grin on my face.

“Your father is in the next room!”

I shrugged and tried to pull her back into my arms, but she brushed me off, back to her utmost professional exterior, even though I knew damn well she liked the idea as much as I did. That thought had me grinning like a love-sick fool as she ran from the room and my father entered.

He put up a hand immediately, “I don't care to know what put that stupid look on your face.”

I burst out laughing feeling better than I had in days.

“What can I do for you, Dad?”

“I wish I were coming with news that would keep you this happy, son, I truly do.”

I sobered immediately.

“What's happened?”

“I did get word that no-one from the Longhorn or Collier Packs that visited over the weekend will be challenging. But, this coming weekend we have visitors arriving from Maxwell, Kyton, and the Alaskan Packs.”

“Well, that's good news on Longhorn and Collier, two down three to go. I fully expected the other three packs would be sending potential challengers this weekend, so that's not much of a shock.”

“I'm afraid there's more.”

“What? Who?”

“As word has spread that you are up for challenge, Kyle, the Virginian Pack, Central Pack of New York City, the Irish Clan, and the Bulgarians have all sent formal requests. They were quite put off to hear of the shortened challenge period, but assured me each of their challengers would arrive within the week. I'm sorry.”

I took a deep breath and held it for a second before exhaling.

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