Page 60 of One True Mate

I knew if she were in human form she'd be crying right now. My wolf went to her and rubbed against her soft fur, trying to comfort our mate.

“Has it not even occurred to you that I wouldn't want to live without you? That I'd prefer to die with you?”

“Don't say that!”

“Kelsey, wolves mate for life. This tradition of challenges is ridiculous, because you are my mate, and even if I were forced to take another, my wolf and I would never fully accept her. No one could ever replace you. We're too far gone and I wouldn't want it any other way.”

She sat back and with her nose to the sky howled a sad, mournful song. My wolf joined in immediately to create a haunting sound I had never heard before, but felt it straight through my core.

When she turned, without a thought, and walked back to the office complex, I simply followed, knowing I'd follow her anywhere. For a brief moment, I thought maybe we should just leave. She was used to being alone and as long as she was by my side I felt like I could survive anything.

I watched as she shifted and stood before me in naked beauty, but with a scowl on her face.

“Don't even think like that, Kyle! This is our pack. It's our home. We aren't leaving.”

She dressed quickly and ran back into the office, nearly knocking Elise over in the process. I hadn't even heard my sister's presence I was so consumed with Kelsey. I knew from the surprise on her face that she had seen enough to know.

I shifted back to human form. “Do you mind?” I spat out at her as she turned and gave me time to change. It wasn't like she hadn't seen me naked before. Nudity was normal in a wolf pack and modesty was practically unheard of, but seeing the look on her face made me feel naked in an entirely different way.

She wasn't leaving. I had hoped snapping at her would cause her to stomp off, but not this time.

“How long?” She asked softly.

I sighed, knowing what she was asking, but determined to play dumb. “How long what, E?”

She looked at me, shooting daggers right into my eyes. “How long has it been since the bond started?”

I shrugged. I honestly didn't know.

“She was talking to you when she shifted like you were in the middle of a conversation, but Kyle, that's not possible.”

I just stared at her as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Kyle, swear to me that's not possible!”

“I don't know what to tell you Elise, but you have to keep your theories to yourself. Are we clear?”

“No, no, no. I'm not keeping this quiet, everyone needs to know. If you are communicating through a bond in wolf form, Kyle, then there's a very real possibility that your bond is fully formed. You could both die! I can't just let that happen.”

“It's fine E.” I hugged her, feeling my sister on the verge of a complete meltdown. “Everything's going to be fine. You'll see. Maybe no one will even challenge us.”

“She didn't tell you?”

I stiffened with my sister in my arms. “Tell me what?”

“Christine gave her a formal challenge this morning. The challenge is to take place tonight.”

“WHAT?!??!” I growled out, trying to get control on my emotions, and trying to keep my surging wolf from changing and going after Christine Canine for threatening our mate.

Kelsey

Chapter 23

I knew the second Kyle found out about my challenge. I was thankful to be back at my desk because the intensity of his emotions nearly knocked me over, and I had to sit down or fall over. I knew he wouldn't be happy, but I wasn't prepared for the sheer anger, nor the fear that swept us both.

I had known for weeks, basically since the start of my training, that Christine would likely be my biggest challenger from within Westin Pack and as such had been drilled and prepped not just in offensive fighting skills, but also in her weaknesses. Mary had discussed several other potential challengers she was aware of from outside our pack as well. I was ready for this, or at least as ready as I'd ever be. My biggest fear was that my alpha powers would escape.

Jason had initially said that we would need to work hard on controlling my power, but so far focus had been on me learning how to actually fight. I had controlled it from escaping at the pack meeting when Christine had tried to bait me, but there was a lot of distraction, support, and nerves that day. I hadn't truly been tested since I had nearly knocked out Jason and Kyle testing my powers. It terrified me.

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