Page 74 of One True Mate

“Don't joke. If he was willing to challenge you, he must think he has a chance, so do not underestimate him. Who's the third.”

“Andon of the Bulgarians.”

My breath caught.Not him! Please, anyone but him!

“You know him?”

“No, but I know who he is.” I shuddered remembering the small giant with the hard glare from the Crate the night before. “He was at the Crate last night. There were a few scuffles with the Bulgarians and the Westins. Cole told me who he was but I don't think he knew about the challenge at the time. That guy gives me the creeps, Kyle.”

“Come here,” he said, pulling me back close to his chest and rubbing his hands across my shoulders to comfort me. “Nothing's going to happen to me, babe. I got this. I just need you to have a little faith in me.”

I pulled away and stared at him in shock. Did he really believe I didn't think he could survive a challenge? “Kyle, I have full faith in you. You are the strongest, best wolf shifter in the world. Please don't mistake my fear of the challenges as my lack of faith in you.” I felt terrible knowing now that's how he was feeling and vowed to give him only my best, most confident thoughts going forward.

“Sometimes it's hard to differentiate the two.”

“I'm know. I'm sorry. The mere thought of someone like Andon taking your place disgusts me, but I know you aren't going to let that happen. Not my wolf.” I smiled at him with confidence and fixed his hair back into its normal perfect place. “How soon?”

“I don't know yet.”

“They moved quickly once Christine issued me her challenge.”

“I know, I suspect I'll hear something more later this morning.”

“They won't stack them all in one day, would they?” I asked horrified at the thought.

“No, I'm guaranteed a day's break between each fight. Guessing the delayed announcement is due to scheduling. We'll hear something soon though, I'm certain.”

At some point, we moved to the small couch in his office and spent the day snuggled up and talking through our fears, concerns, and future. By lunch time, his sisters were on the hunt wondering what was wrong. A soft knock on the office door was followed by a head peeking through.

“Found her!” Lily announced, as she and Elise descended upon us.

“Close the door.” Kyle said gruffly, making no motion to move from the cozy position we were in.

“Awe, you guys look so cute. The Council will freak if they see you together. What are you thinking?”

“Kyle was issued three challenges today.” I said, and it was all that needed to be said. Shock, fear, and anger all flashed across each of their faces. “We're waiting to hear the schedule.”

“Screw the Council and their stupid concerns,” Elise said wiping a tear from her eye.

Kyle grinned, “Yeah, that's pretty much our thoughts this morning too.” He paused awkwardly. “Well, did you at least bring lunch with you? I'm starving!”

Lily disappeared returning sometime later with a feast for the four of us. The atmosphere was lighter, even with the heavy layer of concern wrapped around us. We laughed and joked and I fell in love with them all just a little bit more.

When the phone rang, we all stared in shock and denial, but on the third ring, Kyle finally made his way over to answer.

“Kyle Westin... yes… yes… okay… no… okay, I'll see you in an hour. Thanks.”

The lightheartedness of our lunch was over as a stone wall went up in my mate as he prepared for battle. “Seven o'clock tonight, against the kid from New York Central.” We all nodded somberly.

KYLE

Chapter 28

The second I opened the door to my dad's office, I could hear angry raised voices.

“What do you want me to do, Morris? The kid issued the challenge. For me to deny, or Kyle to refuse it, would make him guaranteed victor by default. My son is not losing his one true mate just to spare some idiot pup.”

Morris slammed his fist down on my father's desk. “Dammit. He just barely came of age, Jason.”

---