Page 77 of One True Mate

I didn't think she was going to submit to me, but when she did, I couldn't have stopped myself if I had wanted to. And I did not want to. I needed my mate in every sense of the word. I slowed only long enough to be careful with her clothing, even though I wanted to just rip it from her body. This wasn't the careful caressing we were used to, this was all pent up want and desire mingled with fear pouring through us and I felt like she was the air I needed to breathe and I couldn't get close enough to her. It was fast and furious as I pressed her body against the wall and we both took and gave with equal urgency. I felt sated for the first time in far too many days, even if it was over much too quickly.

Breathless and panting, I softened my grip on her and when her legs unwrapped from around my waist, I lowered her to the ground. I kissed her softer this time and pulled her to me, just holding her a minute, basking in the afterglow.

She shook her head against my chest. “There's still a lot of people out there waiting for you.”And I'm probably going to die of embarrassment when you open that door, so you won't have to worry about your other challenges anyway, she half teased.

I laughed and reached down to gather her clothes, tossing them back to her, but I watched and didn't move to dress myself until she was fully clothed.

Worth a million challenges, babe!

She let me exit first and held back a few minutes as the crowd erupted and congratulations began. Then she tried to sneak out and melt into the crowd. Fat chance of that. I grabbed her hand and pulled her arm around my waist. This was our pack and this was my mate, their future Pack Mother and we would not hide our love. Though she was stiff, and a tad uncomfortable, she humored me.

Cole Anderson shot me a knowing look and shook his head laughing. “One down, two to go. And because of the number of challenges you've been issued, and the shortened challenge period, word has gone out that challenges will only be accepted for another seventy-two hours. After that it's closed to allow time to schedule before your challenge period ends. There's some alphas not real happy about it, but you two have the Pack Council so worried that they want this over as quickly as possible. We'll know in the next few days exactly what you two are facing.”

Kelsey brightened next to me. “Really? No more challenges can be made after that?”

“That's right.”

I felt her relief flood me. It made me happy to see my mate so happy.

We headed over the Crate, a public place we could spend time together and celebrate, though I still didn't feel there was much to celebrate. Kelsey and I stayed for quite awhile before we said our goodbyes. The Council was watching us closely and I was told in no uncertain terms that we were to have no further physical contact. Yeah, I'd heard that one before too. But I did try to behave and my wolf only growled slightly when Cole escorted Kelsey home instead of me. I didn't like going home alone. It felt too empty without her, so I instead went to Mom and Dad's and crashed in my old room for the night.

I slept in late, though I had planned to get to the office early to see Kelsey as soon as possible. When I finally did wake, there was a flurry of excitement through the house. Not the good kind of excitement. Several skirmishes had broken out through the night between the Westin Pack and several of the visiting packs, particularly the New York Central Pack though Morris was already busy disciplining his wolves and preparing for departure, the Irish Clan which had just arrived with Patrick O'Connell, and of course the Bulgarians.

I was told before my second cup of coffee that I would be battling O'Connell that night. I had questioned the decision as it was unheard of to have back to back challenges like that, but in light of the lack of injury from the previous challenge, the Westin Council was certain I would be up to it and the sooner the challenges were over, the better, as far as they were concerned.

I didn't have time to properly stress over the day's challenge before duty called and I was off to discipline and understand exactly what was happening.

Amidst a day of excuses and stories of he said, she said, that were enough to give anyone a headache, I was able to sneak off for a whole ten minutes to catch Kelsey on the tail end of her lunch. It was long enough for me to at least see her, kiss her, and have her wish me well before I was off and running again. Dad was equally busy as there had been so many problems uprising through the night. The day was gone in a flash with little resolved aside from a few slaps on the wrist and some extra security details issued.

Patrick had asked to meet with me prior to the night's challenge, but with everything going on, I was unable to meet his demand. Now I sat, once again, in the room I was coming to think of as a cage awaiting my second challenge. Unlike Matt Snyder, who I was sorry to hear did not survive the night, Patrick O'Connell was a worthy challenger. Not just that, but I had always known him to be a good man. I did not look forward to this battle, yet I knew I would do anything to keep Kelsey. Because of his position and power in his own right, I also could not afford to spare Patrick's life and that weighed heavily on me.

The rallying noise in the arena had grown so loud that although I could feel Kelsey's arrival, I was unable to even hear past the noise to reach out to her through our bond. In fact, it was so loud that someone had to come and motion for me to enter when the time for challenge finally came.

As I entered the arena, a roar rose up surrounding me. I saw O'Connell enter as well and nodded my acknowledgment to him. He looked upset and off. I could smell worry wafting off him and knew that would play well to my advantage. I couldn't think of him as my once childhood friend, only as my enemy and I would be victorious over him.

Don't get cocky there, hairball. I need you to stay focused. O'Connell is quick and well skilled. Elise and I watched him prepare earlier today. Your sister left visibly shaken, but even I could tell he is a solid fighter. Not as good as you, of course, but please keep your head straight and stay focused.My mate encouraged me through our bond. My eyes met her and the noise seemed to disappear. I smiled, gave her a wink and nodded.

I got this, babe, I assured her watching her nod back.

Once again only she and my father sat in the upper deck area. Should her powers try to escape he was ready to help her reign it in. She had done well during my battle with Matt, but he was hardly a real threat to me. This would be a true test to her as well as me.

O'Connell made his way to meet me in the center of the arena as my father began the slow process of quieting the crowd.

“I told you we needed to talk before this battle,” he said quickly.

“I'm sorry, there were a few uprisings in the pack that had to be addressed. And honestly Patrick, what does it matter now?”

“It matters to me!” He said, looking upset. “I have to know, Kyle, is it true?”

“Is what true?”

“Kelsey, is she your one true mate.”

I stopped and stared at him, curious of his sudden questions. “Yes, of course she is. You know me. Would I ever willingly battle for anyone less?”

He sighed and slammed his fist into his thigh in frustrations. “You're certain?”

“Two hundred percent.”

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