Page 12 of One True Mate

"Okay, one more thing, did you draw this yourself?"

"Yes. I know you'll do a far better job."

"Uh-uh girl, this is amazing work. You ever want a part time job coming up with tattoo ideas, you just let me know. People pay a lot of money for designs this good. Maybe we could even cut the cost back some in exchange for a couple drawings. I really like this. Of course, the wolf would look a whole lot better being black." His grin was almost irresistible.

"Nope, it has to be brown, just like in the drawing."

"Okay, suit yourself."

It took five sessions to complete. Cole and I were well acquainted friends by the end of it. I gave him ten drawings in exchange and he refused to take any money from me. On the final fill in, he nicked one of the skin grafts, which started to bleed. He was quick to call in an antibiotic in case of infection and gave me stricter care orders. I was disappointed when he had to cover it. It was beautiful. So much better than I had imagined, and all the ugliness had disappeared.

KYLE

Chapter 6

I was continuing to stew over the fact that Kelsey was still ignoring me. We had worked side by side for two years, and every time she turned me down I felt the sting of rejection. Yet somehow, I knew the bond between us was strengthening. In the history of shifters, I had never heard of any mated pair taking this long to complete the bond. When she showed up in my woods in wolf form, I honestly thought, this is it. She's finally come for me. We ran and played and had the best night of my life.

Then later that same morning in the office, it was like she had no idea it had been me. How could she not know it was me? Rejection had never felt so bad as that morning.

Since then, I was quickly falling into a funk. Even my mother had commented on it at family dinner the night before. I knew I had to pull out of it lest it consume me.

A small knock on my door and I steeled myself for the scent that haunted me day and night. The scent I loathed and craved simultaneously.

When the door opened, I was assaulted by her smell combined with a coppery scent that shouldn't have entered with Kelsey. All the strength in the world couldn't have stopped me.

"Blood." I said, "Baby, you're hurt. Where? What's wrong?"

She looked at me in confusion.

"What are you talking about, Kyle? I'm fine."

In that moment, she said the one thing I had longed to hear, the only thing that could have jolted me from the compulsion to do anything in my power to protect my mate. She said my name. She called me Kyle, and it had rolled off her tongue with ease. My wolf howled in appreciation, and I was vaguely aware that I had slipped up and called her "baby," yet she didn't seem to mind or notice.

Even that, as shocking as it was, couldn't stop the momentum propelling me towards my mate to ensure myself that she was okay.

I pulled her into my arms and hugged her closely to me. My hands roamed across her back and down her arms needing to touch her everywhere. The smell of blood was stronger, and I knew it was coming off of her. I held her chin in my hands and forced her to look at me.

"Baby, what's wrong? Where are you bleeding?"

She tried to push away, but I wouldn't allow her to reject me this time.

"There's nothing wrong. Wait," she thought momentarily, taking a step away from me and turning her back towards me. I saw her lift her skirt.

"Shit!" I heard her exclaim, marking the third most shocking event of the day, and it was barely 8:30 in the morning. Then she turned and ran out the door.

I followed her until I saw her running into the women's room. I tried to think what it could possibly be. She wasn't human so I knew she didn't get periods. She-wolves sometimes bled a little when they went into heat, but if Kelsey Adams was in heat, I'd know it, and so would every other male within six packs.

I had never felt so helpless, so I ran into Elise's office and grabbed her.

She shot away from her desk when she saw my face.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

I knew she had suspected for a long time that Kelsey meant more to me than I'd admitted, but I had never confirmed we were mates to anyone aside from my dad.

"It's Kelsey. Something's wrong. Blood. I smelled blood on her. She said she was okay, then cursed and ran for the bathroom. I don't know what to do Elise, and if you don't go check on her I'm going to barge in and find out for myself."

Elise laughed. "I knew there was more to you two than you were letting on."

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