Page 22 of One True Mate

She seemed to struggle with that and her nerves increased still more.

“But, uh, but, won't the humans think it's weird seeing two wolves running down South Street?”

Lily snorted, holding back a laugh, “Sweetie, no one in San Marco will find it weird, I promise.”

She hugged her in reassurance and I was taken back at the jealousy I felt watching, even knowing Lily was no threat to me and my mate.

“Kels, there really aren't any humans in San Marco. Honestly, not for nearly fifty miles of the place. Everyone here is Westin Pack. Now down at the factories, that's a different story, but up here, that remoteness that probably drew you in and made you comfortable here, that's all designed on purpose.”

“Oh,” she sighed. “What about the butcher at the grocery store in town?”

“Samson? Yeah, wolf.”

“And Cole Anderson?”

“Wolf.” Lily grinned and wagged her eyebrows, “Definitely all wolf there!”

I bit back the growl trying to unleash. Did she really just make a comment about another male to my mate? I took a deep breath. I needed to get a grip. Lily didn't know Kelsey was my mate, but if she made one more comment like that, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep it a secret any longer. My wolf stirred and roared, remembering the tattoo on her thigh. It was me, she'd chosen to mark herself with me, but the thought that Cole's hands had been there on her, marking her body like that was difficult to think past. I had to get control of myself. I needed to run.

“You can head into the brush and change so you don't ruin your clothes. I'll just be over there.” I pointed in the direction I was heading even knowing the odd look my sisters were giving me.

I quickly stripped, leaving my clothes by a tree and changed into my wolf form. It didn't even begin to take the itch off as I knew Kelsey was nearby doing the same thing, and it was impossible not to picture her naked as I had secretly seen on far too many occasions and dreamed about on far too many other nights. Shaking my big furry head, I walked over to the girls.

“That was nice of you, big guy, giving her a little privacy like that. Probably don't want to scare her too quickly with the ways of the pack.”

Then she proceeded to pet my head. Only Lily would ever dare and I shook my head and snorted in a light warning to back off. She just laughed and kept at it.

“Okay, I'm heading over now. Give me ten minutes to get everything lined up. Already called Liam and he's meeting me at headquarters. We'll three way Elise in when we get there. Shoot, we need someone to signal you to go. Let me see if Chase is available.”

I felt Kelsey change and knew she was crouched in the woods, watching and waiting, unsure of exposing herself for what probably felt to her as the first time. I got up and walked over to lay beside her, nudging her with my nose. In some ways, I could express things to her in wolf form that I wouldn't dare in human form for fear I'd scare her away. But I also didn't think she fully understood her actions, even the ones in wolf form, that should have been natural instinct to her, but then again, maybe that's exactly what it was, I thought, as she nuzzled over next to me and laid her head across my paws, fully exposing her neck to me. I nuzzled into it, enjoying her natural scent. I couldn't help but give her a big sloppy wet lick across her face before jumping up and running over to my sister.

In wolf form, we could see fully and understand humans and shifters in human form, we just couldn't communicate vocally. Only mated pairs in wolf form could communicate in a sort of telepathic manner I didn't fully understand. It also wasn't something that just happened when mates first bonded. The bonding took time to fully develop, and talking telepathically was something only very committed, thoroughly bonded mates could do. I wondered if Kelsey and I would ever have that. I sure hoped so.

I noticed Chase had already arrived. He must have been close by because that was fast. I ran over and playfully lunged for him, laughing he rolled to the ground.

“Knock it off, Kyle. And mom says I'm just a big pup!”

Lily just shook her head, “Okay, I'm heading over to headquarters. Remember, don't say go till I give the word.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I'll call as soon as I get there.

I noticed for the first time Elise was already gone and Kelsey was still in hiding. I walked over and nudged her, trying to encourage her to move. After a little prodding she finally did, but coming out into the open she hid behind me, trying to use my body as a shield. I let out something of a bark and tried to let my alpha power flow over her. It didn't seem to work, but did seem to calm her some at least.

I couldn't really make introductions in this form and I wasn't about to shift back and have her face me down in the buff with my brother standing there. But he seemed to catch on some.

“You must be the infamous, Kelsey Adams,” he spoke softly and kindly so not to scare her.

He sat down on the ground in front of her and held out his hand for her to come to him. I watched curiously. Her small, blonde fur covered body hid entirely by my contrasting dark brown one and I mentally noted how similar our wolf colorings were to our human hair colors. Though, while she was quite tall in human form, her wolf seemed very small in comparison. I had been so excited the one time I had seen her wolf that I hadn't really noticed things like that.

Kelsey peeked her head around me and studied Chase, still patiently waiting with his outstretched hand. She slowly went to him and nudged it with her head, giving him permission to pet her. Chase jumped back in shock as a growl escaped me, just as my alpha powers sent out a massive punch I hadn't been aware was coming until too late. Holding his hands above his head he slowly stood up, clearly shocked by my behavior. Kelsey's wolf cocked her head to the side in curiosity.

“Shit, Kyle! I didn't know! I swear, I didn't know. Does Dad know? Is this why we've been protecting her and letting her stay here?”

I almost shifted just to shut him up, knowing she was listening to every word. Of course, he would immediately recognize my possessive actions for what they were. I shook my head side to side, trying to convey things to him I couldn't say at the moment, when the phone rang. I said a quick prayer he wouldn't mention it to our siblings. I needed to explain things to Kelsey before getting them all in a frenzy over the situation. Shaking my head no even harder, he nodded and signaled he understood. I could feel her stare on me and didn't need to look her way to know there would be plenty of questions later.

“Okay, well, you guys ready?” Chase asked, clearly over the shock and setting things aside.

I gave one nod of my head. Kelsey copied my actions and crouched low to the ground, almost lying down, but not quite. I was curious about her stance, but didn't have time to think about it, readying myself for a much-needed run.

“Alright, let's do this. All the way to headquarters. See you both there. Now, on your mark, get set, go!”

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