Page 25 of One True Mate

Cheers went up all around.

Seventy-one miles per hour? I couldn't believe it, and from the looks on many faces, neither could they. I knew I was fast, but that was well over what they told me was the fastest recorded time in history.

Several people began coming over and introducing themselves and congratulating me. It was awkward for me, and from what I could tell, for many of them too. Kyle was right, they did seem curious about me, but I couldn't understand why.

He was true to his word, though, and never left my side. As the group started dying down finally, I realized I was suddenly very very tired. How could it possibly still be the same day? The day I found out the truth about wolf shifters. The day I was suspecting would never end.

“You look tired, are you ready to head home?” Kyle whispered as I was saying goodbye to two of the other admins that I actually did know.

“YES!” I wanted to hug him just for suggesting it.

“Come on, let me grab the keys to one of the company cars and I'll drive you.”

“Kyle? You can't miss dinner.”

“It's fine, they'll understand.”

“No, Elise is right, Kyle, you can't miss tonight. Daddy stopped me on the way out this morning to make sure I got you there. You have to make dinner tonight.”

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly torn.

“Kelsey's been through a lot today. We can't just leave her now.”

“It's okay, I can get myself home. Go. You guys have done plenty for one day, and I have a lot to think about.”

“No, Kyle's right, Kels, we shouldn't leave you alone tonight. Come to dinner with us.”

Kyle looked hopeful, but I couldn't possibly intrude.

“No, I can't do that. Tuesday's are your family time. Go. I'll be fine.”

The look of disappointment on his face caused an ache in my heart. I wanted to reach out to him, make it right, whatever it took.

“I'm taking you home then.”

“But.” Lily and I said at the same time before looking at each other and laughing.

“Kelsey, it's fine if you want to join us.” Lowering her voice, she whispered to me, “Don't worry, you won't be the only guest tonight.” She grinned and winked at me, but I had no clue what she was talking about. “Come on,” she said, hooking my arm and dragging me along despite my protest.

Kyle piled into Lily's small eco-friendly car leaving, me the front seat.

“I could have sat back there,” I offered a little too late.

“Nah, it's fine,” he assured me, though he looked scrunched up and uncomfortable.

“Do I really have to intrude on family night? Can't I just go home and take it all in? You guys have pretty much turned my world upside down already today.”

“That's why we aren't about to just leave you alone tonight,” he assured me.

Great. Just what I need. My overbearing boss who turns my knees to Jell-O with a simple look, refusing to let me out of his sight while I contemplate the new reality of him not only knowing and accepting my secret, but being just like me. It was just too much to process.

I couldn't deny I'd been attracted to Kyle Westin since I first laid eyes on him. I don't think I'd ever done anything to make those feelings known. I'd only ever been one hundred percent professional with him. I never once allowed myself to even consider him, or any other man, an option for me. How could I with the secret I kept for the last ten years?

Now, suddenly here he was. Everything I'd ever wanted ,right here seeing into my deepest, darkest secrets and not even flinching. It's more than I could ever have even allowed myself to think about. Plus, that kiss. Just thinking about it made my cheeks pink and my lips burn for more. I needed to get away, quickly. I was far too emotional, and what Kyle couldn't understand was that it wasn't coming to terms with who or what I was that had me a complete wreck. Yes, I had questions and confusion, but now that the knowledge had started to sink in, I realized it's just knowledge, some things about my heritage that I needed to know and understand. No, what had me completely freaking out was the man who just reached over and massaged my shoulder, somehow seeming to know the second I craved his touch. The man who refused to leave my side, yet didn't realize I forgot to breathe when he was that close to me.

I was thankful when we arrived at the big house I knew belonged to their parents. Both Elise and Lily still lived there too. I had never allowed myself to ask if Kyle lived at home or elsewhere.

Stumbling out of the car I tried to look at it from fresh eyes. I understood enough from what they'd told me throughout the day to know that their dad was Pack Alpha of the Westin Pack. I had met Jason Westin on several occasions, but never his wife. He had always seemed like a good person, though my brief passing of his wife around town had left me the impression that she was not happy with my being there and more than a little stand-offish. I had made it a point to steer clear of Mary Westin.

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