Page 26 of One True Mate

I didn't know what to expect walking into their home. As soon the door opened, their dad came over. He went straight to Kyle, not seeming to notice me at all and leaned in to speak softly to only him, but I was close enough to hear every word.

“I'm so sorry, son. It's all your mother's idea. Please just try to get through the night in a civilized manner. Remember, she doesn't know about…”

His words drifted off as his eyes met mine and grew large.

“Kelsey! What a surprise.”

His panicking eyes flashed to Kyle's, then back to mine, and I think I held them just a fraction too long before I remembered what the girls told me, and I dropped my eyes and head quickly, feeling as though I were speaking to the floor.

“Hello, sir, it's nice to see you again.”

I felt like a complete idiot. Who did that? I had never even really noticed it until they pointed it out.

Lily giggled a little at my attempt. Elise hugged me in support.

“You're doing great, Kels.”

I sighed.

“Sorry, I'm trying, I really am.”

Their father looked at each of us in confusion trying to understand what was going on.

“Sir, can I speak to you for a moment?” I asked before my nerves took over and I couldn't bring myself to do it. “Alone?”

“Uh, certainly, Kelsey. My office is right this way.”

I saw him sweep a questioning look across his children ,and felt Kyle about to protest, but I looked him right in the eyes and shook my head no before turning and following the elder Mr. Westin into his office and closed the door behind me. My entire body was shaking with nervous energy.

“Please, take a seat, relax, Kelsey. Now tell me, what did you want to talk to me about? It sounded important.”

“I don't know,” I admitted. “I don't know much about anything apparently. From the pieces they have told me, I understand you are Pack Alpha of the Westin Pack.”

He had visible shock on his face, though he quickly tried to mask it and simply nodded for me to continue instead.

“Your children, they've been wonderful to me.” I knew I was tearing up and also knew there was no way to get through it without crying. “There was an incident this morning, and well, I learned things I didn't know. Things I never dreamed of.”

He still didn't say a word, so I continued to babble.

“They are trying to help me. Trying to explain things to me. Explain your ways and what I should and shouldn't be doing.” I sighed realizing I was looking him straight in the eyes again and sadly lowered my gaze. “I'm screwing up a lot already, I'm sorry.”

“Start from the beginning, child.”

“Which beginning? My life as I knew it before today beginning, or what happened with Mike and Ted that started it all?”

“Mike and Ted? What the hell do they have to do with anything?”

“Well, I guess I should back up a little. There was first an incident in the office this morning. Anyway, I got upset and scared and I ran.” I shrugged, knowing how pathetic I was, “It's just what I do. What I always do. It's the only way I know to survive, but as I was running for home, I ran into Mike and Ted.”

He held up a hand for me to stop. “Back up some, what sort of incident at the office? Is it something I should be concerned with?”

I knew my face was on fire in brilliant shades of pinks and red. I took a deep breath, figuring it was best to just be honest with him.

“I got a tattoo. It was bleeding a little, Kyle apparently smelled it, he freaked out, we talked. I told him some things I had never told anyone before. It got pretty emotional. And he, he kissed me.” I paused just in time to see the man attempt to hide the smile on his face, like he wasn't surprised at my admission at all.

“And how exactly did you react to that?”

“How do you think? I freaked out and ran for it. I was running home to pack my things and get the hell out of here when I ran into Mike and Ted. They were rambling on about some Council and command to leave me alone, but they didn't care, well Mike didn't. Ted tried to talk him down. Anyway, he shifted in front of me. I really freaked at that point!”

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