Page 28 of One True Mate

“Wait, wait, wait, clearly we're not talking about actually kicking his ass, so what are we talking about?”

“Racing,” Kyle said, “Kelsey beat me in both the mile and five miles.”

“What?” he boomed more surprised than angry. “What was her best mile clocked at?” They were no longer talking to me, but over me instead.

“Seventy-one miles per hour.” Kyle sounded proud, like he had done it himself.

“Seventy-one? That's impossible!”

“Nah, my girl is super fast. Wish you could have been there to see it.”

My heart felt like it was going to explode with happiness. I knew I had to reign it in. I didn't understand why his high praise made my pulse race with pride, but it did.

“Well that is certainly something I'd love to see for myself. Please let me know when the next race will be. I'm sure the pack will be talking about this for quite some time. Kelsey, you are welcome in my territory for as long as you like. Thank you, for coming to see me tonight. Now, if you'll excuse me, the wife doesn't appreciate work duties on family night. I assume you'll be joining us for dinner?”

I couldn't possibly, but something told me I wasn't getting out of it.

“No, thank you, I really don't wish to intrude. I think I've had enough to consider for one day, and I know how important family time is to you and your wife.”

“Oh, nonsense. Besides, we already have company tonight, and it should prove quite entertaining.” He winked at me and then guided me out of his office and down the hall to the kitchen with Kyle trailing behind.

KYLE

Chapter 12

Vanessa! I could smell her before we even entered the dining room. What the hell was she doing there?

I glared around the room, looking for the intruder, and saw my mom's face contort in confusion at seeing Kelsey walking in with Dad. I knew immediately it was her setup. She had made her desires to see me settle down with Vanessa very clear for several years now, long before Kelsey walked into my life. I shuddered to think of what a mistake that would have been.

True mates are a real thing in the shifter world, but as we've grown and spread out across the world, the chances of finding that one true mate have become rarer. Sort of like a prince stumbling across a long-lost princess and living happily ever after. That stuff just didn't happen in the real world. So, for several generations, shifters have been settling for compatible mates.

I knew Vanessa and I could be compatible mates, but after having met my one true mate, I knew settling was never an option for me. My parents were true mates, so I never really understood why my mother was so quick to find me a compatible mate. I mean, I got the whole wanting to see me settle down and the need for the next heir of the Westin Pack, but I was only now twenty-eight years old, and as far as I knew, Dad wasn't planning to step down anytime soon. Still, the moment I shifted for the first time at seventeen years of age, my mother had taken it upon herself to play matchmaker and see that I mated with a proper she-wolf to carry on the family legacy. I restrained a chuckle thinking of what she'd say when she found out Kelsey Adams was my one true mate.

“Hello, I'm Mary Westin,” my mother said, rising to shake hands with what she undoubtedly perceived as an intruder into her home and family night.

“Kelsey Adams. It's nice to officially meet you,” she said graciously.

My mom tried to hide the sneer. I knew she wasn't a fan of Kelsey's and had been vocal with Dad and me about running her out of Westin territory, but I also knew Mary Westin would never have been less than hospitable to any shifter in her home, especially one my father invited to join us.

“I invited Kelsey to join us for dinner, sweetie. I hope that's okay.” My father offered, simultaneously giving warning for her to behave.

The look she shot back to him promised he'd be explaining himself later.

“Of course. Lily, why don't you grab an extra plate to set for our guest. Kelsey, I know you already know Kyle, and Lily and Elise from work. These are my other sons, Liam and Chase,” she offered formally.

“Hi, thanks, we've met already.”

“Oh,” she sounded surprised by that news, “well, then this is Vanessa Relic, a dear friend of Kyle's.”

My first instinct was to stare down my mother for her blatant intrusion into my life, but then curiosity had me turning to Kelsey instead as I felt a strange emotion ripple through her. Her body was tense and her smile painted on, but to the outside eye, I had no doubt she looked perfectly friendly and normal. I knew with all my being that there was nothing friendly about Kelsey Adams as she politely shook hands with Vanessa, never once dropping her stare. The direct contact only lasted a second as they were both distracted by Lily's return with the additional place setting, though I smiled, noting Vanessa looked away first.

There was an awkward silence across the table as we all sat down to eat. Mom had strategically placed me beside Vanessa, no surprise there, and had Lily sit Kelsey next to her, placing her directly across from me. I tried to send her an apologetic look as she looked back and forth between me and Vanessa.

“Mmm, this is really good, mom.” I praised her perfectly cooked, juicy turkey with all the fixings. My mother always went above and beyond on Tuesday night family dinners. You'd think it was Thanksgiving every Tuesday in the Westin house.

“It really is, Mary, thank you so much for having me over,” Vanessa said in a cheery voice complete with sugary sweet smile before turning her attention to Kelsey. “Kelsey, so tell me, what's it like working for Kyle?” Her laugh tinkled through the room as she laid her hand possessively on my forearm.

It took every bit of reserve not to push her away.How dare she show such disrespect to my mate!But I had to stay focused and remember, no one knew Kelsey was my mate because in the two years I had known her I had never made my intentions clear. I didn't want to paint an even bigger target on her back by doing something stupid, and that reminder kept me glued uncomfortably in my chair watching her closely from across the table.

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