Page 56 of One True Mate

“And I'm Leslie Matthews.” The last of our table introduced themselves.

“It's really nice to meet you all.” I said, and I meant it.

“You did good tonight, Kels, though, I think we need to work on your scent control.” Cole shook his head and laughed. “I'm kind of shocked you have so few potential challengers after the nerves you were producing in there, though I will tell you, I thought a few times I was going to have to physically hold Kyle down from joining you on stage before he was called.”

“It wasn't that bad,” Sandy tried to assure me.

Leslie laughed, “Yes, yes it was. I'm sorry but I'll admit I was more than a little shocked to hear you were mated to Kyle. Kyle? This little shy nervous she-wolf? But watching you stand by his side, it was an entirely different picture.”

“Don't judge her off that as a first impression.” Kyle laughed, “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been in the room. I know Dad was right when he suggested it, but of course I wouldn't hear of it. I know I made things a thousand times worse. Cole's not kidding when he said he was going to have to hold me down. It was hard watching her up on that stage so exposed to everyone. And I may be able to disguise my scent, but every time my anxiety rose, she felt it and increased her nerves tenfold.” He even blushed and hung his head sheepishly. It was the cutest thing I think I had ever seen.

“I didn't even know we could disguise our scent. Someone needs to teach me that trick.”

The whole table laughed along with that, easing the tension of Kyle's confession, which raised a few eyebrows, but not one commented on it.

“It's not easy, but it is possible with practice, restraint, and determination.” Dan clued me in.

“Oh, she's up to the challenge for sure.” Cole sounded proud in his assessment. “I've never met a female quite so assertive, especially when she sets her mind to something.”

Kyle softly growled at him and I elbowed him. “He's just trying to goad you. Stop letting him.” Then I turned to Cole, “And you, behave.” I shook my head at the two of them causing Leslie and Sandy to start giggling.

“So, I take it you know Cole pretty well then? I mean I know you work at Westin Foundation with Kyle, but even their word is you tend to keep to yourself and haven't made many friends. Why is that?” Leo asked, but didn't sound judgmental when he did.

Kyle started to speak for me, but I stopped him and knew it was my time to step up. This was going to be my pack. These people were going to be my responsibility as future Pack Mother. It was time to start acting like I was up for the job.

“I can imagine it's difficult to understand, and in hindsight I know how stupid it sounds, but I genuinely didn't know there was anyone like me, like us, out there. Or I guess that's not entirely true, I did know werewolves, or wolf shifters as I know now you prefer to be called, existed, I just feared them my entire life. I watched two wolves kill my parents. I changed that same night for the first time. I thought,” I couldn't stop my cheeks from changing colors with how stupid I knew I sounded, “I thought I was a monster, that those wolves had turned me into this monster. I didn't know anything about our kind.”

“That's a pretty big secret to grow up with,” Melinda said, her voice filled with sympathy.

I nodded, “Yeah, it was. I couldn't trust anyone. Ever. So, I got used to being alone and avoiding people as much as possible. I didn't mean to come off as nervous or weak up on stage tonight. You just have to understand that my entire life I've worked so hard to be invisible that it's more than a little intimidating being shoved in the spotlight now.”

When I looked up, Franny and Leslie both had tears in their eyes, and the others nodded in understanding.

“You poor thing. I just can't even imagine. And weak? Who among us could handle such a life? You must be the strongest shifter I've ever had the privilege of meeting to withstand such trauma so graciously.” Sandy stood and came over and hugged me close. My wolf sighed in contentment.

“Thanks,” I said trying not to let my voice crack.

Leo cleared his throat, “Life will be very different for you now, Kelsey.”

“Oh, it already is. You have no idea. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but I've never been happier.”

He smiled at that. “So, I'm curious. How did you meet Mr. Anderson?”

“Don't be silly, Leo, he's on Council, of course she's met all the Council already.”

“True, but actually, aside from Elise and Lily, Cole was my first friend here. It was pretty recent, but still. He did a tattoo for me and I've done a few designs for his shop since then.”

“Oh do tell,” Melinda asked sounding scandalous. “What's your tattoo?”

Cole laughed, “You don't want to know.”

I blushed. “I didn't know! Still, I am so glad you did not convince me to make it black.” I elbowed him in the gut trying to wipe the smirk off his face.

“Black?” Melinda persisted.

I closed my eyes and tried to push my embarrassment aside. “It's a wolf, okay? My tattoo is a wolf. It was before I knew any of this.”

“Not just any wolf.” Cole laughed and I glared at him.

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