Page 57 of One True Mate

“It's me!” Kyle announced proudly. “Her tattoo is a large picture of me in wolf form. She knew my wolf because I stalked her regularly in wolf form for the last two years.”

I looked at him and knew my mouth was open in shock at his admittance.

“What? I'm not too proud to admit it. I stalked her every night, guarding her house, and hoping and waiting for her to come out and join me.”

“The story she told me,” Cole added, “after giving me a brief description of what she'd been through as a child with her parents' death and a lifelong fear of wolves, was that she had this guardian wolf that watched over her house and for the first time in her life she wasn't afraid. What no one's mentioned today, and maybe I'm out of line for pointing this out, is that she too was attacked that night. She was bitten badly and it caused severe damage to her leg. So much so that even though her wolf was called forward at a ridiculously young age, it wasn't enough to fully heal her. The tattoo she wanted and drew herself was designed to cover the damage done. It's quite beautiful if I do say so myself.”

Kyle growled softly and glared at him for mentioning it. I just rolled my eyes at the two of them.

“So, there you have it. It took many weeks to complete the tattoo and I've been drawing ideas since, so yeah, that's how I got to know Cole. I just found out that he's on the Council. Well, just found out there even was a Council.”

That cleared the air and made the table chuckle. I suddenly noticed the surrounding tables leaning in closer trying to listen in.

“Wait? Black? Cole, you tried to convince her to change it to a black wolf?” Cole grinned sheepishly and nodded as Kyle glared at him. “Kelsey, do you know that Cole's wolf is black?”

I laughed, “I didn't then, but I do now. Kyle wasn't exactly happy to hear that and I had no clue why. I just knew it could only be my guardian wolf. No other. And a black wolf certainly wouldn't do.”

Cole shrugged looking smug, like he'd tried, what more could he have done.

I looked at Kyle and he grinned and leaned in and kissed me sweetly to the awe's and eye dabbing of those surrounding us.

“That's so romantic,” Sandy sighed.

We were amongst the last to leave for the night and many others had come by to talk to us and introduce themselves further. I was never going to remember them all, but it was nice of them to go out of their way to make me feel welcome.

Alone at last, I cuddled up to Kyle's side in our bed.

“So, how did you think it went?

“Rough start, but you had them eating out of your hand by the end of the night.”

“I did not.”

“You did too. And Cole's ribbing and retelling of your tattoo I think melted everyone within earshot.”

“You guys are never going to let me live that tattoo down are you?”

He peeled back the covers and pulled my nightgown up to my waist. Carefully he started tracing and really examining my tattoo. He frowned, feeling the rough ridges and skin grafts it was designed to hide. He leaned down and kissed the damaged area.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, not anymore.”

“I hate that you went through all that. It kills me that I wasn't there to protect you.”

“Kyle, I was twelve. There's nothing you could have done, but you're here now and more than I ever hoped or dreamed for.”

I couldn't read the expression in his eyes, but I felt the emotion and passion behind it when he kissed me. When we made love that night I cried, overcome with emotions. It was nothing like previous, his love poured over me and there were no coherent words even through our bond as we moved as one. I had wondered before if I would be capable of taking another life to guarantee my position in the pack and at this man's side. It was then that I knew there was nothing I wouldn't do for Kyle or to be with him. I didn't know it was even possible to love someone so much.

“I love you,” I told him for the first time meaning every word.

KYLE

Chapter 22

Two weeks ago, my life aligned to perfection as far as I was concerned. Kelsey was officially made pack. Our mating was announced and she told me she loved me. I'm not sure how I got so damn lucky. Finding your true mate is difficult enough, but it isn't always the smoothest transition. Yes, as shifters we strive to find our one true mate, but one of the reasons people settle for compatible mates is because the clashing of true mates occurs far too often.

It's not easy when fate intervenes. True mates are often extremely passionate, but not always for each other. Many rebel against their fate. Passion can be negative as much as positive. Fighting and resentment has been known to occur with true mates. I have never questioned Kelsey as my true mate. My initial resentments only occurred against her constant rejections. Even then I never resented her. If I were being honest I have loved Kelsey Adams since the moment I laid eyes on her. To have her love reciprocated is beyond all expectations. I felt like the luckiest man alive.

---