Page 7 of One True Mate

"Hey big brother, you're coming tonight, right? Dad was not happy you skipped out on family dinner last week. You can't miss again tonight. You know Tuesday nights are Mom's nights, and Daddy doesn't take too kindly to a disappointed mate," Elise lectured me, walking into the office unannounced and dragging me from my thoughts.

"Hey E, have you forgotten how to knock?"

She snorted. "Since when do you expect anyone to knock?" She just stared at me then grinned. "Oh, except Kelsey. She spoiling you already giving you your privacy?" She laughed. "Well, don't get used to it. Rest of us have to keep that big head of yours from getting too carried away with your self-importance."

"What are you talking about? Just knock next time. Is that really so difficult?"

"Uh, yeah, it is. So, about dinner, you're going to be there, right?"

I had been so screwed up over Kelsey's first day of work last week that I had skipped out on Mom's mandatory Tuesday night dinner. I knew I couldn't get away with that again. Plus, I really needed to talk to my dad. I had heard some grumblings around the office about Kelsey's new position and how disgraceful it was to have her working for me. I knew there were plenty in the pack put off by her disrespect of territory lines and wanted her gone immediately. I couldn't allow that to happen.

I still didn't know why she continued to deny her wolf. Why she still hadn't come to the Alpha House to present herself. And I needed the answers to these questions.

Elise cleared her throat. "Earth to Kyle. Have you heard a single word I've said?"

"Yeah, sorry, just a lot on my mind." I tried so hard not to look at the door, knowing she was just on the other side, and I knew the second Elise noticed it too. I sighed, "Yeah, I'll be at dinner tonight. Don't worry."

My sister backed off then. That never happened. I thought for sure she would grill me on Kelsey by now. Since Sara Winters, a lovely old lady who had worked for my dad my entire life and agreed to stay on for me when I transitioned into his former position as CEO of Westin Foundation, had decided to retire and spend her days watching over her grandpups instead, I had gone quickly through every assistant Elise had thrown my way. I knew she was curious and surprised to find the little lone-wolf who had strolled unannounced into our territory was actually working out. To be certain, I was just as surprised about it myself.

She gave me a kiss on my cheek before turning to leave. I should have known she wouldn't make it out without caving to her curiosity. With her hand on the door she turned back to me.

"Everything's working out with Kelsey?"

"Yeah, she's great." I tried to steel my voice to sound neutral.

She smiled genuinely. "I'm really glad to hear it, Kyle. I know there are a lot in the pack who think she should be run out of town, but Lily and I have really taken a liking to her and I truly do not believe she is a threat to us. I'm not sure why she insists on denying her wolf or not following pack protocol, but Kyle, I really think something happened to her. Something bad."

My wolf snarled and I had to bite my lip hard to keep it from escaping from me.

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged and came back to sit across from me.

"I don't know. She's opened up to Lily a little this week. Did you know her parents died when she was twelve? She wouldn't tell her how or what happened, but apparently, it was really bad, Kyle. Like majorly traumatic. I can feel her fear and stress heighten anytime it's brought up. And from the sounds of it, it was just her and her parents. She lost everything and lived in foster homes until she aged out of the system. Where was her pack, Kyle? How could they abandon a child like that? How could a wolf shifter survive all these years on her own? In foster care."

There were tears of true concern in her eyes and my wolf and I struggled between the need to comfort her and the need to run to our mate to shelter her from her past. I knew I couldn't go to Kelsey. She clearly wasn't ready, so I instead walked around my desk and pulled Elise into my arms.

"I won't let anything happen to her and she's not going anywhere. I promise. I'll discuss it with Dad tonight after dinner."

She nodded with damp eyes, and kissed my cheek again and turned to leave, for real this time. Before she closed the door behind her, I heard the concern in Kelsey's voice and knew she was trying to console my sister. That was just the type of person Kelsey Adams was. And clearly, she was a fighter and survivor too. My heart ached knowing she had been through something so terrible she couldn't even talk about it.

Dinner at Mom's was always entertaining. Just me, my dad, my mom, and my siblings. Aside from Elise and Lily there were our two brothers, Liam, Lily's twin, and Chase the baby of the family. It was the one night a week we set aside for just the seven of us. Every other night was devoted to the pack as was our responsibility.

After dinner, I didn't have to ask Dad if we could talk privately because he pulled me into his office before I could.

"So, I'm going to get right to the point because I know your mother whines when we spend too much time on family night discussing pack business, but son, you've put me in a bit of a bind here."

"What?" I was confused about what he was talking about. "What have I done?"

"Tell me about the little lone wolf you have apparently employed."

I know my face flushed. I couldn't help it. Even though I was planning to discuss the same with him, I was taken back that he brought it up.

"I understand she is quite beautiful." He smirked and a small growl escaped me before I could stop it.

I didn't like other men noticing or commenting on how beautiful my mate was, even though the reality was you'd have to be dead or swinging for the other team not to notice Kelsey Adams.

Dad stayed quiet and watched me with open curiosity after my little slip up, waiting for me to compose myself enough to speak.

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