Page 70 of One True Mate

She shrugged. “I'm okay I guess. Drained. Exhausted.”

“Well, that's to be expected.” I tried to lighten the mood. “Can I take a look at that leg?”

She nodded and stood to remove the sweatpants she had dressed in after the challenge. As soon as she shifted I smelled the blood. I wasn't sure how I had missed it earlier, probably just too concerned with her, but it was suddenly assaulting my senses.

She saw the panic in my eyes. “Please don't freak out on me. I was bound to get a little beat up out there, right?” I didn't say anything and she blurted out, “It's better than being dead at least!”

That made me chuckle and shake my head at her. I ran and grabbed a clean rag from the kitchen and wetted it before returning to her. I carefully cleaned the streak of blood running down her leg, starting at her ankle and working my way up. Just passed her knee I came to the first source. I dabbed around trying to mop up the blood without causing her further pain. She winced, but didn't pull away.

Frowning she looked down at the mess. “Cole's gonna have to fix it when it heals.”

I small growl escaped me.

She laughed. “What do you have against Cole Anderson?”

I smiled sheepishly up at her. “Nothing.”

“Riiiight!”

“No seriously, I like Cole. He's a great guy. I just don't particularly enjoy thinking of any other man's hands on you, or anyone marking you in any way. I know it's silly, and I really have nothing against him and the tattoo is beautiful. I just can't help it sometimes.”

She smiled back at me. “I like that it makes you a little jealous.”

“You do, do you?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “Sometimes I worry that it's really just the bond that keeps you around. Like we didn't really have a choice in the matter. And I know we've sorta talked about this before, but it still gets me sometimes. Then you go all dominant and jealous and I have no doubts you're all mine.”

“That's one way to look at it I guess.” I laughed.

Micah knocked on the door and I yelled to him that it was open. Not knowing if he and Kelsey had ever met I made quick introductions and explained what I had found of her injuries, before moving to the couch to sit next to her and allow him to examine her.

Micah rolled his eyes. “Switch sides.”

“What?”

“Kyle, I need to be on the side closest to the injury, so move it.”

I growled before I could stop myself. Kelsey giggled and Micah rolled his eyes. “Bonding males, sheesh! Don't worry, I've dealt with more than my fair share in this business.” Then he winked at my girl and I nearly lost it.

“Well, then stop egging him on.” Kelsey scolded in good humor.

She winced, then moaned as he examined the injury, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep seated and not attack him.

“Ow!” Kelsey finally said and I was on my feet growling trying to get between the two of them. It was like I really, truly couldn't control myself.

“Not him, you idiot. You were crushing my hand. Calm down or go take a cold shower or something while he finishes.”

My chin dropped to my chest in despair. My instincts to protect her were almost too much to bare.

“It's okay, I've had my look. And I told you I'm used to overbearing alphas, half delirious with protective instincts when their mates are hurt. And I've heard you two are particularly close already, so I'm not surprised to see it at all. Calm down, Kyle. I'm not going to touch her again.”

“But you didn't even bandage it,” Kelsey questioned as I tried to calm myself and lowered back to the seat next to her. I tugged her close to my side and breathed in deep to ground myself once again. She was safe. She was injured, but she would heal.

Micah was studying us closely. “Dad's been really, really worried about you, you know. He's asked me some pretty crazy questions about the bonding process, medically speaking of course. I wasn't sure where he was coming from, but I can see it clearly now. How long have the two of you been mated, seriously?”

“Seriously, I went to Council the very next day and that weekend the announcement was made at the Pack Meeting.” I assured him.

“I've never heard of a couple bonding so quickly. I mean ever.” He contemplated that for a moment. “How long did you know each other before mating?”

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