Page 72 of One True Mate

After saying goodbye, I carefully picked her up and headed for our bedroom. She'd fuss over the hair on the bed later, but for tonight I couldn't care. I quickly changed into wolf form too and snuggled in, curled around her small wolf in full protection. We awoke in the same position the next morning only in our skin and completely naked. My body responded to the morning closeness, but I headed off to the bathroom without waking her knowing there was only a cold shower in my future.

Kelsey

Chapter 27

Kyle and I were keeping a distance since the morning I awoke after my only challenge thus far. It was at the Pack Council's insistence, and with only a week left in the challenge period we were doing our best to behave. Still, I missed him and couldn't wait to get in the office each morning where I at least got to see him.

He had been so busy in meetings and entertaining the foreign wolves, arriving in greater numbers every day, so that I only caught him in passing. It was beginning to feel a bit like the circus came to town and I knew the locals were not happy.

I still had a slight limp from the challenge, but for the most part I had healed quickly. Micah assured me the limp and the pain would not last forever and he checked it every day to ensure I continued to heal.

The night I had gone to the Crate with Sally for drinks after work, Lily had met us there. There had been a table of foreign wolves that had given me the creeps. I'd guessed they were from the Bulgarian pack based on their heavy accents.

One thing I learned quickly was that the Westin Pack had my back. When one of the foreigners had tried to speak to me, it nearly caused a fight to break out, but I had felt safe, protected, like I belonged for the first time in my life. This was my pack and no one was taking them from me.

Three packs had already come and gone, declining to make any challenges. The last of them congratulated me on my victory upon their exit. Five packs still remained, though. No one could ever remember such a turnout in all of shifter history.

I had learned one truth about it all. Yes, word had gotten around about the lone wolf trespassing in the Westin territory and being allowed to live that caused enough interest to bring others there, but most importantly, Kyle had a huge target on his back. Me being a worthy mate after my victory only seemed to fuel this. All other she-wolves remaining in the Westin Pack had since conceded and their loyalty given to me was starting to attract some unwanted interest my way.

In the shifter world, not just within the Westin Pack, Kyle was a pretty big deal. I had learned that the Westin Pack was the largest and most thriving pack known, and as future Alpha his position in the pack was highly sought after. Seeing our unity after my victory of Christine, the remaining wolves of Westin had also given their allegiance. That included everyone in the pack, except Cole Anderson.

When things had died down at the Crate, Cole had come to sit with me and my friends, much to Lily's delight. After a few shots of tequila, my tongue had loosened enough to challenge him on it.

As I sat looking around my office, remembering the discussion of the night before, my whole body shook.

“Look, it's meant as no disrespect I assure you. I'm 100% in support of you and Kyle. BUT,” my stomach churned remembering his words, “if something, God forbids, happens to Kyle, I will challenge his victor for you and keep Westin with Westin.”

The conviction in his eyes would haunt me every night until the stupid challenge period was passed. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that Cole would destroy anyone if needed, even someone powerful enough to defeat Kyle. Another shiver went through me at the notion.

The ringing of the phone distracted my thoughts.

“Kyle Westin's office.”

I paused, waiting to take the message I was sure was coming. Instead I was met with a deep husky laugh that warmed my body through to my bones.

“Do you even look at caller id?”

I frowned and looked down seeing Kyle's office line on the display. I shot a look at the clock on the wall. It was only 7:30am. “When did you get in?”

“Early. And why are you taking business calls before 8am?”

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “Sorry, didn't even realize the time.”

I felt a wave of worry before the door to his office clicked open with the phone still at his ear.

“What's wrong?”

I laughed. “Why do you assume something's wrong?”

“You're in even earlier than usual.”

I tried to protest, but he continued.

“You haven't even made coffee. You look exhausted.”

I tried again to interject.

“And you are distracted. It's not like you to lose track of time.”

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