Page 10 of One True Mate

"Eight oh one," she said in mocked horror, "surely he must fire you for such insubordination." She giggled. "I don't know anyone else besides you and Kyle who arrives before eight, Kels. I promise you it will be fine, though someone might actually believe you're human!"

Lily laughed. Little did she know just how much truth was in that statement.

"Who's human?" Came a deep voice behind me, causing me to jump for the second time that morning.

Kyle's eyes locked with mine and I couldn't have looked away if I'd wanted to. There was something so familiar in them, and I got the feeling he was waiting for me to say something. He looked like a man with a shared secret, only I had no idea what that secret was supposed to be.

"Mm-Hmm," Lily cleared her throat, dragging both our attention back to her. "Kelsey just might be human after all, big brother," she announced with authority and I couldn't stop the color from creeping up my neck and into my cheeks.

He laughed a deep bellowing laugh. "Yeah, fat chance of that." He winked at me and headed for his office.

"You're in too good of a mood to be strolling in this late. What's up with you?" I heard her ask as they entered his office and closed the door behind them. Even with my enhanced wolf hearing, I could never make out anything behind Kyle Westin's closed door, except when I knocked I could clearly hear him respond, and it drove me insane trying to figure out how he did it.

The day passed as any normal day, though Kyle seemed to grow grumpier as the day wore on. I had no idea what was up with him, but decided it was in my best interest to steer clear of him.

For the most part, I was pretty worthless throughout the day, surviving on caffeine alone. Over lunch, I chose to stay in and, pulling out a piece of paper, I began to sketch an image of the big brown wolf as he howled at the night sky. I added some trees behind him and knew it was a good representation.

Suddenly, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it too.

The day couldn't end fast enough, and as soon as it did, I was racing for my car, leaving before Mr. Westin even, which was something I rarely ever allowed myself to do. Excitement had me speeding down the road and stopping in front of the Painted Dragon. I didn't hesitate, worried fear would set in and I'd chicken out.

A little chime above the door sounded when I entered.

"Just a minute," I heard a male voice call from somewhere in the back.

When he stepped in, looking enormous in the small doorway and covered from head to toe in tattoos with this black hair slicked back into a ponytail, I almost turned tail and ran, but I had made up my mind and this was something I had to do.

"Oh, it's you," he said, sounding confused.

"Uh, yeah, I guess. I'm sorry, have we met?" I asked him hesitantly.

His responding laugh set me at ease instead of fleeing for the door.

"No, I'm Cole Anderson, and you're Kelsey Adams. Everyone knows who you are. Everyone knows everything about everyone around here." He gave me a smirk and I felt more vulnerable than I had ever felt in my life. "So tell, what brings you into my humble abode today?"

"Well, it's a tattoo parlor, right? So I'll give you two guesses."

That caused a full laugh from him. "You've got spunk, I'll give you that, girl. For the mysterious little lone-wolf you appear to be, I sure didn't expect that. Come on in, and tell me what you have in mind."

"Now?" I said, suddenly feeling nervous and put off by his wolf reference.

"Yeah, now, or do you have a better time in mind?"

"No, no this is great. I just didn't know you'd be able to take me back so soon."

"Nervous?"

"A little."

"First tattoo?"

"That obvious?"

He chuckled again. "Have a seat." He motioned me towards a chair that looked a lot like an old dentist chair, but the place seemed clean and I couldn't help but notice the wolf drawings on the walls in the lobby. If those were his, I needn't worry. His art was so much better than mine.

"So, what did you have in mind, and where?"

"Well, first I need to ask you a question."

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