Page 40 of In Plain Sight

“What the hell is going on?” I asked.

“Surprise,” Kelsey said as she threw her arms in the air.

“Kelsey? What are you doing here?” I asked, excited to see our friend from Westin Pack.

“Kyle came to help Cole, so I tagged along. Mary’s watching the boys, so this is like our first trip away from them since little Jason was born,” she said.

I crossed the room and threw my arms around her.

“It’s so great to see you!”

Kelsey and I had grown close after Cole and Elizabeth were attacked. Cole had nearly lost his life and suffered severe burns that had them both in the hospital for several months. Being fully bonded, Lizzy had suffered alongside him through it all.

The institution they were taken to was close to Westin Pack so anytime I visited, which was often, I got to spend time with Kelsey and really got to know her. After that she had quickly become an honorary Collier sister. I hadn’t seen her in several months and was thrilled with their spontaneous visit.

“I hear you have a handsome new mate,” she said.

I grinned, just thinking of Bran. “That I do. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“I can’t wait. I’m so happy for you. Clara tells me he’s your one true mate.”

I sighed. “Yes, he is.”

“Aww, you guys, I think Ruby has fallen in love,” Lizzy teased.

I gave her a strange look. “What?”

“You do sound like a woman in love,” Kelsey said.

“And why shouldn’t I be? He’s my mate. Of course I love him,” I said.

“Wow, she admitted to that quickly,” Clara said.

“Just because you mated him doesn’t necessarily mean you fall madly in love right away. Does he know?” Lizzy asked.

I laughed. “Of course he knows.”

“I mean, have you actually said the words to him?” she clarified, rolling her eyes.

“Yes, of course I have,” I said.

“Wow, I’m impressed. Let’s face it, you aren’t exactly the ‘let’s sit around and share our feelings’ type, Ruby,” Lizzy pointed out.

I shrugged. “Honestly, I learned everything not to do when it comes to mating from you three, and Lily. Where is she tonight?”

“Pack Mother obligations. She’s going to try to stop by later tonight, but probably won’t see her until tomorrow,” Kelsey said.

“How long will you be in town?” I asked Kelsey.

“Just through the weekend.”

“Still, it’s so great to see you.”

My sisters and I sat around chatting late into the night. Gage and Cole came home to shower and collapse in bed. They told us Bran was headed home and Kyle had gone back to the Alpha house, so Kelsey and I said goodnight and headed out together.

“Maybe you and Kyle could come over for dinner one night while you’re here,” I suggested.

“I would love that. Let’s plan on it,” she said without setting a definitive date or time.

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