Page 30 of Protected Promise
It felt like I’d known Landon my whole life. It was more like a reunion of souls than a complete stranger. I was struggling to process it all, but something told me I wasn’t alone in this. He was in new territory with this mating stuff too.
I was contemplative on so many things as we drove in comfortable silence.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I turned to really look at him. He was so handsome it made my heart flutter.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be near, but I know this is your time with your friends. Enjoy it. Graduating from college is a big deal, Kaitlyn. It’s going to sound strange, but I’m proud of you.”
It didn’t sound strange at all. It felt just right and I beamed with pride from his praise.
“Did you go to college?”
He gave me a sad look and shook his head. “No. That wasn’t in the cards for me. My parents died when I was seventeen.”
I gasped. “You took over as Alpha at seventeen?”
He grinned. “I did. I guess you could say my priorities lie elsewhere. I would have liked to have gone to college though, and experience life outside of the Pack. I rarely get an opportunity like this to leave. It kind of makes meeting you feel like a true miracle.”
I turned at the sound of knocking on the window next to me. Tobi was standing there. I really tried not to growl.
Landon rolled down the window.
“What?” he barked.
“I’m not trying to interrupt. I was sent to come and get you. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Everyone?” I asked. “I thought it was just you guys.”
“Yeah, about that.”
“This is Damon’s doing, isn’t it?”
“Don’t be mad. It’s just the doghouse… and their dates… and families… but it’s not just for you either,” she insisted.
I sighed. “I should have known he wouldn’t listen.”
“We’re all just excited and proud of you,” she said. I noticed immediately that her praise didn’t carry half the punch as the same words coming from Landon.
“Come on, we’ll talk later,” Landon promised.
As he got out of the car, I took a second to examine my hair and makeup. I really didn’t care much for being the center of attention, but if I was going to be, then I wanted to look my best for it.
My door opened and there he stood like a knight in shining armor offering me his hand.
No one had ever opened a car door like that for me before. I swooned just a little more.
“Come on, gorgeous. You look beautiful just the way you are.”
Tobi rolled her eyes. “I think you’re a little biased, mister.”
“What? Are you saying I look like crap?”
“No! Oh shirtballs, I really screwed that one up. Would you just come on. You look great. You always look great.”
I giggled. I had known what she meant. I just wanted to mess with her.
Landon and I followed her to the door and he held it open for me as I walked in ahead of him.
“Surprise!”
