Page 18 of Protected Promise

Kaitlyn walked away from the guy and I started to calm down, though my wolf and I were both uneasy with her out of sight.

I took a deep breath. “I’m fine.”

“You didn’t look fine,” she challenged. “What’s wrong?”

Jackson scanned the room and sighed. “He’s not used to having other Alphas around, Tobi. We should have considered that. There are several here tonight. Maybe we should call it an early night.”

I saw Kaitlyn leaving through a side door.

“No, I’m fine, really. Look, I’ll head out and get checked into my hotel. It’s been a long day, that’s all,” I lied. That wasn’t all. I’d found my mate and I didn’t know what to do about that.

I could tell by the look on Tobi’s face that she knew there was more to it than that, but Jackson was also trying to use me as an excuse to leave, and she knew it. In the end, her stubbornness leaned towards him, not me. I used that to my advantage to get away. I headed straight for the door I’d seen Kaitlyn leave through. No one stopped me or even seemed to notice.

The door did not lead to outside. Instead, I found myself in a hallway. I picked up her scent easily and followed it up the stairs and to a door that was shut.

I knocked gently.

“Please Kian, go away. I’m fine. I just have a bit of a headache,” I heard Kaitlyn say.

I knocked again.

I could sense her frustration as the door flew open. She stood there, still wearing that damn mask that hid her from me, but the dress was gone, and she was just in a pair of tiny shorts and a sports bra. I was instantly hard, uncomfortably so, embarrassingly so.

“Landon. What are you doing here?”

I loved hearing the sound of my name roll from her lips so easily.

“You escaped so quickly, I just needed to know that you are okay.”

She moved to cover herself and a small growl escaped me. Her eyes widened and she dropped her arms to her side.

I shook my head and reached for them crossing them over her chest and trying not to touch anything in the process. It was better she covered herself as if somehow that would make any of this easier.

Yes, much better. I removed my jacket and draped it around her, engulfing her small form.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to growl,” I tried to explain feeling awkward in my own skin.

She stared at me for a minute, and then burst out laughing, but there was uncertainty in her eyes when she looked back up at me. Still, her laughter calmed me.

“It’s not like I can help it,” I joked, trying to set her at ease and maybe be granted another round of laughter.

“If you’re going to insist on staying, then come in and shut the door before someone sees you.”

I was put off that she didn’t want anyone to see us together, but then I was also happy to be alone with her. It was a confusing state that I wasn’t used to being in.

I walked in behind her noting she didn’t remove my jacket as I shut the door. It pleased my wolf that she was covering herself in our scent, even if I wasn’t sure she realized she was doing it.

She walked towards the bed and I knew it was best if I stayed closer to the door. I would never hurt her or do anything she wasn’t in full agreement of, but I didn’t trust myself not to try and persuade her. I had never wanted anyone or anything as much as I wanted Kaitlyn and it was still freaking me out a bit.

“Are you not going back to the party?” I asked curiously.

“Nope. You challenged my date to a dance off.”

“No I didn’t. He challenged me.”

“But you accepted.”

“I’m a wolf, Kaitlyn. Besides, what kind of mate would I be if I backed down from a challenge? Especially a mere dance?” I knew it could have been a far worse challenge, and I was well aware that the potential for more was still to come, but I didn’t dare say that aloud.