Page 26 of Protected Promise

“Lily!” Thomas and Kyle said at the same time.

“I am not joking here. My bladder is about the size of a damn pea and this kid of yours is playing hacky sack with it,” she insisted as she poked Thomas in the chest.

It instantly diffused any remaining tension amongst the group.

“Sorry. My sister has no filter,” Kyle apologized.

“Come on Lily. Let’s find you a bathroom,” Zach Collier said with a twinkle in his eye as he escorted her away.

“I better go help. She’s a handful on a good day, but pregnant, I swear she’s psychotic. I do not envy Thomas one bit and thank the Lord every day that my mate handled pregnancy a whole lot better,” Kyle said with a laugh. “Landon, we’ll talk later, okay?”

“Sure thing, Kyle.”

Sawyer extended his hand to Landon. “You have an amazing mate here. If she decides to accept you, I’ll be watching, and you damn well better take good care of her.”

He turned and walked away.

Damon moved to speak, but Karis intervened.

“We’re going to go cool off now. Landon, it’s nice to meet you. I hope we catch up soon. You’re Tobi’s Alpha, right?”

He relaxed a bit and smiled that smile that made me swoon. “I am. I’m very proud of all she’s accomplishing here and look forward to having her and Jackson home for the summer.”

“Tobi didn’t give allegiance to Westin Pack?” I asked curiously.

“No. Kyle and I have worked out a truce. They belong equally to both of our packs.”

“So you’re really an Alpha?”

He hesitated slightly before nodding. I couldn’t help but wonder why he seemed so humbled by that fact.

Landon

Chapter 8

So Kaitlyn had some secrets about her past. I could deal with that. After all, I did have my own secrets too. I wasn’t ready to explain my situation to her and had naively hoped we could get to know each other more first.

Not only did I not want her to look at me as an Alpha, but I also wasn’t ready to explain my pack situation to her. I found it difficult to believe someone like Kaitlyn would be satisfied with the small pack and quaint lifestyle I had to offer her.

I would have been perfectly fine living my entire life alone, but now that I had met her, my true mate, I was terrified of losing her. I didn’t think I could let her go. In fact, if there was anyone I trusted to hand over my position as Alpha, I’d have even considered that if that’s what it took to be with Kaitlyn.

It was insane, but seeing her again only solidified it for me. She was my mate, my destiny, and I would do almost anything to be with her.

“Are you okay, Landon?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly.

Before I could say anything further, Tobi, Jackson, and several of their friends joined us.

“Congratulations, Kaitlyn,” Tobi said as the girls embraced.

They hadn’t been witness to my moment of insanity when I nearly took on five powerful Alphas at once. They also had no idea who Kaitlyn was to me.

“Have you two met yet? Landon, this is my good friend, Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn, this is my best friend in the entire world, Landon.”

She looked confused. “But I thought he was your Alpha.”

Tobi snorted. “Yeah, that too.” Tobi then jumped into my arms as I easily caught her in midair just as I always did. I bit back a grin when I heard Kaitlyn try to cover up a growl. She looked a little wild like she wanted to rip Tobi’s throat out. I’d never actually let that happen, but there was something satisfying knowing I wasn’t the only one feeling territorial. “I cannot believe you’re actually here. Today I’m going to show you all around this place, and then we’re going to a party at the doghouse.”