Page 28 of Protected Promise

“Yeah, Tobi, that’s a good idea. We’re riding with Damon and Karis,” he said before nodding at me.

I sighed. I knew he’d just been brought into the loop, though I supposed at this point there was no sense in trying to hide it.

“He knows,” I said. “Give me a sec. I have to tell Tobi.”

Kaitlyn looked upset or like she was going to be sick.

“She’s my best friend. There’s nothing else,” I tried to assure her. “There never has been.”

I hated leaving her but I knew I had to do this, it was the right thing.

“Tobi, can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure. Want me to ride with you over to the restaurant? It might not make it quite so awkward since they stuck Kaitlyn with you.”

“Uh, actually, that would probably make things even more awkward.”

“Why?”

“I’m pretty sure Damon already informed Jackson, but I want you to hear it from me. Um,” I didn’t know how to say it. It was like the words were just lodged in the back of my throat.

“Tobi, come on,” Jackson yelled.

“Just spit it out, Landon.”

“Kaitlyn’s my true mate.”

“Really?” Tobi gasped, staring at me like she was uncertain I was telling her the truth. “You’re not just messing with me?”

“Would I joke about something like this?”

She threw her arms around my neck. “I’m so happy for you. I’ve hoped and prayed you’d find your one true mate. And Kaitlyn? She needs a strong Alpha like you in her life, someone that can protect her while letting her grow.”

I untangled Tobi from me. “Tobi, you gotta stop hugging me and touching me, at least for a while. Her wolf is very much on edge right now. Mine, too.” It had taken every ounce of control I had not to growl at her when she’d done that.

“Sorry. Sorry. I’ll keep that in mind.” She wiped at her eyes.

“Are you crying?”

“I can’t help it. I’ve been so worried about you being alone the rest of your life.”

I groaned. “I’m not alone, Tobi. Even if Kaitlyn doesn’t accept me as a mate. I still have the Pack.”

“What? Why wouldn’t she accept you?”

I shrugged. “Right now, I’m just trying to get through this five minutes at a time.”

She nodded. “It can be overwhelming. Just don’t fight it. It makes things worse, not better.”

“Tobi, let’s go!”

“Alright, I’ll see you at the restaurant. We’ll talk more later.”

Tobi ran off to catch up with her car and I walked back to mine where Kaitlyn was waiting.

I slid into the driver’s seat and reached over and took her hand.

“I’m sorry. I had to tell her.”