Page 46 of Protected Promise

He stepped out of the shadows and grinned.

I left Landon’s side and ran towards my friend throwing my arms around his neck as he twirled me in the air just as I knew he would.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to get to see you again. When are you heading home?”

“Not until Tuesday. Dad’s plans changed and he had to stay home, which is absolutely fine by me. Bought myself a few extra days before the insanity begins.”

I knew life back home wasn’t always the easiest on him. There was a lot of expectations placed on a Panther Prince.

“Well, if you ever need a place to lie low, I just might know one.”

Kian took a step back from me and I grinned as Landon placed a possessive hand on my lower back and it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

“It’s Kian, right?” he said, offering my friend his hand.

Kian nodded. “And you are Landon, Alpha of a small Canadian Pack in British Columbia. Tobi filled us all in. Hey, that makes you a Pack Mother now, right?”

I sighed. I was terrified of screwing up that title more than anything.

“She is,” Landon said proudly.

Kian grinned. “A true Queen.” He bowed before me, and I shoved him.

“Cut it out.”

He laughed. “That was an honor, Kait. From one royal to another.”

I knew he was being genuine, but it was embarrassing to think about it and the others were all watching and whispering around us.

“Royal?” Landon asked.

“Kian is a Panther Prince. He will one day take his father’s place as King, much like you assumed your father’s pack position as Alpha,” I explained.

“A panther? You’re a cat?”

Kian bellowed out a laugh. “I am.”

“I mean I know there’s a variety of shifter types here at the ARC, but your best friend is a cat?”

I laughed too. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Marie and the Guffey twins walked over.

“We’re heading out. We have a flight to catch tonight,” Marie said. “You take care of this girl,” she told Landon as I hugged her.

“Yeah, she’s kind of special to us all,” Holden admitted.

“Only she-wolf in the doghouse. We’re going to miss you, Kaitlyn.”

I hugged Hudson. “I’m going to miss all of you too,” I assured him.

“You better keep in touch, girl. You hear me?” Kian said, pulling me back to him for one last hug.

“Promise.”

“You guys are always welcome to come up to Canada and visit as well,” Landon surprised me by saying.

“Even a cat?” Kian asked pushing his luck.