Page 70 of Protected Promise

Kaitlyn

Chapter 19

Landon was crushing me, making it hard to breathe. Something was very wrong, but I knew he would have to calm down before I got any details.

I stood there just letting him hold me until his body stopped shaking and he finally started to relax. My hand rubbed up and down his back in an attempt to soothe him further.

He sighed.

“Are you okay?” I finally asked.

“Not really.”

“Tell me.”

He took a deep breath. I could feel regret rolling off of him in waves. “Recently I joined the Grand Council of Packs. With that comes certain rules, including mating rules.”

I sighed. “The Challenges. Have they started already?”

He shook his head. “No, and Dereck seems to think there might be a way out of them for us. I need to talk to Kyle Westin and find out the details, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are seven she-wolves already in my territory ready and willing to try.”

“Already? Have you even made an official announcement yet?”

“No, only to my wolves. I didn’t even know I had to do that until Dereck informed me. Coming from Westin Pack, he’s more aware of these things than I am.”

“Do you even understand what the Challenges are all about?”

He gave me a look I couldn’t quite interpret.

“We aren’t quite that backwoods here, Kaitlyn.”

“I wasn’t saying you were,” I argued.

“The Challenges are an ancient wolf rite. We’ve always recognized that, but I can’t remember the last time we actually had a challenge issued here. It wasn’t like we notified other Packs. It was just amongst ourselves and well, there just isn’t a high demand or need for such a thing here.”

“How did they get here so quickly?” It didn’t make sense.

He frowned. “I’m the newest Alpha to sign the Grand Council alliance. I’m young and, until very recently, unmated.”

I grinned. “Their Alphas sent them in hopes you’d take one as a mate.”

“Apparently.”

I laughed. “How’s that working out for them?”

“How can you find humor in this? One already tried to initiate a Challenge against you.”

I shrugged. “Despite what I’ve told you of my past, I’m stronger than I appear.”

“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known,” he said, and I knew he wasn’t just saying that.

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him then hugged him tightly.

“Damon and Sawyer both trained me personally. I know how to fight and if it comes down to it, I can hold my own, Landon. Trust me on this.”

“I do trust you. I’m just terrified at even the thought of losing you.”

No one had ever really cared about me the way Landon did. I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure we stayed together.