Page 78 of Protected Promise

Dereck looked impressed. “All good news?”

“Yes, very good,” I assured him.

I looked around the room. “What accommodations have been granted to the visiting she-wolves?”

“Shelter and Mina takes them meals three times a day. She’s away doing that now. I made it clear that it was not my place to allow them visitation within the Pack Lodge.”

“Thank you, Dereck. I appreciate that. When you have a few moments, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

He shoveled in two last bites from his plate. “I am always available at your disposal.”

I had just finished eating my own breakfast but was hesitant to leave Kaitlyn.

“Go on. I’ll babysit your girl,” Tobi said.

“I do not need a babysitter,” Kaitlyn insisted. “I really can hold my own.”

I could see her stubborn pride peeking through, but I knew the truth of her past and everything within me screamed to protect her and ensure she never faced another demon in her life. It made it difficult to leave her.

“Go,” she insisted.

I sighed but consented. “Okay. I’ll come find you when we’re done. We’ll be in my lower office,” I informed Tobi, knowing that Kaitlyn hadn’t seen that part of the Lodge yet, or at least I assumed she hadn’t.

“Okay,” Tobi said sarcastically.

“Brat,” I muttered as I got up and walked off, in hopes that Dereck would agree to be my Beta.

Kaitlyn

Chapter 21

“That could take a while,” Tobi told me. “Anything you want to do or see since it’s just us girls?”

“Actually, there is. I heard there’s some old buildings on property. I would love to see some.”

“Sure. Landon and I used to sneak off and play in them all the time. His dad usually busted us, but since we weren’t really in any danger it was never that big a deal. Just a talking to. We got a lot of those growing up.”

“Knowing you both, I’m really not surprised,” I said with a laugh.

I helped clean up our table, despite Tobi trying to stop me. Pack Mothers cared for people, didn’t they? To be honest, Sawyer had never taken a mate, which meant I had never had a Pack Mother and had no clue what I was doing or what the expectations were.

I made a mental note to call Kelsey soon and discuss this new position I’d landed myself in before I did something really stupid or embarrassed Landon.

On our way out, Tobi’s mother called her over. I followed behind not knowing what else to do. She cut me the side eye, but I just smiled.

“Hi. It’s Connie, right? I’m Kaitlyn.”

“Mom, be nice. I told you, she’s my friend.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Kaitlyn. I’m Shawn, Tobi’s father. People around here take a little bit to warm up to newcomers. Don’t take it personally. Landon has done a fine job as Alpha and always puts the Pack first. I’m sure choosing you for a mate is no different.”

“They’re true mates, dad,” Tobi explained.

He smiled warmly. It was the first truly friendly face I’d seen since arriving. “Well now. Do you all hear this? Landon found his one true mate,” he said loud enough to catch the attention of the entire room as it quieted once again and all eyes turned to stare at me. “Connie and I are true mates. It’s a special bond that can never be severed. That certainly explains why he moved so quickly. That’s really the hardest part for all of us, but trust me, they’ll come around.”

“Thank you,” I mouthed to him as he reached out and squeezed my hand.

“So how is it you know my baby girl?”