Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

“I didn’t even know we could disguise our scent. Someone needs to teach me that trick.”

The whole table laughed along with that, easing the tension of Kyle’s confession, which raised a few

eyebrows, but not one commented on it.

“It’s not.easy, but it is possible with practice, restraint, and determination.” Dan clued me in.

“Oh, she’s up to the challenge for sure.” Cole sounded proud in his assessment. “I’ve never met a

female quite so assertive, especially when she sets her mind to something.”

Kyle softly growled at him and I elbowed him. “He’s just trying to goad you. Stop letting him.” Then I

turned to Cole, “And you, behave.” I shook my head at the two of them causing Leslie and Sandy to start giggling.

“So, I take it you know Cole pretty well then? I mean I know you work at Westin Foundation with

Kyle, but even their word is you tend to keep to yourself and haven’t made many friends. Why is

that?” Leo asked, but didn’t sound judgmental when he did.

Kyle started to speak for me, but I stopped him and knew it was my time to step up. This was going to be my pack. These people were going to be my responsibility as future Pack Mother. It was time to

start acting like I was up for the job.

“I can imagine it’s difficult to understand, and in hindsight I know how stupid it sounds, but I

genuinely didn’t know there was anyone like me, like us, out there. Or I guess that’s not entirely true, I did know werewolves, or wolf shifters as I know now you prefer to be called, existed, I just feared them my entire life. I watched two wolves kill my parents. I changed that same night for the first

time. I thought,” I couldn’t stop my cheeks from changing colors with how stupid I knew I sounded,

“I thought I was a monster, that those wolves had turned me into this monster. I didn’t know anything about our kind.”

“That’s a pretty big secret to grow up with,” Melinda said, her voice filled with sympathy.

I nodded, “Yeah, it was. I couldn’t trust anyone. Ever. So, I got used to being alone and avoiding people as much as possible. I didn’t mean to come off as nervous or weak up on stage tonight. You just have to understand that my entire life I’ve worked so hard to be invisible that it’s more than a little intimidating being shoved in the spotlight now.”

When I looked up, Franny and Leslie both had tears in their eyes, and the others nodded in

11:17

Billionaire Alpha’s 99 Deadly Games

38.3%

Chapter 81

understanding.

“You poor thing. I just can’t even imagine. And weak? Who among us could handle such a life? You must be the strongest shifter I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting to withstand such trauma so graciously.” Sandy stood and came over and hugged me close. My wolf sighed in contentment.

“Thanks,” I said trying not to let my voice crack.

Leo cleared his throat, “Life will be very different for you now, Kelsey.”

“Oh, it already is. You have no idea. It’s a bit overwhelming at times, but I’ve never been happier.”

He smiled at that. “So, I’m curious. How did you meet Mr. Anderson?”

“Don’t be silly, Leo, he’s on Council, of course she’s met all the Council already.”

“True, but actually, aside from Elise and Lily, Cole was my first friend here. It was pretty recent, but

still. He did a tattoo for me and I’ve done a few designs for his shop since then.”

“Oh do tell,” Melinda asked sounding scandalous. “What’s your tattoo?”

Cole laughed, “You don’t want to know.”

I blushed. “I didn’t know! Still, I am so glad you did not convince me to make it black.” I elbowed him in the gut trying to wipe the smirk off his face.

“Black?” Melinda persisted.

I closed my eyes and tried to push my embarrassment aşide. “It’s a wolf, okay? My tattoo is a wolf. It was before I knew any of this.”

“Not just any wolf.” Cole laughed and I glared at him.

“It’s me!” Kyle announced proudly. “Her tattoo is a large picture of me in wolf form. She knew my wolf because I stalked her regularly in wolf form for the last two years.”

I looked at him and knew my mouth was open in shock at his admittance.

“What? I’m not too proud to admit it. I stalked her every night, guarding her house, and hoping and waiting for her to come out and join me.”

Billionaire Alpha’s 99 Deadly Games

38.4%

Chapter 81

“The story she told me,” Cole added, “after giving me a brief description of what she’d been through as a child with her parents‘ death and a lifelong fear of wolves, was that she had this guardian wolf that watched over her house and for the first time in her life she wasn’t afraid. What no one’s mentioned today, and maybe I’m out of line for pointing this out, is that she too was attacked that night. She was bitten badly and it caused severe damage to her leg. So much so that even though her wolf was called forward at a ridiculously young age, it wasn’t enough to fully heal her. The tattoo she wanted and drew herself was designed to cover the damage done. It’s quite beautiful if I do say so

myself.”

❤(0)