Laura and Karli walked in and found Helena, Aldric’s mate and omega to the pack, sitting at the table with her infant son in a highchair having snack time. Orion was a beautiful little boy who looked just like his father with big blue eyes and dark hair.
“Hey, girls. Have a good visit?” Helena called out as she placed a few more slices of banana on the tray in front of Orion. They didn’t bother with titles here in Black Ridge, even though Helena was a princess and Orion a prince, as evidenced by the royal Fenrir tattoos they had been born with on their necks.
“Joseph and Rowl are wonderful, and lunch was splendid.” Karli grabbed water bottles out of the fridge and plunked one in front of Laura.
“I’m sure they are.” Helena smiled. “Are you ready for the first alpha to arrive?”
Karli’s good mood took a nosedive, and it must have shown on her face, because a moment later Helena reached over and squeezed Karli’s hand. If she were anyone else, Helena would have used one of her gifts and sent a wave of soothing calm. But Karli had talents of her own that kept others’ magic at bay.
Her omega gifts varied from control over the weather, electricity, the growth of flowers and crops, to being unaffected by anyone else’s magic. This last powerful gift she refused to share with anyone except Alpha Aldric, Princess Helena, and, of course, Joseph and Rowl. Her parents didn’t know, and for good reason. Since she seemed to be their entrée into money and nobility, she could only imagine how hot a commodity she’d be to any alpha, because she could stand against a dark witch. Her parents would have locked her away until they had found the richest, most powerful alpha in the realm to be her mate.
“I will give each alpha a fair chance, but I don’t see the use. I’ve chosen my mates,” Karli declared.
“I know, but the king’s orders must be followed. You’ve never been to the Omega Celebration before, and you don’t know what an alpha might have to offer. I’m glad you’re going to give each alpha a fair chance. They wait a long time to meet and court an omega.” Part of the Celebration required that alphas couldn’t approach an omega. The omega had the choice of which alpha they would like to meet. Now, because of her parents, she was being forced to jump through hoops.
“I know they wait a long time, and I will be gracious, but they know I’ve already chosen two warriors as my mates, yet they’re still coming. Why would they bother?”
“They hope they can change your mind and sweep you off your feet,” Laura answered.
“But my parents had a hand in choosing them, and we all know what their reasons are… money and power. I hate to talk badly of them, but it’s the truth.”
“We all know what they’re after, but remember it’s your choice.” Helena stated. “Don’t let anyone pressure you into anything.”
“I’m stuck between annoyed and pitying the alphas.”
“Try to see it their way. Even if there’s the slightest chance of winning your affections, they will do whatever it takes. Remember, they can only mate and have children with an omega, so they are forced into a hard place as well.”
Well…it was true that some alphas were desperate to find an omega mate. Considering they all lived over a thousand years, it was a long time to be alone. They were trying to have a family, to find their forever. She couldn’t fault them that.
Laura, ever the good friend, shared, “She had another run-in with her parents.”
Helena turned a sympathetic gaze to Karli. “I’m sorry they’re pressuring you to pick an alpha.”
“I’m sure somewhere deep inside they have my best interests at heart.” Karli wished that were true; the lie tasted sour in her mouth.
Both Helena and Laura looked at Karli with the same sympathetic grimace she’d seen on all her friends’ faces. Everyone knew what her parents wanted, and it wasn’t what was best for her.
“Laura, Lisa, Gabrielle, and I are going to the daycare today to volunteer. Do you want to bring Orion to play with the other toddlers?” Karli asked.
“Not this time. Orion was up early and needs his nap, and so does his mommy,” Helena explained, and Karli took the time to notice the dark circles under her friend’s eyes.
“If you need a night to sleep through, I can take care of Orion for you. It would be no problem,” Karli offered.
“I might take you up on that.” Helena sighed as she wiped her son’s face and hands with a cloth. Orion happily babbled the entire time.
“Anytime, and I mean it.”
“Hey, I want to get in on the Orion time. Count me in,” Laura called out from behind the kitchen counter. Everyone doted on the little guy. He was such a joy.
Alpha Aldric walked in, a warm smile on his face when looking at his family. “How are my beautiful mate and son doing this afternoon?” He beamed with such pride and love at his family that Karli felt like she might be intruding on a private moment. This was what she would have when she mated her men and started their family; she couldn’t wait.
Aldric turned to Karli and Laura. “How are you ladies this morning?”
“Wonderful,” Karli answered. “We visited with Joseph and Rowl who made us a great lunch.”
Aldric’s gaze softened. She knew he didn’t want to force her to meet the three alphas, but the king had left Aldric in charge of this charade. The king promised to be the one who performed the ceremony when she mated whomever she chose, which would be two whomevers—Joseph and Rowl.
“Alpha, I wondered if I could talk to you,” Laura broke the awkward silence.
“About?”
“Alpha Dedric. I would like to approach him. To find out what he’s like.”
“You know he has a small pack.”
“Yes, Karli has mentioned it, but it doesn’t matter to me how big his pack is.”
“Exactly what I wanted to hear.” Aldric grinned. “You may approach him, with a chaperone of course.”
“That’s me,” Karli piped up. “I can return the favor, finally.”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your own mate selection,” the alpha cautioned.
“I’ve already chosen my mates. These meeting are a formality, nothing more.”
“Formality or not, you are to give each alpha your time to get to know one another.”
“I promise, I will. I know how important this is and will treat it with the utmost respect.”
“Okay, then you may chaperone Laura. But if it interferes with your schedule then Laura must wait until time permits or until you are mated. She has been your chaperone throughout this process, and I want it to remain that way.”
“So do I,” Karli agreed.
After going through a few options about how to put Laura and Dedric in the same room, they decided to invite him to supper that evening. Karli was excited for Laura. This might be the next chapter in her life. Aldric got on the phone to set everything into motion.
Joseph brought up his sword to block the attack and pushed his trainee backward with force. The young man gathered himself and attacked again. Blades sliced through the air as Joseph dodged another blow and went on the offensive. He pummeled the trainee’s sword and shield until the man lost his weapon and went to one knee. Joseph sheathed his sword and helped the trainee to his feet.
“You are improving every day, Jerome. I can tell you’ve been practicing.”
“Thank you, sir.” The young man beamed at the compliment.
“Hit the showers and keep up the good work. Tomorrow we go to the shooting range,” Rowl ordered as he joined them.
The young man took off at a jog, leaving behind his shield and sword. Joseph shook his head, picked them up, and looked over at his best friend. “He tries.”
Rowl smiled then sighed. “You have the patience of a saint.”
“So do you. That’s what makes us good teachers.” Joseph clapped Rowl on the back.
“True, now let’s get home, clean up, and have supper. We get to visit with Karli later tonight.” Rowl gave a toothy smile.
Joseph couldn’t think of a thing he’d rather do than spend time with the woman he and Rowl loved. Two men having one mate wasn’t uncommon in the shifter world, and even though they were best friends, they weren’t lovers as some triads were. Joseph had often wondered why not, since he loved Rowl. He had been Joseph’s best friend since childhood, and it felt right that they share the woman they loved and made a triad family.
The day Karli’s parents took her away both men’s hearts were shattered. They were only teenagers, but the bond had already formed between the three of them. As soon as they came of age, they started looking for her, desperate to find her. But there were too many places to look, and her parents had gone out of their way to keep their plans from everyone in town.
Eventually, Joseph and Rowl joined Aldric’s pack and became warriors. They tried to live their lives, but their hearts always belonged to Karli. It had been over twenty-five years since they last saw her, and now that they found her again, they were willing to fight tooth and nail to keep her. If it weren’t for her parents, they’d already be mated. It wasn’t a secret that Karli’s parents didn’t want her mating a pair of warriors with modest wages. They wanted her to mate an alpha with vast resources so that they could take a place of honor within the pack and socialize with what they considered the better people of society.
Joseph knew he and Rowl could take care of Karli, but her parents wouldn’t give them a chance. Soon enough, they would have no choice. Once the selection process was over and Karli chose them, her parents wouldn’t be able to stop them from mating.
If she chooses the two of you. Joseph growled at himself for doubting their love.
“Are you okay?” Rowl nudged Joseph as they walked toward their house, the house they were redecorating for Karli.
“Just thinking crazy thoughts again,” Joseph replied.
“You’re afraid she won’t choose us, aren’t you?”
“I know she loves us, but what if—”
“There will be no what-ifs. This is a formality, and we have as much right to court her as the alphas do. Karli is our mate,” Rowl growled, and Joseph wondered if his friend was trying to convince himself. “I refuse to lose her again.”
Rowl had been devastated when Karli was taken away. Always the quiet one, he had kept his grief close, but from time to time, when he talked about it, Joseph sensed Rowl was more deeply wounded than he let on. When Karli was taken, he had suffered from a bout of depression that lasted almost a year. He finally came out of it when they began searching for her. Now that they found her, Joseph could see the peace it brought his best friend.
They loved Karli completely and knew how hard this was going to be on her. Neither intended to make it any harder by communicating their fears. Karli was worth whatever they had to go through; they would be a family.
Years ago, it was believed that only omegas and alphas could procreate. It wasn’t until one brave omega followed her heart and mated a carpenter that things changed. They were blessed with a mating tattoo that predicted six children in their future. After that time, omegas were free to choose their mates from the general population, even though most still chose alphas.
As they neared their home, Joseph could see Atilia waiting for them outside their front door. If her scowl was anything to go by, this wasn’t going to be a cordial visit.
Chapter Two
Rowl tried not to growl, but a low rumble worked its way up from his chest. Would they never find peace?
“Easy, my friend,” Joseph whispered, but Rowl knew with shifter hearing Atilia would have heard the growl, and he didn’t care. The woman was scheming again. The only question was what approach she took today.
They got closer, and Rowl could see the tears in Atilia’s eyes. Guilt apparently was today’s weapon of choice. She stood hunched over slightly like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. If Rowl didn’t know better, he would think she was the poor, innocent mother trying to do what was best for her daughter. But it all came down to the fact that Atilia wouldn’t have the power of the “mother of a pack’s omega” if Karli mated them.
“Here we go again,” Joseph mumbled.
Rowl could hear the frustration in Joseph’s voice and knew how he felt. For weeks now, they had been graced with these little visits from either Atilia or Ferone. Each time was a well-thought-out attack in an attempt to have them give up Karli. Sometimes they used anger, threats, or bribery, but today’s special was tears with a healthy dose of guilt.
Before either of them could even say hello, Atilia was on them, arms slicing through the air as she spoke. “You have to release my daughter from this insanity. She deserves to have everything she desires, and you can’t give that to her. You have to see how much you’re hurting her by carrying on with this silliness.”
Rowl was doing his best not to growl again, and thankfully, Joseph took the lead. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but we intend to mate with Karli—with or without your blessing. We wish you understood, but we see now that may be an impossibility.”
Joseph was at the end of his rope. It had been weeks of this incessant barrage, and Rowl was tired of the drama the woman seemed to thrive on. He tried to step around her to get to their front door, but Atilia blocked his way, effectively trapping them outside of their own home.
“You’re not good enough for my daughter. She deserves an alpha of a large pack.”
“We may not be alphas, but we can make Karli happy and take care of her.” Joseph spoke firmly.
“We love and cherish her,” Rowl seethed, unable to stay quiet any longer.
“Love. Bah. What does love have to do with it?” Atilia screamed, shocking both Joseph and Rowl.
“Problem?” a deep, angry voice rumbled from behind them. Alpha Aldric.
Both men turned around and were faced with their alpha’s dark look. Thankfully, his eyes were pinned on the woman behind them.
“Oh, Alpha Aldric. We were only talking. Getting to know one another.” Atilia was quick to speak.
“And that involves screaming?” the alpha questioned.
Rowl had no idea what to say, but he had the feeling the alpha knew exactly what was happening.
“It was excitement you heard, Alpha,” Atilia quickly explained. “Now I must be going—lots to prepare for.” Atilia weaved around Joseph and Rowl as she walked off their porch and away from the chaos she had created.
“So, do the two of you want to tell me the truth about what’s going on here?” Aldric asked. “Or should I guess?”
Joseph spoke first. “She doesn’t want us to mate with her daughter. Apparently, we aren’t good enough. It’s the same old story.”
Aldric was quiet for a few moments before he said, “Do you two believe that?”
Rowl was quick with his reply. “No.”
Joseph quickly followed with the same response.
“Good. Don’t let her get to you. Remember Karli’s opinion is the only one that matters in all of this,” Aldric stated.
“We are completely focused on Karli, Alpha,” Joseph confirmed.
“Aldric. How many times do I have to ask you to call me Aldric?”
“Undoubtedly, it will be a few more times, Alpha,” Rowl responded.
“I will have a talk with Atilia and Ferone. You shouldn’t be attacked trying to get into your own home. That will not happen in my pack.”
“Thank you, Alpha.” Joseph nodded, and Rowl knew the alpha understood that Joseph spoke for both of them.
Rowl had always been the quieter of the two friends and preferred to leave most of the talking up to Joseph. It didn’t mean he couldn’t have conversations with people or didn’t have opinions; he just preferred actions to words.
“There is a reason for my stopping in. I wanted to discuss the coming weeks to make sure we’re clear.”
“Of course, Alpha.” Rowl opened their front door and invited their alpha into their home.
“I see you two have been redecorati
ng. It’s certainly seems a woman’s touch has found its way in here.”
“It’s for Karli. We want her to feel comfortable and at home,” Joseph explained as Rowl glanced around the living room. Their home did look softer now that they brought in the new furniture and got rid of their broken, beat-up bachelor hand-me-downs. There were pillows on the sofa and artwork on the walls. They had more pieces on order: a beautiful armoire for Karli, and a bed large enough to fit the three of them comfortably.
“I’m sure she appreciates everything the two of you have done.” Aldric sat down in one of the new chairs and made himself comfortable. Both Rowl and Joseph sat on the sectional sofa. “We have the first of the alphas arriving in the next two days. They will be bringing only a handful of advisors and security as they will be guests in my territory. The alpha will have three days to spend with Karli. She will be under supervision at all times. If Karli doesn’t choose him, then the next alpha will be summoned and it will start all over again until she either picks one or refuses all three. If she doesn’t choose an alpha, then her promise to the king is fulfilled and she is free to mate with anyone of her choosing. Which, in this case, is the two of you. What I need to know is what the two of you have planned during this time.”
“We plan to continue courting Karli and supporting her throughout this…mess,” Joseph answered, and Rowl wholeheartedly agreed. A stupid mess.
“And what will happen if the two of you see her with one of the alphas?” Aldric asked.
They knew this was a sensitive situation and had discussed it. Rowl looked at Joseph, unsure how to answer since he knew seeing Karli with anyone else would be difficult. They had to be stronger than petty jealousy.
“I won’t lie to you, Alpha. It will be difficult to see her with anyone other than Rowl or myself, but we would do nothing to jeopardize Karli and her happiness. We will not make the suitor or Karli feel uncomfortable in our presence,” Joseph assured.
Karli's Resolve (The Black Ridge Wolf Pack Book 3) Page 2
