“You told us that you discovered you were immune to magic when you hired a white witch to help find us. How did you manage that?” Rowl asked.
“My aunt was helping me. When I would visit, I could go out with my aunt without suspicion. Over the years we were in Saxx’s pack, my aunt and I were biding our time. Trying to find a way to get me far away from my parents. They’d become impossible to live with. They were my parents, but I knew I had to get away. When you found me, that had been the weekend my aunt was going to go before her alpha and seek asylum for me to become part of their pack.”
“And that had been interrupted by the ogre attacks and the disappearance of the entire town,” Joseph stated. “Is she safe?”
“Yes, my aunt’s back in her home.”
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Rowl squeezed her gently.
“Because then I would have to relive the reasons why I needed to get away from my mother and father. I wasn’t ready to do that,” Karli confessed. She saw Joseph about to defend her actions and she didn’t want to spend more time reliving a past no one could change. “We’ve gotten off track. I need to explain a few things about the Eagle’s Cove pack before we decide what to do.”
Joseph couldn’t help himself. He had to say something. “Remember we love you unconditionally, no matter what happened.”
Karli leaned forward and grabbed his hand. “I know, my love. You don’t have to keep reminding me.”
“Yeah, we do,” her men replied in unison.
She sighed and gave up trying to assuage their guilt. “All right. Here’s the rest of it. The pack is broken. They have lived under tyranny at the hands of Alpha Saxx for the last three hundred years. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I came here. Perspective is a wonderful thing. Now I understand my being an omega had some sway with the alpha and I wasn’t treated like the rest of the pack. But the others had to surrender eighty percent of their income to the alpha. If they didn’t, horrible things would and did happen. I had no idea the average pack fund contribution is only five percent in other packs.” Karli shook her head and went on.
“First, there’d be an ‘accident’ where one of the children of a family that didn’t pay was injured, but not too severely. If that warning wasn’t enough, then a family member would disappear until they submitted to the tax. Recently, each member was forced to swear a blood oath to Saxx. Now that he’s been removed from power, the oath is severed and they no longer have to live by it.”
“That’s insane. No one would be able to survive on only twenty percent of their income.” Joseph cursed between growls. “And a blood oath?”
“Exactly, but the townspeople were so used to being treated that way they stopped fighting back.”
“Why didn’t they move to another pack before taking the blood oath?” Rowl asked.
“The first few families who tried that were blackballed by Saxx. No other pack would take them after their alpha, along with a few high-ranking families in Eagle’s Cove, had destroyed their reputation. They were forced to either return to Saxx or live as rogues, packless and alone.”
“So this is the reason the town and homes are in disrepair?” Joseph questioned as he laid his head on Karli’s lap.
“Yeah. There was never enough money left over for renovations. Most of the people lived in the same houses as their grandparents had without any money for upkeep. Their shops barely got by, and no one was allowed to leave the pack even if you found your mate. You had to bring them to Eagle’s Cove instead of staying with your mate’s pack. A lot of wolves stayed in contact with their mates but never dared to bring them to Saxx. They loved from a distance.”
“That’s heinous, to separate mates. Why didn’t anyone approach the king for help?” Rowl clasped her tighter to his chest.
“I learned one family had tried, but they disappeared before they could reach the king. No one ever tried again. All correspondence, phone or online, was monitored by the alpha’s allies, the Restone and Haleybrook families. They were the only two families exempt from all the mandates of Alpha Saxx.”
“Is the town salvageable? Will the pack accept my rule if I was the new alpha?”
“I think so. Tales from the older members foresaw a brighter future. With Saxx gone, it’s already brighter. I remember when I sat in my garden unable to leave the property, and dug my hands into the dirt. I was forbidden to use my powers over flora to assist the townspeople in their gardens for their own personal food. So I found a connection with the pack in my own way. While abiding by the restriction put upon me, I stayed in my garden, hands sunk deep in the earth, reaching out to all the other plots of land used by the pack.”
“Why were you forbidden to use your gods-given gifts?” Rowl sputtered. “They are to be used for the benefit of all wolf shifters.”
“Oh, Saxx wanted me to use my gifts, but only on what he had an interest in. Ventures that paid him the highest return. He even put restrictions on hunting wild game. My parents would keep an eye on me, but they never realized that I could reach out as far as I could. I wasn’t about to tell them, but I also wasn’t about to let the people starve. It became a weekly tradition of sorts. Every Monday evening, I would boost the fruit and vegetable production in their family plots, and they would hide it and never divulge where their food was coming from.”
“You saved them,” Joseph stated plainly. “Without you, many would have starved. This explains why all our inquiries to find you came up empty. Saxx was hiding you from the world, but after the ogre attacks when Ceva found you, he could no longer deny your existence.”
“Yep. Now I see how my parents were plotting for me to be his mate, whether I wanted it or not. Once I came to the attention of the king, they had no other recourse but to stack the deck with three alphas that were involved since the beginning. My parents know about my gift. I’m sure of it. How else do you explain the alphas being aware of it? I’m not sure how they discovered it or why Rocco would risk trying to place a spell on me knowing I could repel black magic.”
“Perhaps it was a test, or he didn’t believe you capable of withstanding such strong magic. Either way, his attempt has cost the bastard his freedom and his pack.” Joseph took her hand again. “If you don’t want to return to Eagle’s Cove, I understand and will support your decision.”
Karli needed to figure out her true feelings for a place she used to dread. “Give me some time to think about everything. It’s all so sudden after our bonding.”
“Of course, love. We have until this evening to think it through and discuss what to do,” Joseph assured before he looked at Rowl. “You have been my best friend for as long as I can remember. You’re my lover and mate. I refuse to take over a pack without you by my side as pack beta. The decision of where we go from here is up to the two of you.”
“But you deserve to have a say in your own future,” Rowl argued.
“You are my future. Both of you. That’s what’s important to me—our family.” Joseph stood and kissed her then Rowl and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll get breakfast started.”
Karli watched Joseph’s retreating figure before turning to Rowl. “Do you want to become a beta?”
Rowl held her closer before answering. “Yeah, I do. But am I the kind of beta he needs?”
“Why do you say that?”
“This pack needs strong leadership to bring them back after so many years of tyranny. They’ll look to us during the changes to come and they’ll need to see a powerful triad, not one hampered by my disability.”
“You’ve already been able to put weight on your leg. It’s getting better every day.”
“But is it enough? I still walk with a cane, which in and of itself might make them question my abilities as beta. That could lead them to question Joseph as well.”
“Then it’s your duty to show them what you’re capable of so there are no questions. I believe in you, and so does Joseph, but you need to believe in yourself first.”
&nb
sp; “Yeah, well, easier said than done, isn’t it? That’s the part I’m having trouble with since the shooting,” he admitted, and Karli could feel his conflicting emotions. She knew Rowl would make a remarkable beta, but he needed to regain the confidence he’d had in himself.
The two sat silently, both deep in thought while listening to Joseph working away in the kitchen. Could she stand in the way of Joseph becoming an alpha? Could she leave those poor people to a fate made worse by Saxx’s removal? They had no money and no one to protect them. Her only answer was no. She’d made a promise when she mated her men. She had as much of an obligation to support and defend them as they did her. Karli’s resolve to support Joseph’s chance to be an alpha and Rowl chance to be a beta was rock solid. And her job as omega to her new pack was a challenge she was willing to undertake.
Rowl moved her so she was looking at him directly. “I believe in the two of you. I intend to say yes to Joseph. Are you sure you’re okay with returning?”
“I am. Someone has to help those people, and I think the three of us are exactly what they need. That pack deserves to have some happiness and peace. We can give that to them.”
“It won’t be easy to wash away hundreds of years of pain and mistrust.”
“No it won’t, but I can’t think of anyone more deserving than those who have been wronged for generations.”
Rowl looked at Karli and smiled. “You make a convincing argument, my mate. Are you one hundred percent sure about this?”
“I’m sure about my mates. I believe this is the right move for our family. But it only works if you take your rightful position as beta.” Karli could smell the bacon frying in the kitchen and knew that breakfast was almost ready. “Take your time to consider everything and look into your heart before you make your decision, my love.”
“How do you always manage to make any situation hopeful? No matter how hard the decision, you find the strength and compassion to face it head on. I feel fortunate beyond measure to be your mate,” Rowl whispered before leaning forward and taking her mouth in a kiss filled with promise.
“Now that’s what I like to see, my mates happy,” Joseph called out as he came around the corner carrying two trays of food. “I thought we could eat out here today—watch some television and decompress a little. Care to join me at the coffee table, my loves?”
Karli slid off of Rowl’s lap and gathered three huge cushions from the couch. She laid them on the floor in front of the trays and sat on the middle one. Rowl joined her, keeping his injured leg stretched out to the side of the table. Joseph returned with another tray and three plates, setting up a buffet for them. Shifters could eat a lot of food in one sitting.
Karli wrapped her arms around Joseph’s neck as soon as he sat down and kissed him softly. “Thank you.”
“Anything for the two of you,” Joseph responded then reached for the television remote and turned it on. “Now let’s clear our minds and enjoy being together. No more talk of packs until we’ve eaten and rested. We were up until early this morning and need some time to relax.” He picked up a slice of toast and pointed it at them. “After we’ve eaten, we’ll crawl back into bed and cuddle like we should have been able to this morning.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan.” Rowl smiled wide and dug into the pancakes with purpose.
Karli laughed and felt her body relax into enjoying her time with her mates.
Joseph sat waiting for his mates to dress and join him in the dining room. They’d fallen asleep while cuddling and were now rushing around to get ready for supper with the king, Aldric, and Helena. Joseph hadn’t had a chance to speak to Karli and Rowl again about taking over the Eagle’s Cove pack and was still unsure where he stood on the matter.
On one side, the desire to become an alpha was hard to ignore, and the chance to rebuild and make a better life for the members of his pack was appealing. After hearing what Karli and the pack had been put through, he wanted the chance to help them. With Rowl and Karli by his side, he was sure they could do it.
On the other hand, Rowl was still unsure of becoming beta, even though Joseph knew Rowl would be perfect. Also, Karli would have to be willing to go back to the place she had spent years trying to escape from. When it came down to it, he knew he would accept the decision of his mates. If even only one didn’t feel as though they should do this, then that was good enough for him. He wouldn’t accept becoming an alpha wolf with his own pack without complete accord. His mates were his entire reason for being. Without them, he’d be lost.
“Ready to go, sweetheart?” Rowl’s voice brought him out of his thoughts.
He looked up to find both his mates dressed and ready. Karli was in a stunning blue cotton dress while Rowl wore dress pants and a button-down shirt. They were both gorgeous, and he wished they’d never had to leave their bed.
“Perhaps we should talk before we leave.” His mates came to where he was sitting on the couch and arranged themselves on either side of him.
“Of course, you need to know how we feel before you face the king,” Karli agreed.
“Yes, but I’d like to say that I think we could do wonderful things for that poor pack. They need help, and I feel the three of us could change their lives for the better. I love you both. The two of you will always come first, and I would never make either of you do anything you didn’t feel right about. We’re a family, and we can stay right here in Black Ridge if you wish.” He grasped both of their hands and waited for their decision.
Karli spoke first. “Joseph, I love you, and I believe you are the perfect alpha to lead Eagle’s Cove pack back from the brink. I will gladly go with you to make things right and become omega to our new pack.”
Before he could respond to Karli’s declaration, Rowl spoke up. “I’m still having a hard time accepting that I’m the best choice for your beta.”
Joseph’s heart fell a little, but he understood Rowl needed more time to heal and regain his confidence. “It’s okay, Rowl. I understand—”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t become your beta, but I’m going on faith here. Your faith in me. I’m getting stronger every day, and I believe I’ll be able to walk without the assistance of the cane in a few days. I want to be your beta and help that town recover. We’re with you, Alpha Joseph,” Rowl declared as he grasped both of his mates’ hands. “We’ll follow where you lead.”
Joseph was amazed by the trust they were giving him. Both having reasons to say no but putting that aside for him and their new pack. Such a lucky man. “Are you positive? I want you to be happy.”
“I’m sure.” Karli clapped her hands together.
“Looks like we’re moving,” Rowl deadpanned.
“First, we’d better tell the king our decision.” Karli glanced down at her watch. “We need to get going or we’ll be late.”
They stood and Joseph took the opportunity to hug both of his mates at the same time. They remained in each other’s arms, the three of them holding tight, each knowing their lives would never be the same again.
Chapter Nine
It had been seven days since they’d accepted the king’s offer to take over the Eagle’s Cove pack, at which point Joseph was made an alpha while Rowl became his beta. During the oath-taking ceremony to Fenrir and the king, the alpha and beta tattoos revealed themselves on Karli’s mates’ arms. They contained beautiful images of their pack, battles and victories, as well as images of the three of them. The king, alphas, and betas were the only shifters to receive sacred markings on their right arms.
Since bonding and agreeing to take control of a pack, the three had noticed some new and transferring powers. They could now speak telepathically, and they believed that would be the case even when they were apart by long distances. Karli’s immunity to magic had transferred to her mates and amplified in all three of them so that they could now protect others from magical attack. Joseph and Rowl had both gained in strength and ability, although Rowl still walked with a limp, which she knew b
othered him. Both men filled out more physically, too, a fact driven home by a necessary shopping trip to buy new clothing.
They’d spent the last ten hours on the road heading toward Eagle’s Cove. Five days ago, one of the king’s advisors had been sent with a team to watch over the pack until they could arrive, which would be in about an hour or so. There were quite a few vehicles in their caravan. Aldric had given a number of warriors the opportunity to come along and set up new roots, which almost all of them took. General Jensgar, head of the royal guards and mentor to Helena, had chosen to come oversee the warriors and head security for the pack. They had twenty-four warriors in total.
Aldric had sent along Theron and Tofa, two of his advisors, to get all the books updated, find the missing money that Saxx had squirrelled away, and update all computer systems and electronic security. By all accounts, nothing had been updated in many years, further cutting the townspeople off from the world.
And to complete setting up their new home, in a few days, their furniture would be arriving, as well as supplies Joseph and Rowl had arranged to be delivered.
In her building excitement about their upcoming challenges, Karli wondered how the pack would react to a change in leadership, especially her rise from nothing to pack omega. She had always gotten along with the pack, what little she saw of them, but the Restone and Haleybrook families were another matter. For generations, they had been chosen as the alpha’s right-hand men and women, which wouldn’t be the case anymore. A new era was dawning that they weren’t going to like, and they remained the dark cloud on the new horizon.
King Leonidas had gifted the pack with a town rehabilitation fund. Once he’d heard what took place in Eagle’s Cove, he’d set aside funding for the town’s overhaul. With that, along with their savings and gifts from the bonding ceremony, they had a tidy nest egg to begin their new life as leaders of the Eagle’s Cove pack.
Karli's Resolve (The Black Ridge Wolf Pack Book 3) Page 11
