“Hold on. As soon as you figured out that you weren’t a danger, why didn’t you leave that organization?” The lioness who spoke sounded accusing.
“It’s hard to leave,” Daniel said. “Once you’re in, they’re not really into the idea of letting you go.”
“You’ve seen The Godfather, Jan,” another pride member said. “They probably would have thought he was going to sing.”
“Sing? You’re adorable, Peter,” said another woman with a laugh.
“You’ve brought a lot of crap to us,” the first lioness—Jan—said. “Why should we take you in?”
“Because I love him.” Catherine had stood at that point, crossing to the center of the room to stand with Daniel. She’d promised not to talk, but this was too important. Taking his hand, she’d faced the rest, tears slipping down her face. “I know his soul. His past is messy, but he’s a good man, and he’s willing to change. He’s my mate, and I don’t want to be here without him.”
“Me too.” Meredith crossed to the center of the room to stand between Daniel and Catherine. “If you don’t want us here, we’ll go,” the girl continued from her place in the circle. “But you’re my family. For my sake, please. Give him a chance.”
The assembled lions looked around at each other. “We operate by vote,” Samuel said. “Does anyone else have anything they’d like to ask before we do so?”
No response.
“Thank you, Catherine, Daniel, Meredith. I’ll escort you out, and we’ll bring you back in when we’ve made our decision.” Samuel had done just that, then left them to wait.
It had been a tough hour. Catherine had sat beside Meredith on the couch, who sandwiched between them. The three of them hadn’t spoken much, just held each other. What few words were said were mostly reassuring.
“I guess my college account is gone, and we’re probably not going to Europe,” Meredith had commented, though her overly-mournful tone was clearly an attempt at making light of a heavy situation.
“For the best of reasons,” Catherine had responded, squeezing Daniel’s hand. “And I’m willing to bet we can find your dad something way better than cleaning toilets.”
Eventually Samuel had returned, a smile on his face. “Come on in.”
Catherine’s heart had lifted, and with good reason. Smiles and hugs had met them, welcoming Daniel into the pride.
And now, Meredith was graduating. Tears filled Catherine’s eyes as she wondered if there was any way the moment could be more perfect. She had her mate, her daughter, and her pride, and as Meredith liked to say…life was pretty sweet.
“Meredith Page,” the principal called.
Cheers and whoops from the crowd as Meredith climbed the steps. She gave the audience a saucy grin as she practically danced across to where the principal stood with her diploma.
“I love you,” Daniel said suddenly. His arm wound around her shoulders. “Marry me.”
Catherine’s breath caught. She turned, meeting his blue eyes with surprise. “Now? We’re watching a graduation,” she managed after a moment.
Daniel threw back his head and laughed, then leaned in to kiss her deeply. “Tonight, then,” he whispered, his forehead resting on hers.
“Gladly,” she whispered back.
BAD ALPHA DADS
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About the Author
Kenna McClare is an American author from the great Southwest. She’s been a closet writer for years, scribbling bad poetry in tattered journals and dreaming about dragons and talking wolves. Fantasy, romance, and anything with a great plot are her favorite things to read (and write!), especially when the three can be combined! When Kenna isn’t writing, she’s drawing blood and updating the office database at a small clinic in the greater Phoenix area. She loves her husband, her two sons, singing in the shower, roadtrips, fancy cheese and Costco pizza.
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