“You don’t use that tone with me,” Atilia demanded. “You should be getting ready for the first Alpha to arrive.”
“I am as ready as I’m going to be, Mother.” Karli sighed. “By the way where is your escort?” Alpha Aldric had assigned one of his warriors to keep an eye on her parents; he didn’t trust them not to meddle.
“We do not require an escort, young lady,” Atilia huffed. “And you look like a pauper in jeans.”
“If he doesn’t like my jeans, then I guess it will be a deal breaker.”
“Don’t be childish, Karli. You will put on a dress at least. Show some respect. He’s an Alpha with a large pack.”
“In other words, money. He has money…right?”
“There’s nothing wrong with having money,” Atilia stated with a smug grin.
“Is that the only reason you chose him?” Karli asked.
“I’m sure he’s completely acceptable as a mate.”
“Wow, you two can’t seem to get it through your heads. This is just a formality. I’ve already chosen my mates, and they are Joseph and Rowl.”
“You will choose an Alpha for a mate, not two lowly warriors.”
“What bugs you more, that they don’t have money or is it the prestige of being the parents of a pack’s Omega you’ll miss more?” Karli asked before turning and walking away.
“Oh, we won’t be missing anything, you’ll see,” Atilia shouted. “You’ll see.”
As soon as they were far enough away, Laura spoke. “Don’t worry, you’ll be free to be with your men soon, and there’s nothing they can do about it.”
“What worries me is the time they have to cause problems for me, Joseph, and Rowl. They won’t leave this alone.” Karli knew her parents well. If there was some underhanded way of making what they wanted to happen, happen, they’d do it. Nothing was off-limits. She didn’t think anyone fully understood that.
“Well, I’m here to watch out for you, so we’re all good. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“You won’t be able to control my parents. They’ll do anything for power, and they see me as the gateway to that world for them.”
“I’m sorry. You should be loved by your parents, not used,” Laura murmured.
Karli let out a deep sigh. This wasn’t going to ruin her day. She was off to see Joseph and Rowl, and nothing or no one was going to get in her way. She followed the path to their house with her chaperone at her side. There would be no kissing, only hand holding until after she’d gotten through her three suitors. She felt bad that these men would be coming all this way for nothing, but each of them knew that she had decided to mate warriors, and they were coming with the intent of changing her mind. So, in essence, they were getting what they deserved.
She walked up to her men’s house and knocked on the door. They should be home; training should have ended half an hour ago. The door flew open and Joseph stood there, his hair still wet from the shower and as handsome as always. With his blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight and his roguish grin in place, he was breathtaking. There was only one other man who could compare. Rowl. As if the mere thought of his name produced the man, Rowl came walking down the hallway.
“How many times do we have to tell you to just walk in? You don’t have to knock,” Rowl groused.
“I know, but until the selection process is over, I have to stay within the confines of the law. I wish this could all just be finished.” She was exhausted already and the Alphas hadn’t even arrived yet. She didn’t even know what to do when they got here, but she had to give each one a chance, even though she knew no one could compare to what she already had.
“Come inside. We’re making lunch for us, and Laura too,” Joseph teased.
“Hey, the chaperone needs to be fed as well. How will I protect her from those scary old Alphas without food?”
The four of them laughed and walked into the house. That was Laura, able to calm people with only a few words. Everyone in the pack knew how hard this was on Karli, but they all understood the law.
They walked into Joseph and Rowl’s cozy living room, which they’d already started redecorating for Karli. They were turning their bachelor house into a family home, and she loved them all the more for it.
The two big chairs that used to take up the entire space were gone, and the seating area was now transformed by a beautiful sectional and moderate-size chairs. They walked into the kitchen and sat down for a lunch of hamburgers and salads; her men loved their grill. Karli sat back and admired the view. Joseph was blond-haired and blue-eyed, standing at well over six and a half feet tall. Rowl had black hair and dark brown eyes and was a little shorter than Joseph. They were like night and day in appearance and their personalities. One was outgoing; one was reserved. One was more emotional than the other. One cooked while the other cleaned.
And she loved them both. They just had to make it through the next few months and they could finally have their happily ever after.
What could go wrong?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lilli Carlisle lives outside Toronto, Canada. She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and its chapter, Toronto Romance Writers. Lilli is a mother of two wonderful girls, wife to an amazing man and servant to the pets in her life. She writes both contemporary and paranormal romance and believes love should be celebrated and shared. After all, everybody needs a little romance, excitement, intrigue and passion in their lives.
ALSO BY LILLI CARLISLE
The Black Ridge Wolf Pack series
Omega’s Choice
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