A few members of the pack were already there. The glanced up with interest, and a little hostility from those who recognized me. I averted my eyes. It was becoming clear I had not just disappointed Hunter and Roman, I had disappointed the entire pack. Sensing my discomfort, the men each slipped a hand into mine. I took a deep breath.
“When you talked to the elders, did you think they were willing to help us?” I whispered as the three of us picked our way to seats near the front. If everyone was going to stare, we may as well put ourselves in a convenient viewing location.
Roman looked concerned, his normally open features pulled tight. “
I’m not sure,” he admitted, keeping his voice low like mine. “They weren’t openly hostile or anything like that. I just don’t know if they will be willing to help us.”
“We’re here, aren’t we?” asked Hunter.
Both Roman and I flinched. Hunter spoke at his regular volume, sprawled confidently in his chair. This man did not let anyone dictate how to live his life.
“I figure if they are calling a hearing,” Hunter said, “an emergency hearing at that, they must be on our side.”
“They may be saving face,” said Roman, sitting very still.
“I hope not,” I said, glancing around. I recognized most of the shifters in attendance. There were men and women I knew from school, family friends, old teachers. There were only a handful of new adult faces, it was rare that anyone from my pack married someone from the outside.
As we waited, Hunter threw his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. Roman took one of my hands in his and made small circles with his thumb. I breathed. I knew what they were doing, showing a united front to the pack. Showing them I was to be trusted. I was glad.
Before too long, the elders entered the room. I couldn’t help but smile a little to myself. These were the same elders I had when I was growing up, still going strong after all these years. If anyone would make the best decision for the pack, they would.
The pair of alphas climbed up the platform. A male and a female, Keiran and Janessa. I smiled when I saw Keiran’s hand shoot out to steady Janessa on the stairs. In their (her?) pack the alphas were picked by vote. The pack members voted on those couples who bore the strongest love between them, for it was believed that only a strong love would bind the pack together and keep the family strong. I was pleased to see the love between Keiran and Janessa was going strong.
I squeezed Roman’s hand as Janessa stepped to the front of the platform, her green eyes striking beneath her long, silver braids.
“We have called you here,” she began, her voice soothing and low, like waves hitting the beach, “to discuss a pressing matter.”
I felt the air still in the room. Everyone around me, including the boys, had sucked in their breath, waiting for the blow.
“As some of you might know,” Keiran continued, standing tall next to his mate, “an old friend has recently returned to the family.”
Hunter’s arm tightened protectively around my shoulders as we all sensed everyone in the room staring at us. I tried to scout down a little in my chair, but my large thighs were snug between Hunter’s and Roman’s legs. I couldn’t move. Drat.
“While we are pleased to see her return to the family,” Janessa paused to smile down at me. I looked at the floor. “It has been brought to our attention that some unpleasant business has followed her home.”
“I am afraid,” Keiran picked up where Janessa left off, “that another pack has threatened to war with us.”
The mood shifted from the calm before the storm to primal fear in an instant. People behind me stood up and started yelling. A few others went gray and slumped in the seat. One person even went so far as to shift, a flash of mottled gray in the midst of t-shirts and jeans. I stared at the floor and concentrated on the circles both Hunter and Roman were tracing into my skin.
A low howl sounded from the front and the pack calmed. Janessa was letting out our family call, pulling us back into the meeting.
“I understand the fear,” Janessa said, “we have called you here today to make a decision for the family.”
“I am sure most of you know Tasha,” Keiran said, nodding to me. I flushed.
“She grew up in the pack,” Janessa said, “and spent the last few years traveling. We are so happy she has rejoined are family. And as a member of the family, she deserves our protection.”
There were some nods in the room, but there were just as many cries of outrage. I glanced over my shoulder to look for Amber. She sat a few rows back, hair in wild curls around her pinched face. She was unhappy but resolute. When I caught her eye, she nodded. I turned back around. That’s three in my corner, at least.
“We understand that not everyone will be happy about extending our protection and support to someone who was gone for so long. Especially if that support might result in injury and distress,” said Keiran. “In the history of Moon Lake, our pack has never gone to war. While it is not my intention to start now, I do think we need to consider the possibility.”
“So we should lay down our lives and give up our land to protect a runaway?” shouted a voice from the seats.
Janessa held up her hand and looked slowly around the room. The pack quieted for a moment, entranced by her power. I was transfixed by her confidence. She must be truly adored to conduct herself with such grace.
“We will now open the floor to comments,” Janessa said, with a wry smile.
Amber jumped to her feet, placing her hands on her hips and popping out her curves. She also knew how to work a room.
“If any of you were in trouble there would be no hesitation,” she snapped at the grumbling, fearful members of our family group. “Why does it matter that she has been away? She is family.”
“It matters,” said a coal-eyed man I didn’t know, “because we don’t know that she would do it for us. I would lay down my life for any one of my brothers and sisters. But I do not know if I can call Tasha family.”
“Of course she is family!” shouted Amber, pushing up on her toes to appear taller.
“To you, sure,” said a golden-haired woman from the back of the room, “but to us she is just a visitor.”
“Is that your biggest problem?”
Hunter’s arm fell from my shoulders as he stood, facing the room with a determined glint in his eyes.
“That was my problem too,” he said. “You might remember that Roman and I were destined to mate with Tasha. When she left, we were devastated. I never thought I would forgive her.”
“Great,” I muttered, “a thrilling speech from my biggest fan.”
“Listen,” said Roman, his face upturned at Hunter. “He knows what he’s doing.”
“I have forgiven her now,” Hunter continued, “but not forgotten. I am afraid she will run again, of course, I am. Roman is too, I can see it in the way he looks at her. But love is not about keeping someone here forever and holding grudges. Love is knowing someone has the full power to leave, but trusting them not to.”
I felt my heart grow warm with these words. He forgave me?
“I trust that she won’t leave,” said Hunter.
“I do too,” said Roman, standing up on my other side.
I sat for another moment, unsure what to do. Then, Roman reached back for me and pulled me to my feet between them. I nervously pulled the hem of my blouse down over my thighs, needing to fiddle with something.
“I wonder,” said Keiran, holding up a hand to the pack and commanding the room, “if you would feel more inclined to support her if you had assurance she would stay.”
“Your main problem does seem to be that Tasha can be a little…” Janessa paused to find the right word. “Flighty.”
There was a general consensus in the crowd. I silently cursed myself for the poor decisions of youth. When you’re in your twenties you’re told it’s time for you to take chances. What they don’t tell you is those chances always have consequences.
“What are you suggesting?” Roman asked, his voice quiet but firm.
I watched the alphas look at each other, speaking without words the way that only soul mates are about to truly master.
“If you three were to get married,” said Janessa, “would that help the pack?”
The pack was silent for a moment before Amber spoke up.
“It shouldn’t matter!” said Amber, glancing over at me. “Tasha is family, whether she is married to Hunter and Roman or not.”
“Tasha,” said Keiran, his eyes boring into me. “You’ve been very quiet. What are your thoughts? Could you marry these young men?”
I dragged my gaze from the foot of the raised stage to meet the eyes of the alphas. What were they playing at? I searched their faces, but I could see only kind ambiguity and wisdom.
“Would I marry Hunter and Roman?” I asked. “I mean, if they will have me… it’s certainly a strong possibility.”
“A strong possibility,” said the same man from earlier, “is not a solid promise.”
“What if we got married now?” Hunter asked.
“You’re not serious,” I said, running a hand through my hair and pretending I didn’t seriously want him to be serious.
“We have to protect you,” said Hunter, low and fierce, in a tone that made my heart flutter. “I am willing to do whatever that takes.”
“I don’t want to lose you again,” said Roman, leaning into the conversation and encircling my waist with his arm. “I love you and if this is how we need to be married, that’s fine by me.”
“Well?”
I looked over my shoulder at where Keiran and Janessa stood. Janessa cocked an eyebrow and Keiran nodded for me to continue.
“If I marry Hunter and Roman,” I said, hating the way my voice trembled before the crowd, “will you support me… us… when Wesley comes with his pack?”
The crowd was silent. I shifted, trying not to look as uncomfortable as I felt. Fuck. This whole day was not going the way I planned. I should have never gotten out of bed.
“You’ll be family,” said a voice from the pack, a woman with a long gray ponytail from the back.
“You always were,” said Amber with a smile.
I sighed and straightened, buoyed by this, not outpouring of support exactly, but mild enthusiasm. The pack did not think this was a bad idea, and it was about time I started listening to them.
I took Roman’s smooth, warm hand and Hunter’s calloused hand in mine.
“Marry us,” I said, feeling the weight of the world fly off my shoulders. This is why I came, wasn’t it?
Roman smiled and squeezed my hand while Hunter gave a bark of delight.
Janessa smiled and said, “Unfortunately, we cannot marry you right now. You need to wait 24 hours after announcing your engagement before the marriage can take place.”
My mouth dropped open. She couldn’t possibly be serious. After all that?
“Pack law,” said Keiran, looking down at me with a sympathetic quirk of a smile. “It’d be crazy if we let people get married moments after the announcement.
Chapter Four
“So,” Hunter said as the three of us walked back up to the house, “are you glad you have enough time to pick out a dress?”
I looked up, incredulous, “I think there are more pressing matters than buying a dress. Like making sure you two don’t get your asses handed to you when Wesley and his pup patrol roll into town.”
“Come on,” said Hunter running a few steps ahead of us and turning around, walking backward and grinning. “I’d die to see your curves in a tight, white dress. What about you, Roman?”
Roman laughed deep in his throat and ran his eyes slowly up and down my body. I blushed, remembering how hard I came last night and how Roman had gazed at me when I did.
“I would love to see you out of the dress,” said Roman.
Hunter hooted out a laugh and danced a bit farther ahead, happier than I had seen him since high school. I pulled away and gave Roman a playful slap on the arm.
“You horny bastard,” I said with a giggle.
“What the heart wants,” Roman said, leaning over and brushing his lips lightly against my temple. I loved how tall he was, he could fold his whole body around me. I wanted to be engulfed.
“I wonder if Amber has something I could wear,” I said, glancing back down the road towards Amber’s house. “Maybe I should go check with her?”
“I bet Amber has something that will look amazing on you,” said Hunter.
“You look good in most things,” Roman agreed, “but Amber has very… exotic taste.”
I gasped playfully, “I thought you were both pining after me, but all this time you had the hots for my cousin!”
“You have the same eyes,” said Hunter.
“And boobs,” said Roman.
“And ass,” Hunter said, nodding thoughtfully.
I twirled around, placing my hands on my hips and stared at the boys.
“All right, pervs, I’m going to Amber’s to see if she has a dress. But I want to talk about serious things when I come back.”
“Deal,” they said.
I turned and started to walk down the road when I heard Hunter say;
“Actually, you don’t have the same ass. Yours is way thicker.”
I flipped them off over my shoulder as I slipped into my car and the boys laughed. Idiots.
Chapter Five
“Well,” said Amber, opening the door, “that was certainly an engagement.”
“Tell me about it,” I said as I slid inside, flopping down on her couch.
Amber laughed and paddled my butt until I scooted over and let her sit next to me.
“I never thought you’d be one for a public proposal.”
I rolled my eyes, crossing my legs and leaning forward with an elbow on my knee.
“I didn’t think I would be one for any proposal!”
“Still,” Amber said, twirling a long curl around her finger, “it is sweet that they love you so much. I just hope you aren’t rushing into something so you can avoid something else.”
I flicked my eyes up. Amber leaned back against the armrest, her face serious.
“What?”
“What do you mean ‘what?’” said Amber, frowning. “I support you, babes, but I want to make sure you’re not marrying these guys without good reason. One man is hard enough, but two are a handful.”
“How would you know?” I shot back. “You’re not with anyone.”
Hurt flashed over Amber’s eyes and I immediately felt shame. God, how could I be this insensitive? No wonder the pack wasn’t ready to go to war for me, I didn’t deserve it.
“I’m sorry,” I said, rushing to fill the angry silence between us. “That was low of me, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t know what it was like after you left,” said Amber, her tone cold and quiet.
I flinched. Amber was the definition of bubbly, always bouncing from person to person with a joke and a smile at the ready. To hear her talk to me like that meant I really fucking hurt her.
“Roman and Hunter weren’t the only people who missed you,” she continued.
“I know,” I said, feeling worse by the second, “and I am truly sorry. This is the reason I am so worried about being home. I messed everything up so badly and now I’m supposed to hope everyone will accept me back.”
Amber sighed and threw her arm over the back of the couch, poking my arm lightly.
“It’s a shitty situation,” she said, “I’m not going to lie. You’re not the favorite person in the territory right now.”
“No shit,” I said.
Amber rolled her eyes and gave me a hint of a smile. I felt relief, she was coming around.
“You have to prove that you are here for real reasons, not just using the pack for your own protection.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Is that why you think I’m here?”
“No,” said Amber, reassuringly. “
But that is what some people think. Show them you’re here for the boys.”
I shifted, crossing my arms under my breasts.
“But marry them?”
“You love them, don’t you.”
“I do,” I said, “but it’s hard… To be with two men? Hunter already struggles with trust and Roman seems to think I’m so much better than I actually am. What if I can’t give them both what they need? How do you split your love between two men?”
“Don’t look at me,” said Amber with an ironic smirk, “I don’t even have one man.”
I slapped her thigh. Amber let out a light laugh.
Then she said, “I think you just have to remember that you’re in a relationship with both of them. It’s not one and the other, it’s one big relationship for three people. You’re not splitting your love between anyone, you’re sharing the love you have for your whole family.”
I smiled at the thought of Roman, Hunter, and I as a family. She had a point.
“I think you’ll be okay,” said Amber, noting the smile on my face.
“I hope so,” I said.
Amber stood up, straightening her top and walking into her bedroom.
“So, am I right to assume you’re here for a dress?” she called, over her shoulder.
***
I left Amber’s house with the skimpiest dress I had ever worn. It was a dusty rose color, not white because I looked much better in color. The dress was clingy, with a plunging neckline and open back. I thought it made me look a little bulky, but Amber said it made my ass look out of this world. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I gently laid the dress over the backseat and got ready for the quick drive home. But, could I really go straight home? After all the happened today.
I shuddered when I thought of Wesley bringing his alpha band to our little pack. He was hot shit in South Dakota, powerful and brusque. When you’re nineteen that power-hungry behavior is a real turn on. I loved watching him give orders and I loved following orders in the bedroom.
Mated by Destiny Bundle: The Complete Series: A BBW Wolf Shifter Threesome Paranormal Erotic Romance Page 6