Chapter One
Karli walked down the forest trail with her chaperone, Laura, one of the omegas that had come with Princess Helena from the palace after the Omega Celebration. Laura’s home had been destroyed in the recent ogre attacks, and she now lived with the Black Ridge Pack. Laura had been chaperoning Karli for weeks, and in that time they had become close, displaced sisters of sorts. They would remain attached at the hip until Karli made her choice—an elaborate show concocted to keep her parents at bay. She had made her choice long ago. Her intended mates were Joseph and Rowl. They had always been, and would always be hers.
The uproar wasn’t that she wanted to mate two men; in their realm such a choice was fairly common. What had thrown her parents out of whack was that she, an omega wolf who, by tradition, should mate an alpha, had instead chosen to mate two warriors. Two strong, loving men she’d known since childhood who she would be choosing as her mates once her promise to the king was satisfied.
The law of the realm was absolute; all omegas who had come of age must attend at least one Omega Celebration before mating. The celebration was held over a week’s time at the royal palace, and provided the opportunity for alphas and omegas to meet, and perhaps find a match.
Since Karli hadn’t attended a celebration, the king had decreed that she must meet three alphas before she chose whom she mated. This was no more than a formality because she had already found her mates.
Nothing and no one would change her mind.
The forest was beautiful with its canopy of green through which the sun spiked in brilliant beams that dotted the forest floor. Creatures big and small came and went as the women walked in the welcome shade on this hot August day; they were strolling through a little piece of heaven.
Laura nudged Karli’s arm. “So, are you ready to meet your alpha suitors?”
“No.” Karli rolled her eyes at the question Laura had asked once a week. “But if this is the only way to keep my promise to the king and get my parents off my back, I’ll go through the motions.”
“Still planning to choose Joseph and Rowl?”
“Absolutely. With every fiber of my being.”
Laura stopped and touched Karli’s shoulder. “What if one of the Alphas sweeps you off your feet and wins your heart?”
Karli laughed. “So not happening. My heart belongs to Joseph and Rowl.”
Laura smiled wide. “I’m happy for you. Finding the men you want to spend the rest of your life with is special. Knowing we may live up to one thousand years, you’d want to make the right choice. I’ve been to the Omega Celebration and didn’t find a soul I was interested in. Highly disappointing.”
Before Karli had a chance to respond, Alpha Dedric walked past, waving hello to them before heading in the opposite direction. Karli watched as Laura perked up, her gaze following Dedric until he was out of sight.
Karli poked Laura in the ribs. “I thought you said you met all the eligible alphas and none appealed to you?”
“He wasn’t at last year’s celebration. Who is he?” Laura had not turned her head away from where the alpha had been.
“Alpha Dedric. He has a small pack west of here. He helped us fight the ogres, but part of his town was destroyed during one of the battles. He and his people are staying here until construction crews can get back to set the town to rights.”
Laura’s omega jewel situated in the center of her forehead glowed with excitement; a good sign. Lots of omegas steered clear of alphas with smaller packs. It meant less money, prestige, and power. Maybe Karli could do a little matchmaking of her own. Her heart lightened a little with that thought, but when she turned around, it fell just as quickly. Her parents were heading her way, which was never a good thing.
Laura must have seen them and edged in front of Karli, but it was too late; they knew she was there. “Incoming,” Laura warned.
“Yep, see ‘em.”
“Karli…Karli. We’ve been looking for you everywhere, young lady,” Atilia yelled, even though they weren’t that far away.
“Here we go again,” Karli whispered to Laura.
“What was that, Karli?” Atilia asked.
“Hello once again, Mother. How may we help you?”
Karli wished it could be different between her and her parents. Every day, she’d wake up hoping they’d realize what they were doing. But that never happened.
“You don’t use that tone with me,” Atilia demanded. “You should be getting ready for the first alpha to arrive.”
“I’m as ready as I’m going to be, Mother.”
“You look like a pauper in jeans.”
“If he doesn’t like my jeans, then I guess it will have to be a deal breaker.”
“Don’t be childish, Karli. You will put on a dress at least. Show some respect. He’s an alpha of 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?”
“I’m sure he’s completely acceptable as a mate.”
“Wow, you two can’t seem to get it through your heads. This is 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 fumed then turned to walk away.
“Oh, we won’t be missing anything. You’ll see!” Atilia shouted. “You’ll see.”
As soon as they were far enough, Laura squeezed Karli’s arm. “Don’t worry. You’ll be free to be with your men soon. There’s nothing your parents 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 an underhanded way of making what they want happen, they’d do it. Nothing was off limits. She didn’t think anyone understood that fully.
“Well, I’m here to watch out for you. So we’re all good. I won’t let anything happen,” Laura assured.
“You won’t be able to control my parents. They’ll do anything for power, and they see me as their ticket into that world.” The weight of her sadness made her tired. Exhausted, actually. She’d passed “enough” a long time ago.
“I’m sorry. You should be loved by your parents, not used.”
Karli could see the compassion in her friend’s eyes.
She 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 ranch-style house with her chaperone at her side.
Omegas in courtships required a chaperone at all times until they were mated. There would be no excessive kissing, only quick kisses and hand holding until after she’d gotten through her three suitors. Once this was over, she’d finally be free to show Joseph and Rowl all the affection and desire she’d had to suppress for so long.
Karli felt bad about the three men who would be coming all this way for nothing, but each of them knew that she had decided to mate warriors. They were coming with the intent of changing her mind. So they knew the playing field, and shouldn’t be disappointed to go home not betrothed.
She walked up to her men’s house, across the wide porch, and knocked on the heavy wooden front door. The door flew open, and Joseph, shaggy blond hair still wet from his shower stood there with a black t-shirt stretched across his wide chest, and jeans snug and low on his hips. 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 was enough to conjure him, Rowl came walking down the hallway. “How many times do we have to tell you to walk in? You don’t have to knock,” Rowl scolded. Yup. Equally breathtaking. Dark to Joseph’s light, Rowl stood a bit shorter than Joseph’s six and a half feet. Night and day in personalities too; Joseph was outgoing while Rowl was more reserved and emotional. Joseph cooked, Rowl cleaned and scowled at Joseph’s messiness.
“I know, but until the selection process is over, I have to stay within the confines of the law. I wish this would all be finished already.” She was fed up, and the alphas hadn’t even arrived. She didn’t know what to do when they got here, but she had to appear to give each a chance, even though she knew full well no one could compare to what she already had.
“Come inside. We’re making lunch.” Joseph waved them in.
They walked into the cozy living room and Karli stopped. Her men had already started redecorating. They were turning their bachelor house into a family home, and, if possible, she loved them even more for it.
The two big ugly chairs that used be the only furniture in the entire space were gone. In their place the room had been transformed by a beautiful moss-green sectional and three comfy-looking side chairs, each with a small bent branch table beside it. Walls that had been painted a dull brown were now a light peach, and the once bare wooden floor was now covered by two complementing area rugs. She turned to see they were gauging her reaction, and when she smiled, they came up on either side of her and simultaneously planted kisses on her cheeks. She reached for their hands and squeezed.
Hand in hand, they walked into the kitchen, which had a new oblong farm table. Laura, who was seated on one of the interesting mismatched chairs, glanced at their linked hands and sighed. The men released Karli and she sat down next to her friend.
Karli’s men, who loved their grill, disappeared out back to their outdoor kitchen. Twenty minutes later they were eating a tasty lunch of hamburgers and salads. As the guys tucked into their third burgers, she sat back and admired the view. She loved them something fierce. They had to make it through the next few weeks so they could finally have their happily ever after.
What could go wrong?
She knew the first alpha was on his way, and she needed to be clear with her men. She waited until they had stopped eating before clearing her throat. “We need to talk.”
Laura took the cue and went to sit in the living room. Joseph and Rowl both looked worried, and she so wished she could take that away. She could feel her omega jewel swirling with her mood. But until the three suitors were gone, there was no way her men wouldn’t be worried.
“The first suitor is due here in a couple days, and I wanted you both to understand that I must follow the law and give them each enough time to appear to change my mind. I need you to know how much I love you and how difficult this will be.”
When both of her men came around the table and wrapped their arms around her, she felt safe. Why is the king making me do this? She knew it was because of her parents. Karli still held out hope her parents, Joseph, and Rowl would eventually get along, but she knew it was a pipe dream, at least for the near future.
“You two are the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Karli said as tears gathered in her eyes. “Now that we have each other again, promise you’ll never let me go. That no matter what my parents do, you’ll always love me.”
“Our beautiful mate, of course we won’t let you go. Even after all those years apart, we are still in love with you. Nothing will ever change that, sweetheart,” Joseph assured.
Karli, Joseph, and Rowl had grown up together until the day her parents took her far away because she had wanted to date them. Even that long ago, her parents had plans for her—their meal ticket.
“Don’t worry, Alpha Aldric had a long talk with us. He explained how the mating celebration works and that this is a modified version of that. You have five suitors, including Joseph and myself, and you must choose which one, or in our case ones, will best love and care for you and any possible children.” At the mention of children, Rowl’s eyes lit up. He may have a hard time sharing his emotions, but he wore them on his sleeve, or, like now, they were plain to see in his eyes.
“I know this will be hard on you seeing me being courted by other men. I’m sorry.”
“None of this is your fault,” Joseph soothed, always the voice of what would be their family. Rowl tended to leave the talking to Joseph. “You’re a victim in this, being pulled in so many directions. We love you and always will. Don’t worry about us. We plan on courting you as well. We figure, since these alphas are coming here to woo you away, we have every right to woo you to stay.”
Karli’s tears turned into a smile. Her men always seemed to be able to do that. “No more stress about what’s to come. It will be here soon enough. Now, what’s for dessert?”
Joseph sat back in his seat, and Rowl got up. Laura returned from the living room as Rowl came back to the table with a berry pie, which he began to dish out.
“So now that we got that out of the way, does anyone want to fill me in on the hunky Alpha Dedric?” Laura asked before she took a big bite of her pie.
After the best few hours she’d had in a while, Karli left her men and walked arm in arm with Laura toward the pack house where all the omegas stayed. Alpha Aldric had posted a few extra warriors as guard since there had been incidences of rogue alphas stealing omegas. If anyone ever tried that with her, she’d fry his ass with a lightning bolt.
The pack house was a large cabin built as a gathering place and private residence for the alpha, alpha mate, and their children. The omegas were living in a separate wing of the house allowing the alpha family to keep their privacy. At the present time, there were two other omegas in residence, Lisa and Gabrielle. They too had lost their packs during the ogres’ attacks.
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.