Page 15

Lily

“I can’t go on a date with them.” I’d said it so many times, it was starting to sound weird, a jumble of words that made no sense. “The whole idea is crazy.”

How could I even consider a situation like that? Dinnertime at the DarkShadow Pack was such a warm, cozy experience, one I was honored to be a part of. Sure, I tried to make myself useful, but they didn’t have to treat me like family in addition to pack.

Rumor bustled in from the kitchen with a platter of meat loaf, followed by Penn who had probably cooked the actual food.

Not that Rumor couldn’t, but her mate enjoyed it so much, and he was very good at it.

“I think this is all of it. Dig in everyone,” she sang out.

“Bernie will probably be looking for me for something in about a half hour, so I need to eat while I can.”

Her mates would also be glad to see to their daughter, but Rumor took a lot of pleasure in everyone sitting down together, no phones, no tablets, no talk of business during our meal.

As soon as the two of them took their seats, we passed around the meat loaf, the bowl of creamy mashed potatoes with the pat of butter melting in the middle, biscuits, and baby peas picked this morning from the garden.

There would be dessert, too. I knew because I’d baked the pie myself and was hoping my crust would taste decent and be at least a little flaky.

As soon as plates were piled high and everyone was digging in, Vargas, the alpha of the pack, fixed me with a benevolent look. “Lily, what were you saying before we started? Something about a date?”

I had to learn not to blush; my cheeks were going to break out in a rash or something form the constant heat. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing,” Rumor cut in. “Lily, I know how it looks from my perspective, but I’d like to hear yours.”

“What is your perspective?” I asked. If she told me, then maybe I’d understand mine.

“You’re smarter than that.” Rumor, my biggest supporter, who understood me best, fixed me with a stern glare. “I’ve already explained it to you, and you only have to look around to see how much I have benefitted from giving my males a chance.

“That doesn’t mean you have to go out with them,” she went on.

“I’m just saying that if you think you see something there, it would be tragic not to give them a chance.

Just in case. When I think of the possibility of missing out on my mates…

” She swiped at her eyes, and Wilder, in my opinion, the sweetest of the three, leaned closer and put a supportive arm around her shoulder.

She leaned on him, her smile returning. “See what it can be like?”

“Can anyone be as lucky as you?”

“You’ll never know until you try. I think they seem nice, but I am not the one who would be dating them.”

We went back to eating, then, and I hoped that the subject was closed for the moment.

I didn’t know what to do. Sure, they seemed nice to me, too, but I had trust issues, and by staying here and being part of this pack, I didn’t have to put myself out there and take chances.

My days were really pleasant, making products for the farmers market, playing with Bernie, laughing and chatting with Rumor.

With all these thoughts churning in my head, I carried a load of dishes into the kitchen and returned with the chocolate cream pie I’d made for dessert. Rumor’s mates applauded and dug in as soon as I passed them slices. What would it be like to have my own mates enjoying something I made so much?

“So it’s all right?” I asked, shamelessly begging for compliments.

“It’s amazing. How many did you make?” Harlan asked.

“Oh, only one. I’m sorry.” I should have thought of their big appetites and made at least two.

“It’s fine.” Rumor shook her head at her mates. “There’s enough for them to have seconds and then they can dream of it until next time. Your pie is so delicious and creamy!” She licked the last of the cream off her fork. “So good.”

“Thank you all.” Standing, I stacked plates, but this time, my friend’s mates took them out of my hands and carried everything to the kitchen. They were gone for a few minutes, and when they returned, Vargas remained on his feet.

“Lily, we were talking in the kitchen just now, and if you’d like to get to know these males but also have a degree of safety, then I have a proposition for you.”

“A what?” I’d sat down next to Rumor while they were gone, and I remained there, not sure what was going on.

“If you want to go out on a date with these males, we’ll go with you and drop you off and then wait until you’re ready to come home. Then we’ll drive you back.” “But this is no pressure,” Pen added. “Only if you really want to.”

That night, I tossed and turned again trying to decide what to do. I appreciated their thoughtful gifts, but all alphas were nice at the beginning before they got mean.

In the morning, I’d reached a decision.

I’d go out with them one time. If I could find their number because I didn’t have any way to call them and tell them. Maybe it was for the best.