“Just tell them we’re lovers.”
Tak’s joke was met with crickets. So much for warming him up.
“Do you want to sit down?” Lorenzo asked.
Relieved this was finally going somewhere, Tak walked past him and sat down in the leather chair. Lorenzo turned to face him but didn’t sit on the sofa. Probably because Tak was taller. Instead, he kept his arms folded and suddenly had the dominant position.
Tak wasn’t about to have this conversation sitting, so he rose to his feet and met eyes with Lorenzo. “You already know how I feel about your daughter. Out of respect, I’ve been staying with Hendrix and Lennon while I settle my affairs at home. My intention was to court your daughter, but she doesn’t want that.”
A smile curved up Lorenzo’s cheek.
“She wants to skip the courtship and mate.”
The smile turned into an angry slash across his face.
Tak’s heart was hammering against his ribs, so he took a deep breath to calm himself. “It was a difficult decision to leave my tribe. It’s the only home I’ve ever known, and it’s where my roots are. My people, my heritage, my land, my memories. But none of that holds any value if I can’t be with Hope.”
“Is she not good enough to invite to live with your people?”
“That’s not it,” Tak said, shaking his head. “I’ll never be a leader among my own people. They’ve forgiven my sins but haven’t forgotten. There are many alphas there without a dark past like mine whom others would gladly live under. I’ve never run from my mistakes, but I’ve done a great job at avoiding my potential. If I invite Hope to live there, I’ll never be able to look her in the eye. The men respect me as a packmate, not as an alpha. I suspect many are only courteous because of who my father is. Hope deserves a strong mate, and I deserve a second chance to prove my worth as a leader.”
Lorenzo canted his head. “It won’t take long before your packmates find out about your past.”
“I don’t intend to hide it from them,” he said matter-of-factly. “Lakota has agreed to be my second.”
Lorenzo’s eyebrows touched his hairline. “First you want my daughter, and then you take my son?”
“Lakota’s a smart wolf who makes his own decisions. He has a lot of options, and he’s overly cautious. I’m sure you know he’s not a man who acts impulsively. We have a bond, and he’s a loyal wolf.”
“That he is.”
Arms still folded, Lorenzo lowered his head, his eyes downcast.
“You told me that you were grateful I saved Hope’s life but that I still had to earn your respect. Hope loves you, and as much as she loves me too, I wouldn’t want to disrespect the one man who’s made her into the woman she is today. Brave, loving, intelligent, thoughtful, devoted, free-spirited, and cantankerous.”
Lorenzo flashed his eyes up. “Are you trying to provoke me, boy?”
Tak chuckled and clasped his hands in front of him. “Just wanted to make sure you were listening. Maybe I’m not the ideal person you had in mind to mate with your daughter, but I promise to give her the world. She already has my heart.”
“And her business? Isn’t that a lot of responsibility for a Packmaster’s mate?”
Tak’s jaw set. “If you think I’m going to ask her to give up her dream, you’re mistaken. In time they’ll have someone else running the store while they focus on the business side of things, but I’d rather cut off my hands than ask her to let go of the shop. If they want to stay, fine. If they want to relocate or expand, fine. That’s good income for the pack and might motivate a few others to start up their own business.”
Lorenzo gave an imperceptible nod, indicating that was the only acceptable answer. “Hope’s challenge against the wolf who did her wrong should teach you a lesson about betrayal. You should fear her more than you do me.”
“At least I know she has the capability to be lenient. Something tells me you wouldn’t.”
“Fair enough.” Lorenzo’s shoulders relaxed a little. “Tell me why it is that you didn’t fight for her.”
“I did.”
“Not the bear. I meant River.”
“I would have, but that’s not what she wanted. It would have taken away her honor.”
Lorenzo paced toward the door and then turned. “You let Hope face her enemy, and it shows that you honor her. You and I love strong women, and if they want to fight their own battles, you stand by their side and let them. They’ll never respect you if you don’t give them that power.”
Tak nodded in agreement, all his nerves finally settling.
