Page 15 of Wisteria and Cloves

"We wouldn't rush you," Julian answered. "Traditional courting periods last anywhere from three months to a year. You'd have that entire time to decide if this is what you truly want."

I studied his face, searching for any sign of deception, any hint that this was just another cage with a prettier door. But all I found in his hazel eyes was steady patience and something that looked remarkably like hope.

"And if I decided against it? After living with you?" I asked, wanting to know all of my options.

"Then we'd help you establish independence," Nicolaus stated matter-of-factly. "Financial support, housing arrangements, whatever you needed to build a life of your own."

Miles nodded. "No strings, no obligations. Your choice would be final, and we'd respect it."

The enormity of what they were offering made my chest tight. Not just a different kind of arrangement, but a genuine chance at self-determination. The possibility of becoming someone I had never been allowed to be.

"My parents," I said slowly, the practical concerns filtering through my emotional overwhelm. "They'll expect an answer tonight. When I return home."

Julian's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "What will you tell them?"

I looked around the table at these four men who had just offered me something I'd never thought possible—a choice. Real choice. My hands trembled as I reached for my water glass, buying myself a moment to think.

"I want to try," I whispered, the words feeling both terrifying and exhilarating. "The courting. I want to see what it feels like to... to choose."

Something shifted in Julian's expression—relief, perhaps, or satisfaction. "Are you certain? Once we tell your parents we're interested in proceeding, there will be expectations. Pressure."

"I understand." I really did…but I wanted to try…I glanced around at the four men. I didn’t know much about them, but maybe I could be happy with them. I just needed a bit more time.

Chapter Five

Lilianna

Itwisted the ring on my right hand nervously, an old habit I'd never quite broken. "If you're offering me a chance to decide my own future, I want to take it. Even if it's temporary."

Julian nodded, his expression softening. "Then we'll inform your parents tonight that we wish to begin formal courting procedures."

"They'll be pleased," I said, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "They'll think they've won."

Christopher reached across the table, his fingers stopping just short of mine. "Let them think whatever they want. It buys you time and freedom."

"When would I..." I hesitated, the reality of what I was agreeing to suddenly overwhelming. "When would I move in with you?"

"Traditionally, within a week of formal agreement," Nicolaus answered. "That gives both parties time to prepare necessary arrangements."

"We have a house on the north side of the city," Miles continued, his voice gentler than I'd heard it before. "Plenty of space. You'd have your own suite—bedroom, sitting room, private bath. Your own sanctuary."

I tried to imagine it—waking up in a place that wasn't monitored by my mother's critical eye, moving through rooms where my every gesture wasn't evaluated for propriety. The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.

"What about my things?" I asked, the practical question grounding me when emotions threatened to overwhelm.

"You can bring whatever you want," Julian said. "And anything you need that you don't have, we'll provide."

My mind raced with possibilities. Would my parents allow me to take my personal items? Would they try to control even that? "My mother... she might make it difficult."

"Let her try," Christopher said, his tone carrying an edge I hadn't heard before. "Once we make our formal intentions known, you'll be under our protection. Your parents' authority becomes non-existent."

The words sent a shiver through me—not of fear, but of something approaching relief. "What does that mean for me, exactly?"

Julian leaned forward, his expression serious. "It means that while you're being courted by our pack, any decisions about your welfare go through us. Your parents can't force you into anything without our consent."

"It's an old law," Nicolaus explained, his analytical tone making the information feel more concrete. "Designed to prevent families from interfering with the bonding process once formal courting begins."

I absorbed this, trying to reconcile it with everything I'd been taught about family duty and obligation. "They won't like that."

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