Page 8 of The Alpha's Bargain
I pushed back all my fears and gave it to them honestly. “If I’m wrong, then I pray to the heavens that I still have a home herewithyou.”
“My girl, you always have a home here,” my father started, warming my heart and alleviating some of the fear I felt about being a lone wolf. “I just don’t think you should jump into this without knowing for sure. Luca … well, he’s a good man,buthe’s…”
“Screwed everything in the area, plus some,” Marcus added, obviously not liking the fact that his little sister was going with a man with a reputation like Luca’s. I didn’t really like that part of it, either, but wolves were sexual creatures and the alphas wereespecially.
I turned toward my brother. “I know this. Things have changed, and those timesareover.”
“Why now?” Ren questioned. “What happened that made youdecidethis?”
“I was at his place with Sage and it just clicked. We talked and that was it. Please justtrustme.”
“You’re doing this of your own free will?” my mother asked straight out. It’s what I loved about her the most. She was honest and to the point, not messing around with otherdetails.
Giving her a wide smile, I told her, “Yes. Totally of myfreewill.”
She turned toward my father. “Then we need torespectit.”
“I don’t like it,” my fatherresponded.
“Didn’t say you did.” My mother turned back to me after giving a look to my brothers. “If this is what you want, then we’ll stand beside you. Whataboutwork?”
While my moment of happiness came at them believing me, it fled when the discussion of work came up. I hadn’t talked to Luca about that, but no way I’d leave my family in thelurch.
“I’m stillworking.”
“Not sure how that’s gonna work, darlin’ girl,” my father responded. The truth was, I didn’t either, considering I’d be with another pack and knowing the ins and out of my home pack weren’t conducive to pack life. That would be something I’d have to talk to Lucaabout.
“It’ll work out, Dad. Now I have to go pack. I’m only going to take a few things with me. I’ll be back in a couple of days for the rest. Isthatokay?”
My mother tightly wrapped her arms around me. “I’m going to miss you,babygirl.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. It took everything I had to push them back. My mother had been my rock since I was born, and not having that formed an ache in my heart so strong it felt like it could knockmedown.
“Iwill.”
My three brothers gave me hugs, not happy one bit about it, but knowing I had my own free will, so there wasn’t anything they could do. My father hugged me and started to tear up. This big strong man was utterly sad I was leaving and that shoved a knife in me and twisted.This is for you,Daddy.
Rushing from the room, I packed several bags with clothes, toiletries, pictures, and keepsakes. While I knew I’d be back, I tried to grab as much as possible, knowing that if I were really going with my mate, I’d take everything I could. If I didn’t, my family would become suspicious of myactions.
“Caleigh, Luca’s here!” Marcus’s voice came from the bottom of the stairs, bellowing up. Thiswasit.
Looking around my room, I looked at the pictures of my family lining the walls, along with a beach landscape that I loved so much. My bedspread was a deep purple that laid on top of my queen-sized bed, which I didn’t pack up because I didn’t think I’dneedit.
I’d lived in this room my entire life. These four walls held so many thoughts and secrets. So much laughter, hopes, and dreams. So many dirty thoughts of a certain man who was downstairs now, waiting to take me to his home. I coulddothis.
Picking up one of the bags, I hauled it down the stairs. My brothers, mother, and father all met me at the bottom, while the pack was around in the living room, all watching withavideyes.
Luca stood by the front door, a sexy smile on his lips and a gleam in his eye. Knowing I needed to make a statement, I dropped my bag, rushed into his arms and wrapped mine around him. His came around me and squeezed me firmly, and then he placed a kiss on the top ofmyhead.
“My beautiful Caleigh,” he said softly, and my body relaxed into him like it had done it thousands of timesbefore.
“Son,” my fathercalledout.
I didn’t move from Luca’s arms, but I did turn my head so I could see myfather.
“Yes, sir,” Luca said respectfully, giving me a comforting squeeze. I knew he liked my father because of all the business they did together and our history. With Luca being a powerful alpha, it said a lot for him to address him this way, and Ilikedit.
“Normally, I’d never ask this, but given this situation, I feel I must.” Luca’s body didn’t move as he listened to my father. “Don’t you feel that you should wait until her heat? There’s a chance she’s not your mate, and you don’t want to put my daughter through thatrealization.”
