Page 8 of The Alpha's Autumn Baby Mama (Triple L Ranch Shifters 4)

“Uh-huh. Then explain why your heel is even now hovering over oblivion?”

“I’m not…oh goddess!” I jumped away from the edge. “Just a minute ago I was by the wall. I don’t know what happened.”

“It’s the way this trail is. We’ve been on it a few times, going home for visits, and it’s got some weird twists. Just come walk with us.”

“Where is home?” I was starting to think I knew.

“Triple L Ranch. Have you heard of it?” He closed his hand over my elbow and was guiding me along while he spoke. “It’s about a day and a half away by foot.”

“Uh, yeah. To tell you the truth, that’s where I’m going. I was hoping to ask the alphas…never mind.”

“Ask the alphas what?” We rounded a curve and continued on the level below the one I’d been standing on while 98 percent of my attention was focused on the spot on my arm where he was touching me. It was through several layers of sweatshirts, but I could feel the heat anyway.

“Nothing. Where are you guys traveling from?”

“It’s a long story, but we’ve been away for a long time. We were both born at Triple L.”

“I hear it’s a good place to be.”

“Very good.” The other man came into sight. “Were you visiting someone?”

“No.” I didn’t see any reason to explain to them. “But I don’t mind walking with you two for a while if I’m not in the way.”

“It’s fine.” But nothing about his tone meant that. “I’m Owen and you’ve already met my…mate, Levi.”

Why the hesitation? “Not formally. I’m Nova and I promise to be careful and not to let any more rocks fall on you. Just go ahead and I will stand stock-still until you holler up that you’re not beneath me any longer.” Why on earth did that sound so naughty? “I mean until you get to the bottom of the switchbacks.”

“I don’t think so.” The man who’d led me down here shook his head. “Come on, Nova. Why are you headed to the ranch? You said you wanted to ask the alphas something?”

I didn’t want to tell him, but if I didn’t and then they saw me there, they might say something to the alphas about what a rude bitch I’d been and then he’d reject my request and I’d be on the trail with nowhere to go.

My former alpha had probably already stripped my home of all valuables, for what they were worth, and I couldn’t go back there anyway. If Triple L said no to my suit, I’d ask if there was another pack around that might accept me.

“I’m also going to Triple L to…to…” I sucked in a deep breath for courage. Maybe if these two liked me okay, they’d put in a good word. “I need a place to live.”

Levi’s eyes widened, and Owen studied me as if he had never seen a specimen like me before. What were they thinking? Neither said a word, and finally I had to break the silence.

“Do you think they’ll accept me? I don’t mind working hard.”

Owen responded. “Sawyer and Tadeo are the best. As I told you, we’ve been away a long time, so we don’t know precisely what the pack policies are about new members, but we know that they will hear you out at least.” He looked at the other man who nodded. “Listen, it’s not good to be alone up here by yourself. You never know who you’ll run into.”

“I sensed that,” I told him. “But I don’t want to be any bother.”

“You won’t be.” Levi offered me a wry smile. “And how do you think our alphas would react if we said we ran into a female on her way here and left her alone on the trail?”

“It doesn’t even make sense not to walk together,” Owen added.

“I can take of myself,” I protested. “But I appreciate the offer.”

Levi shook his head. “Okay, we’re gonna have to come clean. If we walk away and leave you on the trail to make your way through fog and the storm we think is going to hit tonight, it’s not Sawyer and Tadeo we’ll be afraid to face.”

“No,” his mate finished for him. “It’s the alpha female, Analise. We’re born to the pack but we’d probably be thrown out. So, let’s stop the discussion that’s just going to keep us from getting home, and start walking.”

“Did you say there was going to be a storm?”

Owen pointed to the sky. “Beyond that fog are some nasty-looking clouds. We won’t get there tonight, no matter what we do, but the closer the better. There are some shelters just off the trail if we can get close enough.”

They’d presented some strong arguments, so I stopped arguing and started walking. Once we got to Triple L, I probably wouldn’t see them much and therefore wouldn’t have to listen to my wolf chanting,mate, mate, mate.

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