Chapter 32

Tak closed the door behind him in the private room. "Nice digs," he said, admiring the TV on the opposite wall and the leather furniture in front of it.

Lakota took a seat in one of the chairs on the right and put his feet on the coffee table. "It's small compared to what the bigger clubs offer. It used to be a storage room back in the day, but Howlers is a popular bar, so the owner decided to give it a little paint job and make some money on the side."

Tak knocked on the wall. "Soundproof?"

Lakota arched an eyebrow. "I don't see many Vampires who come back here since we're mostly a Shifter bar. I suppose it's insulated, but I never gave it much thought. What's this about? Something you're trying to keep secret?"

Tak strode over to the sofa across from Lakota and took a seat, his elbows resting on his thighs. "What are your plans for the future?"

Lakota drummed his fingers on the armrests. "Why? Are you gonna ask for my hand in marriage?"

"Kind of."

The startled look on Lakota's face made Tak want to laugh, but he was feeling serious about the moment and didn't want to ruin it with jokes.

"I'm the son of a powerful alpha," Tak began. "A leader among leaders. I've learned many great lessons, sat in on leadership meetings, and had very wise mentors. Even after the accident, my father hoped that time would shape me into a leader. But young alphas in the tribe didn't see it that way. When you don't hold rank, you lose respect. That's why I'll never be what you call a Packmaster among my people."

Lakota put his hands in his lap. "You would have made a good one."

Tak took in a breath. "That's what I'm going to find out. I've come to a decision. I'm breaking away from my tribe and forming a pack. I can't do this alone. I need a beta, and you're the only man I'd want at my side."

Lakota stared for a frozen moment. "You want me as your second-in-command?"

"I'm only surprised you haven't been courted by another alpha. You're a strong beta, and I think you know that. You have presence when you walk into a room, and even though you're batshit crazy, you're the kind of man a pack can trust. You have leadership skills, and your days as a bounty hunter show me you're savvy, patient, and on the right side of the law. But friend, it's more than that. You're like a brother to me. I'm not mating Hope without a plan. We need a pack—our wolves demand it. This isn't the first time the thought has crossed my mind. Remember our talks?"

Lakota leaned forward and lowered his head. "I never thought you would break away from your tribe."

"Neither did I, but this is the path I must take. My pack family is out there somewhere, and I need a good beta to help me find them. Someone to help me build a homestead, establish rules, keep the pack in line, and be a loyal wolf I can confide in. If you want me to hold your hand on bended knee, you can kiss my ass. But I'm asking you, Lakota Cross, if you'll join my family and help me lead."

Lakota covered his nose and mouth with both hands, eyes thoughtfully wide.

"I can make homemade bacon if that sweetens the deal."

Lakota cut him a sharp look, and Tak wondered if he was hiding a smile.

"Where do you plan to settle?" Lakota finally asked.

"Wherever we feel best. I'm willing to go anywhere, but right now, Hope and Melody's store takes precedence. We can see what land is available outside city lines. It might be a commute for them, but in time, someone else can manage the store while they focus on crafting new designs."

Lakota nodded. "If we had a pack, we could assign those jobs to them. Mel works too many hours, and she complains she doesn't have time to do what she really loves—designing all those purses and funky clothes. She's too busy running the shop and looking at numbers. Some nights she's too tired to mate with me."

Tak chuckled. "Maybe you lull her to sleep with your sweet words of nothing."

"I don't have a problem in that department."

"Is that what all your previous lovers told you?"

Lakota leveled him with a single glance. "Melody was my one and only."

Tak's eyes rounded, and then he threw his head back and laughed. Lakota looked annoyed, which made Tak laugh even harder. He finally wiped the tears away and settled down. "That explains so much. I have respect, but you have much to learn. Melody is going to be a busy teacher."

"Apparently it all comes naturally."

"If you say so." Tak's chuckle was deep and sonorous. "If you ever need advice in that department, you know where to find me."

"My bad. I thought we were talking about a job offer here." Lakota sat back and put his arms on the armrests, crossing one leg over his knee. "So, what can you offer me that no other alpha can?"

"Friendship. Loyalty. Trust. And sometimes I might let you win at a game of pool in front of the pack."

Lakota rubbed his chin, his face framed by his long hair. "How much do you have saved up? The Council offers limited acres of land to start. You can buy more land as the pack grows, but it's not cheap, especially if you want something with a house already on it."

"We can build a house."

Lakota snorted.

Tak leaned forward. "How do you think the homes in my tribe were built? Do you think we hired people? We did everything. The electricity, the plumbing, the foundation—everything. The key is making sure you have packmates with desirable skills. Maybe in your world, you prefer a man who's good with numbers. But in mine, we look for wolves who are willing to labor and learn."

Lakota raked his hair back. "Are you bringing in people from your tribe?"

Tak shook his head. "I don't think any would leave their families to follow me. Our tribe has too much history tied to that land. This is my path to walk alone. My people can spread the word to other Packmasters from coast to coast that I'm searching for good candidates."

"You might get a bunch of young wolves leaving a pack or rejects. If people don't know you from Adam, there won't exactly be a waiting list."

"But they will know my father, and maybe that would carry some weight. Do you really want to limit our choices to this town? A wider net catches more fish. I'm looking for more than just good packmates; I'm looking for a new family."

Lakota stood up, his expression unreadable.

Tak rose to his feet and looked down at him.

They stared at each other for a beat, Tak waiting for Lakota's answer. He couldn't say much more to sway him one way or the other. It was up to Lakota to decide which path he wanted to take in life, and a man who had to be convinced wasn't a man worth having.

Lakota bowed. "It would be an honor."

Tak pulled him into a hug. "Forget that bowing shit. You're my brother now."

They gripped tighter, and Tak knew he would remember this moment for the rest of his life. It was a new beginning, and he could finally close a chapter of his life that had held him for so long in the wrong story.

When they finally broke apart, Lakota looked away and wiped his eyes. "So, are we gonna be a tribe or a pack?"

Tak heaved a sigh. "Tribe is too sacred a word and defines my people who are from the same culture and blood. But we will be a pack like no other. With you and Hope by my side to lead, we'll rise to power. We'll form alliances and flourish as a family. I don't want to discriminate against others. This is my second chance in life, and maybe it will be for someone else."

"Seems fitting. Our friendship got a second chance, and look where I am now. Second-in-command." Lakota puffed out his chest. "Think I should get that on a T-shirt?"

Tak patted his cheek and laughed. "Put it on your wish list. We'll see if that fat man who climbs down your chimneys will bring you one this year."

"Fat chance," Lakota said as they strode toward the door. "Mel already said I was on the naughty list."

Tak grinned. "And you think that's a bad thing?"

A light blinked by the door, indicating someone was outside.

"Looks like we're cutting in on someone's time," Lakota said.

Tak hung back. "Tell everyone I'll be out in a bit."

Lakota looked over his shoulder, his blue eyes darkening like storm clouds. "If you think you're going to have sex in here with my sister, you can think again."

When he opened the door, Lorenzo Church was standing on the other side.

* * *

Before Lakota leftTak and Lorenzo alone in the room, he shot Tak a look of amusement. Tak slammed the door in his face.

Lorenzo was dressed similarly to Tak, wearing a black sleeveless shirt and cargos, only his pants were camouflage green, as if he were going to war. His glossy hair draped neatly down his back, and he looked more put together than Tak last remembered. The man turned so that the skull-and-crossbones tattoo stared at Tak like an ominous warning.

Tak cleared his throat. "Can I get you a drink?"

Lorenzo gave him a sharp look. "Do you still drink?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it makes men weak."

Lorenzo turned and folded his arms. "Are you trying to make me weak?"

This was going all wrong.

"I haven't touched a drop since the accident," Tak explained.

"And yet you serve it to others."

"I can't control what other people do."

Lorenzo lifted his chin and looked at him for a long time. He was a stern-looking man who clearly liked having the upper hand. Years of leading a pack will do that to an alpha. So Tak waited.

For what seemed like centuries.

Lorenzo widened his stance and tipped his head to the side. "Why did you ask to meet me here? And I don't mean this bar, but this room. You don't think people around here talk when they see a Packmaster going into one of the private rooms? Are you trying to sully my reputation?"

"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.

Lorenzo stepped close and poked Tak's necklace with his finger. "If I ever find out that you laid a hand on her, I'll disembowel you."

"You have my word, Pops."

Lorenzo gave him a cold stare. "Don't push it."

"So we're good?"

"I'm still waiting," Lorenzo said, dropping his arms to his sides.

Confused, Tak wondered if he'd forgotten anything. "May I have permission to mate your daughter?"

The silence cut through the room, and Tak couldn't read the man's expression. He clearly liked torturing people.

"Well?" he pressed.

Lorenzo pursed his lips, his dark eyes glittering. "I'm waiting for you to kneel."

Tak thought back to what he'd said when they first met about getting down on one knee for his blessing. "That was a figure of speech."

"Am I to assume that everything you say is a figure of speech? Why would I allow a man to mate with my daughter if his words mean nothing?"

Fuck.Lorenzo wasn't going to let it go, and Tak toiled over that for a moment. On one hand, it was a shitty way to begin a relationship with his father-in-law. He was the new man in Hope's life, and if he continued to bow down to her father, he'd never be rid of his control. On the other hand…

Tak dropped down on one knee and grasped Lorenzo's hand, holding it tight. He held it as if he were proposing, and the startled look on Lorenzo's face was worth every penny.

Especially when the door opened and Lorenzo recoiled, but Tak wouldn't let go. Lakota gawked at what could have easily looked like one man proposing to another.

Tak pressed his lips to Lorenzo's hand and kissed it softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he looked up at the fire heating Lorenzo's cheeks.

With a hard jerk, Lorenzo wrenched his hand free and stalked toward the door.

Tak stood, a wide grin on his face. But the grin withered when he wondered if he'd pushed the joke too far. Not everyone appreciated a sense of humor, and Tak might have just blown his chance.

When Lorenzo reached the threshold, he looked over his shoulder. "I'm a scotch man." After a beat, he nodded. "For future reference."

That was all the approval Tak needed.