Karli's Resolve (The Black Ridge Wolf Pack Book 3) Read online

  THE POWER OF UNITY

  Twenty-five years ago Karli’s parents ripped her away from her home and the men she loved. An omega with gifts worthy of only the most special man, her parents refused to allow her to mate with anyone less than a powerful, wealthy alpha. But at a young age Karli had found her forever in Joseph and Rowl’s arms, and she knew she could never love anyone else. After a vicious ogre attack decimated the village where her parent’s had hidden her, warriors came to save the wounded pack members. Warriors led by Joseph and Rowl.

  Although she had seemed to disappear into thin air, Joseph and Rowl never stopped searching for the woman they loved. When Karli was discovered among the ruins of a small village, the fierce warrior captains couldn’t believe their eyes. And once they had found her, they were never going to let her go. But dark forces were at work to separate the triad once again, and this time all their lives were on the line.

  ALSO BY LILLI CARLISLE

  The Black Ridge Wolf Pack

  Omega’s Choice

  “A charming fairy tale for grown-ups, ‘Omega’s Choice’s is not your usual werewolf fantasy. Lilli Carlisle’s werewolf world includes warriors, palaces, princesses, kings, queens, witches, ogres, unicorns, and a really, really nasty bad guy. Its setting, while ostensibly modern-day, is more like that of a fairy tale world, with castles and secret passages and danger lurking outside the palace gates.”

  “Paranormal at its best by Lilli Carlisle. I’ve fallen in love with a whole new pack, and I can’t wait for more in this series. This is book 1 in The Black Ridge Wolf Pack and what a brilliant beginning to what is sure to be a gripping new shifter romance series.”

  Ceva’s Chance

  “Ceva’s choice was a great second story in this wonderful series! I genuinely enjoyed this story and am very much looking forward to the next story dedicated to Karli, a strong Omega in love with two warriors, and her power hungry manipulative parents. Thank you, Lilli Carlisle for an engaging series”

  “I enjoyed this book. Ceva’s story was great, it kept me captivated. The story is sweet, has action, magic and more.”

  Fated Mates

  Tigress

  “Five Stars. Great story.”

  KARLI’S RESOLVE

  The Black Ridge Wolf Pack – Book Three

  Lilli Carlisle

  www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

  KARLI’S RESOLVE

  Copyright © 2017 Lilli Carlisle

  All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

  ISBN 978-1-948029-02-5

  E-book formatting by Maureen Cutajar

  www.gopublished.com

  This has been possible with the love and support of my family.

  Love you Craig, Samantha, Katie and Jason.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  KARLI’S RESOLVE

  Chapter One

  Karli walked down the forest trail with her chaperone, Laura, one of the omegas that had come with Princess Helena from the palace after the Omega Celebration. Laura’s home had been destroyed in the recent ogre attacks, and she now lived with the Black Ridge Pack. Laura had been chaperoning Karli for weeks, and in that time they had become close, displaced sisters of sorts. They would remain attached at the hip until Karli made her choice—an elaborate show concocted to keep her parents at bay. She had made her choice long ago. Her intended mates were Joseph and Rowl. They had always been, and would always be hers.

  The uproar wasn’t that she wanted to mate two men; in their realm such a choice was fairly common. What had thrown her parents out of whack was that she, an omega wolf who, by tradition, should mate an alpha, had instead chosen to mate two warriors. Two strong, loving men she’d known since childhood who she would be choosing as her mates once her promise to the king was satisfied.

  The law of the realm was absolute; all omegas who had come of age must attend at least one Omega Celebration before mating. The celebration was held over a week’s time at the royal palace, and provided the opportunity for alphas and omegas to meet, and perhaps find a match.

  Since Karli hadn’t attended a celebration, the king had decreed that she must meet three alphas before she chose whom she mated. This was no more than a formality because she had already found her mates.

  Nothing and no one would change her mind.

  The forest was beautiful with its canopy of green through which the sun spiked in brilliant beams that dotted the forest floor. Creatures big and small came and went as the women walked in the welcome shade on this hot August day; they were strolling through a little piece of heaven.

  Laura nudged Karli’s arm. “So, are you ready to meet your alpha suitors?”

  “No.” Karli rolled her eyes at the question Laura had asked once a week. “But if this is the only way to keep my promise to the king and get my parents off my back, I’ll go through the motions.”

  “Still planning to choose Joseph and Rowl?”

  “Absolutely. With every fiber of my being.”

  Laura stopped and touched Karli’s shoulder. “What if one of the Alphas sweeps you off your feet and wins your heart?”

  Karli laughed. “So not happening. My heart belongs to Joseph and Rowl.”

  Laura smiled wide. “I’m happy for you. Finding the men you want to spend the rest of your life with is special. Knowing we may live up to one thousand years, you’d want to make the right choice. I’ve been to the Omega Celebration and didn’t find a soul I was interested in. Highly disappointing.”

  Before Karli had a chance to respond, Alpha Dedric walked past, waving hello to them before heading in the opposite direction. Karli watched as Laura perked up, her gaze following Dedric until he was out of sight.

  Karli poked Laura in the ribs. “I thought you said you met all the eligible alphas and none appealed to you?”

  “He wasn’t at last year’s celebration. Who is he?” Laura had not turned her head away from where the alpha had been.

  “Alpha Dedric. He has a small pack west of here. He helped us fight the ogres, but part of his town was destroyed during one of the battles. He and his people are staying here until construction crews can get back to set the town to rights.”

  Laura’s omega jewel situated in the center of her forehead glowed with excitement; a good sign. Lots of omegas steered clear of alphas with smaller packs. It meant less mon
ey, prestige, and power. Maybe Karli could do a little matchmaking of her own. Her heart lightened a little with that thought, but when she turned around, it fell just as quickly. Her parents were heading her way, which was never a good thing.

  Laura must have seen them and edged in front of Karli, but it was too late; they knew she was there. “Incoming,” Laura warned.

  “Yep, see ‘em.”

  “Karli…Karli. We’ve been looking for you everywhere, young lady,” Atilia yelled, even though they weren’t that far away.

  “Here we go again,” Karli whispered to Laura.

  “What was that, Karli?” Atilia asked.

  “Hello once again, Mother. How may we help you?”

  Karli wished it could be different between her and her parents. Every day, she’d wake up hoping they’d realize what they were doing. But that never happened.

  “You don’t use that tone with me,” Atilia demanded. “You should be getting ready for the first alpha to arrive.”

  “I’m as ready as I’m going to be, Mother.”

  “You look like a pauper in jeans.”

  “If he doesn’t like my jeans, then I guess it will have to be a deal breaker.”

  “Don’t be childish, Karli. You will put on a dress at least. Show some respect. He’s an alpha of a large pack.”

  “In other words, money. He has money, right?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with having money,” Atilia stated with a smug grin.

  “Is that the only reason you chose him?”

  “I’m sure he’s completely acceptable as a mate.”

  “Wow, you two can’t seem to get it through your heads. This is a formality. I’ve already chosen my mates, and they are Joseph and Rowl.”

  “You will choose an alpha for a mate, not two lowly warriors.”

  “What bugs you more? That they don’t have money, or is it the prestige of being the parents of a pack’s omega you’ll miss more?” Karli fumed then turned to walk away.

  “Oh, we won’t be missing anything. You’ll see!” Atilia shouted. “You’ll see.”

  As soon as they were far enough, Laura squeezed Karli’s arm. “Don’t worry. You’ll be free to be with your men soon. There’s nothing your parents can do about it.”

  “What worries me is the time they have to cause problems for me, Joseph, and Rowl. They won’t leave this alone.” Karli knew her parents well. If there was an underhanded way of making what they want happen, they’d do it. Nothing was off limits. She didn’t think anyone understood that fully.

  “Well, I’m here to watch out for you. So we’re all good. I won’t let anything happen,” Laura assured.

  “You won’t be able to control my parents. They’ll do anything for power, and they see me as their ticket into that world.” The weight of her sadness made her tired. Exhausted, actually. She’d passed “enough” a long time ago.

  “I’m sorry. You should be loved by your parents, not used.”

  Karli could see the compassion in her friend’s eyes.

  She let out a deep sigh. This wasn’t going to ruin her day. She was off to see Joseph and Rowl, and nothing or no one was going to get in her way. She followed the path to their ranch-style house with her chaperone at her side.

  Omegas in courtships required a chaperone at all times until they were mated. There would be no excessive kissing, only quick kisses and hand holding until after she’d gotten through her three suitors. Once this was over, she’d finally be free to show Joseph and Rowl all the affection and desire she’d had to suppress for so long.

  Karli felt bad about the three men who would be coming all this way for nothing, but each of them knew that she had decided to mate warriors. They were coming with the intent of changing her mind. So they knew the playing field, and shouldn’t be disappointed to go home not betrothed.

  She walked up to her men’s house, across the wide porch, and knocked on the heavy wooden front door. The door flew open, and Joseph, shaggy blond hair still wet from his shower stood there with a black t-shirt stretched across his wide chest, and jeans snug and low on his hips. With his blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight and his roguish grin in place, he was breathtaking. There was only one other man who could compare. Rowl.

  As if the mere thought was enough to conjure him, Rowl came walking down the hallway. “How many times do we have to tell you to walk in? You don’t have to knock,” Rowl scolded. Yup. Equally breathtaking. Dark to Joseph’s light, Rowl stood a bit shorter than Joseph’s six and a half feet. Night and day in personalities too; Joseph was outgoing while Rowl was more reserved and emotional. Joseph cooked, Rowl cleaned and scowled at Joseph’s messiness.

  “I know, but until the selection process is over, I have to stay within the confines of the law. I wish this would all be finished already.” She was fed up, and the alphas hadn’t even arrived. She didn’t know what to do when they got here, but she had to appear to give each a chance, even though she knew full well no one could compare to what she already had.

  “Come inside. We’re making lunch.” Joseph waved them in.

  They walked into the cozy living room and Karli stopped. Her men had already started redecorating. They were turning their bachelor house into a family home, and, if possible, she loved them even more for it.

  The two big ugly chairs that used be the only furniture in the entire space were gone. In their place the room had been transformed by a beautiful moss-green sectional and three comfy-looking side chairs, each with a small bent branch table beside it. Walls that had been painted a dull brown were now a light peach, and the once bare wooden floor was now covered by two complementing area rugs. She turned to see they were gauging her reaction, and when she smiled, they came up on either side of her and simultaneously planted kisses on her cheeks. She reached for their hands and squeezed.

  Hand in hand, they walked into the kitchen, which had a new oblong farm table. Laura, who was seated on one of the interesting mismatched chairs, glanced at their linked hands and sighed. The men released Karli and she sat down next to her friend.

  Karli’s men, who loved their grill, disappeared out back to their outdoor kitchen. Twenty minutes later they were eating a tasty lunch of hamburgers and salads. As the guys tucked into their third burgers, she sat back and admired the view. She loved them something fierce. They had to make it through the next few weeks so they could finally have their happily ever after.

  What could go wrong?

  She knew the first alpha was on his way, and she needed to be clear with her men. She waited until they had stopped eating before clearing her throat. “We need to talk.”

  Laura took the cue and went to sit in the living room. Joseph and Rowl both looked worried, and she so wished she could take that away. She could feel her omega jewel swirling with her mood. But until the three suitors were gone, there was no way her men wouldn’t be worried.

  “The first suitor is due here in a couple days, and I wanted you both to understand that I must follow the law and give them each enough time to appear to change my mind. I need you to know how much I love you and how difficult this will be.”

  When both of her men came around the table and wrapped their arms around her, she felt safe. Why is the king making me do this? She knew it was because of her parents. Karli still held out hope her parents, Joseph, and Rowl would eventually get along, but she knew it was a pipe dream, at least for the near future.

  “You two are the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Karli said as tears gathered in her eyes. “Now that we have each other again, promise you’ll never let me go. That no matter what my parents do, you’ll always love me.”

  “Our beautiful mate, of course we won’t let you go. Even after all those years apart, we are still in love with you. Nothing will ever change that, sweetheart,” Joseph assured.

  Karli, Joseph, and Rowl had grown up together until the day her parents took her far away because she had wanted to date them. Even that long ago, her parents ha
d plans for her—their meal ticket.

  “Don’t worry, Alpha Aldric had a long talk with us. He explained how the mating celebration works and that this is a modified version of that. You have five suitors, including Joseph and myself, and you must choose which one, or in our case ones, will best love and care for you and any possible children.” At the mention of children, Rowl’s eyes lit up. He may have a hard time sharing his emotions, but he wore them on his sleeve, or, like now, they were plain to see in his eyes.

  “I know this will be hard on you seeing me being courted by other men. I’m sorry.”

  “None of this is your fault,” Joseph soothed, always the voice of what would be their family. Rowl tended to leave the talking to Joseph. “You’re a victim in this, being pulled in so many directions. We love you and always will. Don’t worry about us. We plan on courting you as well. We figure, since these alphas are coming here to woo you away, we have every right to woo you to stay.”

  Karli’s tears turned into a smile. Her men always seemed to be able to do that. “No more stress about what’s to come. It will be here soon enough. Now, what’s for dessert?”

  Joseph sat back in his seat, and Rowl got up. Laura returned from the living room as Rowl came back to the table with a berry pie, which he began to dish out.

  “So now that we got that out of the way, does anyone want to fill me in on the hunky Alpha Dedric?” Laura asked before she took a big bite of her pie.

  After the best few hours she’d had in a while, Karli left her men and walked arm in arm with Laura toward the pack house where all the omegas stayed. Alpha Aldric had posted a few extra warriors as guard since there had been incidences of rogue alphas stealing omegas. If anyone ever tried that with her, she’d fry his ass with a lightning bolt.

  The pack house was a large cabin built as a gathering place and private residence for the alpha, alpha mate, and their children. The omegas were living in a separate wing of the house allowing the alpha family to keep their privacy. At the present time, there were two other omegas in residence, Lisa and Gabrielle. They too had lost their packs during the ogres’ attacks.