Chapter 14 Kai
Kai
We’re coordinating with lawyers to sign contracts and lining up suppliers today, so when my phone rings I just answer it without thinking.
“Kai Lee speaking,” I say, taking another document the guys hand me.
“Kai,” a deep voice says into the phone. Hot anger spikes through me. I haven’t talked to my father since I left for college. “I’ve heard you bonded the Morales girl.”
The Morales girl. Like he didn’t see her at every Christmas party, every birthday photo. Like she didn’t practically live in my childhood bedroom before our parents decided it was inappropriate.
I scan the restaurant and find Harlan. He’s talking to a vendor. I whistle loud and sharp. He looks up, meets my eyes, and sees my anger—he immediately breaks off and crosses the room.
“What do you want, Father?” I ask.
“I want you to break off this folly. The Blackbear Pack won’t just blame her family, they will blame ours, do you understand?”
I understand, I just don’t give a fuck. I’d sacrifice anything to protect Rosie.
In truth, I don’t keep contact with my family anymore.
They made their feelings clear when I walked away from the family business.
The one time I came to them searching for Rosie after she disappeared, they turned me away.
We aren’t family, not in any meaningful way.
“You will—” my father starts, but I cut him off.
“I will not. Rosie is my omega. You won’t be dictating our bonding.”
Harlan’s expression goes dark the moment he understands who’s on the line. I put my father on speaker. Harlan’s smile goes feral.
“You really want to go against the family? Against the Morales family?” my father snaps.
“I most certainly do.” Harlan growls.
“Stonewell.” My father spits Harlan’s name like a curse.
“I believe I’ve proven I can handle myself with you and Mr. Morales more than once,” Harlan says. “Several times together. If you want to be humiliated again, be my guest.” His voice is cold ash.
My father tries a different tack, knowing intimidation won’t work on Harlan. “Perhaps there is some sort of arrangement—”
“There is no arrangement that will convince me to give you our omega,” Harlan says. “And if I get even a hint that you try anything against us or her, I will end you. End you in every financial and legal way possible. Do you understand?”
Surprisingly, the line stays open. My father likely knows that if he hangs up now, Harlan will make good on the threat. There’s a beat of silence while he weighs pissing off Harlan against provoking the Blackbear Pack.
“I understand,” he finally says, stiffness edging his voice.
“Good,” Harlan replies, and hangs up my phone. “I want everything set up. Cover every legal and financial front. Have everything poised so if they make a move, we can strike back quickly.”
When I chose Harlan as our dominant, I did it because I trusted him to stand his ground. Moments like this prove I was right — he’s the kind of force who can protect Rose.
He claps me on the shoulder. “No one fucks with our pack, Kai. It’ll be okay.”
I nod and pull up my phone again.
Me:
You okay Rosie?
Rosie:
Yeah… why?
Me:
No reason, just missing you.
Rosie:
… whats wrong.
I chuckle. As long as I have her, nothing’s wrong.