“You always say you don’t need our money and that you have your own. Now you can show us. Your mates won’t let you starve,” Da added.
I rolled my eyes.
“Also, making a pack budget and getting everyone financially on the same page isveryimportant, Sweetie,” Daddy added.
Right, this would be as much of a test for them as for me.
I was pretty good with my own money. It was my fathers’ money I liked to be ridiculous with.
“What about a mating party? Do we have to pay for that ourselves too?” I demanded. That I objected to.
“Show us that you can be a functional pack and we will throw you a big mating and pack confirmation party. As big as your brothers’,” Dad told me.
“I want bigger.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Then show us,” Dad countered.
“Really? Six months until we can have a party?” I added.
“Actually, that would be good. Most hockey players have big mating parties during the off-season,” Carlos interjected. “The season is just too busy. Then we’ll have time to go on a trip afterwards.”
I thought about it for a moment. Planning the party that I wanted would take some time. “Okay.”
“What if we don’t make it through the six months? Then we un-bond?” Hale asked, voice shaking slightly.
I reached over and squeezed his hand.
“The whole point of the exercise is that you fucked, and nowyou find out,” Daddy chuckled.
“Daddy, that’s not how the saying goes.” I made a face.
“In six months, if you don’t have your shit together, I’m adding someone to your pack. The time will extend and we’ll start over again. Also, I need to see that you’rereallymaking things work, and not just biding your time to take the easy way out,” Dad added.
“Add an alpha? Uncalled for,” I retorted. What in the reality show nonsense was that?
“While we honor your choices, we also want you to have a stable, functional pack. If you can’t do it by yourselves, then we will choose someone carefully who would go with all five of your personalities. Someone who would bring stability and maturity to your pack and give you the best chance at success,” Dad added.
“I don’t like that.” My arms crossed over my chest. How dare they?
“This is not up for negotiation. Don’t like it? Then succeed,” Daddy told me. “Also, hockey boy needs a fucking haircut.”
Reaching over I played with Carlos’ hair. “I agree. But it’s your hair.”
“I just haven’t had time,” Carlos admitted.
“Saoirse will be acting head alpha for the next six months. After that, you’ll have had enough time to determine who will be best to put on the paperwork. Don’t forget that as a pack, you are also responsible for identifying the appropriate asset for your omega. You don’t need to buy it yet, because that doesn’t have to be given until the paperwork is finalized, but you will need to identify it and show me how you’re going to pay for it,” Dad finished.
Hale sucked in a breath. “I can’t afford an island.”
“Is that an option?” Colin’s eyebrows rose.
“I’m not an alpha,” Saoirse said to my father.
“My mother is head of the pack and she’s a beta, though they all are betas,” Carlos offered.
“You’re the most responsible one of the group.” It sounded likeit hurt Dad to admit that.
“I believe in you,” Dusty told her. “I don’t mind you being interim head alpha.”
