Impassable Force: Force of Nature Series by Kathi S. Barton Page A

her? Having her in your life for the rest of your days? Or were you just thinking she was a good lay?” Randy flushed darker and closed his mouth tight. “I know what you were thinking. You were thinking you’d get us all over here and let your mate suffer through this on her own. Look at her.”
    The y both did, and Austin could see the fear in her eyes, too. She was not just afraid but terrified. He heard his mom ask Randy what he’d told her about her being a wolf.
    “I didn’t say anything to her. She woke up about ten minutes after I talked to Austin and then she came down here. I told her we needed to talk , but she kept talking about getting her sister’s murderer taken care of. I don’t even know if she knows that she’s a wolf now.”
    “She knows. But since you’ve been worried about Austin beating you for not asking for permission, she’s been worried that you feel you’ve made a mistake.” Randy looked at him, then at his mom. “You know that you have to ask permission, but not one of my sons ever did. And even if they had, it was too late. The girls in this family are here to stay. Go to her, boy, and tell her you love her.”
    Randy stood , then sat down. When he stood the second time, his mom gave him a little push. He went to Molly and pulled her into his arms, and she looked ready to crumble as he held her upright. Austin had a feeling the girl was barely hanging on, and this would break her. She looked up at Randy, and even from across the room he could see the relief in her face.
    “Everyone,” Randy said to the room while never taking his eyes off Molly . “I’d like you all to meet my mate. We’re going to get married as soon as it can be arranged, if she’ll have me, and also, she’s my wolf. And I’ve never been happier than I am right now in my entire life.”
    He kissed her then , and Austin looked at his mom. “How do you do that? How do you know just what to say to make things perfect?”
    “I’m a mom.” He waited for more , but she stood up and went to the couple. As far as Austin was concerned, that didn’t explain anything. But he did get up and congratulate the couple, too. This was the oddest start to a morning he’d ever had.
    When Martin and Dallas showed up a few minutes later, Shawn announced lunch. He moved out of the room as if he expected them all to follow. Aerial came into the room, and he leaned down and picked her up in his arms. He thought it odd for just a few seconds that she didn’t smell like the panther at all. When as one they moved out of the office toward the door, Austin stopped and looked at the board leaning on a chair. It was finished.
    “Christ.” He looked at Tristian when he appeared beside him, his voice full of awe. He had to agree, Randy did a better job than he’d thought he would when Tristian asked him if he could work on it. The way it was lined up and color-coded, it looked like he might have spent days on it working nonstop.
    “I didn’t do it.” He looked at Randy when he spoke. “Well, I helped , but Molly did the most of it. She said it was driving her crazy and she needed it finished. I think she really enjoyed doing it. And once she explained to me how she was working it, it sort of flew together. She has a great mind, and I loved watching her make this work for us.”
    “ She does, and I knew that you’d be good at this sort of thing too. But that makes me think that I need to talk to you about something now rather than later.” Austin looked at the board, knowing that he’d have her do the same to his bylaws when things settled. “I need a partner. Another alpha, and I’d like for it to be you.”
    “No, you should ask your brothers.” Randy started away, then stopped. “I’m honored, but I really don’t think I’m the man for the job. I’m young, and we both know that they’ll never accept me as much as they would one of your brothers.”
    “I disagree. And my brother s, all of them, agreed you’d