Free Night Critters (Collection) by Lena Austin

to interrupt.” He looked down at his feet and vowed to remain polite. He could solve their concerns, if they'd listen. “If I may speak with you for a moment?"
    "Corbin, I am sorry you had to hear all that. Our question may have seemed rude, but we are only looking after our daughter.” Katriena looked at him, and tears clouded her ice blue eyes to the color of frost.
    "It's quite all right. My father Duke is the same way—no one but someone from the pack is good enough for me.” Corbin saw recognition in their eyes.
    "Your father is Duke Thornburn?” Like any good pairing, they spoke in stereo.
    Corbin smiled as his tail split through the back of his pants. He shifted to half humanoid form. He grimaced when his face changed but other than that it was easy. Corbin stood there slightly hunched and smiled at Katriena and Eduardo. “I am who you say.” Corbin shifted back to human. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to talk with your daughter and my future wife.” He turned and walked out of the kitchen.
    Corbin knocked lightly on Roni's bedroom door and opened it. His heart sank. Roni was sobbing into Ana's arms. Not a coherent word could be heard.
    Ana looked up and saw Corbin. She patted the bed next to her with one hand and winked over Roni's head.
    As soon as Corbin was seated, Ana smoothly transferred Roni's weeping body to Corbin's shoulder. As quick and quiet as the predator she could be, she was gone.
    Corbin lifted Roni's face to look at him. “Honey, I know you're upset. But you have to understand where your parents are coming from."
    Roni's eyes shifted to her lap. “I do understand where they are coming from, and it still pisses me off.” Roni choked the words out. “I don't understand why they just can't accept the fact that I don't want to be with anybody in the pack. I want to be with you.” Roni paused and took a deep breath. “But you never answered my question. Did you propose to me because you love me or to piss off your father?"
    Corbin looked into her brown eyes and fell in love all over again. “I didn't ask you to marry me to piss off my father. I asked you to marry me because I am so deeply in love with you I can't stand it.” He stroked her soft hair. “You're the first thing I think about in the morning, the last thing I think about before I close my eyes, and you are a constant mental distraction all day."
    Roni smiled through her tears. “Really?"
    "Truly, and I hate to ask this but did you accept my proposal because you feel the same way or to strike back at your parents?” Corbin grinned, knowing the answer. At least he hoped.
    Roni's leap into his arms was all the answer he needed, but she whispered with a glance toward the kitchen. “Would you mind if I put on the ring after my folks leave?"
    Corbin chuckled and squeezed her against him. “Yeah. I don't want your father developing rabid squirrel syndrome and gnawing my ankles off to bring me down to his size, at least not tonight."
    His little Chuskie buried her face in his chest. “First we have to confront your father. I'm not sure who is more dangerous—the rabid Chihuahua or the pissed off wolf, but I personally would rather face down the wolf."
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Chapter Eight
    Corbin and Roni sat in his car out in front of a Victorian mansion. Tall white columns stood out over the lush green grass. The glass paneled front door sparkled in the afternoon sun.
    Roni turned to Corbin. His hands gripped the steering wheel. He was at war with his emotions, and there wasn't a thing she could do to help. “What are we doing here, Corbin?"
    Corbin stared past her at the house. “I want to introduce you to my father. It's customary.” He pondered why he even cared. Family customs always won out with Corbin. He could never turn away from tradition.
    "We don't have to be customary. What's the point?” she snarled without intention. “He has already formed his opinion of me.” Roni's eyes narrowed.