Free Homecoming by Cooper West Page B

hers and Tony's, moving things around and cleaning the windows and otherwise turning it into a proper den for herself.
    Daniel came home close to two, hauling in more supplies, along with a few surprises like brand new sheet sets and a large, family–sized slow cooker for Cal.
    “Three settings!” Cal petted the cooker as he rinsed out the crockery and set up the timer clock. “I need a roast…or maybe chili? You guys want chili? Thai chili! Lisbeth, you ever had Thai chili?”
    Lisbeth smiled benevolently at him from the doorway of her den. “No.”
    Cal blushed under her gaze, the feeling of belonging and love swamping him. “It's, uh, good. Really good.” He wiped down the counter self–consciously.
    Daniel chuckled. “I'm afraid it's been a while since he's been around an Alpha female.”
    Tony walked up behind Lisbeth, wrapping his arms around her. “Well, he's not the only one.”
    Lisbeth laughed. “Me either, guys. Jeeze. I left home years ago.”
    Daniel looked over at her. “Your pack couldn't mate you?”
    It was not as rude a question as it sounded, Cal figured, because it was surprising to him as well. Lisbeth, at least, did not sound offended, but when she answered, she was not happy.
    “They tried. It wasn't my idea of a good match. And they were pushy. My father is the Alpha, and he's very political. Overbearing, really. I don't think he was expecting me to run.”
    Cal realized with a dark, ominous chill down his back that they did not really know Lisbeth at all. Tony must have felt the same, because he let go of Lisbeth and turned to face her. “This something I need to worry about?”
    All three men froze as Lisbeth pointedly did not answer.
    “Lisbeth, I need to know this,” Tony pressed.
    “I can't answer that because I don't know, not for sure. I'm not trying to be difficult, but the truth is I haven't tried to contact my family or the pack since I left. As far as I can tell, they haven't been looking for me. So…maybe? I don't know.”
    Cal did not like it at all. His cop brain kicked in, pointing out all his mistakes: he did not know her full name, where she was from, how old she was, who might want her back.
    “What's your name?” He snapped. Daniel shot him a critical look, but did not counter.
    Lisbeth paused just long enough for Cal to know she was lying. “Lisbeth Kaplan.”
    “And if I look for a pack named Kaplan, I'll find it?”
    Tony grimaced unhappily, but even he knew what Cal's strengths were and did not interfere.
    Lisbeth looked at him, her eyes hard and steady. “No.”
    Tony tapped her shoulder. “Secrets don't work for me. We need to know.”
    “No, you really don't.” Lisbeth was visibly upset but determined. “It's history and it doesn't matter anymore. I'm a rogue, and I get to choose my pack. Those are the laws we live by. My family pack doesn't have to like it, but they have to respect it. If they ever even bother to find out where I went.” She was anxious, but not about her family, Cal realized. She was worried that Tony would call things off. The smell of disappointment rolled off of her.
    “You don't miss them,” Cal accused, trying to image that kind of mindset and failing. He missed his family every day, and he had no one to go back to.
    “Not really. A few individuals I miss dearly, and would love to see again. But the pack? No, I don't miss it at all.”
    Tony frowned. “Was the Alpha abusive?”
    “No, Tony. Father was just ruthless. I wasn't his daughter in any way but by blood. I was pawn in his games, from day one. Everyone followed his lead, don't you see? I was miserable there.”
    “Borgias!” Cal said, pointing at her, earning surprised looks from both Tony and Daniel. “What? I listen!”
    Lisbeth smiled at him again, soft and sad. “Actually, you're not far off. I think father and his brothers would give the Borgia's a run for the money. Yes, I think we'll just say that I'm Lisbeth Borgia, looking for a new life.” She