Page 21 of Minx

I’d already decided. I was laying it all on the line tonight. I’d woken up this morning, in the early hours, with a debilitating thought. They had told me I was their mate, but I had said nothing in response. I’d put them in limbo as I had been.

This date wasn’t over until all of us were clear—on everything.

Grim spread out a blanket, looking proud of himself. Once I sat down, they all joined me.

“Come on. Ask away. You’ve been squirmy all night.” Bodhi pulled my shoes off and massaged my socked feet.

“We’re really young. Are we too young?”

They paused and I appreciated the care they took before answering. Theron scooted forward and took my hand. His touch plus Bodhi’s washed over my fears. “I think you’re working under human rules, Minx. My parents found each other in the second grade. Of course, they grew up as best friends and then dated. On my mother’s eighteenth birthday, they had their mating ceremony. She always said she knew, even at such a young age. When you know, you know. And personally, I’m glad. It gives us more life with you.”

“I didn’t think about it that way,” I responded, on the verge of tearing up. The love I had for them was stronger and deeper than anything I’d experienced or even expected from life.

“I’m not a shifter,” I proclaimed, steeling myself for the response. “Are you sure you want a mate that doesn’t have a wolf. I won’t be able to run with you.” Or our cubs. I kept that to myself.

“What did I tell you about your wolf?” Bodhi jostled my feet. “She’s there. I’m not the only one who feels her, right?”

Grim and Theron grunted their agreements while I snorted. “I’m glad you three can. She’s silent with me.”

“Is she?” Grim asked, sweetly. He had a way of speaking to me that always made me feel heard and cherished. “Theron was sure you snarled the first day when we took you to lunch. Your lip curled a bit when that girl touched my arm in the hallway. We all felt her when we shifted. I looked back at you because I swore she was going to come out that day. She’s there, sweetheart.”

Either my mates were all super observant, or I had been ignoring all the signs of my wolf rising up. Maybe both.

“Can I ask you a question?” Theron prompted.

“Of course. This isn’t just about me.”

He nodded. “Do you…” He let out a laugh and shook his head. “This is the hardest question I’ve ever had to ask. Do you believe we are your mates?”

“Yes.” My heart nearly exploded with the admission. “You three are my mates. I don’t understand it but yes.”

“Thank the gods,” Bodhi breathed out. Theron and Grim joined him. Theron, the big, broad, beefy man had gone pale, waiting on my answer.

Grim came over and sat behind me. He leaned his face against my back and put his hands on either side of my waist. “What else?” His hot breath pushed through my sweater, and I wondered what it would be like to have that breath on my bare skin.

Come on, Minx. Ask the hard question.

“Mating,” I blurted before I lost the gumption. “How? I mean, one girl, three guys…I can imagine some ways but…” My heated face had me eyeing the lake, wondering if I could strip and dive straight in, putting out my flames. “What are the rules?”

“Ah, mate,” Theron said. His use of the word sat well in my body. “We will do or not do whatever you are comfortable with.”

“I have no damned clue what I’m comfortable with. I’ve never…” My chest had already been cracked open. Might as well reveal all of it.

“You saved yourself for your mates. We are honored.” Bodhi’s hands moved to my calves. “When we decide to mate, it’s your call. One of us. Two of us. All three of us. Whatever way you want to be with us, we will accept.”

“No jealousy?”

“Have you detected any jealousy yet?” Grim asked.

“No. None.” It was true. I had been the one upset about kissing Grim then Bodhi, but they didn’t say anything. I was sure they had shared information between them and, for some reason, that didn’t bother me.

No one asked any more questions, and I was satisfied for the time being.

“I don’t want to bring you back.” Bodhi got up and dusted off his pants. “But it’s getting late. We all have classes tomorrow.”

Theron and Grim nodded their agreement. We packed up the blanket and drove back to the school. “Can I have a minute with her?” Theron asked. Grim and Bodhi got out and promised they would still walk me back to my room.

They all had me in a vise. A vise I never wanted to escape. Day by day, the love and care I had for them grew stronger.

---