Page 28 of Minx

Yes.

I’m so sorry. It must have been very lonely in there. I didn’t really understand how that worked, but then what did I understand.

We were worth waiting for.

What about the fire? I wondered if this breakthrough related.

I can help you with that. Takes us both to control it.

“You doing okay, mate?” Bodhi shifted me around so he held me against his chest. “I hope we weren’t too much for you.”

“I was just talking to my wolf. She says she was waiting for me all this time. But I didn’t hear her. Was it because my parents didn’t think I’d be able to shift? They’re both shifters, but they didn’t have faith in me.”

“Can’t speak for your parents. You’ll have to ask them yourself, but sounds as if there must be some reason they thought you wouldn’t be able to shift. Your wolf was ready at ten.”

“She tells me so. Wait, but I didn’t tell you. How do you know I was ten when she started trying to reach me?”

“I heard her,” he said.

“Then, can I hear your wolves?” I’d not had that ability with my own all this time; the idea of several was overwhelming.

“I’m guessing that will take time,” Theron said, snuggling up against my back. “You’re pretty new to this and your wolf may not want to share you yet.”

“How did you know to find me on the roof earlier? I didn’t tell you where I was even going.”

“She told us.”

“Poor thing probably thought I’d never hear her all those years.” I let my head drop back to rest on his shoulder. “Mmm, you smell good.”

“I smell like you, little wolf.”

“Like us,” I corrected him. “It’s magical.”

“For us.” Grim pushed up to sit against the pillows. “But probably not everyone else in the school. We are going to need to shower before class.”

“Can’t we take the day off? It feels like our mating should be a holiday.”

“I’ll tell you what we can do, Minx.” Theron kissed my cheek. “We can go to the office after school and put in to move into a larger room with space for all four of us.”

“We can do that?” It was way better than having one day free. “The school allows people in relationships to shack up?”

“They encourage mates to share their space. Shacking up.” Theron’s tone was stern, but his voice shook with a hint of laughter. “Mating is a serious business.”

One I was longing to invest in.

We showered one at a time because if anyone came in with me, it would definitely slow things down, then we all went to school. During the day, I managed to let Stevie know the plan so she would not feel betrayed by hearing it elsewhere. She was so happy for us! And then came the time we sat outside the dean of housing’s office. They were also the teacher of shifter history, so we were all in one or another of her classes. I was so nervous.

But to my surprise, the whole process was the next thing to automated. They had request forms we had to fill out and check the “mates” box about a hundred times. The dean never batted an eye beyond making sure we had everything marked properly, and before we left the office, we had key cards to our new digs. Same floor, bigger room. Win. win.

Chapter Twenty-Three

My mates were my world. Along with my wolf, of course, and my bestie. It was quick and easy to move to the new way of life, and my confidence grew by leaps and bounds. Moving into our new rooms was on the schedule, but even though we were all adults, the dean required a signature from my parents indicating they knew their little girl would be sharing her living accommodations with her mates.

It was less about permission and more about awareness. If we had been part of a pack, they’d have needed the alpha’s okay instead. But Mom and Dad had separated from their packs long ago. I was sure they would approve, or that I’d at least be able to talk them into it, but it would require a call.

“Minx!” Mom sounded delighted to hear from me. I hoped she would be once the conversation got going. “How are you, baby? Enjoying school?”

“So much more than I’d have ever dreamed.”

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