Page 30 of That's the Way Rejection Goes

“I… I used to have a mate,” Sam said at last. “And I didn’t think I’d ever feel strongly for another person, let alone two.”

“Is he here in Shifter Grove?” I asked, terrified of the answer.

“No, thankfully. He’s the reason I got kicked out of my pack in the first place. Turns out, sleeping with the Alpha’s son isn’t looked upon well. His family gave him a choice. He could leave with me, or he could remain heir to the pack if he agreed to banish me.” There was a sad look in Sam’s eyes as he shook his head. “I’m sure you can tell which he picked.”

“That’s horrible!” Erick cried. “How could he do that to his own mate?!”

“I don’t know. But he did. And I figured that was it. Mates aren’t something that come around often and I thought I’d spend the rest of my life alone.” He glanced up at us, a terrified look in his eye. “But last night when I was with you two… I… I felt the bond again. Withbothof you. And… well… it scared the shit out of me. So I ran.”

Both Erick and I got up from the bed at the same time and stepped up to Sam. I crouched down at his knee while Erick went around to the back of the chair. Erick wrapped his arms around Sam’s neck, and I placed mine on his knees.

“Is this okay?” Erick asked.

Sam shivered. “Y-Yeah.”

“I felt the same thing,” I said, looking up at him. “The first time I met you. That’s why, when you took me to the bakery that day, I couldn’t hold back what I felt. It just came pouring out of me. Although, looking back, it was pretty forward.”

“Same with me,” Erick added. “I just felt so drawn to you and it wasn’t until Calum and I sat down to talk that we realized what it was. Hell, we didn’t even think it was possible to have a mutual mate bond in triplicate. It’s statistically improbable at best.”

“But I can’t deny the feeling in my gut I have for you,” I said, squeezing Sam’s leg.

“Neither can I,” Erick nodded.

Sam leaned into Erick’s touch, reaching out at the same time to run his fingers through my hair and beard. He smiled at both of us, his fingers trembling as he took my face.

“I don’t know how to do this,” he said at last. “All those years of reading romance novels and now I don’t know how to take the next step.”

“Whatever you need, we’re here,” Erick replied.

“Anything,” I said softly, kissing Sam’s hand.

“Can… Can we take things slow?”

Erick and I nodded in unison. “Just tell us what you need, and you’ll have it.”

Sam smiled shyly. “Can we pick up where we left off last night?” Then he quickly added. “I don’t want to get railed just yet or anything. That’s a big step. And sealing a mate bond this early…”

I pressed my finger to his lips, silencing the sudden rush of words spilling from his mouth. “We can go slow,” I said. “Let’s get to know each other before we rush into forever, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Can I kiss you?”

Sam shuddered, his eyelashes fluttering. “Please.”

“Then it’s my turn,” Erick grinned. “If that’s okay, of course.”

Sam laughed, the tension broken momentarily. “It only seems fair.”

Reaching up, I placed my hand on Sam’s cheek, running my thumb over his dark stubble. I couldn’t help but smile as I leaned forward, inhaling his scent deeply.

“You are really beautiful, you know that?” I said, getting closer.

Sam’s cheeks turned bright red, but he didn’t look away from me. “You don’t have to say that.”

“No,” I replied, grabbing his chin with my thumb and forefinger. “I do because it’s the truth.”

“It is the truth,” Erick concurred. “You’re exceptionally beautiful.”

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