Page 13 of Hunting for Acceptance

I try to smile but can feel it’s a sad one. “Thank you. I think you’re all already doing more than enough just by welcoming me here instead of driving me out.”

“We’d never turn someone away who needed help,” Carlos tells me, and I believe him. These all seem like really good people. Better than I deserve after the shit I’ve done for Stewart.

I’ll make this right. I’ll fix the rights that I’ve wronged. As soon as Martin and Cooper are awake, I’ll tell them everything and somehow, I just know that they’ll figure out what to do.

“I certainly don’t feel like I deserve your help but I’m incredibly grateful nonetheless,” I murmur, pulling my hair over my shoulder and beginning to braid it.

Carlos looks at me with a sad look, something I don’t really understand flashing across his features before he snaps out of it. “We’ve all done things we regret. That doesn’t make us bad people,” he tells me seriously and I nod in understanding.

Once the fire is going, Carlos puts a kettle onto the tripod, heating up some water so we can start making some coffee right there on the fire. I sit back in my chair, feeling content in a way I haven’t felt since before my sister passed. I could get used to this. Gods, I really want everything to work out. Ineedit to work out. The longing in my chest nearly steals my breath with how badly I want this. Not just the mates, though obviously yes, I want them. But thisfamily. I want to be part of a family again.

A door opening and closing pulls my attention and I look over to find Martin and Cooper coming out of their RV. Martin’s cheeks are pink and he won’t take his eyes off the ground while Cooper has a grin on his lips. My stomach flutters, hoping they woke up happy this morning all pressed against each other.

“Good morning,” I say happily, holding up my cup of coffee. Cooper comes and sits beside me.

“Morning, Dorian. Did you sleep well?”

“I did, thank you. I was worried your couch would be uncomfortable but it was nice.”

Cooper nods. “That’s where I usually sleep so I know what you mean.”

“Oh really,” I say, raising my brow. “So last night was a bit of a treat, huh?”

Cooper’s pretty green eyes dart away, his lips still smiling despite the way he looks embarrassed. “You could say that,” he murmurs to me.

Fuck, these two are so cute as they circle around each other. Lady Fate sent me at just the right time to knock their heads together and make them see what they have right in front of them.

I look up at Martin, watching the concentrated furrow of his brow as he makes himself a cup of coffee. He’s so handsome. I hold out my cup. “Would you mind topping me? Sorry, I mean topping off my coffee.”

Martin snorts and shakes his head but some of the tension leaves his shoulders. He fills my cup before looking at Cooper. Cooper nods and Martin begins making him a cup as well.

Don’t they see? They already have this connection! It’s so obvious to everyone but them.

“Once we all have our coffees, would you mind going for a little walk with me? It’s been a long time since I’ve just walked through the woods,” I say to Cooper and Martin. “Plus, I think it’s time I tell you all the dirty details about what’s been going on.”

There they go again, communicating with nothing but their eyes. “That sounds great,” Cooper finally says, reaching over and running his hand over my wrist. My body heats at the simple touch.

We quickly get our coffees with only a few playful comments directed at Martin from Carlos. “Shut it, kid.”

I can’t help but chuckle as I stand up and we begin walking down the road, hoping to find a nice walking path for us to use. As we walk, I slide my hand into the crook of Martin’s arm. When he doesn’t immediately shake me away, I squeeze his bicep in thanks. It’s a nice bicep. Really nice. Okay, I’m getting distracted.

“So, let me start at the beginning,” I finally say as the three of us walk. Walking and talking makes telling them easier somehow, less focus on me and more focus on not tripping in the woods. “My parents died when I was a teenager, so for a long time it was just me and my sister, Dee.”

I take a drink of my coffee, giving myself a moment to calm my racing heart before going on.

“I took care of everything all by myself. I even found someone in the supernatural world to take care of cremating her. Stewart said he understood and would even give me a discount to have this done but when I went to pick her up, he said he had plans for me.”

“That fucking asswipe,” Martin grits through clenched teeth. His outburst somehow brings me comfort.

“Yeah,” I say with a sad laugh. “He really fucked me over and not in the fun way. He stole her ashes from me. He claimed that he was sick and needed help feeding but I’m not so sure that’s true. He seems exactly the same as when I first met him so I have a feeling he’s planning on stringing me along for as long as he can.”

“Do you know where he’s keeping her ashes?”

“No clue,” I admit, blowing out a long breath. “I assume they’re locked away somewhere in his home?”

“Is he based somewhere around here?” Cooper asks, running his hand up and down my spine. His touch brings me more comfort than I care to admit.

“Two towns over,” I explain, “I have to wake this woman up tomorrow morning. But after that we can head over there?”

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