Page 23 of Hunting for Acceptance

I can’t keep the smile from my face, thinking about Cooper finally unlocking a part of himself he’s wanted for so long. I hope I’m present when that finally happens for him.

“While we’re all making confessions,” Dorian says nervously, rubbing at the back of his neck. “I’m pregnant.” Cooper and I look at each other, smiling widely. We embrace Dorian from both sides, wrapping him up in our arms.

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

Dorian snorts. “I don’t know. I assumed it was obvious.”

I shake my head, kissing the side of his head. It takes all of my willpower not to literally pick up Dorian and swing him around in my arms like I’ve seen in romantic comedies. I kiss him again. Then again. And then once more just because.

“I’m in love with you both,” I blurt out, unable to keep it inside a moment longer. “I know I was a real ass at first to both of you, and I’m so sorry for that. I was so fucking scared and thought that keeping everyone away was the best thing for everyone, but I was wrong. I need you both.”

Dorian kisses my lips before pulling back and tugging me towards Cooper. Cooper snorts before getting on his tiptoes in the water and kissing me too.

“I love you, Martin,” Cooper breathes against my lips. “I have for a long time and I’m really happy that I can love you openly without holding back.”

“And it’s probablyobvious,” Dorian says, popping his hip out with a bit of sass that makes Cooper and I both laugh. “But I love you too, Martin.”

Fuck. I never even dreamed of something as beautiful as the relationship I have with these two. They make me feel accepted in a way I didn’t let myself have before. They accept all of me, brains, brawns, and everything in between. They love me just for being myself.

I breathe out a long sigh, my chest warm and content.

After holding each other a little longer, Cooper begins to shiver. “Sorry,” he murmurs, looking sheepish, “I’m not used to being out in the water like this.”

“Let’s get you to the shore,” I say, squeezing Dorian’s shoulder. “Do you want another moment with Dee? Then when you come back to the fire, I’m sure we’d all love to hear a few more stories about her. Does that sound okay?”

Dorian nods, his eyes shining. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”

Cooper and I walk hand in hand back to the group, picking up our boots as we go. As we sit down, everyone is there waiting for us. Carlos gives us a small smile.

“Not to be that guy but I totally called this from the very beginning,” he says with a chuckle. “Your bickering was the longest slow burn foreplay I’ve ever seen.”

The group all laugh along, nodding their heads. “I’m really happy for you guys,” Jeff says seriously. “And I’m glad Dorian is finally free of that asshole. We’re gonna need to get another camper soon.”

Cooper pipes in. “The next one to find their mate will be Carlos and he needs his own little place.”

“First of all, I doubt that’s happening any time soon,” Carlos says, shaking his head. “Second, I already found something. I’m gonna go into town and pay for it tomorrow.”

“Oh yeah?” Ronny asks, adjusting himself without disturbing JJ. “What did you find?”

“Please tell me it’s something cool,” Zander says, looking exciting. “Like a Mystery Mobile!”

Carlos chuckles. “Or something practical, like a minivan,” Axel says with a shrug. “With all the kids our group is moving around we could use a minivan.”

“It’s just a pickup truck with a built-in area in the back for a bed. Nothing fancy. But it’s just me, I don’t need anything fancy.

Axel grins. “It’s only youfor now.”

“Don’t even start,” Carlos says with a long groan that makes us all chuckle. We keep going like that, just chatting, catching up, and teasing each other. When Dorian finally joins us he sits in my lap, retelling tales of all the trouble he and his sister used to get into as kids.

I love this. I love my family, I love my mates, and I love being a hunter. I can’t help but think my parents would be proud of the man I’ve become and the things I’ve done since their passing. They were good people who raised me to be good as well. Apparently so good that Lady Fate deemed me fit to have two true mates.

I kiss the back of Dorian’s shoulder as I listen, my eyes meeting Cooper’s. I love them both and I’m so thankful Cooper never gave up on me, even as I pushed him away.

My hand touches Dorian’s belly. Our baby is in there and I promise to do everything I can to not only keep them safe, but make sure they’re raised knowing they’re loved and that their parents are good.

CHAPTER TWELVE

COOPER

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