Page 55 of Ash

"I hardly see Celeste's words as details." True had no problem challenging him. She liked going to toe to toe with her mate, too. "It's just facts."

Ash nodded. "I see, but for me it's like..." he gestured helplessly as he tried to find an accurate analogy, "sausage."

The look on the faces of all three women told him he'd gone horribly off the mark. Or that he should explain a little more.

"People like them, but not everyone wants to see how they're made."

Celeste was the first one to react, smothering a smile.

True had the most to say. "Gross, but I can see your point."

And Katherine cut to the heart of things. "We're just happy that you've have your mate now and we wanted to offer our help." She gestured at his home. "We thought we'd come over and see if we could help get things ready."

Ash was at a loss. "She's living at her Great Aunt's house behind the bakery, but I have been cleaning the place from ceiling to floorboards to make sure that when she does come to see my home, she's not ashamed."

Celeste nodded, but he could see the gentle rebuke in her gaze. "She wouldn't be ashamed."

"I just want her to know that I care about her. About her feelings."

They all reacted to that, but it was True that spoke up. "You might be a pretty grumpy bear most of the time, but as a mate, you're a big cuddly bear."

His instinct was to grumble and growl about her words, but when he spoke, that wasn't the case.

"She's everything." He put his hand to his chest and felt his heart pounding a heavy rhythm, pushing his blood through his veins. "And I've waited so many years to find her I'm going to make the most of it. I don't ever want her to regret it when she does decide to become mind forever."

Celeste looked like she might start to cry at any moment.

But before he could really start to worry, she spoke up. "She's not going to regret it, Ash. If there's one thing that's true for all of us, it's the fact that we're loved. Fiercely so."

True nodded. "Xavier and I can argue... a lot, but the best part of fighting is the way we make up."

"With Locke," Katherine covered her heart with both hands, "I know that he's always there with me, by my side. We're always there for each other."

"And this time, next year," Celeste gave him a brilliant smile, "maybe she'll be with us helping to welcome a new mate to Mystic Mountain. So, if you need us-"

"Or, our men," True added.

"Yes, our men, too." Celeste's smile could light up a room. "We're all here for you."

Ash nodded because he couldn't trust himself to speak.

He knew that the town of Mystic Mountain was there for him.

Whatever petty squabbles that happened would always happen, but he knew that if there was ever a need, the people would help each other.

Here he was, mourning the loss of his parents and sulking in his grief, but he had friends who would help no matter what.

Friends that came together like family.

He was truly lucky to be a part of this community.

"Thank you," he smiled at the woman, "from both of us."

Chapter

Ten

Suzannah was starting to feel like her life was finally becoming hers.

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