Page 19 of Mates: Posy

"When were you last outside, Posy?" James asked.

"Almost six years ago." I squeezed Mr. Nibbles tightly.

"You— You haven’t left this house insix years?" Cole growled, making me jump.

I heard shuffling behind me, then Jayden stood at my elbow. I looked up at him, and he gave me a gentle smile.

"We’re right here at your side, sweetness, and your brothers are, too. You can do this."

I took a deep breath, held it, and let it out slowly. Squaring my shoulders, I took one step, then another and another until I was through the door and down the front porch steps.

Closing my eyes, I lifted my face. The summer sun burned my pale skin a bit, but I didn’t care. I couldbathein the golden light and still not get enough.

"Posy?"

I opened my eyes, looked at the seven concerned faces around me, and smiled.

"I forgot how good the sun felt," I whispered.

Cole, Wyatt, and Aiden’s faces all darkened, and I took a step closer to Jayden. I was fairly sure they weren’t angry at me, but the lessons of the past made it hard to trust anyone, especially if they were in a temper.

James took my hand that wasn’t clutching Mr. Nibbles.

"I feel like we just got you back and now we’re losing you." He smiled. "Please come visit us soon. You are welcome here anytime, baby sister."

I glanced at my mates. Could I ask them to allow my brothers to visit? Did I have that right?

"Everything we have is yours, Posy," Ash said. "Our pack is yours. Our house is yours. You can have your brothers over any time you want."

A wide smile spread across my face and I did something without thinking: I launched myself at my mate and hugged him around his waist. I froze, my entire body tense as I waited to see if I was going to be punished for touching him without permission.

A soft sound huffed out of him, then his long arms wrapped around my shoulders and squeezed me. I listened with wonder to the strong thump-thump of his heart far above my ear.

He doesn’t mind it! I think he might even like it!

"Hey, hey, cutie! Can we get some affection, too?" Wyatt teased. "May I hug you?"

When I nodded, he carefully pried me away from Ash, then lifted me off my feet in a big bear hug complete with a playful growl that made me hide my smile in his neck.

The boys passed me around, each one hugging me. Cole even dropped a kiss on my cheek, which made my face burn bright red. I was slowly getting more comfortable with the idea of mates, but physical contact and affection still made me nervous.

I ended up back in my brothers’ arms.

"We have something for you."

James picked up a slim package that had been sitting on the porch rail and held it out to me with a smile.

I looked at it, then pointed to myself.

"Yeah, baby sister. For you. Open it."

Tucking Mr. Nibbles under one arm, I reached for it hesitantly, afraid he’d pull it back when my fingers touched it, but he didn’t. I unwrapped it to find a framed photo of the three of us when we were pups.

Little five-year-old me sat in the middle of a field with a brother on either side, our cheeks smooshed together and huge grins on our faces. In my lap was a big bunch of daisies, chicory, and Queen Anne’s lace. Mr. Nibbles, who went everywhere with me back then, sat on the ground in front of us.

"Do you remember that day?" Aiden asked.

I nodded.

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