Page 20 of Mates: Posy

Mom had taken us to pick berries. Afterwards, I’d convinced the boys to help me gather flowers from the field. At five years old, I had thought my older brothers were the coolest people on the planet.

A hot tear slipped from my eye. James wiped it away with his thumb, then squeezed me in a super-tight hug.

"I love you forever, Posy."

Then Aiden came over and wrapped his arms around both of us.

"Me, too. I love you forever, baby sister."

I sniffled and hugged them back.

They let me go after each gave me a kiss on the forehead.

"Be happy, Posy," Aiden said.

"And if these mates of yours don’t make you happy, you tell us, baby sister." James gave them a dark scowl which frightened me a bit, then he turned back to me with a grin. "I know they will, though."

With that, James severed my link to the pack, freeing me to leave his territory and join my mates’ pack.

"We’ll see you at your luna ceremony," Aiden promised.

I smiled and waved goodbye as my mates led me to their big, black SUV, Wyatt walking next to me and holding my hand.

"I’m driving!" Jayden shouted and headed for the front seat.

"Do you want to ride up front?" Cole asked with a soft smile.

I shook my head rapidly. To tell the truth, I was a little afraid. I hadn’t been in a vehicle in years.

"I call shotgun!" Ash ran around to the passenger side.

"Can I have your photo, cutie?" Wyatt asked. "I’ll put it in a safe place for the trip."

With a nod, I gave it to him, and he went around to the back of the vehicle.

"How about right behind Jay?" Cole opened the back door for me. "After you, honey."

I looked at the height of the seat and prayed I wouldn’t embarrass myself. I tossed Mr. Nibbles in first, then grabbed the door frame, swung one leg up, and tried to pull myself into the vehicle. Unfortunately, I was still very weak. I lost momentum and balance and started to fall backward.

Cole caught me around the waist and sat me down in my seat.

"Sorry," I whispered, lowering my head.

"Not a problem, Posy."

He closed my door, went around to the other side, and climbed into the back row. Mason followed him without a word. I’d already figured out that he was the quietest of them all.

Wyatt swung into the seat next to me.

"Ready?" he asked as Jayden started the engine.

I nodded, although my shoulders came up and my fingers fiddled with Mr. Nibbles’ ears.

"We have a long drive, so let’s get to know each other better, okay?" Wyatt reached over and took one of my hands in his. "Ask us anything!"

"Yeah. What would you like to know, honey?" Cole asked. "I’m sure you’re as eager to learn about us as we are about you."

Until a couple of days ago, drawing attention to myself in any way meant a beating. Not really believing they wanted me to speak, I snuck a peek at Cole over my shoulder to see if he was telling the truth. He grinned and winked at me, which made my face burn red. I swiveled further to see Mason.

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