Page 25 of Mates: Posy

Take chance, Lark whispered.No one going to beat you or lock you in dark room for holding mate’s hand.

With a steadying breath, I touched my fingers to his palm, and he closed his hand around them. His smile spread into a wide grin.

"It’ll get better," he promised.

I nodded and picked up my fork with my free hand. I managed to eat a quarter of my waffle, a strip of bacon, four blueberries, and one giant strawberry.

I felt like I disappointed them, but they all assured me that it would take a while for my body to get used to regular meals and proper nutrition.

"Don’t worry. I got you, Posy." Ash reached across the table, snagged my plate, and wolfed down the rest of my breakfast.

"I think you’re a were pig, not wolf," Cole snorted.

Ash ignored him and happily munched away.

"So, Posy, we each have something we need to take care of this morning," Jayden told me, "but we’ll meet back here for lunch."

"After that, we’re going shopping!" Ash wiggled like a pup with excitement. "We’re going to get you new clothes and shoes and hair stuff and everything!"

My stomach dropped to my feet. I dreaded what I had to admit.

"I don’t have any money," I whispered and dropped my eyes.

"Oh, baby, don't worry about that." Wyatt raised our joined hands and kissed the back of my knuckles. "We have more money than we know what to do with."

"Honey, anything you want, anything you need, it is our duty and privilege to provide it." Cole smiled at me.

"Sorry, Posy." Mason scooted his chair back and stood. "I’ve got to get going. Cole, you should, too. Wyatt, Ash, you’re on dish duty today. Get it done."

"I’m not some pup for you to boss around, Mase," Wyatt muttered.

Mason sent him a look that made me hunch my shoulders, and it wasn’t even directed at me.

"But youarethe one who consistently skips out on it and drops it in Ash’s lap."

Mason’s voice picked up a rumbly growl, and I shrank in on myself even more.

"Anyway, Posy, would you like to stay here or go with one of us?" Jayden asked, and I was thankful for the distraction.

"I’ll stay here."

"It’s your first day with us. I’ll reschedule my meeting so I can stay with you," Ash offered.

"No. You’ve been dodging that meeting for a week." Cole looked from him to me. "Honey, you’re welcome to go with Ash, Wyatt or Jay, if you want."

"No, not Jay," Mason growled.

My face must have shown my question.

"Could be dangerous," he muttered.

"I doubt it." Jayden rolled his eyes.

"We don't know him and he isn't pack, which means our girl doesn’t go. End of." Mason’s tone said ‘end of’ more than the words.

"I’ll stay here," I repeated quietly.

"Won’t you be bored and lonely?" Wyatt frowned. "You should go with one of us."

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