Page 143 of Home: Posy 5

Matters to settle with them?Cole chuckled darkly.Those two will be lucky to see the dawn.

It would hurt her,Mase pointed out.

She’s not aware enough right now to know or care if we ended them, Wyatt scoffed.

You’d have to tell her sometime,I scolded him.Don’t do anything to make her hate us!

We don’t even know if she loves or likes her brothers!Ash argued. They did nothing to help her!

We don’t know that,Mase said.We don’t know the whole story yet. That’s why we have to finish talking with them. Besides, I want to get her home soonest.

Same, brother,said the rest of us.

"Do you want one of us to stay with you?" Ash asked our mate, who shrugged and lowered her eyes.

"I understand the pack comes first for alphas," she whispered.

No, Quartz rumbled loud enough for her to hear.You come before all others. Always. Forever.

In shock, I plunked down on the edge of the bed, my legs unable to hold me up anymore. My eyes widened and stung as I stared at her. Other than family, there were very,veryfew people he deigned to talk to, andneverwhen he was in a fury.

"Quartz spoke to you." A single tear rolled down my cheek. "I'm so happy."

As my brothers quietly left the room, I slowly leaned forward and buried my face in her blanket-covered lap. Not expecting her to do more than tolerate me being so close, I got another shock when she laid her cheek on my head, wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and held me.

A few more tears fell before I got myself under control, then I sat up to see her solemn face and worried eyes.

She’s worried aboutme? She’s been broken down to her bones and can still be worried about someone else?

"Posy," I whispered. "Sweet, sweet girl. We love you so much already."

"Why?" she whispered back. "I’m no one special."

"You areveryspecial. You’re our mate." Slowly, giving her plenty of time to react, I held one hand out in invitation.

She stared at it for a long moment, then hesitantly laid her fingers in my palm. I didn’t push any further, didn’t even close my hand around hers, but I savored the warm rush of mate sparks and hoped they comforted her.

"You’re going to take our breath away every day. I can tell already." I smiled as a light blush touched her cheeks. "And as for us, we’re going to love all the pain out of you."

Her eyes swirled with so many conflicting emotions - hope, disbelief, sorrow, happiness - and I hoped she could hear my sincerity. With all my heart, I wished that I could hug her and kiss her, but knew that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

She studied my face for several long moments, then swallowed hard, obviously gathering up her courage.

"Promise you won’t leave me?" she said at last.

"I swear by the moon, sweetness." Giving her a smile, I was overjoyed when she gave me one back. Even if it was tiny, it was a start. "You can’t get rid of us now, Posy. We’re going to stand by you forever and ever."

Her smile grew until two dimples carved into her cheeks, and my heart went pitter-patter.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I don’t ever want to be alone again."

"And you never will be," I vowed.

Epilogue: Together

~ Six years later ~

Posy

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