Page 67 of Home: Posy 5

"Thank you for voicing your concern, sister," I smirked. "I'll file your complaint between 'I don't care' and 'Sucks to be you.' "

"What she really means," Evan tried to be the peacemaker, as usual, "is that she's glad you won't be depressed anymore!"

I know, I linked him with a smile.

Fortunately, Dad called out, "We're here!" right as Eden opened her mouth, probably to roast Evan or me again or both of us.

Before he even came to a complete stop, I opened my door and hopped out, inhaling the heady smell of verbena. My eyes ran over the alphas of Five Fangs, one of whom was holding a baby, then cousin Posy, a blond man who smelled of alpha, and a white-haired old man. I paused for a split second on a Latina woman, but immediately ruled her out when I saw the mate mark on her neck.

Finally, my eyes found her.

Her.

My mate.

She stood on the porch, a tall, lovely girl with thick blonde hair and eyes the color of honey.

Mate, Maple whispered.Beau-ti-ful mate. Go to mate, Hen.

It had been a long time since he'd called me by my nickname, and I took it as a good sign. With a big smile on my face and a bigger one in my heart, I hurried toward her - only to get the shock of my life when she let out a little scream and raced into the house.

My jaw fell open.

"She— She ran!" I yelped and looked at the people around me.

"Sorry about that," murmured the blond guy, who had to be Alpha Liam, as he clapped me on the shoulder. "She's a silly little thing sometimes."

"She's notsilly," Posy and the Latina girl protested at the same time, then Posy added, "She's afraid!"

"Ofme?" I composed myself, making my face blank even though my heart was breaking. "She hasn't even met Maple yet and she's afraid of me?"

"No, not of you, and she's going to love Maple," Posy said in a gentle tone. "She's afraid you're going to make her leave her family and her pack."

"Oh. Isthatall?" A brilliant smile broke out on my face. So long as she wasn't going to reject me, I could put her fears to rest. I'd live anywhere she wanted to live. "Where do you think she went?"

"Her bedroom," Alpha Liam and Grandpa said in unison.

"She's always holed up in her room when she isn't at school or on a trip with her band geek friends," Alpha Liam elaborated with a frown.

The Latina woman, obviously his mate and luna, whacked him across his chest with the back of her hand.

"Stop it!" she hissed. "You're giving our guests the impression that you don't love your sister!"

"I am not! And Idolove her! I'm just worried because her interests are so narrow." He pulled her into his arms. "I think she'd enjoy life more if she'd get some experiences outside of her tiny comfort zone."

"Admirable as the sentiment is, I don't think Millie is yours to worry about anymore, Liam," Grandpa said, then looked at me. "Right, son?"

"That is correct, sir. She is mine. All mine." I grinned. "Can one of you take me to her? I mean, I could follow her scent, but I think it might go better if one of you introduces me."

"Is it alright if I—"

My cousin didn't even get to finish her question before Alpha Liam and his luna both said, "Yes!" at the same time, then looked at each other and chuckled.

So Posy saved me once again, taking my hand and leading me toward my future.

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Camille Swift

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