Page 112 of Home: Posy 5

"Oh." He looked nonplussed for a second, then he smiled. "So does that mean you want to keep me?"

"I can't live happily ever after without my true love, now, can I?" I frowned with mock exasperation. "Besides, I need a beast who will help me slay dragons, not a prince who would lock me in his castle and forget about me."

"Forgetting you is something I could never do, Sophia. The beast would die without his beauty."

"And Beauty would die without her beast," I whispered.

Cautiously, Jared brought his hands up to cradle my face in his calloused palms, stirring up those delicate mate sparks. When I didn't protest, he gently pulled me closer while he leaned forward, and I drew in a sharp breath of anticipation. His lips met mine and his prickly beard tickled my cheeks, and all thoughts flew out of my mind but one.

This was the beginning of our once upon a time, and it was going to last forevermore.

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Yolanda Ramirez

Fresh baked bread.

It filled my nose, my head, my whole being.

Two tall, broad-shouldered boys came closer and brought that delightful smell with them, and I wanted to drown in it.

Two boys?

I blinked, then looked again and yep. My eyes were working fine. Beckham and Bowie Hall still towered over me with happy grins.

I had two mates.

Two,when I wasn't sure I could handle havingone.

My wolf, Pochard, howled with happiness, but my head spun.

I'd known the twins nearly all our lives, and they were loud and rough, brash and bold, popular and confident, fit and gorgeous.

Everything I wasn't.

Dizzy and scared, my lungs went wild. My chest ached and all my muscles tightened painfully. Squeezing my eyes shut tight, I slapped my palms over my face.

If I can't see them, maybe they'll disappear.

"We're not going anywhere, Yolly," an amused, but soft voice said from my left.

Did I say that aloud?

"Yeah, you did, baby girl," said the same voice from my right. "Now breathe."

"Everyone's... looking... at... me!"

"Shh, baby girl. Shh. No one's here."

"Luna made them all leave. It's just us now. You're okay, baby girl. You're safe."

"We won't hurt you. Not ever, Yolly. And we'll never let anyone else hurt you."

"I'm not— I'm not— I'm notrightfor you," I panted, "and you're not right for me."

"You're absolutely perfect for us."

"And we are absolutely perfect for you."

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