Page 6 of Fearless as an Eagle

“Yes, you did. But I forgive you anyway.”

“You’re the best. I still think you need to move on. You can’t let what that asshole did haunt you for the rest of your life.”

“Sure I can. You don’t know what it’s like, Alex. So you can’t possibly understand how I feel. One day you’ll find your mate and I pray to God she doesn’t put you through what I went through.”

“Mia…” He sighs dejectedly, and I feel like shit for putting that out into the universe. I would never wish that on my worst enemy. But I need him to understand I am the way I am and that’s not going to change any time soon. Besides, I have moved on. I’m happy in my cabin by myself. I don’t need anyone else. “Look, I know what Mike did really fucked with you, but that's no reason to give up. I'm sure you have other mates out there. Mates that would treat you like the queen you are. Mike was a fuck head. But that doesn't mean your next mate won't make you happy. Just... don't shut them out when you finally find them, okay?”

“Yeah, whatever,” I mumble under my breath. “I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Yeah. Sure. I love you, Mia. You know that, right?”

“Of course, I do. I love you too, butthead. Good night.” I turn off my phone and then fall backward on the bed, laying there for a while, lost in thoughts of the past, until I remember there are three strange men in my house and I should probably get up and face the music. I may not have company often, but my mother raised me to be the perfect host. So I drag myself off my bed to make sure the guys get settled in and have everything they need.

Chapter 6

Mason

IwatchasMiaruns down the hall and disappears into her room. I’m honestly still in shock. That’s the only reason I can think of why I’m not shouting from the rooftop that I’ve finally found her. My mate. What are the chances? Out of all the people in the world, it had to beher.She’s been so close this whole time! I could have been with her for years already if Alex would have just introduced us sooner.

“Okay, we really need to talk about why you keep staring at my mate like that,” Riley huffs and I snap my head to look at him so fast it wouldn’t surprise me if I broke my neck.The fuck did he just say?

“Yourmate?!” Bennett and I both exclaim at the same time before glaring at each other.

“She’smymate,” we declare, again at the same time.

“Hate to break to you boys, but it looks like she’s all of our mates,” Riley cuts in before Bennett and I swing at each other.

Turning back to him, I demand, “How do you know that?”

“I knew from the second I smelled her from inside the tent that she was my mate. It’s obvious both of you feel the same. It’s not unheard of for someone to have multiple mates. Look at El and Riven. They both have two mates and their other mate has four. If I had to share my mate with anyone, I’m glad it’s you two. I just hope we don’t have to share her with anyone else.”

“I know you’re right. I just never thought I’d have to share my mate. But I agree. If it had to be anyone, I’m glad it’s you guys,” I admit.

“That’s all great and everything, but she’s Alex’ssister. That’s a complication,” Bennett says seriously.

“Not to me, it’s not. I don’t care if she’s the damn pope. Nothing’s going to keep me from my mate,” Riley snarls. The assertion is so unlike his normally happy-go-lucky attitude. But I can understand. Just the thought of losing my mate because I’m friends with her brother makes me sick.

“I’ll talk to Alex. I’m sure he’ll understand. He’ll be happy for us. He won’t stand in our way,” I assure them both.

“Yeah… Okay,” Bennett mutters unconvincingly.

“It’ll be fine. Just wait. I think if there are going to be any problems, it’s with Mia. I don't know about you, but she’s not acting like someone who just met her mates… She may need some convincing,” I warn them.

“Oh, I can convince her!” Riley says, bouncing on his toes and wiggling his eyebrows with a stupid grin stretching his face.

I can’t even hold back the exasperated sigh. “Down, boy. We don’t want to overwhelm her with your…exuberance,” I explain as gently as I can. If Mia doesn’t recognize us as her mates, Riley’s over-excitedness may push her away. It’s taking all of my strength and willpower to hold back my feelings so I don’t scare her off. AndGod,do I hate that I can’t immerse myself in the feelings of peace and wholeness that she opened up in me the second I saw her. I always imagined celebrating when I met my mate. But I can’t celebrate until she knows and accepts me as her mate. I think I’ll be even more “strung out”, as Bennett likes to say until she acknowledges our connection.

“Fine,” he pouts. “But if it comes down to having to prove we’re her mates, I get first dibs.”

“Did you just calldibson our mate?” Bennett growls.

“‘Course not. Calling dibs would be sayingI saw her first. She’s mine!” Riley retorts.

“Okay, you two. Cut it out. We need to get our stuff out of the Jeep before it’s too late. I’ll call Alex when she goes to bed. I don’t want her to find out we’re mates by overhearing a conversation. That means no one says that word again. Not until she knows,” I declare.

“Yeah, that would be bad,” Riley agrees with a grimace.

“And when will thatbeexactly?” Bennett asks.

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