Page 8 of Fearless as an Eagle

"We’re more than up for the challenge. The next time we talk, we'll be brother-in-laws," I tell him confidently. "Now let me go so I can plan how I'm going to woo your sister."

If I weren't so used to him laughing about literally everything, it'd be pretty old right about now. I don't find this situation nearly as amusing as he does.

"Alright, man. Talk to y’all later." He chuckles again and I hang up on him.

“See. Everything’s fine, just like I told you,” I tell Bennett.

“He gave us his blessing?” Bennett looks at me with hopeful eyes.

“Of course he did. Why wouldn’t he? He loves us and wants us to be happy. But more than that, he wants Mia to be happy, and he knows we can do that,” Riley answers for me.

“Exactly. Now the hard part… Convincing Mia that not only are we all her fated mates, but that she doesn’t have to worry about Alex keeping us apart. If you’re worried about it, you know she will be too. Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow we start operation woo Mia.”

Chapter 7

Bennett

Iwakeupearlyafter a restless night. My dreams only tortured me. In one, Mia came to me and happily accepted me as her mate. Everything was perfect, and we were so happy. But then the dream would shift and Mia would reject me and choose to be with only Riley. I finally couldn’t take it anymore and got up, so visions of my mate being happy without me wouldn’t torment me. Of course, I still can’t turn my stupid brain off, so I tried to take my mind off it all by making everyone breakfast.

I dig through the cabinets as quietly as possible, laying the ingredients I need on the counter before getting out bowls for the eggs, one with egg wash for French toast and the other with just eggs and milk. I hope she likes her eggs scrambled because that’s the only way I know how to make them. After covering two cookie sheets with bread, I put the French toast in the oven. While that’s cooking, I get started frying up the sausage and bacon. Just because Mason and Riley are vegetarians doesn’t mean Mia and I have to suffer. After putting all the food on platters I found in the cabinet, I cut up some fresh fruit to complete the spread.

Just as I’m turning to bring the last dish to the table, I hear footsteps from the hall. I look up to see a sleepy Mia in an oversized men’s t-shirt that stops at the top of her thighs and shows off her long, toned legs. Her dark hair is a mess around her head and she sheepishly runs her fingers through it to tame the wildness when she catches sight of me in her kitchen. She’s a vision. Absolutely adorable. I want to see her like this every day for the rest of my life. But it will be my shirt she’s wearing. It’s a good thing I can’t smell another man on her. Mason said we need to control our instincts, but there is zero chance I’d be able to if I smelled even a hint of another man on her.

“‘Morning,” she mutters. “I didn’t think anyone would be up… I just need my coffee.”

“Of course. There’s a fresh pot on the counter.” I nod in the coffeepot's direction.

“Thanks.” She offers me a shy grin as she walks into the kitchen and retrieves a mug, filling it only halfway with coffee before topping it off with sugar and creamer.My mate likes her sweets. Noted.Once her drink is to her liking, she turns to me. “You made breakfast?”

“It’s the least I could do.”For rescuing us. For letting us stay in your home. For being the perfect mate.All things I don’t say to her. Instead, I simply lead her to the table that’s set for four.

“Wow. Nowthat’sa breakfast! I normally just have a bowl of cereal or a bagel. This looks amazing! Thank you, Bennett.”

I puff my chest out, preening at her praise just as Mason and Riley enter the room. Riles looks like he just rolled out of bed, probably because hedid. And Mason is fresh-faced, like he just got out of the shower.

“Sweet! French toast!” Riley cheers upon entering the room. “Good morning, beautiful. Sleep well?” he asks Mia with a flirty grin as he takes a seat.

“Oh… Uh… Fine. You?” Her hesitant response quickly followed by deflecting the question is not lost on any of us, but we don’t question her.

“Best night’s sleep of my life. Only one thing could have made it better,” he tells her suggestively.

I see the question in her eyes and I definitely don’t want him to answer, so I jump in before she can say anything. “Must be nice. I didnotsleep well.”

“We know. The only time you wake up before me and cook breakfast is when you have nightmares,” Mason announces.Like I really wanted my mate to know that. Thanks a lot for making me look bad.“Hopefully, you’ll sleep better tonight.” He gives me a meaningful look that Mia, thankfully, doesn’t see.

“Yeah. I’m sure tonight will be better,” I agree, taking a seat.

“You have nightmares?” Mia asks, her voice laced with worry.

“It’s no big deal. It’s not like they happen every night,” I grumble, shrugging off the topic.

She doesn’t look like she wants to let it go, but she takes a seat and everyone else follows her lead, sitting around the table. Riley is quick to take the seat next to her, so I take the one across from her.

Everyone fills their plates, and we eat in companionable silence. It’s nice being able to just enjoy a meal together where no one feels the need to fill the silence. When everyone’s done eating, Mason and Riley clear the table and wash the dishes.

“Have you seen how bad it is outside yet?” Mia asks me as we sit at the table.

“It was still dark when I got up, so I couldn’t see much. You wanna go check it out?”

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