Page 67 of Mating With My Grumpy Alphas
"Really," all three of them said at once, and I started laughing through the tears I hadn't realized were falling.
"But I need you to understand," I said when I could speak again, "this isn't just about heat cycles or biology or convenience. I have real feelings for all of you. I want to build a real life with all of you."
"What kind of feelings?" Wes asked softly.
The question I'd been both hoping for and dreading. Time to lay my heart completely bare.
"With you, Rhett," I said, looking at him directly, "I love your strength and your gruffness and the way you show care through action instead of words. I love that you brought me to that beautiful overlook and that you kiss me like I'm something precious you want to protect."
His expression went soft in a way I'd never seen before, and I could see him struggling with emotion.
"With you, Wes," I continued, turning to him, "I love your passion for protecting things that matter and the way you see beauty in the natural world. I love that you believe in my art and make me feel like my dreams are worth fighting for."
He squeezed my hand tighter, his eyes bright with unshed tears.
"And with you, Elias," I said, meeting his gentle gaze, "I love your wisdom and your kindness and the way you create spaces where people can be their most authentic selves. I love that you understand healing and that you make me feel safe enough to be vulnerable."
"We love you too," Elias said simply, speaking for all of them. "Each of us, in our own way."
"Yeah," Rhett said, his voice rough. "We do."
"Absolutely," Wes confirmed.
And just like that, the fear I'd been carrying for weeks dissolved completely. They loved me. All of them. They wanted this just as much as I did.
"So what happens now?" I asked.
"Now we figure out the practical things," Elias said with a smile. "Living arrangements, heat care, how to make this work for everyone."
"Where would we live?" I asked. "I mean, long term. My rental is temporary, and it's not really set up for... for this."
"My cottage is too small," Elias admitted. "Comfortable for one, cozy for two, cramped for four."
"Garage apartment works for me alone," Rhett said. "But it's not exactly pack-friendly."
We all looked at Wes, who owned the largest property among us.
"My cabin," he said, and I could see him working through the idea in real time. "It's got good space, room to expand if we need to. Private but not isolated."
"Are you sure?" Elias asked. "That's a big change for someone who values solitude."
"Maybe I've been alone long enough," Wes said, and there was something in his voice that made my chest tight with emotion. "Maybe what I thought was solitude was really just loneliness."
"We could add on," Rhett said, his practical mind already working. "Expand the bedroom space, maybe add a proper nest room."
"A nest room," I said softly, wonder filling my voice. "I haven't had a proper nest room since... well, ever."
"You'll have whatever you need," Wes said firmly. "Whatever makes you feel safe and comfortable and happy."
"And what about the heat?" I asked, the practical omega in me needing to understand the logistics. "How does that work with three alphas?"
"However you want it to work," Elias said gently. "This is about your comfort and your needs. We'll follow your lead."
"We take care of you," Rhett said simply. "Whatever that looks like."
"Together," Wes added. "All of us, together."
The word hung in the air between us, full of promise and possibility.
