Page 48 of Claimed By My Exiled Alphas
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I know I’d rather try to figure it out with you than walk away because it seems complicated.” I paused, making sure she was really hearing me. “And I think Jace probably feels the same way, based on what you’ve told me.”
“And Cassian?”
“I don’t know Cassian well enough to speak for him. But from what I know of his reputation, he’s someone who thinks strategically about complicated situations. Who values loyalty and honesty above convention.”
“So you’re saying you’re okay with this? With me having feelings for all three of you?”
“I’m saying I love you.” The words came out before I’d consciously decided to say them. “I love you, Talia. And part of loving you means wanting you to be honest about what you need. Even if what you need includes other people.”
She stared at me like I’d started speaking a foreign language. “You love me.”
“I love you. And I’m not asking you to say it back. I know this is insanely early. I’m not asking for exclusivity or promises or anything except honesty about what you want.”
Talia stood abruptly, moving to the window to stare out at Main Street below. I watched her shoulders rise and fall with deep breaths, giving her space to process.
“Jace made it sound so simple,” she said to the window. “Like pack formation was just another way people build families in Hollow Haven. Like it wasn’t this huge, impossible thing.”
“It probably isn’t as impossible as it feels right now,” I said gently. “But it does require trust. And communication. And all of us being willing to put your wellbeing above our egos.”
She turned to look at me. “And you think you can do that?”
“I think I want to try. I think Jace wants to try, based on what you’ve told me.” I stood and moved toward her slowly. “And I think if Cassian has feelings for you, he’ll probably be willing to have a conversation about it.”
“This is insane.”
“Maybe. Or maybe it’s just honest.” I stopped a few feet away, giving her control over the space between us. “The question is whether you want to explore it. Whether the three of us are worth the risk of trying something unconventional.”
She studied my face for a long moment. “I’m terrified.”
“I know.”
“What if it doesn’t work? What if I hurt all of you? What if…”
“Talia.” I waited until she focused on me. “Can I kiss you?”
Her breath caught. “Yes.”
I closed the remaining distance slowly, giving her every opportunity to change her mind. My hands came up to frame her face, thumbs brushing along her cheekbones.
The kiss was gentle at first, a careful exploration. She tasted like wine and lemon from the piccata, and underneath that, her own unique sweetness. Her hands came up to grip my arms, anchoring herself.
I deepened the kiss gradually, letting her set the pace. Her scent spiked with arousal and surprise and relief, wrapping around both of us. This was different from what I’d imagined. Less tentative, more certain. Like she’d already made decisions I was only now learning about.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard. Talia kept her eyes closed for a long moment.
“I kissed Jace on Saturday,” she said quietly. “In the meadow during our foraging trip. It felt right. Natural.”
“Good.”
“And now I’m kissing you. And it also feels right.” She opened her eyes. “How can both things be true?”
“Because they are.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “Different connections meeting different needs. That doesn’t make either one less real or less valuable.”
“I haven’t kissed Cassian yet.”
“Do you want to?”
“Yes. God, yes.” She pulled back slightly to look at me. “Does that bother you?”
