Page 14 of Big Bad Alphas

“I think I’m starting to understand what you were talking about with the mating moon,” I admit. I’ve never been comfortable talking about intimacy with anyone, and part of me is waiting to feel embarrassed about bringing this stuff up with the sexiest men I’ve ever laid eyes on. However, looking into the lust-filled gazes of my mates, I don’t feel anything other than needy and wanted.

“Is that right?” Wade asks, his voice dipping down an octave lower. I nod.

“Shit,” Patrick grunts, adjusting himself in his jeans. I blush at the thought of making him hard. I find I like it. I like knowing I turn them on as much as they turn me on.

“Picnic first,” Ezra grits out.

“Yes,” Wade agrees. “We promised our mate a proper date. The rest will come in good time.”

I nod again, then peel myself off the wall, striding out the front door and onto the porch. I look at my mates over my shoulder, smirking at them as they all stare at my ass.

I’m joined by Patrick on my left, Ezra on my right, and Wade close behind me. My men surround me with their strength and protection, even if we’re just walking a short distance to an opening in the forest where they have a picnic set up.

“This is gorgeous,” I whisper as we come over the top of the hill. There’s a slight slope down into a field of wildflowers, where a checkered blanket is laid out with a wicker basket on top.

“You’re gorgeous,” Wade says, wrapping an arm around my waist from behind. We stop walking, and he pulls me into his chest, my back to his front. He’s so tall he can rest his chin on the top of my head, perfectly cocooning me in safety.

Patrick and Ezra get to work setting everything up, and Wade guides me over to the picnic, helping me sit down. Ezra explains that this spot is right in the middle of their three packs, and I smile, thinking about setting up a life here.

The four of us talk about my day at the bakery and what they’ve been up to with their packs. I’m learning a lot about shifters and the dynamics of running a pack. I’m not sure how much help I can be, but I want to be a good partner for my mates.

“Look at that cottage!” Wade says, pointing across the field.

“More like a mansion,” Patrick says, his eyes wide as he stares at the three-story home. It looks to be constructed of hand-laid brick with rounded trim and a thatch roof, much in the style of a small, cozy cottage. But Patrick is right. The place is huge.

“It’s for sale,” Ezra pipes in, already typing away on his phone.

“I love it,” I whisper as I take in the garden and vines growing up one side of the brick.

“It’s yours,” Wade says easily.

“W-what?”

“Just put an offer in,” Ezra says.

“Double it if they don’t accept,” Patrick tells Ezra.

“Wait,what?”

“Is this too much too soon?” Wade asks, concern coloring his features.

“Um, no. Well, maybe. No, I don’t think so, but… I mean, you can’t just buy me a house,” I protest.

“Sure we can,” Wade counters.

“You’re our mate,” Patrick says with a smile as if it’s no big deal.

“We’d do anything to make you happy,” Ezra adds. “Plus, this place is the perfect spot right between our packs. One day, we might want to merge them. Either way, having a central location is perfect.”

I nod, though it’s still a bit of a shock.

“You’re all so sure about me?” I ask tentatively. “Buying a house is kind of a big deal.”

Wade scoots closer to me on the blanket, his knees touching mine as he takes my hands. “You are kind of a big deal,” he says with a grin. “Finding our mate is the highlight of our lives. Of course, we’re going to do everything in our power to make you safe and happy.”

Tears rush to the surface, and I try blinking them away before anyone notices. Too late. My mates frown, all three of them leaning closer and resting their hands on me in soothing gestures.

“What’s wrong?” Patrick asks.

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