Chapter eleven

Martin

Irun my fingers through Dorian's hair and over the back of his neck as he sits between my feet by the fire. His hair is so long and silky. I begin to twist the pieces together into a tiny braid before tugging it free, using my fingers as a comb until it's all straight again.

We're sitting at a secluded beach, the whole group wanting to be here to support Dorian. It's been a few weeks since we've gotten Dee's remains back and helped Dorian through his heat. We haven't talked about the elephant in the room. When someone goes through a heat, there's a really high chance of pregnancy, but Cooper and I haven't brought it up. Everyone with enhanced smelling has been giving us the look but they won't admit it one way or the other, wanting Dorian to be the one to officially tell us.

I think he wants to wait until after today to tell us. Today being the day we're laying Dee to rest. Dorian clutches her ashes in his lap, running his fingers over the side of her urn.

"Tell me one more time," Dorian says, looking up at Ronny from across the fire.

Ronny nods, holding JJ on his lap. The little cat shifter is tucked against his chest with a blanket wrapped around him, fast asleep. "You're safe," Ronny says with a soft smile. "Stewart is behind bars at a special facility made to keep supernatural beings. The remains he was keeping have been given to their proper families. He can't hurt you or anyone ever again."

"Thank you," Dorian says eventually, staring down at the urn for a long moment before letting out a sigh and standing up. He turns and looks at me and Cooper. "Will you two come with me?"

"Of course," Cooper says right away as I nod my head. We stand up and follow Dorian towards the water. I slip out of my boots and socks before following him out into the water.

I shiver as the cold water laps at my feet but I ignore that, instead taking Dorian's hand and giving it a supportive squeeze. Saying goodbye to the people you love is one of the hardest things you have to do in life, I understand that.

This is bringing up so many feelings that I worked so hard at pushing to the side. There's a reason I work out day in and day out. There's a reason I pride myself in being strong because once upon a time ago, I wasn't strong enough to do what was necessary to save my family. Looking at Dorian and Cooper, I know without a doubt that I'll never let that happen again.

As we stand in the water, Dorian begins to speak. "You would have loved her," he murmurs, his voice just as beautiful as ever but tinted with sadness. "She had a way about her even without her natural siren characteristics that drew people in. People loved her. But gods," he says, letting out an amused, sad chuckle, "she would have hated you both. She would have gone on and on about how you weren't good enough for her big brother. She probably wouldn't have stopped even knowing that we're true mates until one of you put her in her place. She was all fire. She used to say I was the ice to her fire."

I wrap my hand around his waist and he leans his head against my shoulder. "I would have let her tease us," Cooper says softly. "But once she tried to say I didn't love you, I would have absolutely stood up to her."

Dorian's body stiffens. He stands up straight, turning to look at Cooper. "You love me?"

"Oh, umm," Cooper adjusts his glasses, looking away. Finally he just shrugs. "I thought it was obvious?"

"You can't just--" Dorian lets out a huff before leaning down and kissing Cooper's lips softly. When he pulls back, they're both grinning. "I love you too. Just for the record, in case it wasn't obvious."

I watch on, feeling my heart brighten until I'm worried it might literally explode. I love them too. I love them both so much, but I keep my lips sealed, wanting them to enjoy their special moment.

"Are you ready?" I ask gently. Dorian nods, pulling the top from it.

"I love you, Dee. You will be missed, but I pray to Lady Fate that you'll be able to find peace now." He slowly dumps her ashes into the salty water and we watch as Dee is washed away, destined to find peace in her afterlife.

Once the urn is completely empty, Dorian turns and tucks his face against my throat. I wrap my arms around him and Cooper comes close, plastering himself against Dorian's back so our mate is completely encompassed by us.

"Saying goodbye is the hardest part," I say, swallowing thickly. "I love my family too. It was my fault and saying goodbye almost broke me."

Dorian pulls back and looks at me with watery eyes. "I don't believe you. There's no way it was your fault."

"It was," I insist, "if I had been stronger--"

Cooper jumps in. "You were a teenager, Martin. You have to stop holding this over yourself."

"This explains a lot," Dorian whispers, more to himself than to me. "I'm inclined to trust Cooper on this one."

"You don't know the whole story."

"Then tell me."

I look out into the ocean, savoring the feeling of both of my mates holding me. "There was a fire. The house was slowly falling apart. I tried to go back in there and save them but I couldn't. There was too much debris everywhere and I couldn't lift them out of the way."

Dorian touches my cheek gently and I look him in the eye. "If you were working a case and there was a teenager who did the same thing, what would you tell him?"

I frown. "Of course I would explain that it wasn't his fault. He didn't start the fire."

Cooper smiles, shaking his head. "Then take your own words to heart, babe."

I clear my throat. "Fine. I'll work on letting this go if you work on doing the same. You have to stop beating yourself up for not having magic. That's not your fault, Cooper."

"What do you mean?" Dorian asks, looking between us.

"My parents are both sparks," Cooper explains slowly. "But I don't seem to have the magic in me like they do."

Dorian's brows wrinkle. "I wouldn't be so sure. You smell magical to me."

"I've never been able to summon an ounce of magic, even when I really, really needed it. I've kinda given up on the idea of using it at all."

Dorian hums, looking at Cooper for a long moment. "I think Lady Fate will surprise you. Sometimes magic users just need a catalyst to unlock their magic. Like a familiar."

I can't keep the smile from my face, thinking about Cooper finally unlocking a part of himself he's wanted for so long. I hope I'm present when that finally happens for him.

"While we're all making confessions," Dorian says nervously, rubbing at the back of his neck. "I'm pregnant." Cooper and I look at each other, smiling widely. We embrace Dorian from both sides, wrapping him up in our arms.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

Dorian snorts. "I don't know. I assumed it was obvious."

I shake my head, kissing the side of his head. It takes all of my willpower not to literally pick up Dorian and swing him around in my arms like I've seen in romantic comedies. I kiss him again. Then again. And then once more just because.

"I'm in love with you both," I blurt out, unable to keep it inside a moment longer. "I know I was a real ass at first to both of you, and I'm so sorry for that. I was so fucking scared and thought that keeping everyone away was the best thing for everyone, but I was wrong. I need you both."

Dorian kisses my lips before pulling back and tugging me towards Cooper. Cooper snorts before getting on his tiptoes in the water and kissing me too.

"I love you, Martin," Cooper breathes against my lips. "I have for a long time and I'm really happy that I can love you openly without holding back."

"And it's probably obvious," Dorian says, popping his hip out with a bit of sass that makes Cooper and I both laugh. "But I love you too, Martin."

Fuck. I never even dreamed of something as beautiful as the relationship I have with these two. They make me feel accepted in a way I didn't let myself have before. They accept all of me, brains, brawns, and everything in between. They love me just for being myself.

I breathe out a long sigh, my chest warm and content.

After holding each other a little longer, Cooper begins to shiver. "Sorry," he murmurs, looking sheepish, "I'm not used to being out in the water like this."

"Let's get you to the shore," I say, squeezing Dorian's shoulder. "Do you want another moment with Dee? Then when you come back to the fire, I'm sure we'd all love to hear a few more stories about her. Does that sound okay?"

Dorian nods, his eyes shining. "That's perfect. Thank you."

Cooper and I walk hand in hand back to the group, picking up our boots as we go. As we sit down, everyone is there waiting for us. Carlos gives us a small smile.

"Not to be that guy but I totally called this from the very beginning," he says with a chuckle. "Your bickering was the longest slow burn foreplay I've ever seen."

The group all laugh along, nodding their heads. "I'm really happy for you guys," Jeff says seriously. "And I'm glad Dorian is finally free of that asshole. We're gonna need to get another camper soon."

Cooper pipes in. "The next one to find their mate will be Carlos and he needs his own little place."

"First of all, I doubt that's happening any time soon," Carlos says, shaking his head. "Second, I already found something. I'm gonna go into town and pay for it tomorrow."

"Oh yeah?" Ronny asks, adjusting himself without disturbing JJ. "What did you find?"

"Please tell me it's something cool," Zander says, looking exciting. "Like a Mystery Mobile!"

Carlos chuckles. "Or something practical, like a minivan," Axel says with a shrug. "With all the kids our group is moving around we could use a minivan."

"It's just a pickup truck with a built-in area in the back for a bed. Nothing fancy. But it's just me, I don't need anything fancy.

Axel grins. "It's only you for now."

"Don't even start," Carlos says with a long groan that makes us all chuckle. We keep going like that, just chatting, catching up, and teasing each other. When Dorian finally joins us he sits in my lap, retelling tales of all the trouble he and his sister used to get into as kids.

I love this. I love my family, I love my mates, and I love being a hunter. I can't help but think my parents would be proud of the man I've become and the things I've done since their passing. They were good people who raised me to be good as well. Apparently so good that Lady Fate deemed me fit to have two true mates.

I kiss the back of Dorian's shoulder as I listen, my eyes meeting Cooper's. I love them both and I'm so thankful Cooper never gave up on me, even as I pushed him away.

My hand touches Dorian's belly. Our baby is in there and I promise to do everything I can to not only keep them safe, but make sure they're raised knowing they're loved and that their parents are good.