27. Rhys

The next day, I couldn’t wait to see Emilia. I couldn’t believe what happened last night. I had to rub the new marks on my body to remind myself that it had actually happened. When we’d finally made it to the bed, I asked one more on my wrist. I wanted to be able to see it, like a wedding ring. And he’d been more than happy to comply.

Jaxson and I were mated. I felt so many things at once that it was hard to narrow it down. I was shocked, happy, thrilled, amazed, and so damn lucky he’d come to find me. He’d said yes, then explained that he realized Jayson and Leanne were mates. Jaxson had also admitted that he’d always wanted what they had, and he couldn’t believe he’d be lucky enough to get me.

When we arrived back at Gabe’s, I was surprised to find my brothers and all their mates were there.

I looked at Jaxson with a furrowed brow.

“I texted them,” he replied. “I asked everyone to meet us here so I could apologize.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” I started, but he shook his head.

“I do. And I want to. I don’t want to start our life off with all the tension.”

When we entered the house, I stood beside him, wondering how I’d got so damn lucky. He wanted to make things right with my family.

“I have something I’d like to say to everyone.” He was earnest and vulnerable as he spoke, his eyes filled with regret.

“I’m so sorry for how I reacted,” Jaxson said, his voice thick with emotion. “I was scared and I didn’t understand. But that’s no excuse for the way I treated Rhys, especially with him being pregnant.” He paused, glancing at me with a mixture of guilt and love. “I’m ashamed of how I treated my pregnant mate. And I hope everyone will forgive me.”

The term made my heart race. I hadn’t expected him to embrace our bond so quickly.

Jaxson noticed my surprise and continued, “I thought that’s what it was called when you were with a shifter. I heard one of you use it.”

He looked around at my family, evidently trying to remember who’d said it.

“That was me,” Hunter said, chiming in.

I chuckled. “Yeah that tracks.”

He turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “We are mated, right? That’s what happened last night?”

I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. “Yeah, Jaxson, we’re mated. That’s what it means when we choose each other and I...we...”

My face flamed, and he grinned.

“Yeah.”

He took a deep breath, his expression softening. “Well, if you weren’t a shifter, I’d ask you to be mine in the human way. I’d ask you to marry me.”

And with that, Jaxson dropped to one knee, taking my hand in his. “Rhys, will you be my mate, by my side forever? We can get married because nothing would make me happier than calling you my husband.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked down at him, my heart overflowing with love and relief. “Yes, Jaxson,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I will.”

I fell into his arms right there on the floor, and we held each other tightly, the weight of the past few days lifting off our shoulders. Around us, my family cheered, their support and understanding wrapping around us like a warm embrace.

We collected Emilia, who was beaming with the innocent joy of a child, unaware of the turmoil that had been resolved. Or maybe she was completely aware. All I knew was it was over.

We said our goodbyes, and with our daughter in our arms and a renewed sense of the future, we headed home.

As we walked back to my house, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t known in a long time. Jaxson’s hand in mine, Emilia’s laughter, baby babble filling the air, and the knowledge that everything was finally out there. I couldn’t wait for the next part. The day to day of us... of forever.

As we approached our house, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at Jaxson. I felt my heart swell with love for this man who had come into my life when I thought it would never happen to me. His eyes met mine, and in that moment, I thanked great Urs for not forgetting me, and my mate for being who he was.

And I even said a prayer for Jayson and Leanne and thanked them for sending me two of my most precious gifts.