Chapter Sixteen

The next morning, there was a note under the door addressed to both me and Stevie. My roommate's response was, "Oh shit. What did I do now?"

When we opened it, we got a surprise. On the paper were the phone numbers for all three of my…mates. Along with them was the number of their dorm room and a note at the bottom.

Stevie, in case you want to check on your bestie. And, Minx, text us or visit. No matter what time.

I spent the rest of the day attending classes but barely paying attention. Theron texted me to tell me casual dress would be fine. They were taking me to eat somewhere and then a place where we would talk uninterrupted.

I thought the whole thing sounded romantic.

Stevie wanted me to download a tracking app. Her protectiveness was funny to me. Then again, I'd never had a best friend.

I would be protective, too, once she found her mate or mates.

"Is this okay?" I asked, whirling around in front of her. I'd paired a black, off-the-shoulder sweater with my best-fitting jeans. I opted for black sneakers in case they were taking me anywhere with different terrain.

"You look hot. You're wearing the smudge-proof lipstick?" she asked.

"Yeah. Presumptuous but yes."

"Pfft." She made a noise dismissing my notion. "Trust me. You're going to thank me."

The guys came soon after, and Stevie didn't give them hell again, only a bit of stink eye. "Where are we off to?" I asked. I knew we were going somewhere to eat but didn't know exactly where. Or how. I heard some people had vehicles at the school but no clue where they would store them.

"To eat pizza. The school has everything but decent pizza," Theron said. His arm was around my shoulders, while his other hand jingled a set of keys.

He wasn't wrong. "I don't like pizza," I said, barely keeping my composure. All three of them stopped.

Grim grinned. "That's a lie, female. Didn't you know your mates can tell if you're lying?"

I snorted. "I forgot about that. Damn, I can't even joke around anymore."

The ride to the pizza place took less than a few minutes. We sat down, but the boys didn't need the menu. "What are we ordering?" I asked. The scents of roasted tomatoes, cheese, and garlic roused my stomach.

"We usually get one pizza each, but we don't know what you like." Bodhi took my hand.

"I'll eat anything, pizza. Except anchovies. Fish and pizza is wrong."

Theron ordered for everyone. We ended up with four pizzas and a side of boneless wings.

"You look incredible tonight," Grim said as he picked up a slice.

"Thank you. You all look great as well." They all wore casual shirts and jeans but damn, they could've been wearing a leisure suit and would make it look good.

I had a list on my phone of things to ask them. When we were together, I got lost in their touches and words and forgot I had a functioning brain full of inquisitive thoughts, and this wasn't the place to ask about how all of this would work. I wasn't so naive to think I hadn't dreamed up some things, but I wasn't in this alone. I wanted us to be happy and healthy in this mating.

My stomach grew jittery as we left the pizza place and traveled out of the city and to a quiet area in front of a lake.

I'd already decided. I was laying it all on the line tonight. I'd woken up this morning, in the early hours, with a debilitating thought. They had told me I was their mate, but I had said nothing in response. I'd put them in limbo as I had been.

This date wasn't over until all of us were clear—on everything.

Grim spread out a blanket, looking proud of himself. Once I sat down, they all joined me.

"Come on. Ask away. You've been squirmy all night." Bodhi pulled my shoes off and massaged my socked feet.

"We're really young. Are we too young?"

They paused and I appreciated the care they took before answering. Theron scooted forward and took my hand. His touch plus Bodhi's washed over my fears. "I think you're working under human rules, Minx. My parents found each other in the second grade. Of course, they grew up as best friends and then dated. On my mother's eighteenth birthday, they had their mating ceremony. She always said she knew, even at such a young age. When you know, you know. And personally, I'm glad. It gives us more life with you."

"I didn't think about it that way," I responded, on the verge of tearing up. The love I had for them was stronger and deeper than anything I'd experienced or even expected from life.

"I'm not a shifter," I proclaimed, steeling myself for the response. "Are you sure you want a mate that doesn't have a wolf. I won't be able to run with you." Or our cubs. I kept that to myself.

"What did I tell you about your wolf?" Bodhi jostled my feet. "She's there. I'm not the only one who feels her, right?"

Grim and Theron grunted their agreements while I snorted. "I'm glad you three can. She's silent with me."

"Is she?" Grim asked, sweetly. He had a way of speaking to me that always made me feel heard and cherished. "Theron was sure you snarled the first day when we took you to lunch. Your lip curled a bit when that girl touched my arm in the hallway. We all felt her when we shifted. I looked back at you because I swore she was going to come out that day. She's there, sweetheart."

Either my mates were all super observant, or I had been ignoring all the signs of my wolf rising up. Maybe both.

"Can I ask you a question?" Theron prompted.

"Of course. This isn't just about me."

He nodded. "Do you…" He let out a laugh and shook his head. "This is the hardest question I've ever had to ask. Do you believe we are your mates?"

"Yes." My heart nearly exploded with the admission. "You three are my mates. I don't understand it but yes."

"Thank the gods," Bodhi breathed out. Theron and Grim joined him. Theron, the big, broad, beefy man had gone pale, waiting on my answer.

Grim came over and sat behind me. He leaned his face against my back and put his hands on either side of my waist. "What else?" His hot breath pushed through my sweater, and I wondered what it would be like to have that breath on my bare skin.

Come on, Minx. Ask the hard question.

"Mating," I blurted before I lost the gumption. "How? I mean, one girl, three guys…I can imagine some ways but…" My heated face had me eyeing the lake, wondering if I could strip and dive straight in, putting out my flames. "What are the rules?"

"Ah, mate," Theron said. His use of the word sat well in my body. "We will do or not do whatever you are comfortable with."

"I have no damned clue what I'm comfortable with. I've never…" My chest had already been cracked open. Might as well reveal all of it.

"You saved yourself for your mates. We are honored." Bodhi's hands moved to my calves. "When we decide to mate, it's your call. One of us. Two of us. All three of us. Whatever way you want to be with us, we will accept."

"No jealousy?"

"Have you detected any jealousy yet?" Grim asked.

"No. None." It was true. I had been the one upset about kissing Grim then Bodhi, but they didn't say anything. I was sure they had shared information between them and, for some reason, that didn't bother me.

No one asked any more questions, and I was satisfied for the time being.

"I don't want to bring you back." Bodhi got up and dusted off his pants. "But it's getting late. We all have classes tomorrow."

Theron and Grim nodded their agreement. We packed up the blanket and drove back to the school. "Can I have a minute with her?" Theron asked. Grim and Bodhi got out and promised they would still walk me back to my room.

They all had me in a vise. A vise I never wanted to escape. Day by day, the love and care I had for them grew stronger.

"What is it?" I asked, climbing into the front seat to smoosh against Theron.

"Can I kiss you, mate?" he whispered.

"Absolutely."