47. Eva

Sitting on the covered porch, with its comfortable swing seat, was my new favorite activity. The guys stored the seat cushions indoors in winter, but they let me bring them back outside to make it more comfortable. A soft blanket kept my legs warm and a thick coat, hat, and scarf protected the rest of me.

The journal Silas had gifted me was filling up nicely. He was right about the cathartic nature of writing down my innermost thoughts and feelings. Keeping a journal wasn't a cure-all for trauma, and at some point, I needed to speak to a counselor, but for now, writing things down helped.

I closed the journal and placed it on my knee. Another few pages filled, another awful memory excised. Sadly, there were plenty more still festering away in the dark recesses of my mind. But today's session was done and now I just wanted to soak up the crisp air and make the most of the sunshine.

Closing my eyes, I let my thoughts wander.

Everything had changed since Silas gave me his mate mark. I'd felt the bonds between us before we completed the mate bond, but now they were much stronger. Rather than a vague sense of a shimmering strand linking me to the three wolves, I could almost see the connections between us.

I knew where they were when they were close, which was disconcerting. It was like having a sixth sense, similar to knowing who was calling a second before the phone rang. I'd never believed in the paranormal before, but it was clear there were many things beyond the realm of what I knew as a human.

"I've made cake," Cole said. When I spun around, I expected him to be standing in the doorway, but he wasn't there. I frowned. He'd spoken so clearly, so where was he?

Shaking my head, I picked up my journal and headed inside. The intoxicating scent of chocolate and cinnamon washed over me as I walked into the kitchen. Cole was determined to win my heart by feeding my sweet tooth. Spoiler alert: it was working.

"Did you shout about cake?"

He looked up from the tablet he was reading. "No, but I decided to test our mental connection. I'm guessing it works now."

My mouth dropped open when he grinned. Just like this, sweetheart.

"How?"

"It doesn't always happen with human-wolf mating bonds, but when shifters mate, they can communicate via a mind connection. I realized this morning that we hadn't tried it."

"Wow…" I had no clue what to say. Can you hear me? I looked at him while attempting to transmit my thoughts. My brain stuttered. Had I fallen into a sci-fi movie and any minute now, Keanu Reeves would leap out in a cool leather trench coat?

He winked. Sure can. Why don't you bring your sweet ass over here so you can try my cake?

My eyes narrowed. Is that a euphemism for something dirty?

Tanner strolled in, scrubbing the stubble on his jaw. He frowned when he saw Cole and me staring at each other in silence. Me annoyed and him smirking.

Can you hear me too? His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and then he grinned with delight.

Looks like my little human learned a new trick.

She's not a show pony, asshole!

Oh my god, if I have to listen to you two bickering like old women, please tell me how to shut down the connection or I'll lose my shit!

Cole snorted. "There's a knack to it. Imagine three doors inside your mind, one for each of us. Close the doors to shut down the connection."

I did as he suggested, while feeling utterly ridiculous. He and Tanner both looked at me.

"Did you hear me?" Cole asked.

"No?" I smiled. It had worked! I caught him and Tanner looking at each other and quickly realized they were shutting me out from whatever they were saying to each other.

"Hey! Not fair!"

"Don't be mad, baby. I was just testing the connection." Tanner pulled me in for a kiss. His hands slid down to my ass, and I stifled a groan as he grew hard against my belly, which conveniently distracted me from the fact they'd just had a conversation without me. Call it women's intuition, but despite Tanner's oh-so-casual explanation, I had a suspicion he was hiding something.

I resolved to quiz him later, preferably when sex hadn't killed my IQ.