Page 220 of Beasts of Mine

I laughed with them, but when the humor faded, the nerves returned.

“I didn't spend three months trying to prove I could live without you.” I told them as I looked down at Tavian's fingers threaded through mine. “I already knew I could. I went because I wanted the job, and I waited because I didn't want to make a permanent decision a few days before leaving.”

Malek grew quiet behind me, and cedar strengthened around my shoulders.

“There was no bond pulling at me while I was gone, no heat making me desperate for familiar Alphas, and nobody telling me where I had to be.” I continued as I lifted my eyes to them again. “I worked. I liked being there. Then the job ended, and I knew exactly where I wanted to go.”

Tavian's fingers tightened around mine.

“I missed you because I missed you.” I told them as I looked from Tavian to Luca and finally Malek. “Not because I couldn't function without you. I did fine. I just kept having things I wanted to tell you, wanting you around when something happened, and thinking about coming back.”

My throat tightened, but I kept going.

“So I came back.” I told all three men as I sat straighter in the nest. “And I want to be your mate. All three of you. Permanently.”

The silence afterward was almost funny. Tavian's eyes widened. Malek's purr stopped completely, and Luca's grip tightened around my hand.

“You can stop staring at me like I've announced I'm moving in with the capuchins.” I told them as nervous laughter escaped me, mostly because Tavian being speechless for this long was starting to feel unnatural.

Malek recovered first.

“You've had three months, but I still need to ask. Are you sure?” Malek told me as he shifted closer and rested one hand against my thigh, his golden-brown eyes holding mine.

“Yes.” I answered Malek as I covered his hand with mine. “I've been sure longer than the boat ride here.” Malek watched my face for several seconds before I took his hand and placed his palm over the gland on the left side of my neck.

“I want your mark. And I want Tavian's and Luca's.” I told Malek as my pulse beat beneath his thumb.

“I want you as my mate.” Malek told me as his purr returned rougher than before, his fingers curling carefully along my jaw.

Tavian had gone quiet again, so I turned toward him.

“You're worrying me.” I told Tavian as I cupped his face, feeling the tension in his jaw beneath my palms.

“You're really choosing this?” Tavian asked me as his hands closed gently around my wrists, his voice so much quieter than usual that my chest tightened.

“Yes. I'm choosing you.” I answered Tavian as my thumbs moved over his cheeks.

Moisture gathered in his eyes.

“All of me? Including the airport problem you invented?” Tavian asked as a weak smile finally appeared.

“Unfortunately. You're a package deal.” I told Tavian as my own eyes burned. Tavian gave a rough little laugh and closed his eyes long enough to kiss my palm.

“I want to be your mate. I really want that.” Tavian told me when he looked at me again, his purr vibrating beneath the words. I kissed him before turning toward Luca. Sandalwood and herbs had grown stronger around him, but he hadn't interrupted or tried to rush his turn.

“I want you too.” I told Luca as I took his hand between both of mine.

“You don't have to do all three marks tonight because you've decided.” Luca reminded me as his thumb rubbed slowly over my knuckles, his gaze drifting once toward my glands before returning to my face.

“I know. I'm not trying to finish a list. I want yours.” I answered Luca as I leaned closer.

His mouth tightened slightly.

“Me? Not because I'm useful to have around?” Luca asked me as he held my gaze, the vulnerability in the question showing more clearly than he usually allowed.

“You.” I told Luca immediately as I squeezed his hand. “I love everything you do because it's part of you, but I don't love you because you fix my equipment.”

A shaky breath left him, and Luca leaned forward until his forehead rested against mine.