“But we already know you,” Diego says, confused. “You’ve been living with us for weeks.”
“No, you’ve known beta-Zoe-the-aspirin,” I correct him. “You haven’t known just... Zoe. And I haven’t really known you. Not as potential... whatever we are. We’ve been bound by this biological thing, this claiming that none of us fully understood. And now it’s gone.” I gesture to my unmarked neck. “Now we get to see what’s left. What’s real.”
“It was always real,” Tristan insists. “The bond just... made it more obvious.”
“Maybe,” I concede. “But I need to be sure. I need to know that what I feel for you—for all of you—is real, and not just some chemical reaction to being claimed by four alphas.”
“What do you feel for us?” Dane asks quietly.
I look at him, at the careful neutrality of his expression. Behind it, I can see the hope, the vulnerability, the need.
“I don’t know,” I admit honestly. “That’s the point of dating. To figure it out. Without the bond clouding everything.”
Rett seems to be struggling with the concept. “So you would... what? Go back to your apartment? See us individually?”
“No, I’ll stay here,” I say, thinking it through as I speak. “For now. To help with the static, if nothing else. It’s not the same as before, I know, but my presence still seems to help a little. And we’ll... spend time together.”
“And if it doesn’t work out?” Diego asks, his voice small. “If you decide you don’t want this?”
I meet his gaze, seeing the fear there. “Then at least we’ll know we tried. That we based our decision on real feelings, not just biology.”
A weighted silence falls over the room as they absorb my proposal. I can see them turning it over in their minds, weighing the risks, the potential for pain.
“And if it does work out?” Rett asks finally. “If we... date, and you decide you do want this?”
“Then we’ll talk about more permanent arrangements,” I say.
“Dating,” Tristan says, testing the word. A slow, cautious smile spreads across his face. “I can work with that. I’m excellent at dating. Ask anyone.”
“I think the idea is that she dates all of us, Tris,” Diego points out. “Not just you.”
“Even better,” Tristan says, his smile widening. “More opportunities to show off my superior romantic skills.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the small laugh that escapes me. This is the Tristan I’ve missed. The ridiculous man who can lighten any mood.
“So we’re agreed?” I ask, looking at each of them in turn. “We try dating. See where it leads. No pressure, no expectations.”
Diego nods immediately, a soft, hopeful smile on his face. Tristan gives an enthusiastic thumbs up. Dane inclines his head in silent agreement.
Rett is the last to respond. His gaze is intense, searching, as if he’s trying to see right through me to the truth at the center of my proposal.
“Dating,” he repeats finally. “And you’ll stay here? During this... trial period?”
“I’ll stay,” I confirm. “But in my own room. With boundaries. This isn’t a free pass to pick up where we left off. It’s a new start.”
He considers this, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nods. “Agreed.”
Relief washes over me. I hadn’t realized how tense I was until the tension released.
“Good,” I say, getting to my feet. “Now, you all need to takemore ibuprofen and get some rest. The static isn’t going away, and pretending you’re not in pain isn’t helping anyone.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tristan says with a mock salute. “Any other orders?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Don’t push it, Sterling.”
He grins, the expression more genuine than any I’ve seen since the bond broke. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
