"How did you?—"
"Your scent's different. And you've got a claiming mark the size of Montana on your neck." His eyes narrow. "Which one?"
"Wow, no 'hello, how are you, nice to see you.'" I touch the mark self-consciously. "Just straight to the interrogation. Very welcoming, Ben."
"Which. One."
I sigh. "Seth. During heat. I asked for it."
Ben's expression softens. "Are you happy?"
"Terrifyingly happy," I admit.
"Then I'm happy for you." He pulls me into a hug. "Seth's a good guy. They all are."
I hug him back, blinking away tears. "Thanks, Ben."
"Come on. The parentals want to hear about this." He pauses. "Well, notallabout it."
My parents are in the living room. They look up when we enter, and both Dad and Papa are on their feet immediately.
"Bea," Mom says, eyes going to the mark. "Oh, sweetheart."
"I'm bonded. To Seth. During my heat." Saying it out loud makes it real. "I don't regret it."
Dad pulls me into a hug. "Are you happy, Bea-bee?"
The childhood nickname makes me tear up. "Yeah, Dad. Really happy."
"Then that's all that matters," Papa says, joining the hug.
Mom's crying happy tears. "My baby's bonded."
"There's more," I say. "I'm moving out. In with Seth and the others. Into Seth's house."
"Already?" Dad asks, thoughtful but not upset.
"I can't be away from him. The bond pulls." I touch my chest. "And River and Grayson want me there too."
"We understand," Papa says gently. "The bond pull is real. Especially in the beginning."
"Your Papa couldn't be more than a room away from me for the first month after we bonded," Mom adds with a soft smile. "It gets easier, but that need to be close? That's normal."
Dad nods. "And you're sure about all three of them?" he asks, but his tone is understanding, not judgmental.
"More sure than I've been about anything. They respect me, support my dreams, take care of me without making me feel trapped." I touch the mark. "This is what I want."
"Then we support you," Dad says firmly. "Always."
"They're coming to Christmas Eve dinner too," I add.
"Of course," Mom says immediately, her eyes warm. "They're family now. We'd love to have them."
"Actually," Ben says, and something in his tone makes us all turn. "Speaking of moving... I bought a cabin. Out near the ridge. I'm fixing it up and moving out before New Year's."
Silence.
"You bought a cabin?" I find my voice first. "When? Why didn't you tell us?"
