"You're an asshole."
"Sometimes." But there's almost a smile. "But I'm an honest asshole."
Despite everything, I feel my mouth twitch. "That's not the selling point you think it is."
"Isn't it?" He tilts his head. "You've had enough people lie to you, Bea. Tell you what you want to hear instead of what you need to hear."
Terrance. He means Terrance, who spent months telling me my career didn't matter, that my wants were selfish, that I should be grateful for what he was willing to give me.
"So what do I need to hear?" I challenge.
"That you're allowed to want more than one person." He says it simply. "That wanting all three of us doesn't make you broken or greedy or wrong."
"I—" I stop. Stare at him. "You think I want all three of you."
"Don't you?"
Heat rises to my face. "That's not—I mean?—"
"Bea." His voice is patient but amused. "I watched you make out with River through a window. I had you pressed against me in an alley three days ago. And I just watched you try to invite Seth to sit with us even though you knew it would be a disaster." He pauses. "Yeah. I think you want all three of us."
"That's insane."
"Why?" He sounds genuinely curious. "Your parents are in a pack. My parents are in a pack. Pretty much everyone in this town over thirty is in a pack. What's insane about it?"
"But I'm not—I didn't—" I fumble. "I wasn't looking for a pack."
"No one ever is." He shrugs. "They just happen."
I stare at him. "You're being very calm about this."
"About what? That you're attracted to other alphas?" His mouth quirks. "Should I be threatened?"
"Most alphas would be."
"I'm not most alphas." His eyes hold mine. Dark. Intense. "And I'm secure enough to know that you wanting River or Seth doesn't mean you want me less."
The words hit different than I expect. Not possessive. Not jealous. Just... confident.
"You're weird," I mutter.
"You like it." He's definitely smiling now.
"I don't."
"Liar." He leans forward slightly. "You like that I don't play games. That I say what I mean. That I'm not trying to stake some territorial claim on you like you're property."
He's right. Damn him.
"Still weird," I insist weakly.
"Still lying." But his tone is teasing now. Lighter.
Jenny appears with menus, breaking the moment. "You two want to order or are you just going to keep flirting?"
I feel myself flush. "We're not?—"
"We'll take burgers," Grayson says smoothly. "Both of us. And fries. She needs comfort food."
