We didn’t have to scrunch in there to eat either. They had a dining area with a really cool table that matched the vibe. I could envision us eating around it together, like a family.
Once again, tears threatened to fall, but I knew my mates couldn’t handle it. I had to be strong and hold my tears back, at least until the alphas knew it was okay. It was the least I could do after they rescued me.
I’d never have guessed that the day would come that I’d consider buying me at auction rescuing me, but that’s exactly what it was.
The living room needed work, but it was functional, and that was fine, at least for now, and really forever. I hadn’t been lying when I said everything was good as it was. The only thing that had changed was that I now wanted to make it feel like home to my alphas, to make it what they wanted too.
“This is your room.” Cannon pointed to a closed door.
I expected it to be empty from the way they talked, but I discovered how wrong I was. It had what I needed, and it was mine. The alphas didn’t walk in with me, instead waiting outside. They were making a statement. This room was mine, and they were going to respect that.
“All this is for me?”
“Yes, but we’ll do better.” Cannon needed to stop this.
“Please. Please, don’t apologize anymore. I don’t think you understand how perfect this place is. Perfect. It needs nothing.”
They nodded, but I wasn’t sure they fully understood yet. They would though. I was going to make sure of it.
“Could we maybe walk around the perimeter?”
“Do you want to go as your bear?” Felix asked.
“No,” I said. “I don’t think so. Not yet.” My bear didn’t agree, but that was a case of too bad, so sad. Being able to ask questions along the way was more important.
“We can do that,” Cannon said.
They didn’t ask why I wanted to keep my skin, and I appreciated it. They were giving me all the room I needed.
The land was gorgeous, far enough away from everything that I didn’t hear others’ noises, which was good for my beast. She hated college because of the constant sound of cars and other people around.
The woods were beautiful. I didn’t see all of it, since it was too much area to cover before sunset, but it was absolutely wonderful.
“What’s that over there?” I asked, pointing to a huge pile of logs.
“Oh, that’s our woodpile. We chop a lot to keep things warm, yes, but it’s also good for our beasts. Especially when we weren’t an official pack or sleuth yet and didn’t have that grounding. Also, knowing that you were out there…if we didn’t do thingsright, we might not be safe anyway. Yes, we chopped a lot.” Felix was adorable the way he babbled.
It made sense, too. There were days I could use that kind of energy release. The closest I’d ever been allowed was kneading bread, which worked for me.
“What would you like to do now?” Cannon shoved his hands into his front pockets. I looked forward to a time when the three alphas didn’t feel so on edge around me.
“What I’d really like is a hot shower and to maybe settle in my room.”
“Absolutely,” Cannon said.
“We got brand-new towels for you, and they’ve been washed so they don’t have the yucky, itchy stuff from the store.” Felix scratched the back of his neck as he spoke. Adorable. “And a bunch of toiletries. Anything you don’t have that you want, we’ll get for you.”
They led me inside, showed me where everything was, and told me they’d be there if I needed them; they were just a call away.
I had always felt like I was being watched before, even when I was in college, that if I made one mistake, it would all be over. But here, with three alphas who said they were nothing but a call away, I felt like I had my privacy.
The shower was amazing, and I washed hair as well as body. It probably wasn’t best to wash it so shortly after the salon, but I wanted every scent from the day gone, washed down the drain.
I put on some of my new clothes. I’d wash the rest before wearing them, but I couldn’t wait for that. The ones I had been wearing needed to be washed because despite belonging to the alphas, they still had some of the residual scent from the auction, and I didn’t want that memory resurfacing because of a smell. I put them in a plastic bag from one of the stores and closed ittight. I’d deal with it in the morning. For now, I was going to curl up in bed and allow sleep to take over.
But first, I needed to say good night.
Chapter Twelve
