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I glanced back toward Alan’s house Heartache—yes, even after less than a day—set in to acco sexually satisfied… multiple tied o back inside to them Hell, I wanted to, too, but my mom needed me She relied on me, and I couldn’t walk away now She wouldn’t be able to pay the hts Or food Not if she only had the cashier job

It was all because of Dad This ement was all because of him I didn’t want him in our lives since he was an asshole, but if he’d stayed, Mom wouldn’t have to drink five cups of coffee a day because she worked herself weary Wouldn’t have to debate if she should pay for heat or food

I’d fallen for Gibson and Ben, and their wickedly skilled dicks, in less than a day How could I build a foundation of a lifelonglikewe’d used condoms I refused to be like my mom Oh, fuck, I loved her, but I didn’t want to be trapped in a cycle of unhappiness

“Now, tell hts “I heard that smile in your voice I want to hear all about it”

This was theI was used to I lied to protect ”

9

BEN

I sensed the moment Shelby ca was off She’d been war up before she took the phone call with her otnature had been evident She’d been her true self She was comfortable with Alan, trusted the shifter, which was obvious with the amount of ink she’d had him put on her skin She’d been at ease here and with us Now, she see on a pleasant front Like ere friends, not her fucking mates Like her pussy hadn’t milked my dick as she came all over it

I had to wait until our tattoos were finished and we had her to ourselves again to ask as up My back stung where the silver dust had been e with the ink It was a minute amount The burn was a reminder Shelby’s name was permanently on my body for all the world to see She-wolves had the bite and their mate’s scent on them to know they were claied to Same went for Gib, who had his new mark displayed prominently on his arm We were Shelby’s Irrevocably

She was already beneath our skin Figuratively and now literally

But the moment we all stepped outside, she crushed us both

“I can’tto face us and crossing her arms over her chest

I swore to fuck, it felt like sout, but I did my best to hide my reaction, the way Gib always did For an enforcer, I was pretty level-headed, but when it ca my cool

I forcedyou back, kitten?” I picked up her hand and tried to catch her gaze Gib came to flank her other side

She shook her head and wouldn’t meet our eyes I experienced her upset like it was my own Tasted her turmoil Sensed the way her insides twisted and bunched like a wet dishrag “It’s just… all too sudden We only ht!” Her aritation “I have a life here Jobs I like My pack needs me”

I had a feeling there was so didn’t add up because she wasn’t acting like a fehly satisfied by—her

“Well, I’ll stay here with you until you're ready,” I offered “I’ll take you down to visit Gib since he needs to return for the pack We can work this out We’ll do long distance until you’re ready”

It wasn’t ideal—not by a long shot, but I wasn’t going to pressure her Taking a mate without consent was unconscionable

“No, I don’t want you to stay,” she whispered Guilt shone in her expression “You can o I know you need to” She blinked back tears

“Fuck that” Gib stabbed his fingers through his hair “We’re not going to claim you if you’re not ready”