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I will kill anyone that seeks to tear it apart.

My sweet Saylor is sleeping heavily, tucked to my side. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. After I took the cuffs off, massagedher wrists and ankles, and cleaned her up, she fell asleep almost instantly.

The day has turned into night and I have no idea what day it is. The past forty-eight hours are a blur. Since I have met her, time has lost its meaning. All that matters is that we are together now, that her presence is beside me and inside me.

I know what I need to do now.

I slowly slide from the bed, putting my pillow in place of my body, and Saylor curls around it but doesn’t wake. I slip on my jeans, shirt, boots, and hat, leaving the room. I shut the door and grab my phone from the table.

I hit the number I want and wait.

“You alright?” Logan answers.

“I am. We are mated,” I say with pride.

“Congratulations,” he says softly.

“Thanks. Will you come over?”

“Of course.” He pauses. “Are you going to them?”

“Do you know where they are?”

“I do.”

“Good. See you soon.”

I hang up and put the phone in my pocket. I look around the room and think about expanding my place. I need room for babies. I still haven’t gone grocery shopping. I want to give Saylor everything she deserves. If she wants to tear down the place and build new, I’ll do it. I joked with Ryker but I am far from without money. My horse ranch brought in plenty to support a mate and kids. I wonder if I still have a job? Working at the investigation firm was just a way to kill the time more than to make money. Plus, it was fun hanging with the guys and sticking it to cheating spouses. But I haven’t been to work for a week. I’m sure the cranky bear has been advised of my situation by someone in the group.

I take another look around the room and the bedroom door, listening to Saylor’s even breaths, before locking the front door and walking outside. I wait on the porch for the lion to arrive. Logan has been a supportive friend and I trust him to watch over for my mate for a few hours. I think she likes him, so if she wakes, she won’t be scared.

I listen to the waking woods around me as I lean on the rail of the porch. This is my home. I feel at peace, or almost—I have to confront my brothers first.

I straighten when Logan’s truck pulls into the drive.

“This is where they are staying,” he says, walking over and handing me a piece of paper.

“Thanks, Logan.” I glance at it and then put it in my back pocket. “If she wakes, tell her where I am.”

“I will. I’ll stay out here. Nothing will harm her,” he promises.

“I know. I trust you,” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “Thank you for that.”

My friend has lived through hell. I need to find the time to have a conversation with him about his own brothers and how that came to be.

“I’ll be back soon.” I playfully knock my shoulder into his as I move down the stairs.

My stomach sours at the thought of seeing my brothers again and what they will say. I wish our reunion could be a happy one. Instead, I have this hurt burning a whole inside me.

Why didn’t they come to me before now? Deep down, I hoped they would.

Will they have a good enough reason to ease my pain?

I fucking hope so, because I fucking love them.

My headlights shine brightly on the two figures sitting around a campfire. They always loved the outdoors as much as I did, so I’m not surprised that they rented a camping spot. Of course our animals are the most comfortable in the open air. Their tents are behind them. They both stand as I turn off my truck.