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“What else did you talk about?” I ask.

“You.”

“What about me? Tell meeverything.”

Ben chuckles. “I didn’t tell them a lot about your past, but I did talk about Skylar, Tammy, and April.” He presses a kiss to my hair. “I also told them that family is extremely important to you, and that you have a sense of loyalty and compassion for anyone that you’re close to.”

“And what did they say?” I demand, eager for information.

“They weren’t surprised. They both see it in you when you talk about me or your friends. Connor loves your passion for life, and Ace is excited by it. They really like you, Dev. They…they really want this to go somewhere, if you do.”

I hold my breath. “And you do, too, right?”

He plays with a lock of my curls. “Babe, I want what you want. I go where you go—and if that means with Ace and Ben, then I’m there, too. But, if you asked me honestly, with no bias? I think they’re good for you, and I trust them with you. Ilikethe way we all interact.”

I hold on to his words and let them resonate in me. “You’re, like, the perfect boyfriend,” I say.

He huffs out a laugh. “Nah. Just lucky.”

“I don’t understand how you and River are related.”

He groans. “Pleasedon’t mention my cousin when we’re in bed, Dev.”

River will always be like a big brother to me—but he’s the exact opposite of Ben. “I just mean?—”

“I know what you mean,” Ben says. “Just—not while in bed. Please.”

I chuckle softly, and we lie in silence for a while, him playing with my hair.

“I have a really good feeling, Ben,” I whisper. “And I think you were right.”

“About what?”

“I’m…sort of glad we waited for the mating bite. I think I want to do it when the three of us are in an established pack. If that happens, I mean.”

As much as I want the mating bond with Ben, I’m starting to realize it would be more meaningful when I’m ready with my Alphas.

When we’re in love with each other and know for sure that it’s the right choice.

Ben sighs against my neck. “I’m glad we waited, too. We don’t need a mating bite to be a family. You know that, right?”

“I know,” I whisper.

I’m starting to let it sink in. I think I wanted the mating bite from Ben out of desperation, a sort of guarantee that he would never leave me.

But now, I’m feeling more confident than ever before.

I am lovable, and I don’t need a mating bite to prove it.

I’m willing to wait until the timing is perfect.

14

DEVYN

Skylar won’t stop smilingat me.

But it’s not a normal smile. It’s theI want to know everythingsmirk that’s been on her face since the beginning of my shift.