Page 41 of Bought and Shared

A urora

The trip back to the base is a blur. Even though I’m sort of awake for it all, it still seems like a dream—one from which I never want to wake. I’m found and in the safety of my mates’ arms. Nothing could feel or be better than this.

Exhausted, I tumble into a dreamless sleep the moment my head hits the pillow in my bed at our home. When I awake, the drugs are out of my system and my mates are waiting with food to aid in my recovery.

They let me eat as Oren tells me he’s cleared his schedule for the rest of the day. I know exactly how meaningful that is, as both my mates are incredibly busy men with endless responsibilities.

When I’m finally full and set my fork down, my men are watching me closely. “What is it?” I know they want to tell me something. It’s written across both their handsome faces.

“We want to have a conversation with you about something important, Aurora,” Oren carefully begins. “It’s about a topic you’ve brought up in the past. It’s about becoming our mate.”

I’ve wanted to have this conversation for some time. Now that we’re having it, I somehow feel wholly unprepared. “I’m listening.”

Oren stands, fetches himself a stiff drink, and prepares one for Knox. When he looks at me, I shake my head in the negative.

Returning to the couch, he settles in beside me. “You once asked me about what the word “mate” means to the Voltan. Now that Knox is here, we want to explain it in more depth and alleviate any fears you might have about becoming ours.”

I nod, feeling my skin prickle with excitement. “Yes, please. I want to understand.”

“To us, “mate” means beloved. The one you connect and bond with unlike any other. That’s why being squad mates is such an honor. Even though it isn’t the same relationship, the core premise is. A squad mate is trusted and valued above all others,” Oren explains.

I realize I know so little about these men. I truly want to get to know them as well as they know each other, and I truly want them to know me. I want them to be my mates in every way.

“If you become our Mate, we won’t have any need for contracts between us. Such a thing would be moot, because, if we become mates, it’s for life. Our minds and bodies will be open to each other at all times.”

I think his words over as I chew on my lower lip.

After nearly losing my mates and my freedom today and experiencing such unmitigated joy when they found me in my room, I realize that I never want to be without them again.

The thought of sharing everything between the three of us should be terrifying, but it somehow isn’t. It feels exquisitely right.

“I want that,” I finally get the words out, shifting my eyes back and forth between them.

“I want to be mates with both of you, for life. When I was taken, all I could think about was getting back to you. I love both of you more than I ever thought was possible.” Tears begin to fill my eyes and I swipe them away before they can cloud my vision of the most beautiful people I’ve ever known.

“But I’m uncertain how to give myself over in such a profound way.

” My voice quavers but I manage to say what I needed to say.

“I understand,” Oren says, “because once we’re mates, we’ll forever be a part of one another. Connected telepathically and emotionally. Only death can separate us.”

I glance at Knox who’s studying my face. “I trust the two of you and I want us to be as close as possible. I’m,” I pause, taking a deep breath, “all in.”

Taking me by the hand, Oren asks, “Are you sure, Aurora? You don’t have to decide right now. You can have some time to think it over.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need time. I want this. I want us all connected for life.”

I notice that Knox is smiling now. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

I tilt my head in confusion. “No. What?”

He leans back in his chair and cradles the back of his head in his hands, “You’re about to take my knot. Both of our knots, actually.”

My eyes widen with surprise and trepidation. “What?”

“That’s right, Kitten. You’re about to take both of our knots, at the same time, because that’s what opens the link between us.”