“I am.”
“The change won’t be pleasant,” he says, and I resist rolling my eyes.
“I know,” she says.
“We will never leave you during the transition. Let it work through you, don’t resist. You are meant to be ours so that it will be fine in the end.”
“I trust you.”
“You know I don’t like talking about my feelings,” he says, releasing his clenched fingers. “I love you.”
I smile. My brother is blunt to his core.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Bane
“I’ve never loved another woman,” I say, and press my palm against my chest. “I have a yearning in my heart for your love. It’s as if I can’t go a day more without your soul connected to mine.”
“Bane,” she whispers.
“I felt like I was shattered. Hunter was the only one holding me together. When we found our brothers, I started to be pieced back together, but there was still something missing.” I curl my finger under her chin. “You. We were waiting for you. I am possessive, blunt, controlling, and quiet. I am a lot to handle.” I glance at my brothers briefly before staring into her eyes. “We are a lot, but we will protect your body while giving it more pleasure than you think you can handle. We will protect your heart until it feels like it will burst. I’ve always craved afamily, one who will never leave, support me even through all the dark times, and comfort me when the world is too much. I found that here, with my brothers, and you. Instead of voicing my fears, I’ve been holding my breath, waiting for my family to be reunited, and now I can finally breathe since I found you.” I brush my thumb across her bottom lip. “You are beautiful, just like your mother's paintings. When you look upon it, your heart moves in your chest because of the amount of emotion you feel.” I drop my hand and step back. “I may not say it enough, so I want you to know, with every action, and every step I take in this life, I will love you.” I get to my knees in front of her. “I pledge to be the best mate I know how to be. I will stand with my brothers, united, working to make you never regret putting your trust in us and the bond.” I lift her hand, turn her palm up, and kiss her wrist. Her heart races, and her scent wraps around me. Releasing her hand, I take off her shoes, get to my feet, and step aside. “Brother.” I place her shoes out of the way and wait for Hunter, my leader, my friend, and constant companion, to speak.
“I am astonished every day by my brothers.” He glances at Remy. “Remy said something to me that made me realize something. I have tried to stay in control of every aspect of my life. I’ve ignored the reasons. My mission throughout my life has been to find my brothers. To keep Bane with me and safe. Love is all about losing control, and I thought it would be more difficult to fall for you. Yet, here I am, desperately in love with you.” I’ve never seen Hunter’s expression so vulnerable. “I’m good with facts.” He frowns.
“Using my computer, I can move information, search for the things people want to hide, and learn everything about someone. On paper, I know all the facts. Heath had a file on you, and he showed it to me, so I thought I knew who you were. Yet, there is much more to the woman and friend I read about. The bondisn’t based on facts, but trust. I have to trust the knowledge of the universe, that they will show me the way, and the person who matches us. I will never doubt it again. You are the perfect mate for me, for us. My brothers are happy, and they deserve you. I’ve always thought of their feelings and needs. I believed it was my job to take care of them, and tore myself apart when I couldn’t. I know now that some things we can’t control, and there is a time for everything. I was waiting for you.” He trails his fingers down her cheek. “My wish has been for them to be happy, and it didn’t matter how I felt. Now, I want to be selfish. I want you to be mine. I crave your love. Every time you look at me, I feel like I can conquer the world and finally give us the home we always wanted. Those files didn’t encompass your kindness, beauty, humor, selflessness, bravery, and willingness to love four lost men.” He crouches in front of her and removes her socks. “You have taught me to look deeper into the soul of a person. We can’t go on living without you at our side.” He stands slowly, smiling slightly. “Will you love us, just as we love you? Live with us, and have our babies? We can build a family, and our kids will never feel the sting of abandonment.” She wipes her tears, looks at each of us in turn. Remy and Lawson move within her sight.
“I don’t think I’ve ever thought about fate, but I have been a lot lately.” She exhales and shakes her head. “Growing up, every day I wished for a different life. After Mom passed, the days blurred together in grief and pain. I hated living in that house with a man who didn’t love me, and a brother who ignored my need for him. The urge for something better didn’t stop as the years passed. When Rylee entered my life, she brought light into my darkness, and our letters saved me. It hurt when she disappeared, but fate shone on me again when she returned. Friends came and went, but she stayed. Relationships were short and unfulfilling. I began to think something was wrong with me since they didn’t move me at all.
“The universe had a plan for me. It knew that someday I would meet Rylee in person, and she would introduce me to a magical life, and four men who would not only move me, but make falling in love the easiest thing in the world. I have no doubts about each of you, and joining this world. I want to be a jaguar, and I’m not afraid.” She focuses on me. “I see you. I understand you, and all the things you listed about yourself are what I love most about you. There is value in the quiet. You can be the loudest in the room, but do your words have meaning? It’s nice to hear,I love you,but what matters is the actions that back it up. The respect and love you show your brothers is admirable. The way you can calm Lawson just by being in his presence is beautiful. I’m proud of who you are and the way you have moved through this life with purpose. I'm your family. I know that you will protect me fiercely, just as you do your brothers, and I'll always do the same. Your heart is safe with me, and I give you mine. I love you, Bane.” I rub my chest, her words filling the emptiness in my heart.
“Hunter,” she whispers, standing. “The leader, big brother, strong, sure, and resilient. You show the world only one side, but I see all of you. You shouldn’t be afraid of your weak moments because they are what make you so powerful. I can imagine what it felt like for you to lose your family. All those years, you never gave up hope of their return, and you took steps every day to make it happen. I wished so badly for someone to love me like that, and coming here, it came true. I feel incredibly lucky that the universe chose me for you. It knew I would never be in safer hands than yours. I know you will love me and keep me safe forever. The facts are this: fear is no longer in my life. I have four men who would die and kill for me. This life is my gift for all the years of hurt, abuse, and uncertainty. I love you, Hunter. I want babies. I want a home filled with laughter, love, and magic. Youare my home.” She meets each of our eyes. “You are my home. I’m ready. I want to complete the bond and meet my jaguar.”
“Princess,” Hunter says roughly, stepping forward. “Thank you.” He kisses her briefly and steps back.
“Your words mean everything,” I rasp, and kiss her softly. “What is your word?”
“Ballet,” she says softly.
“If there is any fear or doubt, say it,” I say sternly.
“I will.”
“Once we bite you, there is no going back,” Hunter says.
“I know,” she says.
“We’re going to fuck you,” Remy says silkily, brushing her hair over her shoulder and grazing the side of her neck. “One after another.” Her heartbeat increases.
“All of us will bite you at the same time, and initiate the change,” Lawson says, moving to her side, opposite Remy.
“As I said,” Hunter says. “Don’t fight it. Give in, and let the universe guide you. It will be painful, but know we will be here when you wake. We love you.”
“I understand. I love you too.” Her scent becomes stronger, her need filling the room.
“Arms up, baby,” Remy says, and she doesn’t hesitate.
Hunter moves away, walking to the chair in the corner, and moving it closer to the side of the bed. As he sits, I reach behind my neck and grab my shirt. I stare at her as I slide it over my head and toss it behind me. Lawson unbuttons her pants and slides the zipper down. He moves in front of her and drops to his knees. She shivers as he pulls her pants down her legs.
