All I need is my jaguars.
Twisting my hands in my lap, I stare out the window, waiting to see the house that will soon be mine. The brothers didn’t waste time. Remy cooked breakfast, and I packed my things. They carried everything downstairs, and I said goodbye to Rylee. She was lounging on the couch, stuffed from breakfast, mourning the loss of her private chef. I’m nervous, but not because I regret my decision. They are my mates. I'm in a world I didn’t know existed outside of television shows, and a spicy book I enjoy. Living in the human world was easy; I knew the laws and guidelines I should follow. Human men have been less than thrilling. I wasn’t looking for a long-term partner, and hadn’t found one that stirred me in the way I thought I should be stirred.
Was I happy?
The only thing I had been looking forward to was this trip to meet Rylee. My days had been routine. I did little things that brought me happiness. I dyed my hair different colors. At least once a week, I devoured a bag of chips while watching dramas. Iescaped into paranormal romance and pretended I was the main character. I glance at Hunter in the driver’s seat.
I guess I don’t have to pretend anymore. Why shouldn’t I enjoy it?
“We’re here,” Hunter says, and I look away.
“Holy shit.” I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. Four brothers living in the woods shouldn’t own a sleek house. I startle when my door opens, and Remy holds his hand out to assist me. Placing my hand in his, I rely on him to guide me, since my legs are tingling. This is not normal. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Thanks, Princess,” Hunter says, grinning.
“You can change anything you want,” Bane says, stepping beside me.
“I highly doubt I'll want to,” I mumble as we stop at the front door. The front of the large house is covered in glass, long windows that I can’t see through. They are framed in light-colored wood.
“There are three floors, five bedrooms, and six bathrooms.” Hunter enters numbers on a small keypad, swings the door wide, and reaches inside to turn on the lights. I step inside and fall in love. To the right is a living room with a fireplace and several deep brown pieces of furniture. To the left is a kitchen-dining room combo with a long table. Everything is wood, and warm. “Your bedroom is on the second floor. The rooms on the main floor are an office, bathroom, and a gym. The rest of the bedrooms are on the second and third floors.” I step slowly and turn as I look up. The ceiling is high, and there are several lights. “There is a half bath down the hallway right before you hit the stairs.”
“It’s amazing.” I smile at them. “My father had a big house, but it was cold. I couldn’t touch anything.”
“Feel free to touch anything in this house,” Bane says dryly, and Lawson laughs.
“I’ll do that,” I smirk and wander down the hallway. They follow and stop behind me as I do. The bathroom is simple, but just as welcoming. I grin over my shoulder as I move toward the stairs. I glide my hand over the wood of the railing as I ascend. At the top, I pause in the hallway.
“Second door on the right,” Remy says, and I walk toward it. I eagerly open the door to what I’m assuming is the room they have assigned me.
“We cleaned it recently,” Hunter says as I step over the threshold. “The bathroom is attached. Bane’s room is the first door, and mine is down the hall and across the hallway. Lawson and Remy are on the top floor.” I feel like crying.
“Is this the smallest room?” I ask.
“No.” Hunter tugs my hair and walks past me and deeper into the room.
“How is it this big?” I murmur.
It’s more like a loft. A king-size bed is in the center of the room with a canopy, the bars encased in a black, filmy fabric. It faces the door, and at the back of the room is a sitting area with a couch, chair, and a coffee table. Windows line the wall behind them. There is a door to the left of the bed, which I assume is the bathroom. My heart might explode if I look at it.
“Do you like it?” Lawson asks.
“Like isn’t the right word.” I walk to the bed and trail my hand across the fluffy burgundy blankets. I bite my nail and glide my other hand over the headboard as I walk around the back of it. “This is mine?”
“Yes,” Remy says softly.
“This can’t be mine.” I shake my head and stare at the other door I didn’t notice.
“That's the walk-in closet,” Hunter says.
“Walk-in,” I say faintly. Tears gather in my eyes. “Can’t be.”
“Sunshine?” Lawson steps close.
“As I said, my house was like a mansion.” I clear my throat. “My father took everything as his right. My room was white. The walls, the floor, the bed, everything. I didn’t want to be ungrateful, and my bed was very comfortable.” I lick my lips and tangle my hand in the hem of Lawson’s shirt. “I like color.” I stare at the deep red, glossy dresser between the closet and bathroom doors. “It never felt like home. It doesn’t really matter what the color or size of a home is. What matters is the way you feel while living in it.” I exhale slowly, trying to stop the tears I know are coming. “This feels like home. My home.”
“It is,” Bane whispers.
“Can I hang up my mom’s pictures?” I glance at the wall. There is plenty of space for them.
