Page 115 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

Six figures stared back at me. A life-changing, heart-stopping amount of money that didn’t belong in the account of a girl who sold books at a tiny, independent bookstore a few hours a week.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, then louder, a sharp, panicked sound tore from me. “Oh. My. Fucking. God.”

Everyone froze, all their eyes fixed on me. The din of the party quieted until only the thud of the bass punctuated the silence.

Hands landed on my waist, my pack surrounding me. Shane’s eyes scanned the room, frantically searching for the source of my distress.

“Mi? What is it? Who touched you?” Jason asked, his voice a dangerous whisper.

Ty’s panicked gaze bounced from me and Jason as he gently rubbed Jason’s back, trying to calm his stressed alpha.

“No. No one. It’s not that. Look.” I shoved the phone toward his face, my hands shaking. “My checking account. Jason, there’s… there’s a mistake. A huge one. I have to call the bank. I have to⁠—”

Jason took the phone, not nearly as surprised as I had been. He shared a look with Ty, who grinned like a shark in that movie about the lost clownfish.

“It’s not a mistake, baby girl. That’s the retribution settlement from Northeast Property Management.”

I blinked, turning to Ty. “What? The company that ghosted me?”

Ty stepped forward, adjusting his wolf ears with a wink.

“Jason and I ensured they made things right by you,” Ty said, pulling me into a tight hug.

“More Ty than me,” Jason added.

My gaze fell to the floor. I stared at a golden leaf rolling over the dirt path in the barn. I stole another glance at my phone before shoving it back into the pocket on my bright red cloak.

“You did this?” I asked.

“It’s what you were owed.”

“But how?”

“Don’t worry about that,” Jason said.

I arched a brow. Shane peppered kisses along my shoulder. I decided to drop it for now, but I wondered exactly what Ty did or said to convince that company to send me a sum that large without much of a fight.

Especially when they ignored all my voicemails and emails.

After the shock of seeing that much money subsided, it hit me. The weight of their devotion. Shane worked tirelessly to restore my home without being asked. Ty and Jason did this for me.

I reached out, grabbing Jason’s flannel shirt and hauling him close enough to me so the others had to lean in to hear me over the music.

“My next heat, I want it,” I said.

Jason’s brow furrowed. “Want what, Mi?”

I looked at each of them in turn, marking them with my scent.

“My next heat. I want you and Shane to bond me. And I want to bond you,” I said to Ty. “If you’ll let me.”

Energy crackled from my pack. Jason’s grip on my waist tightened, his eyes glinting with desire. Shane let out a jagged breath, and Ty’s playful smirk vanished, replaced by a look of unshielded adoration.

Growls and purrs and gasps escaped from my men.

“I am yours, Mia,” Ty murmured, his breath hot against my skin.

“We will give you whatever you want, love,” Shane said, burrowing his face in my hair.