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the
first set of twins Taber and Thorben, then Tad, and now us. Poor Theodore is
the last one.”
    The back door opened, sending
a cold gust of wind through the cabin. “Where’s Trey?”
    “Mom—”
    “Don’t ‘Mom’ me, boy.” His
mother glared at him. “I came to see how things were going. Where’s your
brother?”
    “He’s on the porch, I’ll get
him.” He pulled his arm from around Ivy’s waist. “Ivy, this is our mother, Ava,
don’t let her growl scare you. She only ever sinks those claws into Dad.”
    “You’re not too old for me to
claw you up,” she hollered as he went to get Trey.
    He pulled open the door,
quickly spotting Trey pacing the porch like a caged animal. “Come back inside,
Mom’s here,” he told him before strolling back to where the women waited.
    “Did my boys explain what
happened down at the party?” Ava sank down onto one of the leather chairs.
    “Yes ma’am.” Ivy nodded.
    “No ‘ma’am’ here. Either Mom
or Ava, you’re family now.” She glared at the boys. “Unless these idiot sons of
mine are planning to do something stupid.”
    “I don’t know…”
    “No Mom, nothing stupid.” Turi
glanced at Trey. “I don’t know how we’re going to do this, but somehow we’ll
have to make it work.”
    “I’m glad I don’t have to
remind you of the consequences for not claiming your mate. The pain wouldn’t
just happen to the two of you, but also to Ivy. She’s human, so it would be
harder for her to handle. She would feel like it’s burning her alive and in the
end it would essentially do that. It’s not something I want to see any of you
endure.”
    “Yes Mom, we know the
consequences,” Turi and Trey said together.
    Ava glanced at Ivy. “Then I
guess all that’s left to discuss is how Ivy came to know about shifters. It’s
not common for a human to know about us, and less common for one to have a
shifter sibling.”
    “Mom, I don’t think this is the
time.” Turi shook his head. “She’s been through a lot today. Let her get some
rest, and we can discuss that tomorrow.”
    “Very well, I should get back
to the party anyway.” Ava stood, ran her hand down the front of her dress,
shaking away invisible wrinkles, and looked at Ivy. “We’re having a family
brunch tomorrow with his brothers and their mates. I’d appreciate it if you
could be there. It’s rare the whole family is together, and most of them will
be leaving soon. I’d like to have us all together while I can.”
    Ivy nodded. “We’ll be there.”
    Ava smiled. “Thank you. See
you in the morning.” She left, leaving them with the question of Ivy’s past
still hanging in the air.
    “You’re right, I am tired but
first I think you need to know.” She dragged her hand through her hair before
leaning back against the sofa.
    “Only if you want,” Trey told
her as he sat next to her.
    Turi smirked. “For once I
agree with him. Our past is just that. In the past. It brought us here, but it
doesn’t play into the future.”
    “Actually, I think it might.”
    Turi looked to Trey, confusion
knitting his brow, before nodding to Ivy. “Go ahead.” He wanted to hear
whatever she thought was important, but he knew it wouldn’t change the mating
that had already started between them.

Chapter Seven
     
    Unable to sit still, Ivy paced
the cozy living area, staying near the fire and its warmth while keeping a
little distance between her and the brothers. She was about to bare a secret of
her past that only two people in her life knew—Chad and Mason. There was a
reason it had been kept a secret for all these years. Now she had to tell her
mates and possibly their family. What if it got out? Even if it were leaked to
just one person…he’d find her.
    With no other choice, she took
a deep breath and swallowed her fears. Her mates had a right to know what they
were getting themselves into, even if they didn’t have a choice to run.
    “Ivy, whatever it is, you can
tell us.” Trey