A Nurse Among Wolves

Chapter 17: Ash

Our mate was beaming. She had made dinner while we had been working on her house and she seemed pleased with our reaction to her cooking.
"This is amazing!" Rowan moaned through a mouthful of food. Torin smacked the back of his head "don't talk with your mouth full" he chided.
"I'm glad you all like it" Miren giggled before sobering and taking a breath "but I have to be honest I'm not sure exactly how this going to work"
I take a breath, knowing that she is probably feeling beyond confused with how the mate bond is already starting to form 
"It will be simple" I say, meeting her eyes, "all you have to do is help cook and you will live here with us and are free to love any or all of us" she gasps at the last part her mouth marking a perfect O shape.
"That was a joke....right? Your just making fun of me, aren't you?" She finally says, her face Turning red, her scent sharpening with anger and embarrassment.
"It is no joke, mitt hjerte" I tell her softly "we, all of us, mean every word" she looks at me with shock before looking at the others in turn.
"Are you saying that you all are serious about liking me?" She asked us quietly, I could tell she didn't believe us yet but I could smell her hope and also her fear. Fear of rejection and mockery.
"Yes" I tell her as the others nod in agreement "we are in love with you and we want to be with you and make you happy". Taking her hand, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles "let us take care of you" I say kissing her palm "give us a chance to show you how happy we can be". Tears well in her eyes as I place her hand against my cheek.
"I thought I was crazy for being attracted to four guys at the same time" she whispered, tears running down her cheeks. I pull her onto my lap, holding her close, her nose pleases into my neck. The very spot that she would one day bite to solidify our bond.
"You're not crazy" I tell her "we care about you and only ask that you give us a chance to prove our feelings to you" the others had gotten up at this point, coming to touch and offer our mate comfort.
"Are you sure?" She asks, turning her face to nuzzle Torins hand as he brushes her cheek "won't you get jealous of each other?"
We all chuckle at her sweet, innocent question. If we were humans that would have been a valid question but we weren't human.
"No little one" I tell her "we will not get jealous, we all love you and we all want to spend whatever time with you that you are willing to give us. She looks up into my eyes and after a moment she smiles. It is as if the sun as come out for the first time. She's more beautiful then anything I've seen. In that moment I swear to myself that I would do everything in my power to keep her smile, even if it kills me.