Their Terrified Mate

Chapter Twenty-Four

I wake up in the morning to Henry jumping on the bed. I'm glad I'm no longer in heat and am able to see my boy again. I missed him during that week, but I was so out of my mind that I couldn't focus on anything but my mates.

The few times that I had lucid moments, all I could think about was Henry. Trevor arranged a couple of video calls during the times that I could think and Henry wasn't in school. I am incredibly grateful for Trevor. He's definitely a good beta, and I think maybe one day I could consider him a friend. I mean, he took really good care of my pup and Henry adores him.

"Papa, papa," Henry says, "it's time to get up. I want to watch cartoons before school."

I look at the alarm clock on the nightstand next to the bed while James groans as Henry jumps on him as well as the bed.

"Henry, we don't have to leave to take you to school for another hour," I say after looking at the time.

James groans again before he sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes. Dennis soon does the same with a dramatic sigh.

"Come on, pup. I'll turn the TV on for you while these two get their beauty rest," Dennis says before he stands up.

Henry giggles and runs out of the bedroom. I listen to the patter of his and Dennis' feet before I decide that I should get up, too.

"Where are you going, little one?" James asks as soon as I stand up from the bed.

"To watch cartoons, I guess," I say, still tired, but I haven't gotten used to the idea of Henry being alone with Dennis or James for too long without me.

"Or, you could cuddle," James says, holding his arms open. It's so tempting and I can't resist it. I slide back into bed and into James' arms.

"Dennis will watch Henry, don't worry," James says as he wraps his arms around me and rubs my arm. I lean my head back onto his chest and sigh.

"I guess so," I say. I've gotten more used to James and Dennis watching after Henry and I suppose an hour won't do any harm.

James hums and continues to rub my arm. The contact feels so good and I find my mind wandering as I lay there with him. He and Dennis were such gentle lovers to me during my heat that I almost feel bad that I didn't let either of them fuck me. But I'm still so scared.

I've never had a choice when it comes to my body before, but my mates have given me one. I've never experienced anything like when I was with them. The pleasure, the care. I feel like they might truly care for me and there's a part of me that is terrified of that, but an even larger part that wants it. I'm scared to admit it, but I want to be with them.

I thought that no one could ever love me, that any mate I'd have would surely reject me, but now I have two that have taken me into their home and shown me things that I had never experienced before, that I didn't think possible. They told me that they love me and while I'm so scared to let the words come out of my mouth, I think I love them too.

It's hard though. Because besides Henry and my mom, I've never felt love before, and this feels different somehow. But it's not different in a bad way I don't think. And I've come to realize that I'm scared of losing James and Dennis. I don't want anything to happen to them or the relationship between us, even if I'm not completely sure what that relationship is.

"James?" I ask, a little unsure.

"Yes, little one?" he responds back with a kiss on my forehead.

"Do you want to be mates with me?" I ask, a little scared of the answer. I know he didn't choose me, but I want to know if he would if he could. I'm starting to think that if I had the choice, I would choose him and Dennis.