Chapter 76: Marry Us
**Avery**
I couldn't have heard him right, could I have? I look quizzically at Cassius, “Marry you?” I looked at Clint and Conner as I said, “Marry all of you? How can that even be possible?”
Conner and Clint both joined us in the bed. They lay on either side of Cassius as I straddled him. Each brother touched my skin as Cassius explained, “We all once thought that us sharing a mate was impossible, yet here we are with you. You, Avery, are what makes the impossible become possible.”
It was Clint’s turn to speak. He lightly ran his finger up and down my arm as his soft words sunk into my soul. “Avery, I never wanted a mate. I was content being a perpetual playboy, but Carter grew restless so I entertained the idea of finding my mate. The night of the Grand Ceremony changed everything for me. The moment I smelled you, I wanted to find you. I chased after Carter like a kid running to the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. When I saw you on that bed, I instantly wanted you as mine. I found myself not caring that my brothers also wanted you. Nothing mattered but you and it still doesn't. If you agree to marry us, it will be the greatest gift I have ever been given. I love you, Avery. Please say yes.”
Clint leaned up and gave me a sweet kiss. Conner took my hand and kissed it. He looks into my eyes. “Avery, I have a confession to make.” I gasped and he chuckled before he kissed my hand again. “It is nothing bad but it is something that I need to hear myself say. I had always lived in my brothers’ shadows and I was tired of it. I hated doing their bidding. I hated being mean to you, Avery. I understand that in a very fucked up way it was to try and protect you, but we could have been less of the abusive jackasses that we were. I was prepared to use Heidi to produce an heir so that I could outdo my brothers for once. I was going to let you go to the human world in hopes that you would still visit. Before you were my mate, I cared for you. Now that I love you and you are my mate, I would die for you. I no longer care about having an heir and outdoing my brothers. All I want is you for the rest of my existence. Please become our wife.”
“I…I,” at that moment I was speechless. I had never dreamed of a proposal or a wedding. The only thing I had ever dreamed of was going to college in the human world and maybe meeting a guy who could tolerate my ugliness. Now I am no longer that ugly duckling despite how inept I feel. I still have not gotten the hang of this mate thing let alone try to please all of them simultaneously. How can they expect me to be a wife to all of them?
Regina chooses this opportunity to speak to me through our link, “Avery, we have taken care of all three of them for years. We have always taken care of others even if we barely had the energy to raise our heads. We are stronger now. We are loved! We are wanted! We are enough! Say yes, tell them yes. Please, Avery, tell them yes for both of us!”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened them, all of my mates were staring at me with nothing but love and hope in their eyes. “I don't know how to be a mate to all of you at once, so I have no real clue how to be a wife to you all either but I am willing to learn. Yes, I will be your wife but not until we are in college.”
They chuckle and each take turns kissing me. Cassius cups my face in his hands. “Avery, we will wait an eternity if we have to, but I know it won't be that long. You are perfect and more than we deserve. We love you and will show you how much daily. We will also show you that you can be our friend, lover, and wife in equal measure to all three of us for the rest of our lives.” He kisses me again before he motions for his brothers to kiss me. As they each trailed their hands lightly over my body, Cassius said, “Prom is almost here. I want us four to go somewhere special.”
His brothers nodded before they got out of bed. They clearly know where he has in mind, but I don't. I wonder what we are going to do? Cassius held me and kissed me lovingly before he rolled out of bed. He had such a childlike wonder in his eyes that made me blush. He leaned down and kissed my cheeks. He straightened up and said, “Little mate and future wifey, put on a comfortable dress and equally as comfortable shoes. Meet us in the kitchen where we will have your breakfast ready.” He turned to leave but stopped at the doorway. “Avery, thank you for saying yes. I promise that you won't regret it.” And just like that he was gone and I was left alone to my thoughts.
**Cassius**
I had not expected to propose to her yet. Now I have to find a ring or should each of us give her one? Maybe I should have waited for Asher to wake up so he could help me figure this out, but it is too late now. I wonder if Avery wants us to propose formally? I will text Trisha. She is Avery’s only friend besides us, Tim, and Draven and there's no way in hell that I will ask Tim. I could ask Dravem, but he hasn't been around long enough to possibly know. After I got dressed, I helped my brothers fix breakfast. While they were working on their part, I texted Trisha and asked the hypothetical. She told me that all Avery ever mentioned was going to college. It appears that my little mate didn't dream of having a husband and family. Well I am going to change that!