Chapter 23
**AUSTIN**
I spent the evening pacing and looking out the window, watching for their arrival. I was secretly hoping that the damn dinner would go wrong, that his family would run her off. It’s mean, I’ll give you that, but that's what I was feeling. I’m more than tired of waiting. I don’t have a family to soften her up with so, I decided that once I got to Boston I was going to pull out the heavy artillery. Well, even before Boston. I talked to the Petersons and they, not surprisingly, agreed to let Aria spend time with Clara. Seeing them together did something to me. I’ve always wanted kids because as an Alpha I’m concerned about my offspring but this is different. I want to start a family with her.
After hearing Aria’s door open and close, I wait a few seconds before knocking on her door.
“You can come in!” She yells so I open the door, finding her room empty. “I’m in the bathroom I’m coming in.”
“Okay.” I reply in a low voice and pacing in her room.
Moments later she walks through the door wearing only shorts and a tank top. She is so sexy, seeing her like this every day and not being able to make love to her is a real torture.
“I wanted to know if you had a good night.” I ask her innocently.
She sits down on the edge of her bed. “Yes it was nice.” She pauses. “But...” she hesitates.
“You can tell me anything you know. It’s not just Adam who can listen.” I encourage her and sit down next to her taking her hand in mine.
“His sister took me to task in the bathroom and told me I had to pick one of you fast. That even if I didn’t pick him I had to hurry because he doesn’t belong here.”
“She’s right.” She looks at me with raised eyebrows so I keep going. “His place is with his people as mine is here. Where I agree with her is that we’re going to break down eventually if you don’t choose soon. It’s getting harder and harder for me to be around you without marking you and it must be for him too. My wolf is putting more and more pressure on me and I need the strongest will to resist him."
“I know.” She replies in a low voice, lowering her head. “I don’t do it on purpose. I love you both.”
“You love us?”
“Yes.” She suddenly stands up putting her hands on her head. “This may be weird, but yes. I must be having trouble understanding these feelings. They’re strong even though we haven’t known each other long. I have never felt this way about anyone and it is so frustrating."
“That’s the bond.” I stand up too and take her in my arms.
“I know it’s hard for you, trust me because I know I wouldn’t stand it to be in the same situation as you.” She sighs while remaining in my arms. “It would be easier if...”
“If you could keep us both.” I finish her sentence.
Never in my life had I considered that possibility but if it means keeping her with me and having a future with her, I’m willing to consider it. But sharing a bed with Adam, that’s a no go. It’s still unclear to me because I don’t know how we could arrange it, but maybe if we talk to him, we can figure it out before we talk to Aria.
“Can I sleep with you? I promise not to try anything.” I take a chance and she nods.
We both lie down, she’s snuggled up to me and I think I’ve found my safe place.She looks so small and vulnerable in my arms. I would do anything to keep her close to me. I don't want to risk losing her, after all I've been waiting for her all my life. It is with her scent enveloping me that I fall asleep and have my best night in a long time.
***
The next morning, after breakfast, I asked Adam to go for a walk with me to talk. Despite his surprise, he still followed me.
“I wanted to talk to you about Aria.” I told him.
“I figured as much.”
“I won’t give up on her and I don’t want to take the chance that she’ll choose you.” He is about to speak but I cut him off as he continues. “And I know it’s the same for you. I never thought I’d say what I’m about to say to you but...I’m ready for us, both of us, to be a part of her life.” I pause to look at him and he is stunned. “I have a billion questions and I know you do too. So, we’re going to go to Rosalie and ask them. I know she’ll do some research to find out more. I don’t want to talk to Aria about it right now. If we get our answers when we get to Boston we can tell her.”
“I see you’ve thought of everything.” He scratches the back of his head. “I have to say that...it would be a lie to say I hadn’t thought about it. But on the other hand I want to be sure of something. I hope you don’t think that you and I...”
“I’d rather die than touch you or see your... your...” I say, pointing in the direction of his crotch.
“We agree.” He confirms seriously.
When we arrive at Rosalie’s door, she opens it before I can even knock.
“I was wondering when you were finally going to come see me.” She tells us with a big smile and I’m not even surprised. “Come in.” She opens the door wide to let us in.
Walking through that door was the hardest decision we could make so that the woman we love would not have to make a choice.
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