Chapter SIXTEEN-DANTE

Having Avery and Rosie at my place all weekend was amazing. But Monday morning rolled around, and I fucking hated dropping them off.

“I’ll be back after school to pick you up,” I told her after we saw Rosie inside.

“Oh? I just thought you’d be back Friday,” she said, and her cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink.

“Avery, you’re my mate now. I want you at the cabin with me. Look, if you don’t like how it’s decorated you can change everything⁠—”

“No! It’s not that,” she said, and the smile on her face eased the sudden panic brewing inside my chest.

“I just didn’t want to assume,” she murmured, looking down at her lap.

I gripped her chin, tilting her face so she had to look at me.

“Honey, being my mate is the same as being my wife. You and Rosie are my family, I want you with me. At the ranch. I’m already seeing to your car so you can have your space, or freedom, or whatever you need. I don’t mind driving you, though. And I can work my schedule around school.”