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It is clear to me that Altus isn't 100% comfortable with us all being out on a date, but he is definitely in a better headspace than he was yesterday. I think it helps that he chose the venue and that we're positioned away from the public in our own private room.

I'm content for Asper and I to be his dirty little secrets for a while. I understand that it must be extremely difficult for him to grapple with his identity and sexuality. If it is easier for him to go through this process behind closed doors, so be it. Asper and I are happy to wait until he is ready for the rest of the pack to know about us. I know Satura will keep our secret.

"I got some news today," Altus announces. "Mare is moving out of Arcis at the end of the week."

Asper's eyebrows raise up and we share a glance with each other.

"Wow. That's fast. How do you feel about it all?" He checks in with Altus.

He pauses before replying, clearly considering his answer. He has tied his locs back on top of his head in an attractive look that can only be described as a pineapple. The locs fall down around the bun.

I don't think they planned it, but Altus is wearing the mirror opposite of Asper's outfit. His shirt is dark grey, and he is wearing black slacks. Like Asper, he isn't wearing a tie and the first two buttons are undone. I can spot the black ink on his dark skin, and it makes me excited to see him without a shirt on. I would love to look at those tattoos in detail.

"You're right, it is fast, but I think she is desperate to get out of here. She's conflicted and thinks a fresh start will be best for her. In all honesty, I feel relieved that I won't have to see my ex around. I hope she finds her mate."

At the mention of Mare as his ex, I turn my nose up. I don't want to think of them together. I don't want to think about how they might have had sex in the last week, maybe even after Altus found out about Asper and I being his mates, but my shitty mind brings that thought right to the forefront.

Fortunately, the waiter arrives with our drinks. Altus has ordered champagne for us all. He pours himself a small glass only because he intends to drive us home later. As I have shifted, I'm allowed to drink the high-alcohol drinks now, intended for our kind. I'm disappointed to find it doesn't taste significantly different.

The starters are brought out and Altus turns his attention to me. He asks all sorts of questions about my life, and I reciprocate in an attempt for us to get to know one another. I feel sorry for Asper, who already knows most of this about both of us, but we ask open-ended questions that lead to discussions that he can weigh in on.

As you would expect with soulmates, conversation flows easily between us. We move onto the mains, and I'm relieved to notice that Altus has relaxed some more and seems less uncomfortable. He leans back in his chair and actively participates in the conversation without any signs of hesitancy or reluctancy.

"So, what were you two like as kids, then?" I pose the question to the both of them.

They share a look and Altus responds first. "We were little shits when we were kids. I was always rebelling against my parents by sneaking out and pulling pranks, I dragged poor Asper in on all of my grand ideas."

"I went along willingly," he admits. "I idolised you, I had the most fun when we were running from an angry pack member who had just found their car covered in flour."

Altus laughs loudly. It's a booming sound that resonates from his large body. "Fuck, I remember that. She was so mad."

"I would be, too," I comment with a smile. "When exactly did you two grow up?"

"High school," Asper answers. "That's when everyone started dating and getting interested in mates. We both dated a couple different people, but it was relatively meaningless."

Altus nods in agreement. "Yeah, we matured pretty fast after that. The pranks stopped and we both realised that we had futures to work towards. I knew that I wanted a position in power, I just thought it would be as beta."

"Yeah..." Asper trails off awkwardly, clearly feeling guilty for fucking up Altus' plans. "But I knew I wanted to travel. Becoming Scout was the best option for that."

"And now?" Altus probes. "What is the best option, now? Are you staying?"

All of a sudden, our light-hearted conversation on childhoods switches to a heavier topic. Both Altus and I look to Asper for his answer. What he says dictates which way this evening goes. I feel as though our progress is hanging on by a thread. If he says he is going away again, I'm not sure how Altus is going to react.

My eyes say everything, I hope. I silently plead with Asper to be tentative in his response. I don't want him to fuck this evening up and make Altus withdraw again, we've worked so damn hard to get him to open up, I don't want him to undo all of that work.

"I'm not going anywhere," Asper replies, and I let out the breath I didn't realise I'd been holding. "I've done my travelling, I've seen everything I wanted to see, I'm ready to settle down now. That's why I came back. This time, it's for good."

I practically watch the tension leave Altus' shoulders. He rests his back against the chair and nods solemnly. "That's good to hear."

Asper rests his elbows on the table and leans towards us. "You two are my future. I'm not leaving again."

A moment passes between us. Something deep and unspoken registers in each of our gazes. There's almost a symbolic click as everything falls into place and we all make the mental decision that we are each other's futures and we're going to work to make this right.

He moves hesitantly at first, but Altus puts his hands on the table, open and outstretched towards us. Asper and I place our hands in his and join our own. The three of us hold hands, sharing this moment together. No words are needed.

The door suddenly opens, and the servers bring in our desserts. I reluctantly let go of my mates' hands but the molten chocolate fondant that is placed in front of me makes it worth it.

When we've finished eating, Altus excuses himself. We find out that he has paid the bill. Despite Asper's and my protests, he insists that it was his treat. Yet another way he is trying to make up for his behaviour. We keep reassuring him that we are not holding any grudges, we both understand what he was going through, or, at least, are trying to understand. We'll never know what it's like to be in his head, but we can be understanding and supportive while he works this out.

Altus drives us home in his electric car. The first stop is Asper's house. Asper turns around in the seat and I lean over to give him a quick peck goodbye.

"I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

I smile at him. "Yes, please."

I wait in the car as Altus walks him up to the front door. I watch the exchange with interest. Having both of my mates with me has already lifted the invisible weight that has been on my shoulders since meeting Altus. The missing part of our triangle is complete. Although things aren't perfect between us, we're together and that's what matters.

Asper and Altus stop at the front door and face each other. I cannot hear the words they exchange, and, in a way, I don't want to. It is a private moment between them that I am invading enough by just watching. Altus pulls Asper into a hug. They embrace tightly, closing their eyes and savouring the feel of each other. It's a loving hug that makes my heart warm. It makes me happy to see them together like this.

Asper rubs Altus' back, pulls back and nods. Altus waits for him to go into the house before walking back to the car. We're both quiet as he drives me back to my aunt's house. I wonder at what point I will consider it my own house. I'm not sure I ever will and I'm okay with that.

Like with Asper, Altus walks me up to my front door. We stop on the welcome mat and face each other.

"I had a lovely time tonight, thank you for inviting us out."

"It's okay. It was good to spend time together, just the three of us."

"Yes, it was. You know...you can talk to me about anything. No pressure, I'm just saying I'm here if you need me."

The corner of his mouth turns up. "I don't know what I did to earn such amazing mates but thank you."

His gaze drops to my lips. All traces of my lipstick are gone, and nothing is going to stop me from kissing my mate. He has to lean down quite a ways to reach me, but it doesn't perturb him and, before I know it, my eyes close and his lips are pressing softly against mine.

I expected fireworks. Instead, I get warmth and a burning desire that travels throughout my body. His hands land on my hips and pull me closer in a sharp tug that causes me to bump against his chest. He wraps his arms around my waist, constricting them around me until I am fully pressed to him.

His lips devour mine in a scorching kiss that overwhelms me. I feel as though I am drowning in my emotions for him, completely consumed by his being. My body reacts purely on instinct, kissing him with confidence as though we have been doing it all our lives. It's like our souls recognise each other and it makes sense because they are meant to.

When he pulls back, both of our eyes are burning with unbridled want. I can see the acceptance in his eyes. There is no denying what we feel, what is hanging in the air between us. He lifts his hand to stroke my cheek.

"I'm so sorry that I ever denied this, rosa mea," he murmurs. "I promise, I will never do it again."

I believe him.

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