Read Online Trouble Comes in Threes by M.A. Church - Free Book Online Page B

somewhat growly. Tal’s voice was lighter. Dolfoon and Talise. Unique names. I wondered how that had come about and decided I’d have to ask them.
    If I was to believe what they said, their goddess had matched us. A balance, Dolf had said. Soul mates. I didn’t know if I believed that, but then again, why not? After all, there were two shifters standing in my house. I knew that was true. So if that was possible, then maybe the mate thing was possible too.
    All I ever desired was someone to care for me. To be part of something. Someone who would let me be when I needed some alone time. Who would drag my ass inside when I worked all day without eating. Who would understand when I had to work late. Who wouldn’t get upset when I came in smelling awful and covered in grease. Who would care when I started growling and stomping around in the barn because a vehicle was being difficult. I wanted love, trust, understanding.
    I wanted to be wanted.
    I just never expected this .
    Movement in the kitchen caught my attention. Sounded like they were fixing something to eat, and suddenly, I was starving. I sat up, found another pair of night pants, pulled on mismatched socks, then grabbed my robe. I stopped right before I got to the kitchen. They were talking about me.
    “Tal, let’s see how Kirk feels before we start worrying about all the other stuff.”
    “What other stuff?”
    “Where we’re going to live, for starters.”
    “What? But we have a home with our clowder.”
    “He has a home and a business here.”
    “Oh goddess, Dolf. But… but… I designed and built our home myself. And how could we not live in our clowder? Everyone we know—our Alpha, our families….”
    “It can’t be all about just us now, Tal. Kirk has—”
    “Kirk has no reason to stay here.” I stood there, a threadbare robe wrapped around me. “You know, if you’re going to talk about me, at least do it more quietly. Otherwise, I feel compelled to join the conversation.”
    I would’ve laughed at the looks on their faces if the situation weren’t so serious. I’d heard the pain in Tal’s voice when he said he’d built his and Dolf’s home. This place was indeed mine, but it was nothing special. It certainly didn’t hold important memories. I could move, no problem. Maybe rent this place out. All I really needed was somewhere to work.
    Maybe Tal could build me something, since apparently he had the skills. Would he mind? Was it even okay for me to ask? Thing was, I had to pull my share of the load. I had to. To do that, I had to work. Being a mechanic was all I knew. I guess I could work in someone else’s shop, but that would suck big time after owning my own.
    “So… if we three are going to be in a relationship, then let me tell you right now, I get a vote on what’s decided. Just because I’m human doesn’t mean the two of you get to make all the decisions around here. First off, I’m okay with moving in with you guys.”
    Dolf leaned back in his chair. “Glad to see you’re up. Hope we didn’t wake—”
    Tal blushed as he spoke over Dolf. “We certainly want you to take part in—”
    Dolf grinned. “—you. Are you hungry or would you—”
    Tal slapped his hand on the table. “Wait! Wait just a minute! Did…. Did you say you’d—”
    Dolf snorted. “—like to try talking about our future? Or, after experiencing us trying to have a three-way conversation, maybe you’d like to make a run for it now.”
    “Dolf!” Tal huffed. “That’s not funny!”
    I sat at the table. “Okay, so… I heard you talking, but I was already awake, Dolf. I know you weren’t trying to exclude me in the decision-making process, Tal, but I want to start off how I mean to go on. Yes, I’m hungry, Dolf. And yes, Tal, I said I had no problem moving in with you two. This place is just a place to stay. It was never home. Next question?”
    Dolf pushed the sandwich he’d fixed over to me. “I’d say there’s nothing wrong with your