**Avery**
This all still feels like a dream. Did I once fantasize about what it would be like to be alone with The Trio? Yes, as had most of the females in our tribe and I am sure countless other ones too. But when they kept constantly tormenting me, I began to see their ugliness. I need to hear them say it, so I stop walking and turn to them, âAre you only being nice to me because you think that I am your mate?â
Conner looks at me with one of his eyes and one of Calebâs, âAvery, I never wanted to do half of the things to you that we have done. I felt bad leaving you in that forest and thatâs why I barely interacted with you after that day. Before our Grand Ceremony, I was serious about wanting to be your friend. I was raised to be a better man than I have been. I have been nice to you because I wanted to be. Now that you are my mate, I want to do everything right.â
A slight breeze began to blow, Clint reached over to tuck my hair behind my ears. I blinked several times to prevent myself from flinching. He quickly braided my hair before his eyes met mine. One eye was his color and the other was Carterâs, âAvery, I have called you so many hateful names and I have treated you worse than a dog, but I was serious about trying to be your friend. I even loaned you my shirt, but that put you in danger. I am so sorry. I didnât think how the other girls would react. They were toys to me and me using them that way nearly got my first female friend killed. I hate myself for it. Carter had been thinking of taking a mate, so we became your friend to learn how to treat girls. I never considered that you could be that mate that we