Chapter 6

Six

ARES

My eyelids peeled apart, cracking as if I’d had a bender the night before, heavy and satisfied with sleep. Grogginess hampers my brain from firing on all cylinders, so it takes me a moment to process that it’s late morning.

Evie never sleeps this late.

Immediately, I’m out of bed, flying down the hallway, and slamming through her bedroom door, only to find her crib empty.

Panic seizes my chest in a tight fist. His words were so sincere. "You’re such a fucking idiot, Ares! Of course, they’d want their child."

Just as I’m exiting her room—vengeful images dancing through my head—I hear it. Her beautiful giggle. Then a deep baritone chuckle.

As I hustle down the hallway and peek around the corner, the scene before me melts my heart, dissolving the sudden worries of moments ago.

Maddock has Evie in her highchair, close enough to be part of the action but not in the way. Her breakfast cereal scatters across her tray, enticing her to pick them up one by one, babbling as she eats.

He’s stirring something on the stove that smells heavenly while talking to her about his brothers—her fathers—then turns back to slicing strawberries to add to her tray. She gobbles them as quickly as he puts them down, humming her appreciation after each bite.

“Good morning, my Moon. Did you sleep well?” Maddock glances over his shoulder, a cocky smirk tipping his lips.

True laughter bursts free when I notice he’s wearing my cupcake apron. The warmth of our bond thrums eagerly through my veins, but the distrust in my brain doesn’t allow my heart to take the leap it so desperately craves.

Maddock startles me when he turns suddenly, untucking my bottom lip from my teeth with his thumb, and growls, “There are no tricks. This is real. I promise.”

Once released, my lower lip trembles without permission before my teeth capture it again, restricting its movement. “I’m trying.”

His giant palm cups my cheek. “We’re here for you. Every day, from now on.”

He slowly leans closer, giving me the chance to back away… but I don’t. I want him. I want them . But I don’t know how to ask for it, how to put myself back out there. I barely survived the last time. What happens when one or all of them leave me or take Evie? Fate could have me then. Heat tickles my lips moments before he presses forward—slowly at first, then desperately, until we’re pawing at each other, tilting our heads for better access, purring our appreciation as our tongues caress and dance together. One of his big hands raises goosebumps as he traces my vertebrae until he’s gripping my ass cheek and pushing his excitement against me.

A screech rips us apart, as we both snap our attention to Evie. Her blue doe eyes sparkle with light as she stares at Maddock and points to the abandoned strawberries on the counter. “Da, da, da, da.”

My heart leaps, but the plethora of emotions on his face solidifies my decision. I’m going to give them another chance. He’s enamored. And by the twinkle in Evie’s eyes, she knows it.

A thunderous knock distracts me from Maddock’s reaction, drawing my attention toward the door, wondering who’d be stopping by. When I glance back at Maddock, a guilty expression covers his face, and I know. His brothers.

Before he can move to answer, my breathing increases. Will Hendrix be with them? I can’t decipher if I’m having a panic attack or excited to see him because even though we know there’s been foul play, the emotions of that day haven’t disappeared. They devastated me. Still devastate me. And I honestly don’t know if I’m ready to see him.

Maddock is there immediately, stepping in front of me, and stooping to meet my eyes. “Breathe in deep, Ares. Come on, baby. Breathe with me. In and out. That’s it. In.” He breathes in deeply. “Out.” He lets it out slowly. We repeat this together a couple of times before I can focus again, cheeks turning red from embarrassment. “Look at me.” He doesn’t use his alpha command, but the effect is the same, as my eyes snap to his. “Hendrix isn’t here. He didn’t want to upset you. He understands you’ll need time to process everything. But the others…” he trails off, glancing at the door, as if wondering when they’ll break it down. “They want to see their mate. We’ve craved you for so long.” His lips feather against mine, teasing a whimper free. His satisfactory smile is playful. “They’d also like to meet their daughter.” This sentence is delivered softly, relaying that it’s my choice with his tone. They’d never push me—I knew that—which is exactly why I nod toward the door, giving him the green light to start a new chapter in our lives.

“Are you ready to meet your daddies, Evie?” Her big eyes sparkle, seeming to understand, as she glances towards the door.

Maddock’s grin speaks of pride and love as he kisses my lips firmly in appreciation before moving towards the living room and opening the door. There on the other side are my twin mates. Their bonds slam into me, and if I thought Maddock’s was irresistible, the three of them together is undeniable, causing drool to practically run down my chin. Not to mention the slick building between my legs.

“Good morning, mate.” Knox purrs, turning my insides to mush. It was a shock seeing him at the library, and because I hightailed it out of there like my ass was on fire, I didn’t get the chance to absorb him like I am now. The flight response is no longer riding my instincts. Now my instincts have an entirely different version of riding in mind. The slow smirk that tips his edible lips is not in humor, more like a promise… a warning. A warning of dark, beautiful things that haunt my fantasies.

“Knox, knock that shit off.” Kato slaps his twin’s chest as he shoves him aside to enter in front of him. “Ares…” The way he says my name is like a prayer dipped in honey, beautiful and smooth, tasting of sunshine.

Maddock and Knox were always the bad boys, and Hendrick the popular jock, but Kato… he’s the drama queen, in a mothering hen kind of way. Always ensuring everyone is cared for and throws a fit when they don’t listen to him.

Within seconds, he’s in front of me, hands hovering, unsure if I’d welcome his touch. The genuine concern warms our bond, enticing a whimper past my lips, sending Kato into a frenzy. “Come.” It’s then I notice the bag hanging from his arm as he ushers me into the connecting living room.

The other two are unstrapping Evie and cleaning her hands before Maddock lifts her from the highchair, but then transfers her to a shell-shocked Knox. The awe on his face would be comical if our situation weren’t so devastating. He holds her in front of him, studying her, recognizing the strong features of her father.

Overwhelmed would be an understatement of the year. In the blink of an eye, I’ve gone from successful single mother to a mother in a relationship with four alpha mates and a daughter that’s about to have quadruple the attention and love.

Another whimper escapes, causing Kato to shuffle around quicker. “All right, mate. Sit down for me.” He ushers me quickly, as if my speed were not adequate.

When my bare legs rub against velour, my fingers dive into the blankets, glancing questioningly at a squatting Kato. His expression softens as he reaches out to stroke my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “What’s all this?” There are blankets spread behind me, and another waiting to drape over my shoulders, heavy with its furry weight.

“It’s typical for omegas to go into heat after reuniting with their mates after an extended period of time. When Knox told us about you, we started searching, hoping we’d locate you before your heat.” He pulls out more softness from his bag, prancing around and placing them down randomly. “Brought these on a hunch. You don’t mind me placing them around. I don’t see a nest.” He inhales deeply, growling his pleasure at my scent, and then leveling his icicle eyes on me like a predator. “You’re ripe. You should start making one. You’re going into heat soon.”

The last sentence vibrates on a growl that shoots straight to my clit, causing me to moan.

Knox moves to adjust my blanket, and Kato slaps his hand away. “I don’t recall asking you to move or touch anything.” His eyebrow raises comically, questioning.

“Ow.” Knox rubs his hand like a scolded child and turns towards me. “He’s mean.” He pouts, sits next to me on the couch, and passes Evie to my lap. I snuggle my face into her baby neck, causing her to giggle and slap at the side of my face.

Maddock massages the tension from my shoulders while the others remain silent, letting me ponder its implications. I would need them all, including Hendrix. When an omega finds her mates, she instinctively knows if they’re all there and feels their absence keenly during her heat. There's a high chance they won't resist going into a rut and marking me. Normally, there would have been a courting period in our youth, a time when they would have shown their interest.

Maddock nuzzles my neck from behind, fingers still working out the tight knots in my shoulders. "We understand things are moving quickly, and fate has limited your choices, but this decision is entirely yours. We'll leave if you and Evie aren't ready for us, but we'll never abandon you again."

The walls I built around my heart for months crumble before the very men who first triggered them. Tears well up as I try to steady my emotions.

"Oh, Ares." Kato kneels, head in my lap, arms wrapped around me and Evie. "I'm so sorry." His voice breaks as he holds me, Evie tugging at his hair, oblivious to the gravity of our situation.

My fingers run through his hair, soothing his tension as if it's a gesture we've done countless times. He lets out a sob, his grip tightening, afraid to let go even for a moment. "Shh... We're here together now." But even as I say it, Hendrix's absence is felt, and the bond senses it. If he's not here during my heat, it will be painful, even with my other mates present.

As if sensing my thoughts, Maddock clears his throat, his gaze sincere when I meet his eyes. "We need to talk, Moon. I didn't expect your heat to come so soon. Do you understand what to expect?"

He's asking if I realize we'll be intimate, not just him, but Hendrix too. "I know what to expect," I reply calmly.

Suddenly, Knox growls, startling Evie and me, making the baby cry. His anger resonates through our bond.

Kato straightens up quickly, glaring directly at Knox. "What the hell is your problem?" He hisses. "If you can't control yourself, step back."

Evie settles almost instantly, her eyes starting to droop, a sign that she woke much earlier than usual if she's ready for her morning nap. But when I look back at Knox, he's confrontational, eyes wild and clearly furious. I recoil, pulling Evie protectively closer to me.

The gesture calms him immediately, Maddock and Kato glaring protectively as they hover over us. Knox stops growling but maintains a disgruntled expression. "You've been seen through a heat? Is that how you know what to expect?"

Ah, he's jealous. He's worried that other alphas have been intimate with his mate during a vulnerable time. A small smile tugs at my lips; my inner wolf enjoys his possessiveness, and I realize I like it too. Our situation is complicated, but I can't help but tease him.

I smile sweetly with a daring glint in my eye, deliberately provoking him. "Are you wondering if another male has been between my thighs?"

The question sets all three of them growling in warning, but it's Maddock who responds. "You're playing with fire, Moon. Your heat is approaching faster than expected. I wouldn't tempt fate."

I met his gaze challengingly. "Would my alphas mistreat me if I had been with other males?"

Horror flashes in his eyes. "No. Never," he whispers, though his words are firm. It's in their nature to protect what's theirs.

"Good," I turn back to Knox, meeting his gaze head-on. "Then no, I've never been with another male during a heat. Hendrix is the only one, before and after the rejection." I clear my throat, needing them to understand everything. "I'm also shiftless. I've never shifted into my wolf, though I can feel her." The familiar self-doubt washes over me, bringing all my insecurities to the surface — reminders that I might not be enough for a pack like theirs, that they deserve more.

"Who told you that? You're not shiftless, and even if you were, it wouldn't matter to us." Kato sits beside me on the sofa, his hand finding mine in support.

It takes a moment for his words to sink in. "What do you mean? I've never shifted. My mother was shiftless too, you know." As if that validates my argument.

Maddock moves around the couch and sits on the coffee table in front of me, surprisingly supporting his weight. He looks at Evie sleeping peacefully before meeting my eyes with determination.

"My sweet Moon," he sighs sadly, knowing we need to have these conversations but hating our circumstances. "You mated with Hendrix the night of your first shift, before the moon had risen high enough. You conceived before the transformation could occur. Once fertilized?—"

"I can't shift into my wolf," I finish for him, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "But why haven't I shifted since then? Evie is ten months."

Maddock smiles sadly when he answers, "Who would care for our pup if not for you? Our nature is possessive and protective above all else. If you have no mates to watch over our young, your wolf won't allow it. Your biology has been adjusting since you encountered Knox, preparing you for your heat. Soon after, you'll shift, but only if this heat doesn't result in another pregnancy."

Appreciative growls surround me; my mates like the idea of their seed taking root, rounding my belly with a new cub. But am I ready?

Again, Maddock reads my thoughts accurately. "This heat will be on your terms, Moon. Yours alone. You decide."

Damn him and his sexy selflessness. "Sounds like we have a lot to discuss," I say, warmth spreading through me, a groan escaping involuntarily.

Knox's eyes widen like saucers. It would be comical if he didn't look so concerned. "Mate," he breathes, his eyes blown wide, glancing nervously at his brothers. "We need to have that discussion now. Judging by your scent, you have only a couple of hours at most before it starts. I know it's not much time, so I need you to answer my questions quickly, okay?"

Nervously, I nod, unsure how to respond. Less than twenty-four hours ago, my mates didn't exist. "Yes, okay."

"Good, girl," he praises, though I should object on behalf of all women, I don't, shivering instead, like the bitch in heat I'm about to become. "Do you understand you're going into heat?"

"Yes," I moan, a wave of heat rolling through me.

"Oh, fuck," Knox mutters, closing his eyes tightly in concentration. "I know we still have a lot to work through, but do you want Hendrix here?"

I whimper as another wave hits, but nod vigorously. Yes, I want him here.

"Okay, good girl. Kato, get Hendrix here quickly," Knox instructs his brother, never breaking eye contact with me. "Do you understand what a heat entails? The mating, the knotting, the claiming. I can't promise we'll be able to hold back from claiming you. My wolf is riding me hard, and I'm sure my brothers are feeling the same. Where's your head at, pretty girl?"

Each time he mentions claiming, my clit throbs. There are a million things we need to sort out, but deep down, I know I want them just as badly. I always have. "Yes..." The word leaves my lips as a plea, begging for their touch.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Hendrix needs to pick up the damn phone," Kato growls, pacing and flinging his hands dramatically.

Another moan escapes my lips, my core vibrating with Knox's chesty growl. All three of my mates growl appreciatively as my scent fills the air.

"Protection?" Knox asks, confusing me. Why are they still dressed? "Ares, focus, sweetheart. We're clean, but do you want us to use protection? If not, there's a good chance you'll get pregnant again. You won't be able to shift until after the pup is born."

"Evie?" I need to ensure she's cared for because I'm losing focus.

"Maddock put her down for a nap. We'll watch over her, love. Now, can you answer my question? It's crucial we decide before your heat overwhelms us. We won't think as clearly."

"Um..." My moan signals it's too late; the shift isn't a big concern compared to having my mates bare inside me. The thought makes me growl in demand.

Knox chuckles darkly. "You heard our mate. Bare skin only." His wandering hand confirms his anticipation of my consent.

"Is Hendrix on his way?" Knox checks, trying to maintain enough coherence to ensure I'm ready and have everything I need.

"He's coming," Kato confirms, slick pooling between my thighs. His nostrils flare, his eyes locked onto mine, both man and wolf asserting their presence, letting me know I'll never escape them again.

"Yes," I whisper, a single word granting them permission for everything. I crave it all from them—the life we should have had years ago—because deep down, we all knew they were my mates. Subconsciously, it was there all along. I shouldn't have let Tamera intimidate me when we were younger.

"Fuck, yes. Finally ." Kato settles closer, nuzzling my neck, inhaling my scent as deeply as I breathe theirs. "Mate. Mate. Mate. Mm… My fucking mate. The worst mistake of my life was agreeing to leave you alone until after you presented, until we knew for sure…" His voice falters, throat tight with emotion. "I'm sorry, mate." He sinks to his knees again, resting his forehead against my thigh, overcome with regret. "I'm so fucking sorry."

My lower lip trembles, caught between my teeth, while my fingers gently stroke through Kato's midnight hair. My heart swells and then soothes as Knox kneels beside his brother, mirroring his apology. Maddock returns from settling Evie, assessing the situation instantly, and seamlessly joins them on the floor.

"It's my fault, Moon," Maddock's voice wavers with his confession. "We knew how much you disliked attention, and with us always in the spotlight, we worried about its impact on you. Over the years, we distanced ourselves too much, but we never stopped watching. Not until you disappeared." Sincerity shines from his crystal blue eyes, tinged with pain and regret.

Identical whimpers escape from the twins as they nestle into my lap, seeking comfort like affectionate house cats. Maddock clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him just as he's about to resume his apology for the fourth time since arriving. I playfully press my fingers against his lips, making them pucker like duck lips, causing his brows to rise in amusement before breaking into a smile.

"Maddock, enough apologizing. We've talked about this at length." I gently cup each of the twins' cheeks, urging them to lean into my touch, eliciting another soft whine. "And you two, let's catch up. I forgive you. Whatever guilt we're all feeling, it's unnecessary. If I hadn't listened to Tamera when we were young, my doubts wouldn't have been so prominent—normal teen angst. The point is…"

"I fucking knew it!" Kato springs up, glancing between Maddock and Knox, eager for them to follow his train of thought. "No one believed my suspicions. What motive would she have to harm Drix or Ares? " He mimics a high-pitched, whiny voice, gesturing dramatically. "She's been obsessed with our brother since forever. Do you see it now?" His hands rake through his hair, his theatrics a manifestation of the tension and stress that bring my omega instincts to the forefront. The symptoms of my heat remind me that Kato is struggling.

I grasp his shirt, preventing him from pulling away. He stops instantly, glancing down and tilting his head in question. "Come." It's a breathy command, one he obeys by sinking back to his knees and burying himself against my lap. "Shh… I'm here now. That's what matters." My fingers replace his, running through his silky hair. While I comfort Kato, my gaze returns to Maddock and Knox, who both wear the same annoyed expression.

"What did I miss?" A warmth flushes my skin, turning my question into a moan, causing the Alpha in my lap to growl and nuzzle deeper. His face nearly buried between my thighs, seeking my scent, and I'm not sure how much more of this serious discussion I can follow.

"We've always disliked Tamera, especially as we've gotten older. For some reason, Drix has always defended her, even recently." Knox winces when I flinch at his mention of Hendrix with another female. "Sorry, baby." He brings my fingers to his mouth, nipping and marking his scent on my wrists. "He's been struggling for a while, but it wasn't until you returned that he confided his suspicions. He's been on leave from work because he suspects someone there may be drugging him, possibly since high school."

I gasp, covering my mouth in shock. "Are you saying Tamera's been drugging him, somehow controlling him since high school?" The thought devastates me. Poor Hendrix has been silently suffering all this time, struggling with confusion he couldn't understand. My lower lip quivers. "Where is he now? Shouldn't he be here?" A high-pitched whine escapes as my back arches, yearning for all my mates.

Maddock checks the clock and stands, gripping Kato's neck to pull him away from nuzzling my inner thighs. "What time did you talk to Drix?"

On the verge of his rut, Kato growls but understands the gravity of the question. He retrieves his phone from his pocket, checking the time of his call. "He should have been here by now. I spoke to him nearly an hour ago."