23. Lily

Chapter 23

Lily

T he room is still spinning from the intensity of it all, and I can hardly catch my breath. The sensation of being filled so completely by both of them is overwhelming, but in the most delicious way. I feel their knots pulsing inside me, every throb making me acutely aware of just how deeply we're connected. Jack growls, that low, primal sound that reverberates through me, making me purr in contentment.

My mind is fuzzy, but I know one thing for sure. "Not yet," I murmur.

I know why, and I'm pretty sure they do, too. It's because Max isn't here. The arrogant prime alpha who I don't know and am on the fence about getting to know. But they are a package deal. I can't have Jack and Sam without Max. So, how is that going to work?

"You're worried about Max, aren't you?" Jack asks after a few minutes as the pressure inside me eases up and their knots deflate, but not enough to withdraw.

"Obviously," I murmur, wishing I could face him, but I'm still stuck on two knots and unable to move anywhere yet. "I've never officially met him. I delivered some flowers to him the other day, and he was... well, you know."

"An arrogant twat?" Sam offers with a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, that," I giggle, rolling my eyes.

Jack smirks, but there's a seriousness in his tone when he says, "He's not as bad as you think, Lily. He'll just need time to adjust to the idea. Trust me. His mum is trying to set us up with an omega. He will be relieved that we found the one for us."

"Relieved?" I query in a high-pitched tone. "That's not exactly what every omega wants to hear."

"Yeah, maybe not the best choice of words, Jack," Sam chuckles. "But he's right, Lily." His expression turns earnest. "Max is hard to read sometimes, but we wouldn't be here with you if we didn't think he'd get it. We are connected as a pack. If he hasn't already gone into his rut, I'd be surprised."

I sigh, feeling the knots slowly deflating further. The warmth and intimacy I share with Jack and Sam makes me long for a future where Max isn't just the awkward addition I foresee right now. "Maybe you're right," I mumble. "But that doesn't make it any less daunting."

"We'll talk to him," Jack says firmly. "Tonight. Make him see what we see in you."

Another sigh escapes me, but this one is less burdened. Their confidence in us is infectious, and I can feel some of my anxiety melting away.

Finally, their knots minimise enough for us to untangle ourselves. The sensation is strange but oddly satisfying as Jack lifts me off their cocks and places me gently on the bed.

Sam grins, leaning over to kiss my nose lightly. "Do you need anything? Water? A snack?"

"I'm fine," I murmur, suddenly self-conscious under the heated gaze of two alphas in their rut. "But I'd better get cleaned up and open up the shop."

"We'll help," Jack says. "I'll get the shower started. Sam, you make some tea and toast."

"On it," Sam says, reaching for his long-forgotten towel.

I smile as I see them disappear and stretch luxuriously. My heart feels full, but is there enough space to add in a grumpy prime alpha who has a meddling mother and an anonymous admirer? Only one way to find out.

With a deep breath, I pull myself up from the bed and wrap Jack's oversized t-shirt around me, feeling the fabric envelop me like a warm hug. My legs are still a bit wobbly, but I manage to make it to the bathroom, where Jack is fiddling with the shower knobs.

"Temperature good?" he asks, glancing over his shoulder. The water steams around him, creating a foggy halo that makes him look almost angelic—if angels had rock-hard abs and a devilish grin.

"Perfect," I reply, stepping closer and sticking my hand under the torrent. "Thanks."

He gives me a knowing smile and steps back to let me in first. The hot water cascades over me, washing away the remnants of our sex and leaving me feeling refreshed and invigorated. Jack joins me under the spray, his hands immediately going to my back, gently massaging away any lingering tension.

"Relax," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple. "We've got this."

I nod, closing my eyes and leaning into his touch. The sound of Sam rattling about in the kitchen reaches us even through the running water; it's a comforting background noise.

"Will I even like Max?" I ask, letting him see my doubts. Above all else, he is my oldest friend. The man who knows me the most.

"Yes, you will. He is fierce and loyal and once you get to know him, he loses the ‘tude. He is guarded and a worrier."

I mull over Jack's words as the water sluices down my body. My curiosity about Max grows. Maybe Jack and Sam are right; perhaps once I get past his rough exterior, there will be someone worth knowing.

We finish up in the shower, and I towel off quickly, wiggling into Jack's tee. It's beautiful how much comfort their clothes bring me, but I don't care. I step out into the kitchen just as Sam sets a plate of toast and a steaming mug of tea on the table.

"Perfect timing," he says with a wink.

I sit down, taking a sip of tea and letting the warmth seep into me. "Thanks, Sam." He leans over and presses a quick kiss to my forehead before settling beside me, munching on his own toast.

Jack joins us soon after, his hair still damp from the shower. He drops into the chair across from me, looking far too pleased with himself.

But I get it. We have finally confessed our feelings for each other. However, if Max doesn't accept me or if I reject him, this whole thing will blow up in our faces, and that gives me a bad case of soul-hives that I try desperately to hide.

Just in case.