46. Meggie

46

Meggie

A fter the doctors check out Dante, they put him in a sling until we can get back to the states and do the surgery. Then we go to the medal ceremony.

There's a brief scare when the International Olympic Committee Member places the silver medal around my neck and his nose wrinkles. My stomach drops. But he's a beta and his sense of smell isn't as strong, so he brushes off the moment of suspicion and gives me the medal I earned.

It's not gold, but it feels pretty great to have the weight of it hanging over my heart. There were so many times I thought this would never happen, that my dream would never come true. It was ripped away from me again and again. I had to fight tooth and nail to get here. I even had to give up a part of myself.

But now, I've gained so much more than just a silver medal. I'm not scared of my designation any more. As soon as the fanfare dies down, I'm going to tell the world. Maybe the IOC will take our medals away for it, maybe not, but I don't care, and I know my men won't either. They care more about me than about any medal, just like they care more about Dante.

I take hold of Ellis's hand and give it a squeeze, so grateful he invited me to try out for this team. Our national anthem crescendos, and I feel it in my whole body. I feel proud. Of myself. And my pack. I can't wait to get out of here and celebrate with them.

As soon as we're off the podium, Emily is breaking past security with Declan and charging into my arms. "You did it! See, I told you it was all going to work out."

She's laughing and reaching for her brother's hand even as she keeps her other arm around me. "You won a medal in the Olympics!"

There's no jealousy on my friend's face, even though I know she didn't medal. Her excitement is completely pure as she hugs us. How did I get so lucky to have a friend like her? Tears rim my eyes as I hold her a little tighter. "Thank you, Em. Thank you for pushing me to do this."

Once we're done jumping and screaming and hugging, Declan puts his arm around her and pulls her into his side. He's got the tiniest hint of a smile on his face, so small it's almost unnoticeable.

Harrison steps up beside the other alpha and quietly asks, "What happened with Glenn?"

"Taken care of," he replies.

"You caught him?" Nils asks from my side.

"We have Knox Callahan in custody." Declan says the other man's name with more bite than necessary, fists clench at his side, but Emily puts her hand on his arm and he relaxes. "Knox has agreed to help us apprehend Glenn in exchange for immunity."

"But Glenn could still come after us?" McQuinn's voice shakes as he asks the question. This affects him even more than the rest of us.

"From what you told me, he'd have no reason to." Declan's gaze dips to the silver medal around McQuinn's neck, and for the first time, I realize we gave Glenn exactly what he wanted. We made it to the end and essentially threw the last game with our forfeit. The thought makes me sick to my stomach. I hate the idea that Glenn will get a huge payoff from our pain.

As if reading my mind, Declan says, "It might actually make him easier to find. Large fund transfers are hard to hide."

"Tell them what else," Emily grins at Declan.

"You've all been granted pardons from the US government in exchange for your help. We've been trying to nab Glenn for a long time, and this is the first real break we've had in the case."

"Pardons for what exactly?" Harrison cautiously asks.

Declan eyes him. "You think I don't know who the omega in this situation is?"

"Ah." Harrison nods.

"You won't press charges? Ever?" Oz's worry is clear on his strong features.

"Never. You're safe from any sort of prosecution on these issues." Declan cocks his head toward Harrison. "Though we can't speak for the IOC. If they find out, they could still revoke your medal. And of course, the US government asks that none of you ever compete in any Olympic game ever again."

Harrison gives a curt nod on behalf of us all. I think we all knew this would be our last Olympics. We have new adventures to pursue now.

"Thank you." Harrison shakes Declan's hand once more. "If you'll excuse us, I'd like to get my pack out of here."

"Oh," Oz stops Declan before he turns away. "Daniel Teague might also be in possession of illegal suppressants. Just, ya know, in case a ‘random search' was conducted in the apartment he's in, you might find something."

"Heard." There's an understanding glint in the other alpha's eyes. "And it might interest you to know that there's a side entrance only used by security."

He points the way, and we all make a run for it before the reporters, well-wishers, or our publicist can catch up to us. I text my mom and sisters that we'll meet up with them for dinner. Right now, I just want a moment alone with my alphas.

We tumble, love drunk and giddy, out onto the street, laughing, swimming in happiness. We're touching, little touches, an arm around a waist, over a shoulder, high fives, giggles that turn into quick stolen kisses while we walk.

We have our apartment in the Olympic Village for one more night before the Closing Ceremonies, so we go there. It's closer than the house where we spent my heat. And there's something almost nostalgic about it, knowing that we won't ever be in another Olympic Village again.

When we get inside, Harrison leads me by the shoulders to the middle of the room. "We have something for you."

My men stand in front of me, looking like Greek gods with a secret.

Ellis steps forward first, lifts off his medal, and hangs it over my neck with a cheeky dimpled smile and a kiss on the cheek.

Confused, I look down at the medallion resting next to mine over my chest.

Dante takes my chin in his hands and lifts it, so I'm looking at him while he takes off his silver and puts it over my head. He whispers in my ear. "I'm going to fuck you while you wear nothing but that medal."

Need rises in my belly, almost as strong as during my heat. But I'm entirely clear-headed.

McQuinn is next, and as soon as his medal joins the others, his lips are on mine, pouring all of his passion into me. Tears ease down my cheeks at the way this man has finally opened up to me. Nils brushes them away with his thumbs before putting his medal over my neck with only a soft kiss as explanation.

Oz adds his medal to the rest, then slaps my ass. A watery laugh squeaks out of me at his rough playfulness.

And then Harrison is in front of me, taking off his medal and giving it to me.

"Whether or not you tell the world your designation is up to you. But these medals, our future, our hearts, our very souls, are in your hands, Meggie. We're yours. All of us. All yours."

He gently tips my head and kisses me, like silk wrapped around my soul.

"We want you to be ours," he says right against my lips. "Be our omega. Let us bond you. Please, Meggie."

I look around the room at all of them, holding their breaths. It's almost comical how nervous they seem.

"Of course I'll be yours. I already am." I throw my arms around Harrison and pull him into another kiss.

Heart swelling in my chest, I overflow with love for these men. My men. My alphas.

"Now," I say. "I love the symbolism and all, but can I take these off? They're frickin' heavy."

We all laugh and Ellis helps me remove the medals. Dante stops him when there's still one around my neck, his eyes making heated promises. Harrison scoops me into his arms and carries me into the bedroom. After the past forty-eight hours and my surprise heat, we've all been together plenty, but this feels different.

Like a bright summer morning after a night of rain. A clear, crisp sky that lets you see for miles. The sun is gentle. The waves are calm, and there's a certainty that whatever comes next will be perfect.

We put all the mattresses on the floor again and undress each other, lips and tongues and hands everywhere, waves of feelings and pleasure. There's a silent understanding between us about what will happen next. With Glenn and Daniel taken care of, there's nothing holding us back anymore.

I give myself over to my alphas. My pack. I lose track of who is where, don't bother paying attention to who is doing what. I surrender to them fully, letting go completely.

"Ready when you are, bunny." McQuinn's words are hot against my neck, right at that spot where my pulse thunders.

I take a breath, and hold it as I nod, knowing what it is he's really asking. I'm more than ready. He slides inside me easily, settling his hips against mine and keeping his lips along the pulse point at my neck. He drags his teeth over my flesh, causing me to gasp. When he breaks skin, I'm lost. Lost in his bright, beautiful essence. All of him crashing into all of me.

"I'll always choose you, McQuinn. I love you."

McQuinn's smile is as bright as his citrusy scent. "I love you, too."

I'm vaguely aware of the rest of the pack surrounding us as McQuinn moves, pumping slowly in and out of me. Nils's expression is soft and full of awe. Oz looks hungry, his pupils blown. Ellis and Dante wear matching gazes of astonished joy. And Harrison, our pack alpha… I want to sear his expression into my memory forever.

McQuinn tends to his bite with his tongue, while the other's kiss and touch and love on me until an explosive orgasm sweeps me away. McQuinn shakes above me as he comes, and when he slips out of me, Harrison takes his place. My pack alpha spreads my legs and sinks home in one long thrust.

Oz positions himself beside my right thigh, lifting it to his mouth. Nils takes my wrist. Ellis and Dante are together on the right side of my neck. One kissing the pulse point McQuinn didn't claim, and the other sucking my shoulder.

Harrison groans and draws all my attention as he scrapes his teeth along my breast, right over my heart.

One by one, I look at them and tell them how much they mean to me. And one by one, they bite, and I feel how much I mean to them. I'm submerged in waves of love as they claim me for their own. An ocean of their reverence and care. I'm crying and I don't think I'm the only one.

All I can say, over and over, is, "I love you. I love you all so much."

It's hours later when I return to myself, descending into my body from the swirling heavens. It's like everything has been slightly rearranged inside me as I settle back into my fingertips and wiggle my toes.

A swell of happiness engulfs me. Happiness that's mine and theirs and ours. I can feel all of them, like something of their essence is now mixed with something of mine. Streams of love connect us to each other, rivers that can never be cut off. I know without looking, without asking, that they're happy, content, and so in love. Just like I am.

I'm so glad I lost that swim competition and didn't make it onto the Olympic swim team. I've never been so grateful for a failure before. But that failure brought me here. To my men. To my home.

I've found my pack. And it's better than I ever could have imagined. I'm home. Free from secrets. Completely loved. Safe and cared for. I'm theirs. And they're mine.