Chapter 12: Ember

Chapter

Twelve

EMBER

I wake to the feeling of warm bodies surrounding me, strong arms holding me close. For a moment, I'm disoriented, my mind foggy with sleep and the lingering effects of my heat.

Then it all comes rushing back.

The snowstorm.

Being trapped in the rink.

The four alphas who turned out to be my mates.

My mates…

The thought sends a shiver through me, equal parts excitement and terror.

I blink my eyes open, taking in the nest around me. It's been tidied up, fresh blankets replacing the ones we ruined in our... activities last night. The memory of those activities makes me blush, heat pooling low in my belly.

How many times did I wake up, desperate and needy? How many times did they take care of me, each one stepping up to satisfy the primal urge burning through my veins?

I shift slightly, feeling the delicious ache between my thighs. I'm still in heat, but it's different now. Less frantic, more of a slow burn. It's ending sooner than usual, probably because I have four alphas catering to my every need. Four alphas who are apparently my perfect biological matches.

This is so surreal.

I never thought I'd find one alpha who fit me, let alone four scent matches.

A soft groan escapes me as I stretch, and immediately the arms around me tighten. I look up to see Mason's hazel eyes, warm with affection.

"Morning, sweetheart," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Before I can answer, Carter's deep voice rumbles from my other side. "You with us, Em?"

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself. "Yeah, I'm here. I'm... good." And I am, surprisingly. Sore in all the right places, but good. Satisfied in a way I've never experienced before.

It takes me a moment to realize we're missing two of our group. "Where are Adder and Jayce?" I ask, trying to ignore the pang of disappointment at their absence.

Mason's hand strokes soothingly down my back. "Adder's in the shower," he explains. "And Jayce went to scrounge up some food. We figured you'd be hungry when you woke up."

As if on cue, my stomach growls loudly. Carter chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest where I'm pressed against him. "Sounds like we were right," he says, his fingers combing gently through my tangled hair.

I should feel embarrassed, being this needy, this vulnerable in front of them.

But somehow, I don't.

It feels... right.

Natural, even.

"How's the snow situation?" I ask, remembering the reason we're all trapped here in the first place.

Carter hums thoughtfully. "We found an emergency radio earlier. Sounds like the roads should be clear by tonight."

Is it my imagination, or does he sound disappointed?

And why does the thought of leaving make my chest tight?

"Oh," I say, not sure how else to respond. "That's... good, I guess."

Mason's arms tighten around me. "Yeah," he agrees, but he doesn't sound convinced either. "Listen, Ember... we know you said this doesn't mean anything outside of your heat, but?—"

"Can we not?" I interrupt, my voice small. "Can we just... enjoy this moment? Please?"

I feel them exchange a look over my head, but thankfully, they don't push. Instead, they focus on making me feel good, their hands working out the knots in my muscles, their lips pressing soft kisses to my skin.

I figured when they said they were going to help me get through my heat, they'd take care of me sexually, but I didn't think they'd be so attentive in other ways. I mean, they're four insanely hot, famous, rich alphas.

They could have any omega they want, and yet, they treat me like I'm something they want to cherish and protect and…

Nope.

I refuse to let myself go there.

It would be so easy to lose myself in this, to forget about the real world waiting for us outside. But reality has a way of intruding, even in the most perfect moments.

"Shit," I mutter, suddenly remembering. "I need to text my sister. She's probably freaking out."

Carter nods, reaching for something behind him. He hands me my phone, and I'm surprised to see it's fully charged. They must have found a way to power it up.

Huh.

That's… strangely thoughtful.

"Why don't you take care of that?" Mason suggests. "And do whatever else you need to do. We'll get the nest straightened up."

The idea of a hot shower is too tempting to resist. I nod, sitting up slowly. "That sounds amazing, actually."

Carter stands, offering me his hand. As I take it, he pulls me to my feet, steadying me when I wobble slightly. "Here," he says, handing me a soft, well-worn shirt. "It's mine, but it should work until we can find you something else to wear."

I slip it on, inhaling deeply. It smells like him—like dark chocolate and comfort. "Thanks," I murmur, feeling suddenly shy.

As I make my way to the bathroom, my fingers fly over my phone's keyboard.

Hey Tay, I'm fine.

Sorry for not responding.

I fell asleep. lol

Her reply is almost instant.

Thank god!

You scared me haha.

Did you really sleep this whole time? Or were you too busy with those hunky hockey players? ;)

I feel my face flush hot. How does she always know?

Things may have gotten a little... heated.

OMG EM!

You have to tell me EVERYTHING later.

But I'm glad you found a way to stay warm haha!

Shaking my head at my sister's enthusiasm, I step into the women's locker room. There's steam coming from under the door in the men's, so Adder must still be in there.

The thought of joining him is far more tempting than I want to admit. But I think better of it. I need to start detaching myself. And the fact that I managed to get attached at all this soon is reason enough.

I'm halfway through washing the soap out of my hair when I hear the main door crack open and there's a soft knock.

"Ember?" It's Carter's voice. "Can we join you?"

My breath catches in my throat.

We .

Which means...

"Please?" Jayce's voice this time, low and husky.

I should say no. I should tell them I need some time alone, to process everything that's happened. But the needy omega part of me—the part that's still very much in heat—has other ideas.

"Y-yeah," I call back, my voice shaky. "Come in."

The door opens, and Carter and Jayce step inside. They're both naked except for their boxers, considering I've incorporated most of their clothes into the nest. Their bodies are a study in contrasts—Carter all burly muscle and intensity, Jayce golden and lithe.

My mouth goes dry at the sight of them.

"You okay, sweetheart?" Carter asks, his dark eyes searching my face.

I nod, not trusting my voice. Jayce grins, that cocky smile that simultaneously irritates and arouses me. "Then what are we waiting for?"

Before I can second-guess myself, I step back against the wall to make room for them, letting the water cascade down over my breasts and stomach. Their sharp intakes of breath send a thrill through me. I may be new to this whole mate thing, but I'm starting to understand the power I hold over them.

Jayce is the first to move, closing the distance between us in two long strides. His hands cup my face as he kisses me deeply, hungrily. I melt into him, my arms winding around his neck.

Carter presses up behind me, his hard length nestling against the small of my back. I find myself baring my neck to him instinctively, and he freezes.

"Em…"

The nickname on his lips makes the heat building in my core spiral into an inferno. "It's… fine," I pant, desperate to be touched in that sensitive spot. "Just don't bite."

It's a test of sorts.

A dangerous one, perhaps.

But if these are my mates, my scent matches, and I can't trust them that much…

Carter's lips find my neck, kissing and sucking at the sensitive skin there. But not biting. Not even letting his teeth graze.

I crave it, though.

That instinctive omega part of me wants to be pinned down and bitten and claimed by my mates. I arch my spine and gasp into Jayce's mouth, overwhelmed.

The hot water sluices over us, turning everything slick and steamy. Jayce lifts me easily, pinning me against the tiled wall. I wrap my legs around his waist instinctively, feeling the blunt head of his cock pressing against my entrance. He only rutted against my ass last night, and he's the one who hasn't claimed me that way.

"Ready for me, Cotton Candy?" he murmurs against my lips, and I can't even find it in me to be annoyed at the nickname.

If anything, it feels… right.

"Yes," I breathe. "Please, Jayce."

He slides home in one smooth thrust, and I cry out at the delicious stretch. It should be too much, too soon after last night, but my body welcomes him eagerly. He might be leaner than the others, but he's still fucking huge. Not just in stature.

As Jayce starts to move, setting a steady rhythm that has me seeing stars, I feel Carter's presence next to me again. His fingers tangle in my wet hair, gently tugging my head back.

"You're so beautiful like this," he purrs. "Those full, juicy lips parted, breasts bouncing as you take his cock."

"We could always try a different angle," Jayce says, a conspiratorial edge in his tone alongside the breathlessness.

"Oh, yeah?" Carter asks, his fingers slipping through my hair like water. "What'd you have in mind?"

Jayce shifts me, pulling me off the wall while keeping me supported in his arms, my pussy still impaled on his massive cock. When he lifts me off, I moan in protest at the loss, feeling empty. But only for a moment.

Jayce spins me around, his hands still gripping my hips firmly so I don't fall even though my head spins. He grips a fistful of my hair and the rough yet controlled contact makes my pussy throb with need as he gently pushes my head down, toward Carter's waiting cock.

"Now that's a sight to behold," Jayce purrs, running his free hand down my spine and down to cup my ass. He slips two fingers into my pussy from behind and I gasp as his palm pushes up against my clef, shoving me forward into Carter so I have to reach out and catch myself against his thick, muscular thighs. "Judging from how much slick there is pooling from that tight little cunt, our girl likes it rough, too."

"Is that true, little omega?" Carter asks, his gaze heated as he looks down at me, taking my face in his huge hand to support me as Jayce has me folded over, upright only because of his hand on my hip and the fact that my knees are locked.

"I… I like both," I choke out, sounding fragile and desperate.

Jayce's fingers are scissoring inside me now, slick rushing between them and down my legs where it mixes with the running water.

A feral grin splits Carter's face, but his touch remains gentle. "Then we can give you both," he says, his voice a throaty growl that's doing as much to me as Jayce's relentless fingers are.

"Open up for me, sweetheart," Carter says, his voice rough with desire.

I obey without hesitation, my lips parting. He guides his cock into my mouth, groaning as I take him as deep as I can. The position is awkward, the angle strange, but I don't care. All I can focus on is the feeling of being filled at both ends, of being surrounded by my alphas.

My mates.

"There you go," Jayce says, fucking me harder and faster with his fingers. Each thrust of his hand grinds his palm against my ass, still sore from last night, but deliciously so. The dull ache only intensifies the pleasure inside and I moan around Carter's crown.

" Fuck ," Carter groans, digging his free hand into my hair to hold my head in place while the other stays beneath my chin. "Keep doing that."

I'm not sure if he's telling me to keep moaning or Jayce to keep making me, but either way, I can't help it. Not with them both filling me like this. The contrast between Carter's gentle stroking of my hair and Jayce's relentless finger fucking is almost too much to bear, but it has me spiraling toward a kind of ecstasy I've never experienced before.

One I'm desperate to reach the climax of, but also savor.

I come all over Jayce's hand with a scream when he gives me one final crook of his clever fingers into my G-spot, and Carter's thrusts grow faster in response to the sounds I'm making around his cock.

I want more. Need Jayce's cock inside me, his knot, now. But I can't say that, and I'm too greedy for his cock to let it slide out of my mouth to ask for it.

Fortunately, Jayce seems to know without my having to say anything at all. He pulls his fingers out and I hear him sucking my juices off them. The next instant, his crown replaces them, driving into me with relentless force.

I unleash another cry against Carter's throbbing cock, and arch my spine so his crown hits the back of my throat. I gag a little, but I barely have time to process what's happening when Jayce's cock barrels into just the right spot from behind.

My hips buck wildly, surging forward and rocking back against him, desperate for more. My nails dig into Carter's hips and I smell the metallic tang of blood mixing with our arousal, but he doesn't complain. His grip just tightens in my hair and his hips surge faster as he fucks the back of my throat.

Now they're both being rough, but my desperation wins out over both of them. I'm spit roasted between them and all I can think is how I want more. More of Carter's cock buried in my throat, more of Jayce's driving into me, pounding to the time of my bucking hips.

They give me all that and more, and when I feel Jayce's knot bumping up against my entrance, I squirm and give a muffled keen around Carter's cock, begging him to knot me.

"I know what you need, sweet thing," Jayce purrs, his voice husky with the high of knowing he's in control. For now. His hand smooths down over my hip, and he reaches around, fingering my clit with an expertise that should be criminal. It's just not fair for a total stranger to have this much mastery over my body. "You want my knot?"

I give a less than dignified moan in answer, the sound muffled pitifully around the cock in my mouth.

"How about his?" Jayce asks, stroking my clit faster.

His thrusts are slower now, as if to torture me.

And when I try to grind back against him to take his knot, he just chuckles and pulls back.

Sadistic son of a bitch.

But then, his words sink in.

His knot? Carter's?

I look up beneath my water laden lashes to see Carter gazing down at me, his expression dark with lust and intrigue.

"You think you can?" he asks huskily. "Think you can take my knot in that pretty mouth of yours?"

The idea shocks me at first, but it's not long before curiosity sinks in. I've only ever heard of someone doing that. I've never actually done it, or even attempted it.

But… fuck, I want to.

I give a weak nod, afraid my gag reflex will get the better of me and I'll lose the delicious weight of his cock on my tongue if I move too much.

A sexy smirk flickers on Carter's face and he digs his hand deeper into my hair, his touch loosening under my jaw. "Then you're gonna have to relax," he tells me. "I can help you, if you want."

It takes me a second to realize he means his alpha bark and a nervous thrill runs through me. I've never been comfortable letting my exes use their barks on me during sex, even though a part of me will always crave it as an omega. I guess I just never trusted anyone enough, but them…

Fuck, I shouldn't trust them, should I?

They're strangers.

And yet… they're here.

They've taken care of me.

Respected my boundaries.

Always let me take the lead, until I was content to give it to them.

And I… I do trust them, don't I?

Maybe it's crazy, but…

What about meeting your four scent matches in the last damn place you ever expected isn't at least a little bit crazy?

I nod again, slightly, but enough for him to tell.

"Good girl," he says, stroking my wet hair out of my face. "You're going to have to relax that jaw if I'm gonna get my knot in." He starts thrusting again as he speaks, slowly this time, but enough for me to realize his entire shaft isn't actually inside my mouth.

Not by a long shot.

Carter's cock slides deeper into my mouth as he thrusts gently, the thick head nudging the back of my throat. I focus on relaxing my jaw, trying to open wider to accommodate his impressive girth.

The taste of him—musky and masculine—floods my senses as I feel the first press of his swelling knot against my lips.

My eyes widen as I realize just how big he is.

Can I really take all of that?

The challenge thrills me even as a tendril of nervousness coils in my belly.

Behind me, Jayce has gone still, his cock still buried deep in my pussy. The stretch is delicious, my walls clenching around him greedily for his knot. I can feel the heat of his body pressed against my back, his breath hot on my neck as he waits.

"That's it, baby girl," Carter murmurs, his fingers stroking through my wet hair. "Just relax. Let us take care of you."

I whimper around his length, the sound muffled but full of need.

I want this.

Want them .

All of them.

The realization should probably scare me, but in this moment, lost in ecstasy and surrounded by their scents, I can't bring myself to care.

Jayce starts to move again, slow, shallow thrusts that have me moaning. The dual sensations of being filled at both ends is overwhelming in the best way.

I rock back against him, silently begging for more.

"Fuck, she's eager," Jayce groans, his hands tightening on my hips. "You want our knots, don't you, sweetheart?"

I nod as best I can with my mouth full of Carter's cock, a needy whine escaping me.

Carter's thrusts become more insistent, his knot pressing more firmly against my stretched lips. I try to relax further, to open wider, but it's a struggle.

"Jayce," he says, his voice rough with desire. "I think it's gonna take us both using our barks to help our girl relax."

My pussy clenches at his words, a fresh wave of slick gushing around Jayce's cock. The thought of them both using their alpha barks on me during sex is almost too much to handle.

"You sure, Cotton Candy?" Jayce asks, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. "You want us both to use our barks on you?"

I moan against Carter's shaft in response. He's too deep in for me to nod. I have to stay frozen, just so I can breathe, but the stretch is too delicious to let it go.

I need this.

Need them.

"Alright, baby," Carter says, his voice dropping to that deep, resonant tone that speaks directly to my omega hindbrain. "Relax for us. Let us in."

The alpha bark washes over me like a physical caress, my body responding instantly. Fresh slick rushes out, sluicing over Jayce's cock and coating his knot. I feel myself go pliant, my jaw relaxing as tension melts from my muscles.

"Good girl," Jayce rumbles, his own bark joining Carter's. "That's it. Just a little more. Take our knots. Show us what a perfect little omega you are. Relax. "

The combined force of their barks is like nothing I've ever experienced. It's as if every cell in my body is attuned to them, desperate to obey, to please. I moan long and low, my hips rocking back against Jayce as I open my mouth wider for Carter.

And then, in one smooth thrust, Carter's knot pops past my lips, filling my mouth completely. The stretch isn't painful exactly, but there's an undeniable ache in my jaw that somehow spikes my arousal even higher.

And the ache is nothing compared to the strange pleasure of having his swollen knot filling my mouth, pressing down on my tongue.

At the same moment, Jayce drives deep, his own knot breaching my entrance and locking inside me. I scream around Carter's cock, my body convulsing between them as wave after wave of ecstasy crashes over me.

The sensation of being so utterly, completely filled triggers the most intense orgasm of my life. Pleasure explodes through me, white-hot and all-consuming.

" Fuck !" Jayce groans, his hips jerking erratically as my pussy milks his cock. "She's coming so hard?—"

Carter's hands tighten in my hair, holding me steady as he grinds his knot against my tongue. "That's it, sweetheart," he pants. "Come for us. You're doing so well."

Their praise only intensifies my pleasure, drawing out my orgasm until I'm trembling and weak-kneed between them. If not for their strong hands holding me up, I'd collapse.

As the initial wave subsides, I become acutely aware of how full I am. Carter's knot stretches my jaw to its limit, the weight of his cock heavy on my tongue. Behind me, Jayce's knot puts delicious pressure on all the right spots, keeping me teetering on the edge of another climax.

"Look at you," Jayce murmurs, his voice full of awe. "Taking both our knots like you were made for it. Such a good omega for us."

I whimper at his words, a fresh surge of arousal coursing through me.

I love when they call me that.

Their omega.

It feels right in a way I never expected.

Carter starts to move again, small, careful thrusts that have his knot tugging at my lips with each withdrawal. The sensation is strange but intensely erotic. I hollow my cheeks, sucking hard, and am rewarded with a deep groan from Carter.

"Fuck, your mouth feels amazing," he pants. "So hot and tight around my knot."

Behind me, Jayce picks up his pace, grinding his knot against my G-spot with each thrust. The dual stimulation is maddening, pleasure building rapidly as they work me between them.

"You gonna come again for us, Cotton Candy?" Jayce asks, his fingers finding my clit and rubbing tight circles. "Come on, show us how good we make you feel."

His words, combined with the relentless stimulation, send me hurtling over the edge once more. I come with a muffled cry, my body clamping down hard around both their knots. The intensity of it steals my breath, spots dancing behind my closed eyelids as pleasure courses through every nerve ending.

"Shit, I can't—" Carter grunts, his hips jerking forward. And then he's coming, flooding my mouth with his release. His knot grows impossibly wider and I swallow reflexively, the taste of him sharp and tangy on my tongue.

Jayce follows moments later with a hoarse shout, his knot swelling even larger as he empties himself deep inside me. The feeling of being so thoroughly claimed, so completely filled by my alphas, triggers yet another orgasm, aftershocks of pleasure rippling through me.

For long moments, we stay like that, locked together and panting heavily. I feel dazed, floating on a sea of endorphins and satisfaction. Never in my life have I experienced anything so intense.

As we start to come down from our collective high, Carter's hands gentle in my hair, stroking softly. "You okay, sweetheart?" he asks, concern evident in his voice.

I make a small noise of affirmation, unable to speak around his knot but wanting to reassure him.

I'm more than okay.

I'm fucking amazing.

"You did so well," Jayce murmurs, pressing soft kisses along my shoulder. "Taking both our knots like that. You're incredible, Ember."

Their praise warms me from the inside out, making me feel cherished and protected in a way I've never experienced before. It's addictive, this feeling. Dangerous, even. But right now, I can't bring myself to care about the implications.

We stay joined for what feels like hours, though it's probably only fifteen or twenty minutes. As their knots finally start to go down, Carter cups my face gently.

"Alright, baby," he says softly. "We're going to help you let go now. Just relax your jaw and let me guide you, okay?"

I make a small noise of agreement, suddenly aware of how sore my jaw is. But even that discomfort can't dampen the afterglow of what we've just shared.

Slowly, carefully, Carter eases his softening knot past my lips. I wince slightly at the stretch, but then he's free, a mixture of his come and my saliva dribbling down my chin.

Before I can feel embarrassed, he's wiping it away gently with his thumb.

"You were perfect," he murmurs, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my forehead. "So good for us."

Behind me, Jayce carefully disengages as well, leaving me feeling suddenly empty. I whimper at the loss, but he soothes me with gentle touches, his come dribbling down my thighs along with my slick.

"Shh, it's okay," he says. "We've got you. We're not going anywhere."

As they help me stand on shaky legs, supporting me between them, I'm struck by a sudden, overwhelming realization.

I enjoyed that.

Not just physically, but emotionally.

The trust, the intimacy, the way they took care of me... it was everything I never knew I wanted.

And as much as it terrifies me to admit it, I'm starting to hope this isn't the last time I get to experience it.