Chapter 14: Ember

Chapter

Fourteen

EMBER

I wake to the sensation of being watched.

My eyes flutter open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the windows. Four pairs of eyes stare back at me, a mix of concern and adoration in their gazes.

It should be creepy, waking up to four huge alphas hovering over me like this.

But somehow, it's... endearing?

"Enjoying the show?" I croak, my voice still rough from sleep.

And, well, other activities.

They have the grace to look sheepish, but there's an undercurrent of tension in the air.

Something's off.

"How are you feeling?" Adder asks, his tone careful, measured.

I take a moment to assess.

The burning need that's consumed me for the past day—days?—has faded to a dull warmth. My body aches in places I didn't know could ache, but it's a good kind of soreness.

Like after an intense workout.

"Better," I admit. "I think... I think my heat's over. Or mostly over, at least."

They exchange glances, a silent conversation passing between them. It's Mason who finally breaks the silence.

"Ember," he starts, then hesitates. "We were wondering if... well, if anything's changed. For you. About us."

Oh.

The weight of the question settles over me like a heavy blanket.

Has anything changed?

Everything's changed.

I'm not the same person I was when I walked into this ice rink, annoyed at having to share my practice time with a bunch of cocky hockey players.

But am I ready to admit that?

To them?

To myself?

"I..." I trail off, unsure how to put my jumbled thoughts into words. "I don't know. I mean, yes, things have changed, but I'm not sure..."

"It's okay," Carter interjects softly. "You don't have to have all the answers right now."

I nod, grateful for the out. "I know I don't want to have nothing to do with you after this," I say slowly, choosing my words carefully. "But I'm not sure I'm ready to just... dive in, either. I need time. To process all of this. I never intended to find an alpha. Let alone an entire pack."

"We can give you time," Jayce says, and the sincerity in his voice surprises me. "Whatever you need, Ember. We're not going anywhere."

The lump in my throat threatens to choke me.

How can they be so understanding?

So patient?

They're certainly not like other alphas.

"Can I ask you something?" Adder's voice pulls me from my thoughts. I nod, wary. "What happened before? To make you so distrustful of alphas?"

The question hits me like a punch to the gut. Am I that transparent? Have I been wearing my wounds so openly?

I consider deflecting, brushing off the question with a joke or a vague non-answer. But as I look at their faces—open, concerned, genuinely wanting to understand—I realize I owe them this much.

After everything we've shared, I can give them this piece of myself.

And the realization that I feel safe enough to do so?

That's terrifying in its own right.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "It's not just one thing," I start, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's... a pattern. My ex, Jake, he was the worst of it. He wanted me to give up skating. Said it wasn't 'appropriate' for his omega to be so focused on a career. That I should be thinking about starting a family instead."

The growls that rumble through the room startle me.

I look up to see fury etched across their faces.

"He what ?" Jayce snarls, his usual playful demeanor nowhere to be seen.

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance but probably missing by a mile. "It's not just him. It's been an issue in all my relationships. Alphas who say they support my dreams at first, but then start hinting that maybe I should 'slow down' or 'reconsider my priorities.' It's like they can't handle the idea of an omega with ambitions other than being a mate and mother." I pause. "It's not like I don't want either of those things. Just… not at the expense of my other dreams. But every alpha I've dated has made it clear I have to choose."

"That's bullshit," Mason says vehemently. "Your career, your passion—that's part of who you are. Anyone who truly cares for you would support that, not try to change it."

"Exactly," Carter agrees. "Ember, your competitive spirit, your drive… those are some of the things that drew us to you in the first place."

I blink, taken aback by the intensity of their responses. "You... you mean that?"

"That and your ass," Jayce admits with that devilish grin.

I lob an empty water bottle at him, but I know for once he's just trying to lighten the mood, and I'm grateful.

Adder reaches out, his hand hovering near mine, asking permission. I nod, and he takes my hand in his, his touch gentle but firm. "We mean it. If you choose us—and it is your choice, always —we'll never stand in the way of your dreams. We want to support you, to see you succeed."

"You're incredible on the ice," Jayce adds, growing serious. "Why would we ever want to take that away from you?"

I search their faces for any sign of deception, any hint that they're just telling me what I want to hear.

But all I see is sincerity.

And something else.

A fierce protectiveness that makes my heart skip a beat.

"I believe you," I whisper, and I'm surprised to realize it's true. "I don't know why, but I do."

The tension in the room eases slightly, replaced by a cautious optimism. I'm not ready to commit to anything yet, but for the first time in a long time, I feel...

Hopeful.

"So, where do we go from here?" Mason asks, voicing the question we're all apparently thinking.

I chew my lip, considering. "I need to think about all of this. Process it. But... maybe we could take things slow? Get to know each other outside of, well, this?" I gesture vaguely at the nest around us.

They nod eagerly, relief evident on their faces. "We can do slow," Adder says. "Whatever pace you're comfortable with, Ember."

Before I can respond, a loud banging echoes through the building. We all freeze, startled by the sudden intrusion of the outside world into our little bubble.

"Hello?" a muffled voice calls. "Anyone in there? We're here to dig you out!"

Reality comes crashing back.

The storm, the power outage, being trapped...

God, how long have we been in here?

"That'll be Frank," Carter says, already moving to stand. "And probably half the town, knowing how gossip spreads around here."

A wave of panic washes over me. "Shit," I mutter, scrambling to sit up. "We need to clean up. I can't let the whole town know what we've been doing in here."

Jayce grins, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I don't mind if they know."

I fling a pillow at his head, which he dodges easily, laughing. "Not helping, Jayce!"

But they all pitch in, helping to dismantle the nest and make the breakroom look somewhat presentable. As we work, stealing glances and trading shy smiles, I can't help but marvel at how natural this feels. How right.

I'm not ready to commit to forever.

Not yet.

But I might be ready to see where this could go.

The banging on the door grows louder, more insistent.

"Coming!" Carter calls out, shooting us all a reassuring look before heading to let in our rescuers.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the onslaught of questions and concerned looks I know are waiting on the other side of that door. But as I feel the warmth of four bodies surrounding me, offering silent support, I realize I'm not facing it alone.

And that?

That feels pretty damn good.