Chapter 20: Ember

Chapter

Twenty

EMBER

M y heart pounds as I take my starting position on the ice. The familiar chill seeps through my thin costume, but I barely notice it. My mind is racing, filled with a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts that I've been trying to sort out for months.

It's been six months since that magical Christmas in Parkridge. Six months of weekend visits, late-night phone calls, and an ache in my chest that grows stronger every time I have to say goodbye. The guys have been coming to Sterling City like clockwork, fitting their visits around their grueling hockey schedule.

But this time, it's my turn.

After tonight's competition, I'm heading to Belmont City for the weekend.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself.

Focus, Ember.

You can daydream about your alphas later.

Right now, you need to nail this routine.

The opening notes of my music fill the arena, and I begin to move. As I glide across the ice, my body going through the familiar motions, my mind drifts back to the decision I've made.

It's time for a change.

I can't keep living like this, with my heart split between two cities.

I launch into my first jump, a triple lutz. As I land it perfectly, a small smile tugs at my lips. I've proven to myself over and over that I can have both—my career and my mates. They've shown me time and time again that they're nothing like Jake. They celebrate my victories, console me after my losses, and never once have they suggested I should "slow down" or "reconsider my priorities."

My next element is a spin combination.

As I whirl faster and faster, the world blurring around me, I think about the conversation I had with my agent last week. "There are more opportunities in Belmont City," she had said. "And with your talent, you could train anywhere. The move could be good for your career."

She's right, of course.

Belmont City is way bigger than Sterling City.

I've felt like I was outgrowing it for years, and it's further away from Parkridge, so that would be another bonus of moving. Getting to see my family more often.

Then there's the fact that a part of me doesn't feel like anything is left for me here anymore. Just bad memories. And an apartment that feels cold and empty without the warmth of my alphas.

Of course, there's always the chance the guys won't go for it.

That they're not ready yet.

But I'm pretty sure that's not the case, considering they're obsessive about scheduling visits every chance they get—and when we part ways, I practically have to peel myself out of their arms.

But the fear still has my nerves on edge.

I come out of the spin and move into the step sequence. My blades carve intricate patterns into the ice as I weave back and forth across the rink. It's easier for me to move, I reason. I compete at the national level as a solo skater, not with a team. And the guys have their whole lives in Belmont City. Their team, their fans, their home.

As I prepare for my next jump, a quadruple toe loop, I feel a familiar prickle at the back of my neck. It's the same feeling I get when the guys are watching me practice. But that's impossible. They're in Belmont City, preparing for some big non-game event this weekend. That's why I'm going there after the competition instead of them coming here.

I push the thought aside and focus on the jump. I launch myself into the air, spinning four times before landing cleanly on one foot. The crowd cheers, but there's one sound that cuts through the noise.

A familiar whoop that I'd recognize anywhere.

There, in the stands, are four familiar faces.

Adder, Carter, Mason, and Jayce.

They're all on their feet, cheering louder than anyone else in the arena.

They came.

They're here.

A warmth blooms in my chest, spreading through my entire body. They came to see me compete. They're supposed to be preparing for their event, but they're here instead, supporting me.

The sight of them fuels me, igniting a fire in my veins.

I throw myself into the rest of my routine with renewed vigor. Every move is sharper, every element more polished. I pour every ounce of love and gratitude I feel for them into my performance.

Fuck… love ?

Is that…?

Yeah. I guess it is.

As I move into my final combination spin, I can feel their eyes on me. I imagine their scents—bourbon and pine, dark chocolate, wood smoke, salted caramel—surrounding me, supporting me. I come out of the spin and strike my final pose just as the music ends.

The crowd erupts into applause, but I only have eyes for my alphas. They're yelling and hollering like maniacs.

My maniacs.

I take my bows, my cheeks hurting from smiling so wide. As I skate off the ice, I can't take my eyes off them.

They shouldn't be here.

But they came for me.

In that moment, any lingering doubts I had about moving to Belmont City vanish.

It's what I want.

It's where I belong.

Or, at least… with them is where I belong.

I barely register the scores when they're announced. All I know is that they're good. Near perfect, in fact. But right now, I couldn't care less about the numbers.

All I want is to get to my alphas.

After what feels like an eternity of interviews and congratulations from my coach and fellow skaters, I'm finally free. I race through the corridors of the arena, having just shed my skates, and finally reach the backstage area doors.

I burst through the doors into the public area, my eyes scanning the crowd. And then I see them, standing off to one side, away from the main crush of people.

Four pairs of eyes lock onto me, and then I'm running.

I don't care about the stares or the whispers.

I don't care about maintaining my professional image or keeping our relationship private.

All I care about is getting to them.

Jayce sees me coming and opens his arms wide. I launch myself at him, trusting him to catch me. He does, of course, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around. His familiar scent—salted caramel—envelops me, and I bury my face in his neck, breathing him in.

"You were amazing, Cotton Candy," he murmurs in my ear. "Fucking incredible."

Before I can respond, I'm being passed to Mason. He hugs me tightly, his wood smoke scent mixing with Jayce's. "You blew them all away, sweetheart," he says, his voice rough with emotion.

Then I'm in Carter's arms. He doesn't say anything, just holds me close, his dark chocolate scent wrapping around me like a warm blanket. It's only when I feel the crinkle of plastic against my back that I notice the obscenely huge bouquet of roses they brought me.

Pink and blue, of course.

When he finally pulls back, his eyes are suspiciously bright.

Finally, I'm face to face with Adder. He cups my face in his hands, his bourbon and pine scent making me dizzy. "We are so proud of you," he says softly, before pulling me into a kiss that makes my toes curl in my skates.

When we break apart, I'm breathless and a little dazed. "You came," I whisper, still not quite believing it.

Adder smiles, that soft, tender smile that's reserved just for me. "Of course we did. We wouldn't miss this for the world."

"But your event—" I start to protest, but Mason cuts me off.

"Wasn't as important as being here," he interrupts. "And you certainly didn't disappoint."

"You didn't have to—" I try again, but this time it's Carter who interrupts.

"Yes, we did," he says firmly. "You're our mate, Ember. Your victories are our victories."

I feel tears pricking at my eyes.

"I love you," I blurt out. "All of you. So much."

They've all said it before, at different times. Adder and Mason while they were locked inside me, Carter while we were sharing a quiet, intimate moment in the shower, and Jayce, weirdly enough, at the kitchen counter after I laughed so hard at something he said that milk came out of my nose.

But even though I've felt it for a while, now that I'm being honest with myself, it's the first time I've actually said it out loud. And the look they're all giving me confirms that fact doesn't escape them.

They gather around me, enveloping me in a group hug that should feel stifling but instead feels like coming home. In this moment, surrounded by their warmth and their scents, I know I'm making the right decision.

"And we love you, Ember," Mason murmurs, nuzzling my cheek. "So fucking much."

My heart is pounding, and while I thought I could wait, at least until we were at the guys' apartment, but I can't.

It just feels right.

"I want to move to Belmont City," I blurt out.

"You what ?" Carter asks, his eyes growing wide as he stares at me in a state of shock.

I swallow hard, wondering if I've misjudged things and I'm moving way too fast, but the cat's out of the bag now. "I've been thinking about it for a while," I admit. "And talking to my agent and trainer. I mean, if we're doing this, it just makes sense, you know? We can't keep going back and forth every weekend. At least, I can't," I say, realizing how needy I probably sound. "And if it's between four people uprooting their lives and one, it just makes sense mathematically, you know? Besides, there are way more career opportunities for me in Belmont City, so it would be a good move even if it wasn't for the pack. But I mean, obviously that's why I'd be doing it in the first place. If you're ready. Uh. Yeah."

I grimace, realizing I'm spiraling.

And blathering.

It's a rare but embarrassing habit that only pops out when the stakes are high and I'm extremely nervous.

And the fact that they're all staring at me like I just grew another head isn't helping.

"If you're not ready…" I start, wondering if I'm going to have to hide behind that giant banner with a printed photograph of me doing an upright spin across the room.

"No," Adder says immediately, like he just came out of a trance. He gives a throaty chuckle that makes my spine tingle. "No, of course not, beautiful. It's not that, it's just…" He pauses, exchanging glances with the rest of the pack. "We've been discussing some things, too, and we came to a similar decision."

"You did?" I ask, blinking.

"Yeah, except we were going to ask if you want us to move here," Mason says, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "Guess we're pretty much on the same wavelength, different directions."

"Move here?" I echo, equal parts shocked and relieved I wasn't totally off base about moving in together. "But what about the team? Your lives are in Belmont City?"

"Our lives revolve around you now," Carter says firmly. He's definitely the quiet one out of the pack, but that just makes his words ring more sincere when he does speak. And right now, there's no questioning the quiet determination in his gaze. "The team is important, sure, but nothing even comes close to you."

"Yeah, why should you be the one to uproot everything?" Jayce chimes in. "You've built a life here, too."

I stand there frozen for a few moments, trying to process the swirl of emotions I feel right now.

Surprise, relief, but most of all… gratitude.

Gratitude for the fact that these alphas have proven time and again they are exactly who they said they were.

That they're never going to ask me to compromise my values, or put my dreams on hold, just to make them happy.

But it doesn't change what I've already decided.

"I appreciate that," I begin softly. "So much. But I meant what I said earlier. Belmont City has a lot more opportunity, not just for me and my skating career, but for all of us. And most importantly, it has you. I'm ready to do this. I want to."

"Are you sure?" Adder asks, his eyes intense as he searches my face for any sign of doubt.

"Very," I say, leaning up to kiss him. "Now let's get out of here, and I can show you exactly how sure I am."

"Sounds like the lady's made up her mind," Mason muses.

Adder's face splits into a sexy grin, and he strokes a strand of hair that's fallen out of my sleek bun out of my face. "It certainly does."

I can't keep the grin off my face as I follow the pack backstage and watch my alphas pack up the last of my belongings over the next few minutes. There's an electric energy in the air, a sense of excitement and possibility that has my skin tingling.

We're really doing this.

I'm moving to Belmont City.

With my alphas.

We still don't have a date, or the details planned out, but even though I was the type of person who obsessively planned out my day from the time I was in kindergarten… somehow, I feel like it's just going to work out okay.

Better than okay.

"Ready to go, Cotton Candy?" Jayce calls from the doorway, that familiar mischievous glint in his eye.

"I don't know, the private jet is so stressful," I tease, following them out the personnel exit of the stadium to Adder's waiting SUV.

"I'm sure we can find a way to make the trip a little easier," Jayce says, giving me a wink as he helps me into the SUV.

I'm sure they can.

The ride to the airport is a blur of laughter and stolen kisses. I'm happily wedged between Carter and Adder in the back of the SUV, with Mason and Jayce up front. The proximity of their bodies, the mingling of their scents, has my head spinning in the best way possible.

If we get off the plane without me going into heat, I'll be surprised.

As we pull up to the private hangar, my jaw drops even though I've seen the team's jet more than a handful of times. It looks bigger every time.

I shake my head in disbelief as we board. This all still feels so surreal. The interior is all sleek leather and polished wood, more luxurious than any first-class cabin I've ever seen.

"Make yourself comfortable," Carter says, his hand resting on the small of my back. "Preferably in my lap."

I laugh. "Tempting."

As we take off, I can't help but feel a thrill of excitement. This is it. The start of our new life together. The thought both exhilarates and terrifies me, but with my alphas by my side, I know we're going to be fine.

No matter what life throws at us.

Once we're at cruising altitude, Jayce unbuckles his seat belt and stretches languidly. "You know," he says, that dangerous smirk playing at his lips, "we should celebrate."

Adder raises an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"

"A friendly competition," Jayce replies, his grin widening.

I can practically see the wheels turning in Adder's head. "What kind of competition can we possibly have a mile up in the sky?"

Jayce's eyes lock with mine, and I feel a jolt of heat shoot through me. "A pussy eating competition, of course," he says, his voice low and husky. "Whoever makes Ember scream the loudest gets to knot her first.

My breath catches in my throat, arousal pooling low in my belly. The others look at me, gauging my reaction.

I surprise myself—and them—by laughing.

"I like the sound of that," I say, my voice huskier than I intended. "But let's raise the stakes a little."

Four pairs of eyes widen, fixed intently on me. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to say.

"The winner gets to mark me first."

The silence that follows is deafening. I can see the shock on their faces, quickly replaced by a hunger that makes my skin prickle with anticipation.

"Ember," Adder says slowly, his voice strained with hunger he's afraid to show freely. But I know him well enough by now to recognize it. The way it darkens his voice. The way the muscles in his throat strain. "Are you sure?"

I nod, more certain than I've ever been about anything. "I'm sure. I love you. All of you. And I want the world to know I'm yours."

"Fuck," Mason breathes, his eyes dark with desire. "You have no idea what you do to us, do you?"

I grin, feeling bolder by the second. "Why don't you show me?"

That's all it takes.

Suddenly, I'm being lifted out of my seat, strong hands guiding me to a more open area of the cabin. Jayce and Mason push two of the leather seats together, creating a makeshift bed.

"Last chance to back out, Cotton Candy," Jayce says, his voice rough with need.

I shake my head, already working on the buttons of my blouse. "Not a chance. Now, who's going first?"

They exchange looks, having one of those silent conversations that never fails to amaze me.

"Ladies' choice," Mason says, his eyes burning with intensity.

I pretend to consider for a moment, even though I already know my answer. "Mason," I say, loving the way his eyes light up at my choice. "Show me what that smart mouth of yours can do."

Mason grins, dropping to his knees in front of me. "With pleasure, sweetheart."

He helps me out of my jeans and panties, his touch reverent as he spreads my legs. The first swipe of his tongue has me gasping, my hands flying to his hair.

"Remember," Jayce says from somewhere to my left, "loudest scream wins. Don't hold back, Em."

As if I could. Mason's mouth is pure sin, licking and sucking in all the right places. He slips two fingers inside me, curling them just so, and I cry out, my hips bucking against his face.

"That's it, baby," he murmurs against my sensitive flesh. "Let us hear you."

I lose myself in the sensations, barely aware of the other alphas watching, their eyes hungry. Mason brings me to the edge twice, backing off each time until I'm a writhing, pleading mess.

"Please," I whimper, not even sure what I'm begging for anymore. "Mason, please!"

He redoubles his efforts, sucking hard on my clit as his fingers pump faster. The orgasm hits me like a tidal wave, and I scream his name, my body arching off the makeshift bed.

As I come down from the high, panting and boneless, I hear low chuckles around me.

"Think you can beat that?" Mason asks, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Adder steps up next, his eyes dark with challenge. "Watch me."

He wastes no time, diving in with a fervor that has me seeing stars. Where Mason was methodical, Adder is relentless. He uses his whole mouth—lips, tongue, even teeth—driving me to the brink embarrassingly fast.

I'm vaguely aware of the others murmuring encouragement, their voices blending into a symphony of desire. Adder slips his tongue inside me, his nose bumping against my clit, and I lose it.

My scream is loud enough that I'm half-worried we'll get in trouble with air traffic control. Adder works me through it, not letting up until I'm pushing at his head, oversensitive and trembling.

"Holy shit," I gasp, struggling to catch my breath.

Jayce whistles low. "Damn, boss. Didn't know you had it in you."

Adder just grins, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Your turn, hotshot."

Jayce cracks his knuckles dramatically. "Time to show you amateurs how it's done."

He approaches me like a predator stalking its prey, all lean muscle and cocky confidence. But when he settles between my thighs, his touch is surprisingly gentle.

"You good to keep going, Cotton Candy?" he asks softly, pressing a kiss to my inner thigh.

I nod, touched by his concern. "Green light, Jayce. Give me your best shot."

He doesn't need to be told twice. Jayce attacks my pussy with a single-minded focus that leaves me breathless. He alternates between broad, flat strokes of his tongue and quick, teasing flicks that have me squirming.

Just when I think I can't take anymore, he does something with his tongue that makes me see stars. I arch off the bed, a string of curses and pleas falling from my lips.

"That's it, baby," he murmurs against me. "Sing for me."

The orgasm builds slow and steady, a warmth spreading through my entire body. When it finally crests, I scream Jayce's name loud enough to wake the dead, my body convulsing with pleasure.

As I come back to myself, I realize I'm crying. Happy tears, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. Jayce kisses them away, murmuring soft words of praise.

"You're doing so well, sweetheart," he says, stroking my hair. "Think you can handle one more?"

I nod weakly, turning my head to find Carter. He's been silent this whole time, watching with an intensity that makes my skin tingle.

"C'mere," I whisper, reaching for him.

Carter doesn't need to be told twice. He settles between my legs, his broad shoulders pushing my thighs wider. The first touch of his tongue is almost too much, my oversensitive flesh protesting. But he's patient, working me up slowly until I'm writhing beneath him.

Where the others were technique and enthusiasm, Carter is pure, unadulterated passion. He devours me like a man starved, his groans vibrating against my core. I've never felt so thoroughly consumed, so completely worshiped.

"Carter," I gasp, my hands fisting in his hair. "Oh god, Carter, please!"

He redoubles his efforts, sucking my clit between his lips as he pushes two thick fingers inside me. The dual stimulation is too much, and I shatter with a scream that leaves my throat raw.

As I float back down, I'm vaguely aware of the others arguing good-naturedly about who won. But all I can focus on is the way Carter is looking at me, his eyes full of love and awe.

"You're incredible," he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

I hum contentedly, too blissed out to form coherent words. The others gather around, their hands gentle as they stroke and caress me.

"So," Adder says, his voice rough with desire, "who won?"

I laugh weakly, shaking my head. "You're kidding, right? After that? You all did."

They exchange looks, a mix of confusion and arousal on their faces.

"A tie?" Mason asks finally.

"What can I say?" I stretch languidly out on the sofa. "You make one hell of a team."

That makes them chuckle.

"There's still the matter of choosing who marks you first," Adder reasons.

I pause, considering it. "Well, you could do it two at a time," I say, my pussy throbbing at the thought even though I should need a week to recover from their "competition."

But something tells me I'll be ready to go by the time we land.