Chapter 21: Ember

I blink awake, disoriented for a moment as I feel myself being carried. Adder's familiar scent—bourbon and pine—envelops me, and I realize I must have dozed off on the plane. My body feels heavy, languid from the multiple orgasms, but there's a thrumming anticipation building low in my belly.

"Welcome home, sleeping beauty," Adder murmurs, his lips brushing my forehead.

Home .

The word sends a thrill through me.

This is really happening.

As we approach the luxurious apartment building, I expect Adder to set me down, but he doesn't. Instead, he carries me right through the lobby, ignoring the wide-eyed stares of the other residents. My cheeks heat up, but there's a part of me—the omega part—that preens at this display.

The private elevator ride to the penthouse is a blur of heated glances and barely restrained energy. I can smell the arousal rolling off all four of my alphas in waves, their scents mingling into an intoxicating cocktail that has my head spinning. By the time we reach their floor, they're practically vibrating with raw, alpha energy and hunger.

Then again, while I slept for the rest of the flight, they had to cope with being that worked up with no release.

As soon as the elevator opens into the massive, modern penthouse, the guys spill out, Adder's steps steady as he carries me.

"Nest," Jayce growls, his voice rough with need. "Now."

I expect to be set down, but Adder's grip on me only tightens as he strides purposefully toward the bedroom. The others follow, a pack on the hunt, and I feel a shiver of anticipation run down my spine.

The nest I built during my last visit is still there, lovingly maintained in my absence. The sight of it, filled with clothes and blankets that smell like my alphas, makes something primal stir inside me.

This is where I belong.

Adder lays me down gently in the center of the nest, and immediately the others are there, surrounding me. Their scents envelope me, making my head spin with desire.

"You sure about this, Cotton Candy?" Jayce asks, his usual cocky grin replaced by an intensity that takes my breath away.

I nod, not trusting my voice.

"Words, sweetheart," Mason prompts gently. "We need to hear you say it."

I swallow hard, looking at each of them in turn.

My alphas.

My mates.

"Yes," I say, my voice surprisingly steady. "I want this. I want you. All of you."

That's all it takes. Suddenly, there are hands everywhere, tugging at clothes, caressing skin. I lose myself in the sensations, in the feeling of being thoroughly and completely cherished.

As Mason works my shirt over my head, I hear Carter mutter, "We need a bigger place."

"Mmm?" I hum questioningly, distracted by the feeling of Adder's lips on my neck.

"A proper nesting room," Jayce explains, his fingers working the clasp of my bra. "Somewhere you can build the nest of your dreams."

My inner omega preens at the thought. They want to give me a space that's all my own, a place where I can create the perfect sanctuary for us.

It's more than I ever dared to hope for.

"We'll start looking tomorrow," Adder promises, his breath hot against my ear.

I want to tell them it's not necessary, that this is perfect as it is, but then Mason's mouth closes around my nipple and all coherent thought flies out the window.

They work in perfect sync, as if they've choreographed this a thousand times in their minds.

Maybe they have.

The thought sends a fresh wave of arousal through me.

Before I know it, I'm naked, spread out before them like a feast. They shed their own clothes with an efficiency born of years in locker rooms, and then they're there, skin on skin, surrounding me with their warmth.

"How do you want us, baby?" Carter asks, his voice a low rumble that I feel in my bones.

I consider for a moment, then decide to be bold. "You and Jayce first," I breathe. "At the same time. Then Adder and Mason."

I want them all at once, but if they're going to mark me, I can only take so many knots at once.

Two. The number is definitely two.

At least if I don't want to pass out.

Carter and Jayce move into position, their eyes dark with desire. I shiver in anticipation as Carter settles between my legs, his hard length pressing against my entrance. Jayce kneels behind me, his hands gripping my hips.

"Ready, Cotton Candy?" Jayce murmurs, his breath hot against my ear.

I nod, not trusting my voice. My body is thrumming with need, every nerve ending on fire. I want this—want them—more than I've ever wanted anything.

Carter enters me first, slowly, giving me time to adjust to his size. I gasp at the delicious stretch, my inner walls clenching around him. When he's fully seated, he pauses, his forehead resting against mine.

"You feel amazing," he breathes, his voice strained with the effort of holding still.

Before I can respond, I feel Jayce pressing against my other entrance. He's slick with lube, the cool sensation a stark contrast to the heat of my skin. He pushes in slowly, carefully, and I force myself to relax.

The dual sensations are overwhelming. I've never felt so full, so completely possessed. For a moment, we're all still, adjusting to this new configuration. Then Jayce rolls his hips experimentally, and a moan escapes me.

"Fuck," Carter hisses, his hips jerking in response.

They start to move in tandem, finding a rhythm that has me seeing stars. Carter thrusts deep and slow, while Jayce's movements are quicker, shallower. The contrast is maddening, pleasure building rapidly at the base of my spine.

I'm vaguely aware of Mason and Adder watching, their eyes hungry as they stroke themselves in preparation for me. But my focus narrows to the two alphas currently claiming me, to the exquisite sensations they're creating.

Carter's hand slips between us, his fingers finding my clit. He rubs tight circles in time with his thrusts, and I cry out, my back arching.

"That's it, baby," Jayce encourages, his pace increasing. "Let us hear you."

Their movements grow more frantic, more desperate. I can feel their knots starting to swell, catching on my entrances with each thrust. The added pressure sends jolts of pleasure through me, pushing me closer to the edge.

"I'm close," I pant, my nails digging into Carter's shoulders.

"Us too, sweetheart," Carter grits out. "Come for us. Show us how good we make you feel."

His words, combined with a particularly deep thrust from Jayce, send me hurtling over the edge. I come with a scream, my body clamping down hard around both of them.

As I'm still riding the waves of my orgasm, I feel twin sharp pains on either side of my neck. Carter and Jayce bite down simultaneously, their teeth breaking the skin over my scent glands. The pain mingles with pleasure, intensifying my climax and triggering theirs.

They push in deep, their knots swelling to full size and locking inside me. I feel the rush of their release, hot and abundant, as their marks take hold. A warmth spreads from the bite sites, flowing through my veins like liquid fire.

For a moment, the world narrows to just the three of us. I can feel them—not just physically, but emotionally. Their love, their devotion, their fierce protectiveness... it all washes over me in waves, overwhelming in its intensity.

As we come down from our collective high, they release their bites, lapping gently at the marks to soothe the sting. I'm boneless between them, utterly spent and more satisfied than I've ever been in my life.

"You okay, Cotton Candy?" Jayce murmurs, pressing soft kisses along my shoulder.

I nod, not quite able to form words yet. Carter nuzzles against my cheek, his scent wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

We stay locked together for what feels like hours but is probably only fifteen or twenty minutes. When their knots finally go down, they carefully disengage, leaving me feeling oddly empty.

But before I can dwell on the sensation, Mason and Adder are there. They help me sit up, offering water and gentle caresses. I drink greedily, suddenly aware of how parched I am.

"How are you feeling?" Adder asks, his eyes searching my face.

I take a moment to assess. My body aches in the best way possible, and I can feel the marks on my neck throbbing gently. But more than that, I feel... complete. Like a piece of me that I didn't even know was missing has finally clicked into place. But that completeness is, paradoxically, only partial. I know it won't be truly complete until I'm wearing all four of these alphas' marks.

"Good," I say, smiling up at him. "Really good."

Relief washes over his face, quickly replaced by hunger. "Think you're up for round two?"

I laugh, the sound turning into a moan as Mason's hand slides up my thigh. "Definitely."

They waste no time getting into position. Adder settles on his back, and with Mason's help, I straddle him. I sink down onto his length with a satisfied sigh, relishing the way he fills me so perfectly.

Mason kneels behind me, his chest pressed to my back. I feel him line up with my other entrance, still slick and stretched from Jayce. He pushes in slowly, giving me time to adjust to the fullness.

When they're both fully seated, we pause, basking in the sensation of being so intimately connected. I've never felt so thoroughly claimed, so completely cherished.

"Move," I plead, rolling my hips. "Please."

They don't need to be told twice. Adder thrusts up as Mason pulls out, creating a rhythm that has me gasping for air. It's too much and not enough all at once. I want it to last forever, and I want them to fuck me senseless right now.

Adder's hands find my breasts, kneading and teasing as Mason's fingers dig into my hips. I'm surrounded by their scents—wood smoke and bourbon and pine—and it's making my head spin.

"You're so beautiful like this," Mason murmurs in my ear. "Taking us both so well. Our perfect little omega."

His words send a thrill through me. I've never been one for pet names or possessive language, but coming from them, it feels right. Natural. Like this is exactly where I'm meant to be.

The pleasure builds quickly, coiling tight in my belly. I'm already oversensitive from my previous orgasms, and every thrust sends sparks shooting up my spine.

"I'm close," I pant, my movements growing erratic.

"Us too, sweetheart," Adder grits out. "Come for us. Let us feel you."

Mason's hand snakes around to rub my clit, and that's all it takes. I shatter with a cry, my body clenching hard around them both. As I'm still riding the waves of my climax, I feel their teeth sink into my neck, one on each side.

The pain of the bites mingles with the pleasure of my orgasm, creating a sensation so intense I nearly black out. I feel their knots swell, locking us together as they empty themselves inside me. Their marks take hold, and suddenly I can feel them—heir love, their joy, their utter devotion.

For a moment, everything else fades away. There's nothing but this, us, connected in the most intimate way possible. I can feel all of them now, through the marks. Four distinct presences in my mind, each as familiar to me now as my own thoughts.

As we come down from our collective high, Mason and Adder release their bites, lapping gently at the marks. I slump forward onto Adder's chest, utterly spent. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close as Mason's weight settles comfortably on my back.

"You okay, Em?" Adder murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I nod, too blissed out to form words. I've never felt so thoroughly fucked, so completely satisfied. But more than that, I've never felt so loved, so cherished, so... complete.

As we wait for their knots to go down, Carter and Jayce join us in the nest. They curl up on either side of us, their hands gentle as they stroke and caress. The air is thick with the scent of sex and satisfaction, our pheromones mingling into something new and uniquely us .

I drift in and out of consciousness, lulled by the steady beat of Adder's heart beneath my ear and the comforting weight of Mason above me. I'm vaguely aware of soft conversations happening around me, of gentle touches and tender kisses.

When their knots finally deflate, they carefully disengage. I whimper at the loss, suddenly feeling empty and bereft. But before I can dwell on the sensation, I'm being gathered into someone's arms. Carter's, I think, though it's getting hard to tell them apart.

"Sleep, sweetheart," he murmurs, tucking me against his chest. "We've got you."

As I drift off, surrounded by the warmth and scent of my alphas, my last coherent thought is that I've finally found where I belong.

This is home.

This is family.

This is everything I never knew I needed.

I have a pack now.

No… I am pack.

And it feels so fucking good.