Chapter 17

Elara

The tendrils of a familiar pine scent snagged at my senses, pulling me from the depths of sleep. The surface beneath me felt incredibly warm and soft, and I sighed softly, burying myself even deeper into it. I opened my eyes, and the scent hit me harder, sending a shiver down my spine as it reminded me of my nest that Kai had built for me in his room during my heat. Disoriented, I blinked and the opulent surroundings of the room finally blurred into focus.

I could remember the terrifying nightmare. Silas had sent his hunters to find me, and in the dream, they had chased me relentlessly. I could still feel adrenaline and pure fear that had run through my veins as I fought to escape capture. The wider awake I got, the more my memories flooded back to me. I could remember Kai's strong arms holding me close, and the soft and comforting murmur of his voice as he brought me here. His warmth had been a stark contrast to the cold dread that had coiled in my stomach.

Where was Kai? The blinking red lights of the alarm clock on the nightstand flashed at me. It was close to two in the morning.

I pulled myself to a sitting position before I stumbled out of bed, my bare feet sinking silently into the thick rug. Curiosity warred with apprehension as I moved toward the door, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

The silence in the house as I stepped out of Kai's room was oppressive, and it was broken only by the distant hooting of an owl. He should be in bed. Taking a deep breath, I ventured out into the hallway, my hand trailing nervously along the cool wall. The ornately carved doors to the other bedrooms were shut tight and I approached Rhys' room first since it was the closest.

I knocked softly on the door and pressed my ear against it, hoping to pick up on any sounds coming from within, but there was nothing. I knocked again, louder this time, but after several seconds, there was still nothing. I twisted the doorknob, and the door swung open. The sight of Rhys' empty bed had my heart dropping down to my stomach.

I quickly moved to Rowan's room, and when I found his bed to be equally empty, the unease that had begun building up in me multiplied. Panic filled me. I moved to the home office at the end of the hallway, and when I also found that it too, was empty. I knew there had to be a problem. It might have been the nightmare from earlier, or maybe the constant paranoia that had stuck with me ever since escaping Silas, but something just didn't feel right

Living with the Alphas for the last couple of months meant that I was somewhat familiar with their routines, even though I didn't know for sure how everything worked in the pack. I knew that Rhys and Rowan had a patrol routine every night, and although they rarely had to be out at the same time, it wasn't completely unusual that they would both be gone. Kai, however, never had to be on patrol. I had asked at some point about that, and I could remember how he had playfully told me that he valued his beauty sleep too much to be out patrolling late at night. So it sent chills down my spine to think that they all needed to be out of the house at this ungodly time of the night.

Taking one tentative step at a time, I descended the stairs, my grip tight against the railings. Downstairs didn't look or feel any better. It was as empty and as silent as the rooms upstairs and a creeping feeling crawled up my neck.

Just as I contemplated returning to Kai's room, the front door suddenly burst open, shattering the peaceful silence. My heart leaped into my throat at the sight in front of me. A very naked Kai trudged into the house, his face etched with pain. There was bruising across his abdomen, but he wasn't the one that held my attention. He and Rowan were supporting Rhys as they came through the door. The Alpha's face that usually always held a teasing smile, looked pale and a horrifying gash ran down his side. Rowan was also battered and he seemed to be bleeding too.

"It's okay. We're fine. Anyah will be here soon. She just needs to attend to some of the warriors that need very urgent attention," Kai offered, and I swallowed heavily.

"You all look like you need urgent attention. Especially Rhys," I said, trudging after them as they hauled Rhys up the stairs.

Terror threatened to overwhelm me, but the healer within took control and I forced myself to remain calm. I needed to help them before Anyah could get here. The noise must have woken some of the maids up because I saw as they peeped through the door that led to their quarters with the same horrified look I was sure I had on my face.

"I need fresh towels, warm water, antiseptic and healing salve," I instructed, my voice surprisingly calm when I spoke.

We all settled into Rhys' room, and once he was properly situated on the bed, I began cleaning every inch of his injuries. As hard as I tried, I couldn't stop my cheeks from turning pink as I ran my hands over his naked body. Decency was not a thing amongst werewolves, so I had seen a good bit of nakedness in my life, but it was different with the Alphas. I could feel myself heat up just from the knowledge that I was the only clothed one in the room. As I worked on Rhys, the weight of Kai and Rowan's stares hung heavy on my frame, and I could feel their eyes on me, following my every movement.

I tried my best to focus on Rhys, ignoring the throbbing worry in my heart as I cleaned his wounds and applied healing oils and salves with a practiced efficiency, hoping that it would help until Anyah could get here. But my mind was a whirlwind as I worked. What happened? Who did this to them?

"How are you feeling?" I asked and he offered me a smile, but the fear that had settled at the bottom of my stomach did not allow for me to return it.

"Much better, especially after feeling your touch," he said softly and I felt the heat rise up from my neck and spread to my cheeks and ears.

"You need to rest. I'll come check on you again soon," I responded, pulling the quilt higher up his body before turning to Kai and Rowan to usher them out of the room.

Despite my concern, I could feel a spark of anger ignite within me. They had all come back battered and bruised, yet offered no explanation.

"Where are you going?" I asked Rowan when he turned in the direction of his room as soon as we stepped out from Rhys' and he turned to face me again, confusion painting his face.

"I'm going to treat you two as well," I said as I looked at Kai. "You're both coming with me."

It was shocking how I was able to maintain the calm in my voice. Thankfully, the Alphas didn't argue with me, and they both followed behind me as I led them to Kai's room.

As I cleaned Kai's wounds, his usual stoicism cracked, and he winced at a particularly deep cut, his body betraying his facade of strength. My heart clenched at the reaction, and despite the anger simmering within me, I couldn't help but offer a soft touch and a murmured word of comfort. Thankfully, his injuries were not too serious.

I couldn't immediately figure out the reason for my anger, but as soon as I realized that they were here with me and safe, and that their injuries would eventually heal, I felt the terror that had initially seized me subside. It dawned on me that I was more scared than angry.

From the moment I had encountered each one of them, there had been a connection that had formed between us, one that had deepened from the first time we had sex. I didn't realize how much I had missed them this last week during my game of hide and seek, but now that they were all here safe and alive with me, it felt like a heavy load had been lifted off my shoulders.

Just as I finished, Kai pulled me into his chest.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"I should be asking you if you're okay. You all look exhausted, and you're injured." I couldn't hide the sadness in my words as I spoke.

"It's okay, pretty girl. We're going to be all right. Our wolf just needs to feel closer to you to draw strength so it can speed up the healing process. As long as you're close by, that's all the healing we'll need," Kai responded, and in a bold move, I closed the space between us, covering his lips with mine in a kiss.

The kiss was fueled by a sense of relief, fear, and a simmering current of unspoken emotions and I completely melted into it, the rest of my anger immediately forgotten.

Just then, I felt a hand gently reach out to cup my buttocks, and I opened my eyes, turning to see Rowan standing behind me with a mixture of longing and uncertainty in his gaze. Before I could even react, he leaned in, closing the distance between us to take my lips in a kiss. The kiss was tender, yet passionate. It felt like a long time before we broke the kiss to catch our breath and I felt my core heat up just from the way Rowan watched me.

Kai moved behind me, sliding his hands under my thighs before pulling me against his chest and into the bed. He started kissing my neck again, muttering something under his breath. Rowan's hands slid to cup my cheek before slanting his lips over mine, and I immediately opened up for him, making him groan in approval.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, and Kai moved so we could be arranged properly on the bed. He slid his hands up my hips, pulling my nightgown with him so he could cup my breasts.

Rowan drew back, leaving me breathless and aching as he smirked at me. A strong hand slid around my throat from behind, gently urging my head back, and I followed the lead, tipping my chin so I could glance up at Kai behind me.

"You look so pretty like this love," he whispered, his voice sultry as he spoke, sending a tremor through my frame.

He let go of my neck, adjusting me properly once more, so my butt could sit on his stomach while Rowan slid off my clothes. A slight shiver ran through my frame, and I couldn't immediately tell if it was from the slight chill in the air, or the attention of Kai and Rowan.

"I don't want to hurt you," I said, my voice shaky as I spoke, but they both grinned like I had just said the funniest thing.

"You couldn't hurt us even if you tried, baby. You've taken care of us. Now allow us to take care of you," Rowan responded, dipping his head to take a nipple into his hot mouth.

Jolts flared through me in delicious tingles at the contact, and I let out a soft mewl that increased when I felt Kai reach out to my core and slide a finger into my wet heat. He began moving it in and out of me in a slow rhythm. Another finger soon joined the first, and he began to increase the pace of his fingers inside me at the same time that Rowan bit softly at my nipples, the action causing a cry of pleasure to rip through me. The squelching sound of my slick as Kai moved his fingers in and out of me was enough to send me over the edge, and a scream tore out of my throat as my orgasm took over.

In a split second and before I could even recover from the onslaught of my orgasm, Kai flipped me so I could face him, and Rowan held my hips, helping me to position over Kai's raging boner. Slowly I slid down, hissing when Kai's huge length filled my core to the brim.

I immediately moaned at the feel of him inside me and with a sturdy arm across my waist holding me in place, Kai began moving in and out of me. I trembled from the feel of him thrusting upward as he drove into me.

My heart stuttered and my pulse began skittering when Rowan shifted off the bed, a delicious grin painting his lips as he positioned himself right in front of my face. I gasped at the sheer size of him, although it wasn't the first time I had seen him. Still, their sizes up close never failed to surprise me.

"Open up for me baby," Rowan urged, and I did as he asked.

I opened my mouth, not waiting for another second before wrapping my lips around his cock. I had to lean forward to do it, and the angle had Kai sliding in deeper with every thrust. I moaned around Rowan's cock, and he hissed as I swirled my tongue as best as I could around the head.

"Fuck," Kai groaned out as I took him deeper. My heart raced in my chest, my body and mind a buzzing string of pleasure as Kai and Rowan continued to drive into me from both ends.

Rowan filled my mouth so full that I could hardly breathe around him, but I relished in the feeling and I hung on every groan coming from his and Kai's chest.

It was all just for me.

I was reducing these two powerful males to this. Driving them mad with need. The thought of it was intoxicating and it flooded my mind and intensified my pleasure. Soon I was lifting and dropping onto Kai's cock in the same rhythm that I bobbed my mouth on Rowan's.

Soon my walls began clenching around Kai's cock and I moaned around Rowan's as Kai took the reins again, driving into me so hard and fast that the sounds of our bodies crashing together filled the room and made my head swim.

Rowan's hands slid up my face before he wound his fingers through my hair, and I immediately submitted to him entirely as he began fucking into my mouth.

Every thrust, every touch, every moan created an internal ball of fire that pulsed and ached in my core, and when Kai's hands suddenly dropped between us. He used his thumb to press down against my clit. That seemed to do it, and I felt my world explode as I shattered into pieces around him.

I couldn't stop my muffled cries of pleasure, and each vibration rocked around Rowan's cock as he fucked my mouth with a relentless sort of passion. Rowan grunted almost at the same time that Kai groaned, and with a final thrust, both of their orgasms followed mine, causing me to tremble as Kai's knot immediately filled me, increasing the pressure that I felt inside me and sending a fresh wave of pleasure through me.

Rowan gently pulled out of my mouth, swiping his thumb across my swollen lips as he grinned down at me.

"You're incredible," he praised and a shiver raced across my skin.

"Fucking hell," Kai groaned as his head fell onto my shoulder. He still had an iron grip around my waist, and I relaxed completely into him, enjoying the heat that emanated from his body.

"Phenomenal," I heard Rhys say and I jerked, snapping my head back to see him just behind me, watching me with a fire burning in his eyes.

"W-what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be out of bed," I stuttered, the sight of him naked and so close to me making my head spin. He laughed a deep belly laugh.

I wondered how long he had been in the room watching us. The thought of him seeing me acting so wantonly with Kai and Rowan made me blush in embarrassment.

"My room is just next door, sweetheart. You didn't think I would hear you making all those pretty noises and remain in there, did you? Plus, the scent of all your arousals was reaching me and it was driving me crazy," he said, his voice dropping lower as he stepped closer.

Rhys lifted me off Kai, and when his cock pulled out of me there was a pop and a trail of cum that followed it. I moaned at the feeling of it. Kai helped me lay down and Rowan moved to the head of the bed so I could partially rest against him.

"It's my turn now, baby. Spread your legs for me."

I wanted to tell him off, to remind him of his injuries and urge him to go back to bed, but Kai's words came back to mind. He had said the closeness with me would help heal their wolves. So, when he dipped his head down and claimed my lips in a sweet kiss, I opened up for him.

Without warning, he began to sink inside me, and I felt a heat burn through me. He was so thick that I felt my thighs quiver, and when I looked up at him, the muscles in his arms were clenched and he swore under his breath. Our eyes met, and for a second, something emotional passed between us but before I could process it, he lifted his hips and buried himself to the hilt inside me, causing me to cry out in surprise.

Maybe it was the position, but I could swear I'd never felt him this deep before. It felt like he was touching parts of me that I never knew existed, and it caused a pleasant tingle to light up my skin. I watched as Kai moved his fingers between us to tickle at my clit, and Rowan dipped his head to capture my lips in a kiss that swallowed my loud moans.

I was so turned on that I trembled between the three men, desire making my blood roar in my ears. It felt like my mind was empty, save for the onslaught of pleasure that I felt, and it was almost maddening. Still, I couldn't help but crave it even more.

My skin was burning up like I had been set on fire, and I squirmed, feeling my core fluttering desperately around Rhys' shaft, clenching and squeezing with need.

"Fuck you're squeezing me so hard, sweetheart," Rhys commented, but I couldn't get my mind to focus on his words as I was still trying to process all the sensations happening inside of me.

Sweat dripped off my skin and I could feel the heat building up inside of me, mounting and growing until I was sure I couldn't handle it anymore

One hard thrust.

And that was all it took before a spasm rushed through me, shaking my whole body. I cried out as my vision flashed with stars, and I felt Rowan and Kai hold me steady as I began to shudder, wracked with pleasure. My core clenched and relaxed in rhythmic waves. I just kept coming and one spike of ecstasy rolled into another with a vengeance.

I could barely register any of their hands on my body, including Rhys' who was still sliding into me. I was hardly in my body, and it felt like my mind was somewhere quiet and empty, a thrumming plane of pure ecstasy.

I sank into the pleasure, letting it swallow me whole, and when I finally came back, I realized I was lying down between Rhys and Rowan.

I could feel the three men's release seeping out between my legs and dribbling down my chin.

"Kai is preparing a bath," Rowan said, brushing my arms before dropping a kiss on my shoulder.

"I thought he broke you," Rhys said, brushing his thumb over his mark on my neck, an action that sent a shudder through me.

I blushed, and Rhys laughed, but before I could say another word, Rowan moved off the bed to pick me up. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

I didn't protest and let him carry me to the bathtub. I was surprised Rhys had not followed us, but I let Rowan wash me off, cleaning the sweat and cum off my skin. My entire body felt like jelly, and I struggled to keep my eyes open.

"You're so amazing, pretty girl," Kai said and I forced my eyes open to focus on him perched at the edge of the tub. I blushed once more, causing the two men to laugh.

"If I can't walk tomorrow, you're all on carrying me around duty," I mumbled, and I felt Rowan's chest rumble with a chuckle while Kai gave a playful salute that made me giggle.

Once I was clean, Rowan helped me out of the tub while Kai toweled me off and brought me back to the bedroom. Rhys had changed the sheets, and he had cleaned himself up, too. I approached him to see that one of the cuts on his arm had reopened, and I frowned.

I moved to the nightstand where I had placed the medical kit from earlier, and I pulled out some antiseptic and some cotton.

"You should have remained in bed, Rhys. All of you should have done that, in fact," I scolded softly and they all chuckled.

"I didn't hear you complain while we were inside you, though," Rhys responded and I blushed, biting my lips at the thought of it.

As I meticulously cleaned the gash on his arm, my fingers brushed against raised scar tissue right beside it ,and my eyes widened in horror as I immediately recognized what it was. I quickly composed myself, not wanting to draw their attention to it. It was a mark, a symbol that looked like it had been burned into his flesh. It was a sigil I knew all too well—a stylized serpent coiled around a dagger.

It was the mark of Silas.

And the sight of it made my blood run cold. The mark would eventually fade, but I knew it was a message.

Silas wanted me to know that he had found me, and I knew he would stop at nothing to get me back.