Epilogue - One

WREN

I'd never felt soproud as I did walking into a beautiful venue with Usman on one arm and Chase on the other.

Usman looked stunning in an emerald green suit that brought out his eyes and the warm tones of his skin. His curls were combed in such a way that each one sprung up around his face in ringlets tempting me to comb my fingers through them. I had tried but he wouldn't let me in case I ruined the perfectly crafted look Chase's stylist had given him.

The stylist had done a similar treatment on me. I knew I looked good, too. Especially judging by the way my guys looked at me whenever our gazes caught.

I glanced up at Chase.

He always looked like money, but I had gotten used to seeing him tousled from bed or in the throes of passion.

He looked sexy in all states; lounging around the house, cuddling Usman, wrapped around me, or dressed to go to the office in the morning.

I'd never been so sexually satisfied in my life—or so satisfied in all other ways, either.

But still, it was nice to see him all dressed up, in a suit and in his element, surrounded by other high-end people.

Usman had whispered to me that he was worried we would stand out. That everyone would know with one look that we had come off the streets. Like there was a label on us, but once we were inside, I knew that wasn't the case.

The lights were dim, there were tables laden with hors d"oeuvres set around the ballroom and even ice sculptures.

In one corner, there was a live band with a dance floor in front of it.

We stayed close to Chase's side as he went through the room, greeting people he knew. He introduced us every time with a simple, ‘This is Wren and this is Usman.' It was an effective way to leave little room for anyone to question us. I had a feeling he wouldn't care even if they did.

Understandably so. Chase was the boss of most of the people in this room. It was his company's yearly banquet, after all.

After a while, me and Usman ended up lingering at one of the tables, snacking on the devilled eggs while Chase conversed with someone he knew.

"What do you think?" Usman asked me quietly.

"It's amazing," I said, glancing around. Whoever had planned the event had done a fantastic job. It was going to take a long time for me to get used to being in places like these.

"We're the only unmarked omegas," Usman noted.

I looked around again, realizing that he was right.

Everyone here were either alphas, or mated couples.

"We may not be marked, but we're still Chase's," I reminded him.

He nodded but I could see the wistful look in his eyes.

"Are you two having fun?"

Glancing over as one, we found one of Chase's colleagues we had been introduced to leaning against the table watching us with shrewd eyes.

One sniff told me the man was unmated, but he didn't seem threatening, just curious.

"Yes, it's a great party," Usman said.

"You think?" he asked, glancing around as though that surprised him.

Usman and I exchanged a glance but didn't argue.

"So, what is your connection to Chase?" he asked, glancing between us. "Are one of you seeing him? Or both?"

Before we could answer, Chase's familiar arms went around both of our shoulders.

"Always so nosy," he informed the other alpha and smiled down at us.

"Can you blame me?" he asked. "I like to know what my board of directors get up to."

Chase gave him a look.

"My personal life doesn't have anything to do with my work life," he finally said. "All you need to know is that these two are mine and I don't want anyone giving them any trouble."

I could barely contain a smile. It was sweet that Chase thought this was trouble. This was nothing compared to situations we'd been in before.

His co-worker apologized though, lifting his hands in surrender.

"I didn't mean to bother anyone," he said, and it seemed sincere.

"It's fine," I said, finally speaking up.

Chase just nodded and steered us away, his body stiff.

"It's not fine," he said under his breath. "The bastard was trying to suggest something. He was just being subtle about it."

Surprised, I glanced back. Upper class people did have a way of saying things without saying them. Maybe I just wasn't used to this world yet. I hadn't noticed anything underhanded about it.

"He was trying to suggest the truth," Usman pointed out.

"That doesn't matter," Chase said firmly and then he shut his eyes and sighed.

This was our first big event all together. Chase had insisted it would be fine to all go together, saying that no one would question him. Now that we were here though, I could feel the tension off of him.

I swallowed and reached up, catching his hand.

"Let's dance?" I suggested.

He looked down, saw the hopeful look on my face and smiled, warmth filling his gaze.

"Sure," he said. "All three of us."

We both looked at Manny who immediately shook his head.

"I can't dance," he said. "You two go. I'll watch."

We both started to argue but he cut us off.

"Please."

Chase grimaced.

"I'm going to dance with Wren," he said. "But then I"m going to dance with you after."

"I want to dance with you too," I pouted, and Usman just chuckled.

"Okay fine, just don't expect any fancy moves."

He waved us off and since he"d agreed to dance later, I didn't feel as bad going onto the dance floor with just Chase, especially when he pulled me into his arms and held me. I leaned against him, soaking in his comforting presence, my arms around his waist to keep him close.

The song was slow which suited me just fine. Resting my head against his chest grounded me.

"I wish I could you know," he whispered into my hair.

"Could what?" I asked.

"Mate you," he answered, "and Usman. I want to tie our souls all together and never let either of you go."

I bit my lip, warmth filling me from the bottom to the top.

I squeezed him tight, wondering if now was the right time to mention that thing I"d been researching... the thing that scared the hell out of me.

"You know," I said, looking up at his eyes to see his reaction. "There are stories of some people doing it."

He stared blankly for a moment and then frowned.

"There"s no way."

I shrugged because I couldn't be sure either.

"There are stories of three people being mated at the same time."

He started to shake his head, but I went on.

"They do it at the same time. All three give a mating bite."

"It wouldn"t work."

I chose not to push it since it was just a rumour. I"d found a few different stories including a news article from many years ago, but there was no way to confirm any of it.

"I"m happy with how things are right now," he told me as the song dwindled to an end. "I just wish..."

He shook himself.

"Sorry. Nothing. I"m happy."

"Uhuh. Please. Tell me more. You"re so convincing," I deadpanned.

A laugh burst from his lips, and he shoved me playfully as the song switched to something more upbeat.

"You"re too much."

We walked off the dance floor to where Manny was watching curiously.

I shook my head, still smiling while Chase pulled him onto the dance floor.

They were both terrible dancers when the music was fast and I watched grinning as they bounced around the dance floor, acting more and more foolish. Chase had resorted to classics like "the shopping cart" and Manny was laughing and trying to follow along. It was like the blind leading the blind.

I could have done this one with them, but it was more fun to watch.

When I walked onto the dance floor it was only as the song ended.

"May I cut in?" I asked Chase.

He grinned.

"Please. I am done making a fool of myself."

Another slow song started as me and Manny faced each other.

"Oh good, I get all the romantic ones."

He chuckled, allowing me to pull him into my arms.

To his credit, he didn't even look around to see if anyone was watching. Truthfully, the people here probably had no clue at this point who was with who. Me and Manny, or him and chase, or all of us together…

We'd never been able to go out together like this, to do romantic things like hold each other and slow dance. This moment was special.

After so many years together, having him in my arms always felt like home. And Chase had given us walls and completed us. My heart felt so full.

"What were you and Chase talking about?" Manny asked against my neck. "It looked serious."

"About mating," I said with a grimace.

His entire body stiffened.

"About you two mating?" he asked slowly.

I squeezed him as tight as I could, shaking my head.

"No. About the three of us."

He pulled back far enough to meet my gaze, clearly not understanding.

"Chase was mated before. Maybe he feels like he is missing that connection?" I guessed. "He told me he wished he could mate both of us."

Manny's cheeks turned that pretty pink it often did. I resisted kissing it since we were in public. I would have to make up for that later.

He glanced off the dance floor at Chase, smiling softly before turning his warm gaze to mine.

"That would be so nice, wouldn't it?" he sighed. "Us three, together forever."

"Yeah…"

I trailed off, unsure if I wanted to have the same conversation again.

"What is it?" Manny asked.

I grimaced, giving in to the inevitable.

"I may have been looking into this a bit… Apparently, it's a thing. Some people have claimed that they had a three-way mating."

Manny stilled for a moment, his brows drawn in interest.

"Tell me more."

Swallowing, I explained the things that I had read.

For a long moment, Manny was silent. Then he smiled sadly and let out a soft sigh.

"I couldn't bear to lose either of you if it didn't work," he said sadly.

I nodded, but Chase's wish mingled with Manny's interest worked through me, leaving me certain of one thing; I wasn't going to let this go until we tried.