Epilogue

I gaze out at the Surhiiran lake from the balcony of our villa by the shore, watching the sun's pink rays dance across the pristine water as it sinks behind the clouds. Listening to the soft, rhythmic lap of waves against the white cliff below.

It's the villa I spotted as we left Surhiira on the train, and just as I suspected, it's perfect for us. The white marble of our new home somehow manages to blend perfectly with the wild landscape around it. Plague even had beautiful blossoming plants and vines transported from the hanging gardens around the palace to enhance our little slice of paradise.

This villa was Plague's gift to me. To the whole pack, even though I was the one who'd planted the idea in his mind. He had Surhiira's best architects and builders start working on it the morning we all left Surhiira on the train, making it perfect for us.

It's a celebration of the safety we've found together. And after everything we've been through as a pack, we've more than earned it.

More than earned our rest.

I lean over the balcony railing with a contented sigh, watching gentle waves spread across the lake's surface. The gilded hull of the white catamaran we use to travel back and forth to the marble city glints in the setting sun. On the rear exterior hull, the name Whiskey insisted on giving it is glinting, too.

The Wildcatamaran.

While Whiskey was on a roll with naming everything in sight, he named our villa the Chateau Two. It's kind of a tongue twister, and it isn't a chateau at all.

But it fits.

The Chateau was the first place I started to feel almost at home. Before I realized it was the alphas that made me feel that way, not the run-down concrete buildings and reinforced steel doors.

The thought brings a smile to my face that bubbles up into a laugh even as I stare out at this impossibly peaceful bliss we've fought so hard for. From here, it's easy to let myself just be. To let myself decompress.

It's so… different.

It's nothing like the violence and chaos we lived in for so long.

And for once, we're the ones being protected. While we can't see the guards in the distant watchtowers, they can certainly see us. The open landscape that stretches on for miles and miles, even beyond the vast lake that shelters us, makes it impossible for anyone to come anywhere near us without getting picked off by snipers.

It's strange, this new life of mine.

Of ours.

Strange to live without feeling like we have to look over our shoulders. There's no Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads here. No one can touch us in this sanctuary.

Not that it keeps us from being on edge when we hear a sound in the distance that sounds like danger. When you've lived so long with death breathing down your neck, it's hard to believe you're truly safe. And I'm not the only one going through an adjustment period.

Even though it's clearly the good kind.

The Ghosts are having trouble adapting to retirement, too. Old habits die hard, especially for alphas who've spent their entire lives fighting and killing. Then again, it hasn't been long at all. Just over a week. So much has happened in such a short span of time.

With the seizure of the capital city and the destruction of the Council, the old Reinmich has fallen. The Refinement Center is nothing more than rubble and ash on blood-soaked ground. Surhiiran forces have been expanding outward by the day, liberating more and more of the country that was once a prison for every omega within its borders.

And while the queen offered the task of overseeing the rebirth of what's already been coined New Reinmich and ruling as regent to Plague, I've never been more relieved than when he turned it down.

The rest of the world is still fucked up. We couldn't fix it all alone. It was too much for one pack—even a pack of alphas like mine. But we laid the foundation, and we're committed to doing our part of that work as a pack.

Just not as the Ghost Alpha Unit.

Our part in the war is done.

But that doesn't mean it hasn't left its scars on us.

Thane still positions himself with clear sightlines to all exits, even when we're just having dinner. He checks the lake often, too, as if there's any chance an enemy might try to cross to us. Even if that could possibly happen, we're up on a cliff. Still, he checks, his dark eyes always on alert.

Sometimes I think being the protector makes him happy. There's rarely tension in his muscles these days, and I would know, considering how many shoulder massages I give him.

I can see him from where I stand on the balcony, sitting on the deck of our boat, looking out over the lake. When he's sitting like that—cross-legged, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees—he's meditating.

He always has lived in his own head.

At least now, he's more likely to meditate than overthink.

Whiskey, on the other hand, deals with the stress of his new environment—or lack thereof—by throwing himself into training with almost manic intensity. The training area behind the house echoes daily with the sound of him pummeling punching bags and sparring with whoever he can convince to join him.

It's usually Valek.

They've formed a bizarre and tentative truce that seems built entirely on kicking each other's asses in a controlled environment. Better that than both of them wandering around the city, picking fights with drunks.

That's where they both are right now, and judging from the harsh sound of Valek's triumphant laughter and Whiskey snarling in frustration, their latest match isn't winding down anytime soon. I'd rather let them work their shit out without cutting it short, but Whiskey and Valek both help me cook.

Well, Valek helps me slice everything up, at least.

I pad barefoot out onto the soft grass of our backyard training area, drawn by the sound of grunting and the solid thwack of fists meeting flesh. The late afternoon sun casts gentle shadows across the pristine white marble of our villa as I watch Whiskey and Valek circle each other.

Instead of interrupting them, I decide to wait, leaning on one of the training dummies Whiskey's painted to bear striking resemblances to the cyborg cowboy ninjas from his favorite movie.

Our favorite movie, actually, even though I've seen a few others since then. None of them live up to my first cinematic experience with Bros, Hoes, and Foes that last night in the Chateau, even if the rest of the night was nothing to laugh about.

And of course, not to be outdone, Valek came up with his own way to add his personal touch to our home. A jar of preserved fingers, presented to me with a bow. Specifically the remaining fingers of that beta at the Refinement Center. He thought I'd like to have them.

He was right.

The alphas are both shirtless and sweating, their muscled bodies gleaming in the golden-pink light. Like a white wolf facing up against a big grizzly bear, and it's impossible to tell who's winning. That goes for the physical fight and the verbal blows they're trading, although I don't know how they can make out what each other is saying over the grunts and growls.

Especially since Whiskey can’t read Valek’s lips behind the silver-and-white scarf that somehow remains in place.

The sight of the two alphas sparring makes the back of my neck tingle with a familiar heat. It's been strengthening over the past couple of days, and I'm sure Plague has noticed. He told me he's going to pick up more heat suppressants for me while he's in the city with Wraith tonight, and the other alphas have been on edge all day. I keep catching them scenting the air when I walk by.

But I don't want to take those again.

This time, I want to go into heat.

I want to know what it's like now that we're a pack.

A family.

A family with a permanent home.

That's why I've been sneaking off to work on my nest whenever I have a spare moment. The private nesting room Plague had renovated for me is tucked away in a secluded corner of the villa, accessible only through a hidden door disguised as part of the ornate wall paneling. He presented it to me with uncharacteristic shyness, explaining that he wanted me to have a space that was entirely my own.

It's a den of marble, sure, but a den nonetheless. There are no windows, only rounded walls and a low, slanted ceiling.

And it's absolutely perfect for me.

I think of the luxurious pile of fabrics and blankets and pillows waiting for me there, all carefully selected by the pack during our shopping trip in Surhiira. Plague had plenty of extras delivered, too. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion he bought out the whole shop.

At the time, I was overwhelmed by the sheer variety and opulence of it all. Now, as my heat approaches, I'm grateful for every silky piece of fabric and plush cushion.

I've arranged and rearranged them countless times, driven by some primal instinct I don't fully understand. Each piece has to be just right, creating a cocoon of comfort and safety that smells of my alphas.

I've even caught myself purring as I work.

The other alphas have been giving the nesting area a wide berth, respecting my need for privacy. But I can sense their curiosity. Sometimes I catch them lingering near the hidden entrance, scenting the air with poorly concealed interest. Especially now, with my oncoming heat intensifying my omega scent in the nest. It makes my chest warm, knowing they want to be close even as they hold themselves back.

And tucked away in one corner, carefully folded beneath the throw pillow embroidered with home is where the pack is , are scraps of fabric I've stolen from each of them. One of Thane's belts, carefully coiled around the pile. A strip from one of Whiskey's tanks. The scarf Wraith accidentally tore on his sharp teeth. One of the cloths Valek uses to polish his knives. And one of Plague's gloves, liberated when he wasn't looking.

Maybe I should feel guilty about the theft, but it's nothing they'll miss—although Plague did go looking for the glove—and the omega in me purrs with satisfaction every time I catch their mingled scents.

It makes the nest feel complete.

Whiskey moves suddenly, snatching Valek's scarf in a burst of impulse. Valek responds immediately by socking him in the jaw, earning an angry snarl from Whiskey. The bigger alpha tackles Valek, slamming him to the ground on his back, and pins him down. Valek slams his knee up into Whiskey's gut and the other alpha falls off him with a woof.

The sight of the two alphas brawling makes a fresh wave of heat wash over me. My skin feels too tight, too sensitive. I want to strip off my clothes and go to my nest and roll around in their scents, marking everything in preparation for tonight.

But not yet.

First, we need to have dinner.

I have a special night prepared for us all.

Right now, Wraith is in the city with Plague, who's helping him with a laser treatment for his scars. The special crystal technology they use is gentler than traditional methods, which is crucial given Wraith's trauma. And he'll only need one session. There isn't much they can do other than smoothing and softening the scar tissue with the laser because of the way he metabolizes sedatives and other medication, so he isn’t a candidate for anything more invasive even if he could mentally handle it.

I'm glad he wasn't worried I wanted him to do more when we talked this morning, before he went off with Plague. I reassured him I just want him to feel better and not be in so much pain, and I could tell from the lightness in his eyes that he believed me.

We’re all making progress.

Each in our own way.

It still amazes me how much has changed. Plague is working on opening his own clinic in Surhiira, where he'll specialize in treating veterans and injured civilians who come to the city for help. Surhiira seems to be heading into the future slightly less isolationist than it once was, at least when it comes to those in need.

I think helping others heal helps him heal too, in a way. And he's not hiding anymore. Not from his past, not from his family, and definitely not from his relationship with Whiskey.

The thought makes me grin as I remember Whiskey's increasingly exasperated reactions to other alphas hitting on him since Plague came out publicly about everything that’s happened, including their relationship. Most of the flirtations have been imagined, but that just adds plenty of funny moments to our trips into the city.

Out of all of us, Wraith seems the most at peace with our new life. He’s content to relax around the villa with me, and when I go down to the gardens by the beach to gather food for our meals, he follows me there, too, and catches fish with his bare hands in the crystal-clear water. He's incredibly efficient at it, and always humane.

The fish he caught this morning are waiting to be cooked. They're already cleaned and ready beside the stone fire pit, thanks to Valek and his favorite new glass-forged Surhiiran cooking knife. Of course, Whiskey brought the logs for the fire, including a few that were way too big because he wanted to show off his biceps to me, which are even thicker than usual thanks to all the training.

Then he and Valek went off into the sunset to spar.

I've already gathered the kindling and small branches, arranging them just like my mother taught me when I was little. There's something deeply satisfying about cooking over an open fire, especially fish. The smell of woodsmoke and fresh herbs takes me right back to those rare peaceful moments of my childhood.

I start building the fire, carefully stacking the wood in a pyramid shape. The familiar motions are soothing on my slightly frayed nerves, though tonight, they're only frayed because I'm starting to go into heat. This is something I know, something that connects my past to my present in a way that feels right.

"Need any help with that?" Whiskey calls out, momentarily distracted from his sparring match with Valek.

Valek takes advantage of his lapse in attention, sweeping Whiskey's legs out from under him. The bigger alpha hits the ground with a thud and a string of creative curses.

"I'm good," I laugh, striking a match. "But maybe you two could grab some more wood for later? We'll want to keep the fire going after sunset."

They both nod, their earlier competition forgotten as they head toward our woodpile. They're still bickering about Valek's cheap shot, but it's nice to see them working together instead of trying to kill each other.

Progress comes in many forms, I suppose.

The fire catches quickly, flames licking at the dry wood. I arrange the stone cooking platform over it, waiting for it to heat up properly. Wraith's fish are beautiful specimens, their scales gleaming silver in the late afternoon light.

I season them simply. Just salt, pepper, and fresh herbs from our garden. Sometimes the old ways are best, and there's nothing better than fire-cooked fish with crispy skin and tender flesh.

My mouth waters just thinking about it.

When Plague and Wraith return, dinner will be ready. We'll all gather around the firepit, sharing stories and laughter as the sun sets over the lake. These moments of peace and togetherness still feel surreal sometimes, like I might wake up and find it was all a dream.

But it's real.

This is our new life.

I watch as Valek and Whiskey return with armfuls of wood, their earlier sparring match seemingly forgotten. Valek immediately starts arranging herbs with his usual precision while Whiskey gets busy stoking the fire higher.

“Son of a fucking bitch!” Whiskey snarls, shattering the silence. Valek barks out a sharp laugh at the sight of Whiskey smacking his padded abdomen where a stray ember just flared up and burned him.

“Are you okay?” I ask, running over to him to inspect the red mark on his stomach. He lets out a sharp hiss as my fingertips trail over the burn, and when I press my lips to it to make him feel better, he shudders.

“Better?” I ask him.

“Y-yeah,” he says hoarsely, swallowing hard as he stares down at me, pupils blown wide. "But I think an ember hit me a little further down, too."

I give him a look.

Valek’s laughter finally subsides. “That’s what you get for cooking without a shirt on,” he remarks.

“You’re one to talk, bro,” Whiskey retorts with an irritated glance over Valek’s own bare torso.

“Yes, well, I’m not tending the fire,” Valek replies smoothly, stretching like a cat so the sun reflects off his lean muscle.

Show-offs.

Both of them.

I’m appreciating the show, though.

“Here comes the killjoy,” Valek says, sighing dramatically. I follow his gaze to the lake. Thane is coming up the path, looking more relaxed than usual after his meditation.

"Hey, zen bro,” Whiskey says to Thane with a nod.

"Call me that again and I'll throw you in the lake," Thane growls, but his tone is more playful than usual. He settles beside me, his presence warm and solid. "Something smells good."

"The fish Wraith caught this morning," I say, arranging them on the cooking platform. "Dinner will be ready by the time he and Plague get back."

“Plague let me know they’re on their way,” Thane replies, tapping the pager on his belt. My eyes are drawn immediately to the obvious bulge in his pants, too. “And I spotted the spare sailboat they took coming from across the lake. Should only be a few minutes now.”

Sailing is another thing Wraith took to automatically. Whiskey, who has plenty of sailing experience from his days on the coast of Columbia, started teaching him as soon as we got here. And the sight of him on a deck, his massive frame silhouetted against the setting sun as the wind whips through his choppy dark hair, does something to me.

I remember the first time he took me out on the boat with him. Just the two of us, surrounded by endless blue. The catamaran cutting through the waves, spray misting my skin. The feral alpha at the helm, his muscles flexing as he steered us through the water.

It’s a wonder I didn’t go into full blown heat right then.

I notice how all three alphas subtly shift closer, clearly affected by my strengthening scent. Thane's nostrils flare slightly, while Whiskey keeps finding excuses to brush against me as he tends the fire. Even Valek seems more focused than usual on his task, as if he's struggling not to slip and slice his fingers.

"The herbs are ready," Valek announces, passing them to me with careful movements. His fingers brush mine, and I feel him shiver slightly at the contact.

"Perfect," I murmur, sprinkling them over the fish. "Whiskey, can you grab the plates from inside?"

"On it," he says eagerly, clearly grateful for the distraction. As he heads toward the villa, I catch him adjusting his pants, trying to be subtle about it.

Not subtle enough, apparently.

Thane snorts and Valek smirks behind his scarf.

"You're all ridiculous," I tell them fondly, turning the fish to ensure even cooking. The skin crisps beautifully, releasing an amazing aroma that mingles with the woodsmoke.

"Can you blame us?" Thane asks quietly, his dark eyes intense as they meet mine. "Your scent is..."

"Alluring," Valek finishes when Thane trails off. “To say the least.”

I hide my smile, pretending to focus on the cooking. "Good things come to those who wait."

“I hope you mean that literally,” Valek says under his breath.

Thane shoots him an irritated look. It's clear he still has a bone to pick with Valek, but that’s something he’ll have to get over during his meditation sessions.

Whiskey returns with the plates, having clearly taken a moment to compose himself. "Are we still talking about dinner?" he asks, looking between us.

"What else would we be talking about?" I ask innocently, enjoying the way all three alphas tense at my tone.

The sun continues its descent toward the horizon, painting everything in soft gold and pink. The lake sparkles like diamonds, and a gentle breeze carries the scent of the herbs from the garden. The only thing that isn’t peaceful is the wound-up energy humming from the alphas surrounding me.

And I’m enjoying every moment.

Enjoying the way they orbit around me, drawn by my strengthening scent but maintaining their control. Enjoying the knowledge that they're all mine, just as I'm all theirs.

As my alphas busy themselves with the final dinner preparations, I smile to myself. Tonight is going to be interesting, to say the least. But first, we'll enjoy this meal together, as a family, in our beautiful home by the lake.

Just as it should be.

As if summoned by my thoughts, I hear footsteps approaching from the path leading up from the lake. My heart leaps as I spot them, Plague's lean frame a stark contrast to Wraith's hulking silhouette. Even from a distance, I can tell Wraith is in an unusually good mood. There’s even more of a lightness to his gait than usual, his massive shoulders relaxed.

I abandon the fire pit, trusting Valek and Whiskey to keep an eye on dinner as I hurry to greet the two returning alphas. Plague reaches me first, his pale blue eyes warming above his white scarf. Without hesitation, he tugs the fabric down and pulls me into a passionate kiss.

The familiar taste of him—clean and sharp, like mint and ozone—floods my senses. His gloved hands cup my face as he deepens the kiss, and I melt against him. When we finally break apart, both breathless, I can see the effect my strengthening scent is having on him. His pupils are dilated, a faint flush visible on what I can see of his high cheekbones.

"Fuck, you’re a sight for sore eyes," he murmurs as if they've been gone for weeks instead of hours, his voice rougher than usual.

I nuzzle into his palm, savoring the contact. “Welcome home.” I pause as something occurs to me, lowering my voice so I don't spoil the mood around the fire. "Any word from Azarel?"

Plague's gaze darkens and he shakes his head slightly. "No. And I imagine that's probably a good thing."

He's probably right. After what we saw in the Council chambers, I get the feeling that we won't have to guess when Azarel finally realizes whose care Cosima was temporarily transferred to. But that's a problem for another day, and considering Azarel cut off all contact with Surhiira and disappeared behind enemy lines after the invasion, he's all but officially been declared a defector. He won't be able to get to us here anytime soon.

“Where’s my kiss?” Whiskey asks, walking up with his arms spread wide and a grin on his face.

“Go kiss him before he sets himself on fire,” I say to Plague, grinning.

With one last quick kiss, Plague moves past me toward the others. I watch as he approaches Whiskey, who's still shirtless and glistening with sweat from his earlier sparring match.

"You should really put a shirt on before you burn yourself," Plague chides, though there's fondness in his tone as he tugs Whiskey close and presses his lips to the other alpha’s. Whiskey pulls him into a crushing bear hug.

Valek's amused voice drifts over. “Too late.”

I turn my attention to Wraith, who's finally reached us. His blue eyes crinkle above his black scarf as I throw my arms around his massive frame. He rumbles softly, the sound vibrating through my entire body as he engulfs me in a gentle embrace.

"How did it go?" I ask, pulling back to look up at him.

Good. Missed you, he signs.

"I missed you too," I say softly.

He reaches up and unwraps his scarf. My breath catches as the fabric falls away, revealing his scarred jaws. At first glance, he doesn't look dramatically different. But as I study him more closely, there are subtle but noticeable changes. The furrows of scar tissue do seem smoother, blending more naturally with his skin, and the exposed muscle near his sharp back teeth doesn't look as angry.

He still looks like my Wraith, but there's less tension in his features. Like he's not in constant pain anymore.

That’s what matters most.

"You look amazing," I tell him honestly. "How do you feel?"

He shrugs those massive shoulders, but I notice the pleased glint in his eyes. Better. Doesn't hurt as much, he signs.

My heart swells with joy for him. I reach up, cupping his scarred face in my hands. "You're so handsome," I murmur, meaning every word. Always have. Then, gently, I press my lips to his sharp teeth.

Wraith freezes for a moment, clearly surprised. Then, hesitantly, he licks me in return. His own way of kissing. The gesture is almost wolflike, and it sends a shiver of heat through me.

It's getting really hard to hold off.

His rumbling growl intensifies as he catches my strengthening scent, those piercing blue eyes darkening with interest.

"Oh, yeah, how'd your big fancy laser treatment go?" Whiskey's uncertain voice breaks the moment as he saunters toward us. I turn to see him staring at Wraith, his brow furrowed in confusion as he takes in Wraith’s appearance like he’s struggling through a spot the difference puzzle. "Oh. I'm sorry, man. Or... I'm happy for you?"

I shoot him a glare.

Whiskey's distress visibly grows. "Bro, is this a trap? Am I supposed to say something specific?"

"You're supposed to shut up and mind your own business," I say, though there's no real heat in my words.

But Wraith just huffs a laugh and signs to him. I didn’t do it for you, W-H-I-S-K-E-Y.

Whiskey laughs nervously. To his credit, he’s been doing better with sign language. They all have. I asked them all to learn with me, and they’ve been putting in genuine effort with Wraith as our teacher.

Plague pinches Whiskey’s side, eliciting a startled growl from him, before he can dig himself a deeper hole. "Why don't we all sit down and enjoy the lovely dinner Ivy's prepared?"

We gather around the fire pit, settling onto the cushions arranged in a circle. The fish and roasted veggies sizzle tantalizingly on the cooking platform, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. I serve everyone, making sure Wraith gets extra of his favorites since he had a rough day.

"This looks incredible," Thane says appreciatively as I hand him his plate.

"It smells divine," Plague agrees, inhaling deeply.

Whiskey's already shoveling food into his mouth. "Holy shit, wildcat," he mumbles around a mouthful. "This is fucking amazing."

"Thank you all," I say, warmth spreading through my chest at their praise. "But I can't take all the credit. Valek and Whiskey helped, and Wraith caught the fish."

Valek preens visibly at the acknowledgment, folding his scarf in his lap. "I didn’t do much."

"Yeah. You chopped herbs," Whiskey snorts. "I'm the one who hauled all that firewood."

"Yes, and you managed to burn yourself in the process because you insist on being half naked all the time," Valek shoots back. "Truly a herculean effort."

“I don’t mind,” Plague adds, glancing appreciatively over Whiskey’s bulky bare torso.

Whiskey mutters something under his breath that sounds like it’s probably obscene before glancing around us. “There’s something that’s been on my mind,” he says, stretching as he looks to Thane. “What’s your real name?”

Thane looks up in surprise. “What?” he asks, his brow furrowing.

“Well, it can’t be Thane , bro.”

“And why the hell not?”

“I dunno, it just sounds like a code name,” Whiskey says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“What would Thane even mean?” Thane demands.

“I always figured it has something to do with trees,” Whiskey says with a shrug. “Sounds tree-ish.”

Thane just stares at him for a few seconds before replying flatly, “It doesn’t. It’s just my name.”

I almost choke on my fish. Whiskey just rubs the back of his head. “Well, that was awkward.” He glances at Wraith. “Speaking of names, though, maybe we should rename you.”

Wraith tilts his head, confused, and signs back to him. Why?

“Sounds like a mean name,” says Whiskey. “And you’re not a mean guy. You could have any name you want. Like Vincent, or Victor, or Viggo…”

“Do you know any names that don’t start with a V?” Valek asks, arching an eyebrow.

“None that would fit,” Whiskey replies. “Why? You jealous he’ll have a better V name than Valek?”

Wraith gives him a blank stare, like he doesn’t know how to react to that, then looks at me. I like my name. I like the way she says it, he signs.

I lean against his shoulder affectionately.

As they keep bickering good-naturedly, Valek and Whiskey—and now Plague—arguing over the ranking of the short list of names that start with the letter V, I catch Wraith's eye again. He's watching the exchange with clear amusement, his sharp teeth glinting in the firelight as he maneuvers bites of fish into his mouth. As if he can tell I’m wondering what he’s thinking, he signs with one hand.

Just happy.

Me too, I sign back to him, tears pricking my eyes.

After everything we've been through, all the pain and violence and fear, we've found this. This moment of peace, of family, gathered around a fire and sharing a meal.

We eat in comfortable silence for a while, savoring the food and each other's company. As the sun dips lower on the horizon, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come.

"So," Plague says eventually, setting his empty plate aside. "I assume you've all noticed Ivy's... condition."

Heat floods my face as five pairs of eyes lock onto me with laser focus. My impending heat has been the elephant in the room all day, but trust Plague to address it head-on.

"Kind of hard to miss," Whiskey mutters, shifting uncomfortably.

Thane clears his throat. "We should discuss how we want to handle this. It's Ivy's first heat with all of us, and?—"

"And I don't want to take the suppressants again," I interrupt, my voice steadier than I feel. "I... I want to share it. With all of you."

The silence that falls is deafening. I can practically hear the gears turning in their heads as they process my words. Wraith is the first to react, a low, hungry growl building in his chest. Valek's silver eyes sharpen and Whiskey looks like he might spontaneously combust.

Plague and Thane exchange a loaded glance, having one of their silent conversations. Sometimes I wish they'd both stop thinking for once.

"There's something else, too," I add.

They all watch me, hanging on my every word.

"I meant what I said before we went to war, about wanting all of you to mark me," I continue. "Tonight's the night I want to do it."

And it's clear from the way they're staring at me like wolves staring at a lamb, they want the exact same thing. They want to claim me as their omega.

Forever.

"Are you sure?" Plague asks carefully, his voice husky. "It will be… intense, especially with you being in heat."

I lift my chin, meeting his gaze steadily. "Intensity never scared me."

Another weighted silence falls over our circle. The tension is ratcheting up, the air growing thick with alpha musk and my own spiking scent. My skin feels too tight, every nerve ending hypersensitive.

It's Thane who finally breaks the silence, his deep voice rough with barely contained desire. "We'll take care of you."

Whiskey lets out a shaky breath. "Fuck, is it hot out here or is it just me?"

"It's you," Valek says dryly. "Or rather, it's her." His hungry gaze hasn't left me since I made my declaration.

Wraith shifts closer, his massive frame radiating heat. He doesn't speak, but the intensity in his blue eyes says volumes. His hand finds mine, engulfing it completely, and I lean into his solid warmth.

Having all my alphas here with me while I slip into the first heat I've ever wanted is making it impossible to hold it back. A hot shiver lances up my spine and I let out a thin whimper before I can stop myself.

"We should move this inside," Plague says, always the voice of reason.

I nod, grateful for his levelheadedness even as flames burn through my veins. "Good idea."

As we start to clean up from dinner, I can feel the electric charge in the air. Every accidental brush of skin sends sparks shooting through me. My alphas move around me with careful precision, like satellites orbiting a sun that's about to go supernova.

And in a way, that's exactly what's about to happen.

Before we head into the villa, I glance back out at the Surhiiran lake, taking in the serene sight of the last rays of sunlight painting the sky and shimmering water in vivid shades of gold and violet.

It's beautiful.

But all I can think about is my alphas.

My skin feels like it's on fire as I push the hidden door open and stumble into my nest, my legs trembling beneath me. The cool silk sheets covering the middle are a shock against my overheated flesh as I collapse into them. Another wave of heat rolls through me, making me whimper and curl in on myself. My clothes feel too tight, too confining.

I want them off.

I want cool air on my skin.

I want...

I want my alphas.

As if summoned by my thoughts, I hear them in the room outside the den. I catch their scents as they wait for permission to enter the nest.

"Come in," I say hoarsely.

They slip in one by one, their eyes dark with hunger as they take in the sight of me sprawled across the bed. The air grows thick with their scents, making my head spin.

"Fuck," Whiskey breathes, his honey-brown eyes wide. "You smell incredible, wildcat."

I reach for him with trembling hands. "Please," I gasp. "I need..."

"We know what you need," Thane rumbles, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. "And we're going to take care of you. All of us."

They surround the bed, forming a circle of protective alpha energy that makes me feel safe even as desire burns through my veins. Plague's gaze sweeps over me, assessing as he takes a glove off, reaches down, and presses the cool back of his hand against my feverish forehead.

"Your temperature is elevated," he murmurs. "Full heat will hit within fifteen minutes. We need to get you more comfortable."

Wraith growls softly in agreement, his massive hands already working on my dress. I arch into his touch, desperate for skin-on-skin contact. The fabric falls away, leaving me bare to their hungry gazes.

"Beautiful," Valek purrs, silver eyes gleaming. "Our perfect little omega."

Another wave of heat crashes over me, and I cry out, overwhelmed by it all. Everything is too much and not enough all at once.

I need their hands on me.

Their mouths.

Their cocks.

"Please," I beg, not even sure what I'm asking for.

"Shh," Thane soothes, stroking my hair. "We've got you. Just let go. Let us take care of you."

I nod frantically, beyond words now as instinct takes over. My thighs are slick with arousal, my pussy clenching around nothing. I need to be filled. I need to be knotted. If I don't get them all, I'm going to go insane.

The alphas exchange loaded glances.

Then, as if choreographed, they begin to undress.

Plague goes first, those light blue eyes locked on mine as he slowly peels off his other glove. The sight of his bare hands, and the promise of what I'm sure he's going to do with them, makes me shiver with renewed fire. He takes his time with each button of his crisp white shirt, revealing tantalizing glimpses of lean muscle. When he slips off his slacks, his cock is already hard, the knot at the base partially swollen.

Whiskey is less patient as he unbuckles his belt and takes off his pants. His chestnut hair is wild, honey-brown eyes blazing with desire as he strips. I drink in the sight of his tanned skin, his broad shoulders, the thick muscles of his arms and chest, his padded midsection, his massive cock. When he catches me staring, he grins that lopsided grin that never fails to make my heart skip.

"Like what you see?"

I nod, not trusting my voice. My eyes are drawn to Thane as he begins to undress next. He moves with that quiet, controlled grace that always captivates me. His dark eyes never leave mine as he slowly unbuttons his shirt, revealing the chiseled planes of his muscular body. The fabric whispers as it falls to the floor, and I have to bite back a whimper at the sight of all that skin on display.

Thane's hands move to his belt next, and I find myself holding my breath. The soft clink of metal seems impossibly loud in the heated silence of the nest. He takes his time, drawing out the moment until I'm practically squirming with impatience. When he finally pushes his pants down over those powerful thighs, I can't help the soft moan that escapes me at the sight of his hard cock, a bead of precome already glistening on the tip.

Valek goes next. He's already shirtless from his sparring brawl with Whiskey, but when he hooks his thumbs in the waistband of his pants, he draws out the moment. A smirk plays at the corners of his lips as he slowly pushes them down, baring the cut of his hips. My breath catches as his cock springs free, already hard and curving up toward his defined abs, silver cock piercings glinting in the low light.

My memory brings me right back to that first night together, where I learned just what the studs of those piercings feel like thrusting against my spot, and my core clenches at the sudden flashback.

I lick my lips, suddenly parched.

Whiskey's staring at the piercings in shock, as if he's never noticed them before. "What the fuck, man, didn't that hurt?"

"That's the point," Valek says smoothly.

The last alpha to undress is Wraith. His massive hands move with surprising dexterity as he undoes the buttons of his shirt, starting from the collar and moving straight down. I'm sure he doesn't intend it to be a torturous strip tease because that isn't his personality, but that's exactly what it is.

He shrugs off his shirt, letting it fall to the floor. My gaze roams over his body as he unbuckles his belt and steps out of his pants, his muscles flexing beneath his scarred skin. I take in the map of scars that tell the story of everything he's survived. Some are thick and ropey, others thin and silvery.

All of them beautiful to me.

When he straightens, fully naked now, I can't help the soft whimper that escapes me. He's massive everywhere, his cock already hard and curving up. The sharp points of his teeth gleam as he parts his jaws slightly, scenting the air.

They all look so hungry.

The sight makes another surge of heat roll through me. I cry out, arching off the bed as liquid fire races through my veins.

My skin feels too tight, too hot.

I need...

I need my alphas.

I need them inside me so badly it hurts.

"Please," I whimper.

In an instant, they're ducking to get further into the nest beneath the sloped ceiling, surrounding me. Hands stroke my overheated skin, leaving trails of electricity in their wake. Mouths press kisses to my neck, my shoulders, my breasts. I'm drowning in sensation, lost in a sea of alpha musk and desperate need.

Plague's cool hands cup my face, forcing me to focus on him. "Breathe, Ivy," he says softly.

I nod frantically. His lips capture mine in a searing kiss that steals what little breath I have left. As his tongue sweeps into my mouth, I feel Whiskey's calloused hands on my thighs, gently spreading them.

"Fuck, you're soaked," he growls. The first swipe of his tongue against my dripping pussy has me keening into Plague's mouth.

Thane's deep voice rumbles from somewhere near my ear. "That's it. Let us hear you."

I break away from Plague's kiss with a gasp for air as Whiskey's tongue laps hungrily at my clit and I realize I might not be able to breathe again for a minute. Two fingers slide into me easily, curling to hit that spot that makes me see stars. My hips buck against his face, chasing more friction, more pressure, more everything.

"So responsive," Valek purrs from my other side. His hand trails down my body, fingertips barely ghosting over my skin. When he reaches my breast, he rolls my nipple between his fingers.

Wraith's massive frame looms over me, his blue eyes burning with hunger. He leans down, nuzzling into the crook of my neck. I feel the sharp points of his teeth grazing my skin and shiver.

I arch my back as Whiskey's tongue works magic between my thighs. The rough stubble on his chin scrapes against my sensitive flesh as he devours me like a man starved. My fingers tangle in his chestnut hair, pulling him in closer. I'm vaguely aware of the alphas' voices above me, discussing logistics, but their words blur together in the haze my mind is swimming in as Whiskey devours me.

"We need to make this good for her," Thane rumbles. "Better than she's ever had before."

"Agreed," says Plague. "Perhaps if we..."

I don't care how they do it.

I just need them inside me, filling me, claiming me.

Now.

"Please," I whimper, rocking my hips against Whiskey's face.

Valek's hand cups my cheek, turning my face toward him. "Open up for me," he purrs.

I part my lips eagerly, desperate for something to suck on. The thick head of his cock pushes past my lips and I moan around him, savoring the familiar taste. As I take him deeper, my tongue finds the metal studs of his piercings.

"Yes," Valek groans. "Get it nice and wet."

His words make me clench around Whiskey's fingers with a whimper, imagining Valek's pierced cock stretching me open. I redouble my efforts, sucking him deeper, swirling my tongue around the piercings.

"Fuck," Valek hisses. Whatever comes next is in Vrissian. His hips twitch, pushing his cock further down my throat. I respond by hollowing my cheeks as I work him with my mouth, pushing the round metal studs in circles. The angle is awkward with me on my back, but I don't care.

I need this.

Need to please them.

Need them to claim me thoroughly.

Whiskey chooses that moment to seal his lips around my clit and suck hard. I cry out around Valek's cock, my back arching off the bed again. Whiskey's stubble scrapes harder against my inner thighs as he devours me, his fingers curling to hit that spot inside me that makes me see stars.

"So fucking good," Whiskey growls into my pussy.

I whine around Valek's cock, torn between the dual sensations of fullness in my mouth and the relentless electric surging between my thighs.

It's too much.

And not enough.

I need more.

Need all of them.

"Wait," Plague's voice cuts through the haze. "I want to try something."

Whiskey pulls back, his chin glistening with my slick. "What?" he asks, his voice husky.

Plague's eyes are dark with desire as he looks at Whiskey. "I want you to lay under Ivy, taking her pussy while I take her ass. She can suck the others off that way. A new way to take her all at once."

My breath catches at his words.

"Fuck," Whiskey growls. "I'm game if she is."

I nod eagerly, letting Valek's cock slip from my mouth with a wet pop. The heat coursing through my veins demands to be sated, and I'll take anything they're willing to give me.

"Alright then," Thane rumbles. "Let's get her ready."

Gentle hands help me up, positioning me on my hands and knees. I whimper at the loss of contact, my clit tingling, but then Whiskey's pulling me on top of him. The head of his cock nudges at my entrance as I settle onto his broad torso, and I push back instinctively, desperate to be filled.

"Easy, wildcat," he murmurs, gripping my hips to hold me still. "Let's take this slow."

I want to protest, to beg him to just fuck me already, but then I feel Plague's fingers wetting themselves in my slick. I whimper and grind back against his hand desperately as two of his fingers delve into my pussy, soaking his hand.

"Hold still," Plague says gently, his fingers already probing at my other entrance. He works me open carefully with a single digit, sliding it in and out up to the first knuckle, curling it around and pressing against the tight inner ring of muscle.

The stretch burns slightly, but in the best way possible.

"You're doing so well," Plague says softly.

His praise sends a shiver down my spine. I rock back against his fingers even though it hurts, silently begging for more. Whiskey's cock is still poised at my entrance, not quite breaching me, just pressing, and the anticipation is driving me insane.

"Hurry," I whimper. "I need… I need…"

"We know what you need," Valek purrs from somewhere to my left. "And you're going to get it all."

Plague's fingers withdraw, and I barely have time to mourn their loss before I feel the blunt head of his cock pressing against my ass. At the same time, Whiskey starts to ease into my pussy, the thick drag of him setting every nerve ending alight.

"Oh fuck," I gasp as they both start to push in. The stretch is intense, bordering on too much just like the last time, but the heat burning through me demands more.

"So tight," Whiskey groans beneath me. His hands tighten on my hips, guiding me down onto him inch by agonizing inch. My hands scrabble on his broad chest for purchase as he buries himself to the knot inside me.

Plague's breath is hot against my neck as he slowly works his way in. "Breathe, Ivy," he murmurs. "Just relax."

I try to follow his instructions, forcing my muscles to unclench as they fill me so completely. It feels like they're rearranging my insides, claiming every part of me. When they're finally fully seated, I let out a shaky breath that bubbles out as a cry. I can barely breathe at all, crushed between the two alphas.

"You okay?" Whiskey asks, his voice strained with the effort of holding still.

I nod, not trusting my voice. The fullness is overwhelming in the best way possible. I feel split open, totally and utterly claimed by them both.

They start slow, careful not to overwhelm me. But as the initial discomfort fades, replaced by waves of pleasure, I grow impatient. I rock against them as much as I can in this position, grinding my throbbing clit against Whiskey's padded midsection.

"Fuck," Plague hisses. His hips snap forward, driving into me harder, his palms slamming down into the nest on either side of Whiskey's head as he barely restrains himself from crushing me completely beneath him. He's lean for an alpha, but he's still so much bigger than I am.

Panting, I clench around them both, relishing the way it makes them groan in unison. Whiskey's hands slide up to palm my breasts, thumbs brushing over my nipples as they squish into his hands with every thrust.

"Ride us, wildcat," he growls.

I don't need to be told twice. I start to move in earnest, fucking myself back onto their cocks. Every thrust hits spots I didn't even know existed, sending shockwaves through my entire body. My eyes roll back into my head like a person possessed as I writhe between them, pinned in place.

"Look at her," Thane's deep voice rumbles from somewhere nearby. "So brave, taking two cocks at once."

I force my eyes open, not even realizing I'd closed them. Thane and Wraith are watching us with hungry eyes, their cocks hard and precome beading steadily on their crowns. Valek stands closer, his silver eyes gleaming.

"Don't forget Valek," Plague says, his voice rough with exertion. "You can still use your mouth."

The thought of being filled from all sides, of pleasuring all my alphas at once, makes me shudder uncontrollably. I'm only vaguely aware I'm screaming when a cock stuffs my mouth, silencing me. It takes me a moment to realize it's Valek again, clearly not finished fucking my face, and only because his piercings are rubbing against the roof of my mouth.

"What a good girl," Valek purrs. "Finish me."

All I can do is suck and squirm and try to breathe, stuffed full from both ends with Plague pounding my ass and Whiskey thrusting up into my pussy. My body feels impossibly stretched, impaled on their massive cocks.

I choke slightly as Valek pushes deeper, the head of his cock hitting the back of my throat. Tears spring to my eyes, but I force myself to relax, to take him deeper. He withdraws just enough that I can breathe and changes the angle, his silver piercings rubbing against the roof of my mouth as he slides in and out.

"Take it all," Valek purrs.

I whimper around his thick length, overwhelmed by the fullness. Whiskey's huge hands grip my hips, guiding me up and down on his cock. The muscles in his stomach buried beneath the thick layer of padding tense with each thrust. Plague's lean body covers my back, caging me in as he fucks into my ass with ruthless precision.

I feel so small between them, utterly at their mercy.

"Fuck, she's so tight," Whiskey groans. His cock stretches me impossibly wide, the edge of his knot bumping against my entrance with each thrust. His burly body vibrates with purrs meant to soothe me, but I can't even process what's happening as the three alphas use me thoroughly.

Plague purrs, too, the vibrations tingling in my body as I'm crushed between them making me squirm all over again. My body burns with need, desperate for more. For all of them. I rock back to meet their thrusts, taking them as deep as I can even though it feels like I'm going to tear open.

Whiskey's hands knead my breasts, his rough calluses scratching against my sensitive nipples. I arch my back to drive my breasts against his palms, moaning, the motion and vibrations making Valek hiss. His cock twitches in my mouth.

"Good girl," Thane rumbles from somewhere nearby.

I force my eyes open, meeting his heated gaze. He stands beside the bed, slowly stroking his massive cock as he watches. Beside him, Wraith's blue eyes burn with hunger, his sharp teeth glinting like short blades.

Seeing them there, waiting their turn, sends another wave of arousal crashing through me. I clench around Whiskey and Plague, making them both groan.

Valek's hips stutter, his rhythm faltering. "Fuck, I'm close," he grits out.

I hollow my cheeks, sucking him harder. My tongue swirls around the head of his cock, teasing the sensitive spot just beneath. He curses in Vrissian, his grip tightening in my hair.

"Fuck yes," he growls. "Make me come, little omega."

I double my efforts, taking him as deep as I can. The metal studs of his piercings drag along my tongue as I work him with my mouth. His cock swells, the first hints of his knot pressing against my lips.

"Don't knot her mouth," Thane warns him. "None of us are knotting her yet."

"Wildcat, you'd better suck every last drop," Whiskey growls to me. "If even a drop gets on my fucking face?—"

"Shut the fuck up," Valek hisses at Whiskey, softening slightly in my mouth.

I suck harder, biting down slightly so he can't pull out and get his come on Whiskey's face, my tongue working Valek's piercings as much as I can with his shaft filling my mouth entirely. It works. Valek lets out a strangled, guttural snarl as he lets go, his come pulsing down the back of my tongue. I swallow reflexively, choking slightly as his release floods my mouth and throat. When he starts pulling back, I keep sucking, following through with Whiskey's demand so a brawl doesn't kick off in my nest.

Valek makes a choking sound, utterly wrecked, but when he tries to pull away again, I bite down harder. " Fuck ?—!"

When I'm sure I've milked Valek dry and he isn't going to drip onto Whiskey, I finally release him from between my lips. My jaw aches pleasantly as Valek falls back into the pillows surrounding the edge of the nest, panting and utterly wrecked. A surge of pride rushes through me at reducing the usually composed alpha to such a state.

"Holy… fuck," Valek pants.

I don't have time to bask in my accomplishment before Thane is moving toward me, his massive cock jutting out before him. My mouth waters at the sight, but uncertainty flashes in his dark eyes.

Probably because I just bit Valek.

Whiskey snorts beneath me. "This whole setup feels pretty fuckin' precarious. Not sure I want to risk you coming all over my face."

Valek's mocking voice drifts over from his pillow nest. "Oh, you weren't as afraid with me?"

A low growl rumbles through Whiskey's chest, vibrating through my ribcage. "Fuck off before I kick you out of the nest."

"It isn't your nest. You have no authority here," Valek drawls.

Their bickering fades into background noise as the alphas start to reposition me. Strong hands lift me off Whiskey's cock, making me whimper at the sudden emptiness. But before I can protest, I'm being turned and arranged into a new position.

I find myself on my hands and knees, Whiskey's slick crown pressing against my ass from behind. I feel something happening beneath me, too, and it takes me a moment to realize it's Plague, slipping in on his back between Whiskey's knees to bury his face in my pussy as he strokes his own length. It's hard to see what's happening from this angle, and when I turn my head forward again, Thane is kneeling in front of me, his cock level with my face.

I gasp and whimper as Whiskey's thick cock slowly pushes into my ass, stretching me open. He's slightly thicker than Plague, but Plague's tongue lapping at my wet pussy distracts me from the burn. My arms tremble as I try to hold myself up, overwhelmed.

Thane's massive cock bobs in front of me, a bead of precome glistening enticingly on the tip. I dart my tongue out to taste him, savoring the salty-sweet flavor. He growls, one hand coming to tangle in my hair.

"That's it, little one," he rumbles.

I part my lips, letting him guide his cock into my mouth. The stretch is intense. He's so big, I can barely fit him past my teeth. But I've done it before, and I can do it again. Even if I hadn't, the primal part of my brain that's taken over in the throes of heat demands more.

I need to be filled.

Claimed.

Marked.

Whiskey starts to move behind me, his hips rolling in a steady rhythm as he fucks my ass. Each thrust pushes me forward, driving Thane's cock deeper down my throat. I gag slightly, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I force myself to relax and take him deeper.

"Fuck, you feel amazing," Whiskey groans. His hands grip my hips, fingers digging in hard enough to bruise. The slight pain only makes this feel so much better, sparks racing along my nerves.

Plague's tongue swirls around my clit in maddening circles before dipping lower to thrust inside me. The wet sounds of his mouth working my pussy fill the air, mingling with our moans and growls. I rock back against him desperately, chasing more of that exquisite friction.

My mind goes blank, reduced to pure animal instinct. All I can focus on is the feeling of being filled from both ends, of pleasuring my alphas while they carry me with them. Heat coils low in my core, winding tighter and tighter with each thrust.

Thane's hips start to move faster, fucking my mouth in earnest now. Saliva drips down my chin as I struggle to breathe around his girth. His cock hits the back of my throat with each thrust, choking me.

But I love it.

Love feeling owned and possessed by him.

"You're so brave," he praises, voice rough with arousal. "Such a good girl."

His words send a fresh surge of slick gushing down my thighs. Plague moans against my pussy, lapping it up eagerly. The vibrations from his voice send shockwaves radiating through me from my pussy to the tip of my nose until my whole face is buzzing.

Whiskey's thrusts grow more erratic, his breathing harsh and shallow. "Fuck, I'm close," he grits out. The edge of his knot catches on my rim with each thrust, threatening to pop inside.

Part of me wants it desperately. Wants to be tied to him, filled with his seed. But they agreed no knotting yet. Not until they've all had their turn with me. So I clench down harder, eliciting a ragged growl from him.

" Fuck , she's tight…"

As if reading my mind, Thane growls at him. Warning him without words to pull out when he comes.

Whiskey lets out a frustrated groan and his hips snap forward faster, chasing his release, my ass grinding against his pelvis and stomach. The force of his thrusts rocks me forward, shoving Thane's cock impossibly deeper down my throat. His thick throbbing shaft muffles my whimper and I dig my fingertips into the sheets and blankets of my nest, focusing on breathing through my nose.

Plague's tongue works faster against my clit, two fingers sliding inside to curl against that spot that makes me see stars and writhe in total desperation. The dual sensations of fullness and the relentless pressure on my most sensitive areas quickly pushes me toward the edge.

The first wave crashes over me without warning. I cry out around Thane's cock, barely able to make a sound around it, my whole body tensing as ecstasy rolls through me. My pussy clenches rhythmically around Plague's fingers as he works me through it, drawing out every last aftershock.

The force of my climax seems to trigger Whiskey's. He pulls out just in time, his cock pulsing as he paints my lower back and Plague's abdomen with ropes of hot come. The feeling of it splashing against my overheated skin makes me shiver and grind against Plague's face.

Thane follows soon after, his hands tightening in my hair as he spills down my throat with a guttural groan. I gulp reflexively, choking slightly again as I try to swallow it all. Some escapes, dripping from the corners of my mouth. I'm already so full of come from Valek, I can't possibly swallow every last drop.

As the aftershocks fade, I slump forward, ass in the air, utterly spent. All I can do is twitch and jerk as Plague keeps eating me out, his growls muffled by my pussy as he comes into his hand, the ropes spraying Whiskey's thigh.

But the fire in my veins hasn't been fully quenched.

My heat is far from over.

Gentle hands help me onto my back. I blink up at my alphas through hazy eyes, a lazy smile spreading across my face. They look just as wrecked as I feel, chests heaving as they try to catch their breath.

"Holy shit," Whiskey pants, running a hand through his sweat-damp hair. "That was..."

"Incredible," Plague finishes, licking his lips. His chin glistens with my slick.

Wraith climbs over me, his low growls rumbling with the echoes of the broken purr I love so much. His massive hands grip my waist as he lifts me effortlessly, positioning me on his lap over his thick cock. I cling to his broad shoulders, my legs trembling as I straddle his lap. His blue eyes burn into mine, pupils blown wide with lust.

"Please," I whimper, grinding against him desperately. My pussy clenches around nothing, aching to be filled again even though I'm full of so much come, my stomach is cramping. "I need you."

A low rumble builds in his chest as he slowly lowers me onto his length. I cry out as he stretches me open, my oversensitive walls fluttering around him. He holds me still once he's fully seated, giving me time to adjust. His hands span my ribcage, thumbs brushing reverently against the undersides of my breasts. I lean forward, pressing my forehead against his as I try to catch my breath.

He rumbles again, the vibrations sending little shockwaves through my core. Slowly, carefully, he starts to move. His hips roll up into me as he lifts me with those strong arms, setting a steady rhythm.

I'm vaguely aware of movement behind me. Hands grip my hips, different from Wraith's. Thane's deep voice rumbles in my ear.

"Room for one more?"

Before I can process his words, I feel the blunt head of his cock pressing against my ass. My eyes widen as I realize what he means to do.

"Oh fuck," I gasp as Thane starts to push inside.

The stretch is almost unbearable as he pushes into my ass, but I'm too far gone to care. My body burns for them, craving more even as I feel impossibly full. Wraith holds me still with a soft, reassuring growl as Thane slowly sheathes himself inside me.

"Fuck," I gasp, my forehead pressed against Wraith's as I try to breathe through the overwhelming sensations. "So full..."

Wraith rumbles soothingly, the vibrations traveling through my entire body. His blue eyes lock onto mine, filled with a mix of concern and burning desire. I cling to his broad shoulders, using him as an anchor as Thane starts to move.

The first few thrusts are slow, careful. But as my body adjusts, accepting them both, the pace quickens. Wraith lifts me with those impossibly strong arms, only to let gravity pull me back down onto their cocks. Each time I sink down, Thane drives up to meet me. The counterpoint of their movements has me seeing stars, pleasure spiking through me with every thrust.

I'm vaguely aware that I'm making noise. High, keening cries that I barely recognize as my own voice. But I can't stop. Can't control anything as they fuck me relentlessly, taking me higher and higher.

"You're doing so good," Thane growls in my ear, his breath hot against my neck. His encouragement sends another wave of heat through me. I try to respond, to tell him how good it feels to be theirs, but all that comes out is a broken moan.

The crown of a cock bumps my lips and I look up through glazed eyes to see familiar piercings a few inches from my face. I blink, trying to focus. Valek is standing behind Wraith, bent forward a little because of the slope of the ceiling of my nesting room, his silver eyes gleaming with renewed hunger.

When did he recover?

How long have we been doing this?

Time has lost all meaning in the throes of my heat. I don't even know when Plague and Whiskey turned to each other, Plague gasping and panting on his back as he comes undone with Whiskey sucking his cock next to us. Plague's hand is gripping my upper thigh, clinging to me like a lifeline as Whiskey milks him dry.

Before I can process what's happening, Valek's pressing his cock against my lips. "Can't let my brothers have all the fun," he purrs.

Thane growls in clear agitation like he's about to correct him, but he doesn't. It's distant, anyway, overshadowed by the overwhelming need coursing through me. Without thinking, I part my lips, accepting Valek's cock into my mouth. The familiar salty taste of him floods my senses as he pushes deeper.

"Fuck," Valek hisses. "Still so eager for it..."

I can barely breathe, impaled on three cocks at once. My body feels like it's on fire, every nerve ending singing with pleasure and pain. I don't know where I end and they begin anymore. We're a tangle of limbs and sensations, moving together in a primal rhythm.

The feeling of Plague's hand moving to my clit as Wraith thrusts into me drives me further off the brink of comprehending what's happening. I moan around Valek's shaft as they keep every inch of my body busy, my arms feeling like they're simultaneously boneless and made of lead even as I cling to Wraith for purchase.

Wraith's arms tighten around me, holding me close as Thane and Valek fuck into me from behind and above. His scarred jaw brushes against my cheek as he nuzzles into my neck, a low, constant growling purr rumbling through his chest.

The alphas find their rhythm, working together to drive me higher and higher. Thane's thick cock stretches my ass impossibly wide with each thrust. Wraith fills my pussy so completely, the edge of his knot catching on my entrance. And Valek fucks my mouth with wild abandon, his pierced cock hitting the back of my throat.

The coil of heat in my core winds tighter and tighter as Plague's skilled fingers work my clit. His touch is relentless, precise, stoking the inferno raging through my veins. I grind desperately against Wraith and Thane's cocks, chasing that elusive peak. Their knots swell, catching on my rim with each thrust, teasing me with the promise of fullness.

I need more. Need to be stretched, filled, claimed completely.

The alphas' scents mingle in the air, thick with arousal and possessiveness. It makes my head spin, my omega instincts screaming to submit, to let them take me fully. To be knotted and marked.

“Please,” I try to choke out, but my voice is muffled by Valek’s cock and the word comes out as a breathy cry. I pull off his cock with a gasp, his round studs bumping against my swollen lips. "Please," I whimper, my voice hoarse and desperate. "I need... I need..."

"What do you need, little one?" Thane growls in my ear, his hips snapping forward harder.

"Your knots," I choke out. "Please, I need your knots. Any of you. All of you. I don't care, just... please!”

That seems to break the last of their restraint. Wraith surges up, his sharp teeth grazing my bottom lip as he presses his jaws to my lips. At the same time, Thane's mouth latches onto the junction of my neck and shoulder, sucking hard. Valek strokes himself next to us so I can breathe, watching intently as I come undone, his eyes glinting like mercury in the low lighting of my nest.

They move in perfect sync, driving into me harder, faster. Their knots swell further, catching on my entrances with each thrust.

"That's it," Plague murmurs encouragingly, his fingers never stopping their relentless assault on my clit. "Take them, Ivy. You can do it."

With a final, powerful thrust, Wraith and Thane push their knots past my entrances. I scream as they lock inside me, stretching me impossibly wide. The flash of pain quickly gives way to overwhelming pleasure as they start to come, flooding me with their hot seed.

My body convulses between them, clenching rhythmically around their pulsing cocks, my stomach cramping from the overwhelming fullness. Stars burst behind my eyelids as wave after wave of ecstasy washes through me.

I'm vaguely aware of Valek cursing in Vrissian, his hips jerking as he spills across my breasts and collarbone. The feeling of his hot come painting my skin only intensifies my pleasure.

Plague's fingers move faster against my oversensitive clit, drawing out my bliss until I'm a trembling, incoherent mess. Through the haze of pleasure, I hear him let out a strangled groan. His hips buck up into Whiskey's mouth as he comes again, his whole body shuddering.

Time loses all meaning as we ride out our shared climax. It feels like I’m floating away on the lake, anchored only by the feeling of my alphas' bodies pressed against mine. Their hands roam over my sweat-slicked skin, soothing and possessive. Soft words of praise and adoration wash over me, though I can't make out individual voices anymore.

As the intensity begins to ebb, I become aware of the ache in my jaw, the slight burn where I'm stretched around Wraith and Thane's knots. But it's a good ache. A reminder of how thoroughly I've been claimed.

I nuzzle into Wraith's neck, breathing in his wild, earthy scent. His arms tighten around me, holding me close. Behind me, Thane presses gentle kisses along my shoulder, his stubble scraping pleasantly against my sensitive skin.

All my alphas are purring, and so am I.

"Our perfect girl," Plague murmurs, his hand moving from my clit to stroke my hair.

I hum contentedly, too blissed out to form words. My body feels heavy, satiated in a way I've never experienced before. The heat that's been burning through me for hours has finally been quenched—and least for now—leaving me boneless and sleepy.

Whiskey's rough chuckle reaches my ears. "I think we broke her."

"Fuck off," I mumble, though there's no heat in it. I can't even summon the energy to open my eyes.

"There she is," Valek purrs, amusement clear in his voice. "I was starting to worry we'd fucked her mute."

I bask in the afterglow, surrounded by my alphas, their purrs vibrating through me. The ache where I'm stretched around Wraith and Thane's knots is a pleasant reminder of how thoroughly I've been claimed.

But there's one more step to make this complete.

"It's time," I murmur, my voice hoarse from screaming. "I want you to mark me. All of you."

The purring stops abruptly. I can feel the tension coming off them, a mix of desire and hesitation.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Plague asks softly, his hand stilling in my hair even though it sounds like it's killing him to ask. "Once it's done, there's no going back."

I nod dizzily. "I'm sure. I want this. I want this pack to be mine, forever."

Whiskey lets out a shaky breath. "Fuck, wildcat. You don’t know what this means to us."

But I do. I can see it in their eyes, feel it in the way their bodies tense around me. This is everything they've wanted, everything they've been afraid to hope for.

And the same goes for me.

"Wraith," I say, turning to nuzzle against his scarred jaw. "I want you to go first."

He pulls back slightly, confusion evident in those blue eyes, usually so sharp and intense. Now, there’s only warmth there. His hands move to sign to me.

Will hurt more when I mark you.

"Part of where the mark will be is already scarred," I explain, reaching up to trace the scars on his face as he gazes at me. "From when I burned off my omega designation." I swallow hard, pushing away the memories of that pain. "Your teeth are so sharp... they'll cut through the scar tissue easily."

Understanding dawns in Wraith's eyes, followed quickly by more concern.

Don’t know if I can be that gentle.

"I trust you," I insist, pressing closer to him despite the slight discomfort of shifting on his knot. "Please, Wraith. I want it to be you."

He stares at me for a long moment, conflict raging in those expressive eyes. I can see him weighing the risks, his protective instincts warring with the obvious desire to claim me as his own.

Finally, he lets out a low, rumbling growl that vibrates through my entire body. He nods once, a sharp jerk of his head.

"If he goes too deep…" Thane says from behind me, his voice tight with concern.

"I trust him," I say firmly. "I trust all of you."

Wraith's massive hands come up to cup my face, those rough fingers so gentle against my skin. He leans in slowly, giving me every chance to change my mind. But I don't want to. I tilt my head, baring my neck to him in a gesture of complete submission.

His breath is hot against my skin as he nuzzles into my neck. I feel the sharp points of his teeth grazing the sensitive flesh and shiver. Not with fear, but with excitement and anticipation.

"Do it," I whisper.

Wraith hesitates for just a moment longer. Then, with aching slowness, he closes his jaws around the crook of my neck and his razor-sharp teeth sink in.

The pain is immediate and intense. It feels like being marked by knives. I cry out, my body tensing around the knots still locked inside me. But beneath the pain, there's something else. A rush of warmth that has nothing to do with my fading heat and everything to do with the primal act of being claimed.

I feel the moment Wraith breaks through the scar tissue. It's a strange sensation, pain layered over numbness where the nerves were damaged. But then his tongue is there, lapping at the wound simultaneously, and the pain begins to fade.

As Wraith gently withdraws his sharp teeth and pulls back, I feel the bond snap into place. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before. Suddenly, I'm acutely aware of him in a way I never have been. I feel a rush of his emotions—his love, his fierce protectiveness, his lingering guilt at causing me pain.

"Thank you," I murmur, pressing a gentle kiss to his blood-stained teeth.

You okay? he signs.

“More than okay,” I say breathlessly as warmth spreads from my new mark throughout my body, mingling with the blood trickling down my chest and back in rivulets.

He rumbles softly, nuzzling against me. I can feel his relief and his happiness through our new bond, and it makes me smile.

"You’re next,” I whisper to Thane, glancing back at him. The concern in his gaze is clear, but when he sees I’m okay, his lips curve with a relieved smile.

He wordlessly brushes his lips against the crook of my neck, tasting my blood, licking the cuts from Wraith’s already closing mark to mingle their saliva before it seals. I tilt my head to give him better access to the other side of my neck. His stubble scrapes pleasantly against my skin as he leans in. Unlike Wraith, he doesn't hesitate. His teeth sink into my flesh immediately, making me gasp.

The pain is different this time. Sharper, more focused. But it fades quickly, replaced by the heady rush of another bond snapping into place. I'm flooded with Thane's emotions. His fierce love, his unwavering loyalty, the depth of his commitment to our pack. To me.

As Thane pulls back, licking the wound closed, I feel myself relaxing further. I hear voices around me, coordinating the next bites, but I’m content to just lose myself in the sea of bliss. When I’m finally relaxed enough for Wraith and Thane to pull out of me, I find myself on Valek’s lap, which I realize only because his piercings are bumping against my entrance.

Valek's silver eyes burn into mine as he slowly lowers me onto his cock. The metal studs of his piercings drag deliciously against my inner walls, making me shudder. I'm so sensitive after everything we've done, but the fire in my veins still rages. My heat isn't over yet.

I whimper as he bottoms out, feeling impossibly full once again. My thighs tremble as I try to hold myself up, overwhelmed. Valek's lean muscles flex beneath me as he starts to move, drawing gasps from me.

The others watch with hungry eyes. Whiskey strokes himself lazily, while Plague's fingers trail along my spine. Thane and Wraith are still recovering, but their gazes are no less intense.

"Look at you," Valek murmurs, one hand coming up to cup my face. "So beautiful. So perfect for us."

His words send a fresh wave of heat through me. I rock against him desperately, chasing more friction. The piercings in his cock hit spots inside me that make my toes curl, and I can't help the breathy moans that escape me with each thrust.

"Please," I gasp, not even sure what I'm begging for.

Valek growls as if he knows exactly, his hips snapping up harder. "You need to be claimed. Marked. Made ours forever."

"Yes," I whimper, clinging to his shoulders. “Please, Valek. Mark me.”

He gives me that wolfish grin I love so much. "As you wish, little omega."

With a final, powerful thrust, Valek's knot pops inside me. The stretch is intense, almost painful, but then he's coming and the pleasure drowns out everything else. Hot spurts of his release flood me as his teeth sink in, right over Wraith's mark.

I scream as another orgasm crashes through me, clenching rhythmically around Valek's pulsing cock. Through the haze of pleasure, I feel the third bond snap into place. Valek's emotions flood me. Possessiveness, love, and a depth of all-encompassing worship that makes me dizzy. This man would do anything for me. He’d tear the moon out of the sky if he thought it would make me smile.

I nuzzle into his neck, overwhelmed by the intimacy of the moment. His arms tighten around me, holding me close as the aftershocks roll through us both. His purr vibrates through my chest, comforting and possessive all at once. I feel boneless, utterly spent, but so incredibly full. Not just physically, but emotionally too.

As the intensity begins to ebb, I become aware of the others moving around us. Gentle hands stroke my back, my thighs, my hair. Soft words of praise and adoration wash over me, though I can't quite make out individual voices.

I hum contentedly, too blissed out to form words anyway. My body feels heavy, satiated in a way I've never experienced before.

Valek shifts slightly, his knot tugging at my sensitive flesh. I whimper at the sensation, and he soothes me with gentle kisses along my shoulder as he pulls out. But before I can voice my displeasure at being empty again, strong arms are lifting me, cradling me against a wall of padded muscle.

I blink blearily, trying to focus. Whiskey grins down at me, his honey-brown eyes warm. "Our turn, wildcat," he rumbles. "I want that tight little ass again."

Plague comes up in front of me, his fingertips ghosting over Thane's sealing marks. “Here?” he asks, glancing up at Whiskey.

“Sounds good,” Whiskey says gruffly. “Both at the same time?”

“As one,” Plague agrees.

My heart races as Whiskey and Plague position themselves on either side of me. Their skin is feverishly hot against mine as Whiskey's bulk presses against my back while Plague faces me, his pale blue eyes dark with hunger.

"Ready, wildcat?" Whiskey rumbles in my ear, his stubble scraping pleasantly against my neck.

I nod, finding myself beyond words again. My body aches to be filled again, claimed by these two alphas who love me and each other. As Whiskey lifts me slightly, I whimper as I feel the blunt head of his cock pressing against my aching ass. At the same time, Plague's hands grip my hips, guiding me onto his length.

The stretch as they enter me simultaneously is almost too much. I cry out, my head falling back against Whiskey's muscled shoulder as they slowly push deeper. The contrast of Whiskey's thick cock in my ass and Plague's in my pussy takes me to the brink again, and then I’m hurtling beyond, convulsing and writhing.

"Fuck," Whiskey hisses through gritted teeth. "So tight…"

Plague's fingers dig into my hips, his usually controlled expression cracking as he bottoms out inside me. "Breathe, Ivy," he murmurs, though his voice is strained. "Just relax."

I try to follow his instructions, forcing my muscles to unclench. It's a challenge with both of them buried so deep inside me, but as the initial discomfort fades, waves of pleasure start to roll through me. I rock experimentally, grinding down onto them, and all three of us groan and growl in unison. I cling to Plague's shoulders, my nails digging in as I try to ground myself so I don’t pass out.

Whiskey's hands roam over my body from behind, rough and possessive. He palms my breasts, rolling my nipples between his fingers as he fucks up into me. His cock stretches me so wide, the edge of his knot catching on my rim with each thrust. Behind me, I can feel the rumble of his growls vibrating through his chest.

"Oh fuck," I gasp as he starts to work tight circles around the sensitive bud. I’m not just close this time, I’m gone. I can barely register where I am anymore. Up in the stars, maybe.

"Come for us," Plague commands, his voice rough. "Let go, Ivy. We've got you."

His words, combined with a particularly deep thrust from Whiskey, send me hurtling over the edge. I cry out as my orgasm crashes through me, my body convulsing between them. My inner walls clench rhythmically around their cocks as they shove their knots into me, drawing twin groans from the alphas.

But it's not over yet. The moment their knots lock inside me, filling me up, I feel them shift. Their breath is hot on my skin as they nuzzle the same area on the side Thane marked, and I know what's coming.

"Ours," Whiskey growls.

"Forever," Plague adds.

Their teeth sink into my shoulder in perfect unison and their bonds snap into place simultaneously. I can't tell where one ends and the other begins. A tidal wave of emotions crashes over me, threatening to pull me under. Whiskey's fierce passion and unwavering loyalty mingle with Plague's deep, abiding love and what feels strangely like worship, too.

As they gently withdraw their teeth, their tongues lap at the wounds, sealing them closed. The sting fades quickly, replaced by a warmth that spreads through my entire body.

I feel... complete.

Whole in a way I've never experienced before.

I rumble with purrs as the world narrows down to this moment, to the feeling of being utterly claimed and possessed by these alphas.

All their hands roam over my sweat-slicked skin, soothing and possessive all at once. Soft growls and purrs rumble through their chests, vibrating against me from both sides. My arms and legs and spine all feel as if they're full of lead as I'm lifted off Plague and Whiskey and cradled in the center of the pack, surrounded by love and protection.

"You should bite us all, too," Valek purrs, breaking the silence. "It's not fair to the rest of the pack that I'm the only one who will bear a mark from you tonight."

"Wait, not my dick," Whiskey says defensively as Plague breathes a husky laugh from somewhere else in the nest.

"Doesn't have to be your dick," Valek says dryly.

I blink slowly, trying to focus through the haze of pleasure and exhaustion. Valek's words take a moment to register in my foggy brain.

Bite them?

Mark them as mine?

I'm so pleasantly tired that I don't think I have the energy to stay awake for much longer, but the idea of claiming my alphas in return is waking me up a little bit.

"Can I?" I ask, my voice hoarse.

Plague's fingers card gently through my hair. "Of course," he says softly. "Omega marks don't have the same... biological intensity as alpha marks, but they mean just as much."

"Then I want to," I murmur. "I want to mark all of you."

Wraith lets out a soft, purring growl at my words.

Thane nods. "We're yours, little one."

I turn in their arms to Wraith first. "You," I murmur, reaching up to trace his jagged scars, softer now than they were before the treatment. "I want to mark you here." I tap gently just below his ear at the top of his neck, in one of the few unmarred patches of skin.

He rumbles softly, tilting his head to give me better access. My teeth graze his skin with a gentle lick before I sink my canines in. The taste of his blood floods my mouth, coppery and sharp. As I release him, lapping gently at the wound, our connection thrums with a spike of joy at belonging to me.

Thane is next. He watches me with those dark, intense eyes, waiting patiently for my decision. "For you," I murmur, trailing my fingers down his chest. "Right here." I tap the spot over his heart.

Thane's breath catches as I lean in. His skin is warm beneath my lips as I press a soft kiss to the spot before sinking my teeth in. His purr intensifies, his hand coming up to tangle in my hair before I pull away.

Whiskey shifts impatiently beside me, drawing my attention. His honey-brown eyes are darker as he watches me. "What about me, wildcat? Where do you want to mark me?"

My hands roam over his broad chest and the solid muscle beneath. Then, decisively, I lean down and bite the junction where his neck meets his shoulder, knowing he'll be proud to show off the scar there. When I pull back, admiring the neat marks from my canines, he looks at me adoringly.

Finally, I turn to Plague. "And you," I murmur, reaching for him. "I know exactly where I want to mark you." I gently take his hand in mine, turning it palm up. Then, maintaining eye contact, I sink my canines into the meat of his thumb.

Plague inhales sharply, his fingers curling reflexively. When I release him, laving my tongue over the bite before he pulls away, he gazes at his palm like it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

My freshly marked alphas close in around me once more, forming a cocoon of solid warm muscle. It doesn't take long before I start losing the fight to stay awake, drifting in and out of sleep as their purrs vibrate through me, a constant reminder that I'm not alone anymore.

That I'll never be alone again.

The marks on my neck tingle pleasantly, five distinct bonds humming with love and contentment. I feel each of them through these connections now, their emotions mingling with mine as all our souls knit together.

As sleep tugs at the edges of my mind, my thoughts wander back to that scared, feral omega hiding in the woods. The one who'd rather die than submit to an alpha's claim. The one who burned off her own designation mark.

If I could go back in time, what would I tell her?

Would she even believe me if I tried to explain how everything would change? That she'd find not just one alpha to trust, but five? That she'd willingly—eagerly—be marked and claimed by the entire pack?

I imagine finding her huddled in one of her hidden dens, wild-eyed and ready to fight. Ready to die before letting any alpha touch her. I'd tell her that one day, she'll understand that being loved doesn't have to mean being owned.

I'd tell her about Wraith, the feral alpha the world sees as a monster and how he would become her fiercest protector. About how his silent strength would become her anchor in the storm.

About Thane, whose quiet authority would make her feel safe instead of trapped. How his dark eyes would always watch over her, not to control, but to protect.

About Plague, whose careful distance would give her room to spread her wings and be heard. How the prince who became a ghost would help her find her own kind of royalty.

About Whiskey, who loves fully and recklessly. The alpha who would burn the world for her and set off fireworks to celebrate, reveling in the chaos.

And about Valek, who'd teach her that even the most broken pieces can fit together to make something beautiful. That redemption is possible even for those who think they can't be saved.

I would tell that feral omega that one day, she'll understand what real strength is. That it's not about fighting alone, but about knowing when to let others fight beside you. That true freedom isn't the absence of bonds, but choosing the ones that make you stronger. Choosing your family.

And I choose them.

Every single day, I choose them.

My alphas.

My pack.

My home.

The End.