14. Emma

At some point in the late morning, I slowly roll over in the dim light, expecting to feel Luke in bed. But he's gone. My hand runs along the sheets. They're cold. He never came back. My heart twists in my chest and makes me feel like a fool. What did I really expect?

I gather up the courage to get out of bed. I stretch and groan, feeling how sore my body is. It's only then that I realize I'm starving. The closed door stares back at me and I wonder if Charlotte will be here this morning.

I was prepared to leave them yesterday, but today feels different. A part of me feels grounded to them, yet still afraid of being used. I don't understand any of what I'm feeling. It's not black and white like words on a page, there's so much muddled gray.

Luke's scent is on the shirt as I slip it on and sigh with remorse. Regret clings to me in more ways than one. I've been using them for my story. It's already written. I nearly sent it to the editor yesterday; I have internet so I could very easily send it even though I'm all too aware I'm not supposed to talk to anyone. So I'd rather be gone and far away from here before I submit it for publication. I don't want to be here when it gets released.

I open up the laptop I've been keeping on my desk and click on my email.

A knock at my door surprises me. I startle, feeling like I've been caught. I close the computer and stuff it back in my bag before calling out, "Come in."

Charlotte walks in, but the bubbly demeanor she possessed the other day is gone. She doesn't even look at me in the eyes. "Luke wanted me to tell you that I'm here if you need anything."

"What?" Did he leave? I don't know what I expected, but the feeling that he's avoiding me sits heavy in my chest.

"He's not feeling well, so he's going to stay away for today." Ice chills my blood as I nod in understanding. "He said you can go out if you want." She subtly scents the air. "Your heat's gone and everything so, you should be fine to do whatever you want." Her voice is laced with disappointment.

"Oh." I don't know what to say. I'd love to go talk to people, to get more for my story. But it feels so wrong. In my heart, I'm already gone. Already back in my empty apartment, typing away and burying myself in my work. I pick at my nails as the tension grows in the room. I've never felt like such a traitor, but she doesn't know the details. She doesn't know everything that happened so she shouldn't judge.

"Is there anything else?" I ask when she doesn't leave.

"Luke said you're leaving. I don't understand." Her words are laced with accusation. My eyes fly to hers. Waiting for her to continue. "Do you just not feel the connection or is it on purpose?"

I part my lips, feeling as though I've betrayed her somehow. Which is ridiculous. "There's more to it than that. There are more important things than a connection."

"Like what? What's more important than love?" She looks at me with wide, sad eyes, daring me to suggest that love isn't the end all, be all.

"It's not love." She looks at me like I slapped her. I raise my voice and sit up straighter, stopping her from speaking. "It's not love if you're stuck with someone fate picked for you."

"So you don't love him?" Disbelief is written all over her face.

"I want to love him, but I don't trust that it's real. The way we started"—I run my fingers through my hair and force the tears back—"it's just not going to work out. You can't love someone who you don't trust not to hurt you."

"Just give him another chance."

"You don't understand! I gave myself to him and it meant nothing to him!" My emotions are all over the place. I can't contain my hurt any longer.

"I'm sure?—"

"No." I raise my voice more than I wanted. "He told me I would beg for him when I was in heat. He knew I'd have to go to him, so he didn't even show me one ounce of respect. I deserve more than that!" The bastard tears leak down my cheeks, and they make me angry more than they do sad. "You're lucky you don't have a mate. You can find someone you love. You're not stuck with whoever fate picked for you."

"But I thought you made up? Couples fight don't they? And he's…he's not the best at expressing himself sometimes. Sometimes people say things they don't mean or?—"

"We weren't even a couple yet. He didn't even know me. He still doesn't know me. How could he possibly love me?"

"Why don't you feel that way toward Owen then?"

I'm stunned by her question and fail to come up with a response. It's like a blow to my chest. I just feel it with Owen. But it doesn't matter. None of this matters. "I'm leaving anyway so it doesn't matter. I'm sorry I'm going to hurt your Alphas. We just can't stay together. They'll get over it and find someone else."

"They won't."

I wipe the tears away and stalk to the window with my arms crossed. "If I meant anything to him, he would've done more than fucked me last night. He wouldn't have sent you to deal with me." I stare out the window at the forest. "I want to mean more to my partner; Luke can't give me more and Owen will never leave his brother." I turn around and look at Charlotte. "Nothing's going to change that."

"I know he hurt you, but don't you think you've hurt him too?"

"What did I do to him?"

"You denied him."

"I hurt him by not wanting to sleep with someone who treats me like shit? How is that fair?"

"It might not be fair, but it's the truth."

"Well that's what he gets. He doesn't get to treat me like that and then have me bow down to him."

"I wish you'd stay. I wish you'd give him another chance." I can tell the fight in her is nearly gone. Silence lingers between us as I question everything and do all that I can to keep from getting emotional. I'm so sick of feeling emotional.

"Can I ask you one question?"

I nod, waiting for this conversation to be over. My heart just can't take it anymore. I need to get out of here and drown myself in a bottle of wine and forget this ever happened. "Do you feel the connection at all?"

I close my eyes as my heart shatters. I nod my answer and turn back to the window. Letting the pain settle in my chest. I feel a connection to both of them. A deep, powerful spark that makes me feel alive.

She sulks at the door, and I turn away from her and wait to hear it close so I can gather up my shit and get the hell out of here. I gave it a chance and it didn't work. I'm leaving. After a long minute I turn around and snap at Charlotte. "What?"

She's shocked at my anger, and it makes me feel like a bitch. I run my hands across my cheeks, wiping the tears and apologize. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." She stares at her feet. "I'm just sorry." She starts to leave but pauses in the doorway. "Oh! I forgot to tell you." I pinch the bridge of my nose just wanting to get this over with. "Luke said he's sorry about the story."

"What?" Adrenaline spikes through me, quickening my heart.

"The story. I don't know what he means, but he's sorry." My eyes widen as I register what she's talking about. He knows about the story.

"Thank you." The weak words barely register as she closes the door and leaves me standing there.

I walk quickly to my bag and pull out the computer. I barely get half my ass on the bed before I cautiously open it.

I click on my email and wait. An error message pops up. What the fuck? I check Wi-Fi and it's on, but my icons aren't working. I click through applications and nothing. Not a damn thing is opening. That's when I see the desktop. There's a JPEG sitting in the middle of my screen. I click it and open in preview. It's a screenshot of an email sent from me to my editor and boss. My heart plummets and my lips part in shock as I read the message. He destroyed everything I worked for. Resign. I didn't fucking resign! That motherfucker! Anger courses through me. He's ended my fucking career!

I search the folder for the manuscript using the search bar, looking in the trash, everywhere on the computer. He fucking deleted it. I jump off the bed and storm to the door. As soon as I open it I slam into a wall of solid muscle. I have to crane my head to look at him and when I do, all my anger dissipates.

"Owen." I barely say his name. "You're back." I'm shocked to see him, but more than that I feel a heavy weight of relief. Not so much so that all of my anger is forgotten.

He strokes my back and kisses the tip of my nose. "What's got you so angry, sweetness?" He noticeably sniffs the air. "You and Luke made up?" My cheeks flush with embarrassment realizing what he's scented. A touch of guilt flows through me, but he's not angry in the least.

"No we haven't, and I want to leave." My voice cracks at the end. "I'm sorry." I can't fucking believe I'm leaving him, but Luke ruining my career is the last straw.

He sucks in a breath as he stares down at me, heartbroken.

I shake my head. "We're just not compatible."

He quietly questions, "You feel nothing for him then?"

"Oh, I feel something. I feel like I want to fucking kill him." I'm barely containing my anger as my blood heats thinking of all the years I've spent getting myself to this point.

"Kill who?" The bastard himself steps into the doorway and strides to the bed like he has no clue why I'd be enraged.

"You!" I scream at him. "How could you ruin my career like that?" Owen grabs my hips, pulling me into him and keeping me from slapping Luke across his face. I stretch an arm out and point as I yell at him. "You have no right going through my things! Do you know what you've done?"

Owen stays quiet behind me, and Luke looks at him, at me, and then back to him. A chill goes through me as I realize they're having a conversation without me. My heart stills at the realization. Owen's going to be so disappointed in me.

Owen's fingertips dig into my hips. "You were a bad, bad girl while I was gone." He bends down and bites my earlobe before whispering, "Weren't you?" The act heats my body and makes my clit throb, while simultaneously startling me.

"I didn't send it." My words come out shaky and I'm not sure if it's because I'm turned on or scared.

"You would have. It was a draft in the email." I stare at Luke, the fucking narc he is, with my lips pressed in a hard line. "Don't worry, sugar, I took care of it for you."

My eyes narrow at him and I hiss, "You sent in my resignation."

He nods his head and smirks like a cocky bastard. "I did."

"I'm not resigning!"

"You already did."

"I don't want to quit!"

"You can find a job here that won't end with us having to go up against the Authority." He's fucking insane if he thinks I'm going to be staying here. And I'm sure as shit not going to settle on another job when what I want to do is just within my reach.

"They deserve to know the truth!" I hear the passion in my voice. I've worked so hard and come so far to try to unite us as a species. And now it's being ripped away from me by someone who claims he loves me.

"That's not up to us." He looks slightly remorseful, but it doesn't stop my anger.

"Fuck you!"

"Oh sugar, you're going to be fucking me." And there's the cocky prick I can't fucking stand.

I scream at him so loud that my throat burns. "This is why you'll never be my mate!"

That gets him moving. He storms over with heat in his eyes and stands right in front of me so my body is pressed between the two of them. "I'm your mate, sugar; you're going to have to deal with that."

I gather up the last bit of courage and sneer. "I'm leaving." I turn in the confined space and look up at Owen. "I want to go home." Owen looks between the two of us but doesn't speak. "You said you'd take me home." My voice loses its strength and cracks. "You promised."

"You are home." I clench my teeth at Luke's words but refuse to turn around and acknowledge him. "You're staying here."

"You can't hold me captive!" Blood rushes in my ears as I feel Owen's grip on me tighten. I realize how wrong I am. They could easily keep me here for as long as they wanted. I'm helpless and at their mercy. "You wouldn't if you loved me," I whisper in the air surrounding us, but already feel defeated. Tears brim my eyes and my body trembles. I can't stay here. This is all too much too soon. None of this was my choice. None of it.

"Don't cry sweetness. I promised I'd?—"

"She's my mate too!" Luke yells, interrupting Owen. "And I'm not letting her leave!"

"Would you really have us treat our mate this way?" Owen seethes through clenched teeth.

"She's lying." Luke's hand grabs my waist, right above Owen's hands on my hip, and he leans into me so that his breath tickles the shell of my ear. "You keep denying it, but I know you feel this. I know you felt it last night and I'm not going to let you run from it."

I look him dead in the eyes and tell him, "You're an asshole."

"That may be true, but I'm also right. I know you love me, and you know I love you too."

I turn in their grasp and slam my fist on his hard chest as I speak without thinking. "I hate you."

His hands leave me, and I instantly miss his touch. "How did I hurt you so fucking bad?"

"You treat me like I'm expected to just part my legs for you!" Tears fall as I hysterically yell at him, my back to Owen's solid chest. "You don't love me!"

"Don't tell me I don't love you!" He tries to interrupt me, but I continue, yelling over him.

"You're stuck with me!" My face heats and reddens with anger. "You don't want me as a mate!"

"You're right! I didn't want a human for a mate!" His harsh words silence me. I fucking knew it. "But that doesn't mean I don't love you." I shake my head, denying his words. "You can deny me all you want, sugar, but that doesn't make it any less true. I gave you everything that I had last night and you shut me out." His voice raises. "You used me."

"I didn't use you!" My shoulders hunch and I lower my gaze. "I'm just protecting myself."

"From what?" he asks as though he can fix it. How can he be so blind?

"From you!"

He throws his hands up in exasperation, looking at me as though I'm the one who's crazy. "I said I'm sorry!"

"You don't mean it." I spit the words out and push against Owen, trying to break from his hold, but he doesn't let go. I can't deal with this right now.

"You just want to hate me." Luke stalks back toward me. "Is that it? Will this be easier for you if you have a real reason to hate me?"

I continue to struggle against Owen, but he doesn't let up his grip. I sneer back at Luke. "I don't trust you."

"You'll learn to trust me." His tone changes to plead with me and it breaks down my walls. "Give us time. I know you feel it. What I felt last night was real. I know you felt it." His eyes plead with me, but I can't admit it.

"Tell me you feel nothing for me then." He takes my chin in his hand, the contact calms me and forces me to stare into his eyes. "Tell me I'm nothing to you." His sad, softly spoken words crack and his pain resonates through me.

My mouth opens, but I look away. His hand tilts my chin again, forcing my eyes to meet his. I pull in a tortured breath and close my eyes.

"Look at me. Look at me and tell me what you really feel."

"You're going to hurt me." Tears fall down my face. I know he's going to hurt me.

"I promise I won't. I know I was an asshole, but I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll spend every day on my knees making it up to you."

I hesitate to say the truth. To tell him I love him. If this is real, then I'd be at his mercy for the rest of my life. He could hurt me. He already has and he could do it again. It would destroy me to have him treat me like that ever again. He rests his forehead against mine. "I love you, Emma." He kisses my lips, pouring his passion and devotion into the tender touch. "I'll spend my life loving you."

My hands grip his shoulders as I cry into his chest. "I love you, Luke." A strangled sob leaves me. "Please don't hurt me." Owen finally lets go of me and I fall into Luke's chest.

"Never baby. I'll never hurt you again."

His strong hands run up and down my back as I nuzzle into his broad chest. My heart flutters and my chest warms at his affection. I sigh heavily into his chest, trying to calm my breathing and take in this revelation. I lean back to look at Luke, my Alpha, my mate.

His eyes shine with sincerity. "You believe me now, sugar? I mean every word. Please believe me."

I nod, feeling that warmth in my chest flow through my entire body.

"Now what's this about my mate being naughty?" Owen's hard voice in my ear makes me shiver as my heart stills. I suck a breath in; I don't know what to expect, but I know he must be pissed.

"I want this to be good for her Owen." Luke speaks easily over my head. "It's taken care of anyway."

I shift uncomfortably. I don't know what to think about him ending my career. I worked so fucking hard. But now that I'm here. Now that I'm staying…

"Don't worry, we'll find something for you that you'll love, and the Authority, once they are told of our mating, will smooth everything over and find you a worthy position." Luke answers my unasked question. I know the Authority has power in the industry. More questions fill my mind, but they're silenced by my mate.

Owen's hand curls around the nape of my neck and leans in to whisper in my ear, "You're very lucky that Luke saved your ass, sweetness." His sexy voice holds a threat that heats my core.

Both of my mates lean in and kiss my neck on either side. Licking, nipping, and leaving open-mouthed kisses. My pussy clenches as their hands roam my body; I'm not sure whose hands are where, but it doesn't matter. It overwhelms my senses and makes me feel just as needy as I did when I was in heat.

Luke pulls away to look at me, his eyes glowing with desire. "Speaking of that ass." His eyes leave mine to look at Owen. "You better take it right now or I am."

My eyes widen. "I've—" I can hardly breathe at the thought. "I've never done that."

"Good. Then I don't have to kill anyone." Luke's low chuckle in response to Owen's flat statement makes me weak in the knees. It's light between us and with my guard down, the pull to him is undeniable. "You love me," he says teasingly, and the warmth grows between us. "You love me," he repeats, and I swallow thickly.

"I do."

Luke grabs me up by my ass, squeezing both cheeks before tossing me onto the bed. I gasp as I bounce on the mattress. Before I've had time to right myself, Luke cages me in, primal lust in his eyes. His nose brushes against mine and I don't miss the spark in his eyes. All the air in my lungs leaves me as he lowers his body on me, staring at me like a wolf does his prey. His hands play with the hem of my shirt. "You won't be needing this." He grips my shirt and tears it in half, exposing my body to him. My chest rises and falls heavily, unable to move away as his eyes devour my body. "We need to practice claiming you."

Suddenly, he grabs my hips and rolls over, taking me with him so that he's on his back as I straddle him. My hands fly to his hard, muscular chest for balance. His hand grabs the nape of my neck and pulls me toward him, crashing his lips with mine. He nips my lower lip and as I open my mouth to gasp, his tongue invades my mouth, dancing with mine in a hot kiss of passion.

I don't even hear Owen until he's on the bed behind me with his fingers tickling the sides of my thighs as they travel to my panty line. "You don't need these either, sweetness." His thick fingers tear the cotton easily.

I breathe in short, shallow breaths as I realize what's going to happen. My heart quickens and my blood heats. I rock my pussy into Luke's hard cock and rub my throbbing clit against him. Luke groans. "That's right, sugar, use me. I fucking love it when you use me like this." His hand splays on my back and pulls my chest to his.

I hear Owen open a bottle and I crane my neck to watch him behind me. He gently pets my back while stroking his dick, shining with lube. "Don't worry, just relax." My eyes widen as I imagine his massive dick in my ass. No fucking way that's going to fit. I part my lips as my anxiety begs me to object, but a moan is what comes out as Luke cups my pussy and rubs his palm against my clit.

"We've got you, sugar. Let us make you feel good." He leans in and sucks my nipple into his mouth and moans around it as he rocks his dick into my heat. "I'm gonna love watching your tits bounce while I fuck you."

"And I get to make this ass jiggle." Owen's hand comes down hard on my ass cheek, making it spike with a hint of pain and desire. I clench my pussy in heated anticipation.

"At the same time?" I'm surprised by the breathy lust coating my words.

Owen kisses my neck and nips my ear. "Is that what you want?"

Even though my heart races, I don't hesitate to answer as my head rolls back, exposing my throat for Luke to suckle. "Yes."

I whimper into the crook of Luke's neck as Owen stretches me. It's more foreign than painful.

"Push back baby." I do as Owen says and moan as the heated sensation sends a wave of arousal through me. Luke kisses my shoulder and rubs my throbbing clit. I feel on the verge of shattering as they both kiss, lick, and rub my sensitized body. My heart goes into overdrive and a wildfire consumes me as both of them push slowly into me at the same time. Luke pulls my trembling body down as Owen pushes more and more of him into me. Luke's fully seated dick stretches my walls, causing a hint of pain that only adds to my pleasure. I groan as Owen pushes deeper.

"Relax, sugar." One of them rubs my clit as they both kiss and suckle my shoulders until Owen takes me completely. It's almost too much. So full, so hot. My body hums with pleasure so close to the tilt of pain, yet somehow I'm still overwhelmed with need.

Owen's chest pushes my body tighter against Luke as his teeth scrape the tender skin of my neck. "This side's mine."

Luke nips the other side. "My mark will go here." Their confidence in their possession of me, combined with the intensity of our connection, makes my body weak with a primitive need.

"Please," I beg them as my head goes light with lust. I need my release. They take me at the same time, thrusting in and out of me, stretching and filling me only to leave me empty and needing more. My fingernails dig into Luke's shoulders as I bite his neck in an attempt to muffle my screams.

"Fuck yes! Bite me." He pounds harder and faster into me. "Mark me as yours." I moan louder into his neck as every nerve ending in my body fires at full force, taking me on a high I've never experienced in my life. Owen's blunt nails dig into the flesh of my hips as he pumps into my ass with harder strokes. Every thrust makes my body vibrate with pleasure. Owen growls and Luke snarls, each buried deep inside of me as I scream out my orgasm, burning my throat and leaving my lungs with no air.

I fall on Luke's chest, breathless, sated, and feeling complete in every way. They've stripped me, fucked me, and claimed me as theirs. My Alphas.