36. Koa
Koa
The room feels too quiet again. I step back to assess the nest I’ve just spent the better part of an hour building. Blankets and pillows are piled high, arranged in a cozy semi-circle at the back of the room. It’s soft, it’s warm, it’s safe. But something is off. I grunt, shoving another pillow into place before flopping onto the blankets in frustration.
The lingering scents from my mates aren’t strong enough. They’re there, faint and teasing, but not enough to settle the restless ache in my chest. I roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling, the weight of loneliness pressing down on me. I tell myself I can wait. I can curl up here, sleep alone one more night, and maybe things will feel right in the morning. But even as I think it, I know it’s a lie. My instincts are screaming at me, clawing at me, telling me I need them. Not their shirts, not their pillows— them.
I sit up, my decision made, and gather what little courage I have left. It’s nearly midnight, the house is dark, and I expect everyone to be asleep. But as I step into the hallway, I see a faint light glowing from the living room. My heart beats faster as I move closer, the sound of hushed voices reaching my ears.
They’re all huddled around the coffee table, talking quietly, their expressions serious. Hunter’s got his glasses on, his brows furrowed as he points to something on the screen of his phone. Moses is leaning back against the couch, his arms crossed, while Amel sits on the edge of the coffee table, one hand running across his head.
They look up the moment I approach, three pairs of eyes landing on me, their expressions instantly softening.
“Koa?” Amel is the first to speak. “What’s wrong?”
I hesitate, twisting my fingers together as I glance at each of them in turn. “Can... can we stay together tonight?” I finally ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hunter is on his feet in an instant, his glasses pushed up as he crosses the room to stand in front of me. “Of course,” he says without hesitation, his hand brushing against mine.
Moses tilts his head, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “Is there a special reason?” he asks, his voice careful as if he doesn’t want to push too hard.
I take a deep breath, my cheeks heating as I glance down at the floor. “My nest,” I say quietly. “It feels... empty. It’s missing something. And I’m done waiting.” I lift my gaze to meet theirs, my voice trembling but steady. “I want this. I want to be fully bonded. I want you.”
For a moment, there’s nothing but silence. Then Hunter lets out a low growl, his hand cupping my face as he tilts my head up to meet his gaze. “You have no idea how long we’ve been waiting to hear that,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing against my cheek.
Moses rises from the couch, his movements more calculated than Hunter’s as he approaches. “Are you sure, Koa?” he asks, his voice quieter now. “This isn’t something you have to rush. We can wait as long as you need.”
I shake my head, stepping closer to them. “I’m sure. Waiting isn’t doing me any good and it’s just making me doubt what I already know. That I belong here, with you three. That’s not going to change and second-guessing myself is making my head spin. Feeling Amel through the bond is perfect but I want all of it.”
My nest feels full, Hunter and Moses are curled on either side of me, their large frames crowding me in the most comforting way, while Amel sits at the edge, his gray eyes watching every movement with quiet intensity. My heart pounds in my chest, the anticipation humming through me like electricity.
Hunter’s lips brush against my temple, his hand stroking down my side, the gentle touch setting my nerves alight. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to us, Koa,” he murmurs, his rough voice sending shivers down my spine. “Do you know that?”
I open my mouth to reply, but Moses tilts my face toward him, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that steals my breath. It’s soft at first, almost reverent, but it deepens quickly, his hand cupping the back of my neck to hold me close. I melt into him, the tension in my body unraveling as their touches ground me.
Fingers brush the hem of my shirt, a silent question. I nod, my cheeks heating as Hunter and Moses slowly undress me, their hands never lingering too long but never rushing either. They treat me like I’m something precious, something worth taking their time with, and it’s overwhelming in the best way.
Hunter leans back to take me in, his gaze dark and heated but full of affection. “You’re perfect,” he says, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through my chest. “So perfect.”
Amel’s hand finds mine, his purr soft and steady as he squeezes my fingers. “Breathe, sweet girl,” he whispers. “We’ve got you.”
I do as he says, taking a shaky breath as Hunter shifts, settling between my thighs. His touch is tender, his kisses trailing down my neck and over my collarbone as he murmurs quiet reassurances against my skin. When he finally presses into me, it’s slow and careful, every inch making me feel more connected to him than I ever thought possible.
“You’re ours,” he breathes, his forehead resting against mine as he moves. “And we’re yours. Always.”
The words hit me in a way I didn’t expect, tears welling in my eyes as I cling to him. It’s not just about the bond, about the physical connection—it’s about the way they’ve claimed me without ever making me feel like I was being taken. They’ve given me a choice, a voice, and a place to call home.
Hunter’s pace quickens slightly, his breathing growing heavier as his hand grips my hip. His teeth graze the curve of my shoulder, a warning before he sinks them in. The sharp sting sends a rush of pleasure through me, my cry muffled against his chest as the bond flares to life. It’s overwhelming, an intense wave of heat and connection that leaves me breathless.
Before I can fully process it, Moses is there, his lips on the other side of my neck. His bite is just as sharp, just as grounding, and the second bond crashes over me like a tidal wave. Pleasure and a myriad of emotions tangle together, tears spilling down my cheeks as they hold me close, their purrs filling the space like a soothing balm.
Amel’s voice cuts through the haze, calm and steady as he strokes my hair. “You’re okay, Koa,” he says softly. “You’re perfect. We’ve got you.”
A little whine tears from my throat as Hunter pushes his knot into me, the brothers lapping at the new bites in my neck. Pleasure continues to thrum through me until I’m sure I’m going to come again. I sigh, relishing in the new bonds because I can feel all three of them. It’s like the added notes to a melody that were missing, the full song now present in my soul.
I never thought it would feel like this. I never thought I’d feel anything close to this. The bond—it’s not just some instinctual connection. It’s alive, pulsing with every beat of my heart, a thread tying me to them in ways I can’t even put into words. Hunter leans his forehead against mine, his fingers stroking lazily over my hip as he lets out a soft growl, his voice like gravel when he speaks. “You’re ours now,” he murmurs, his words possessive but full of adoration. “Finally ours.”
I don’t even realize I’m crying until Moses brushes a tear off my cheek, his lips pressing gently to my temple. “You’re precious, Koa,” he says, his voice barely a whisper. “Feeling you like this… through the bond… it’s everything. How’s it feel?”
I spend a few seconds thinking, checking in with myself. There’s no panic, no lack of self-confidence. Just happiness. It reminds me of the moments when life used to be good, when Mom was alive and Damien didn’t hate my very existence. “It feels like home,” I finally say. “And knowing that I don’t have to leave, that I have the three of you means more than you’ll ever know. I finally have my own family.” Tears gather in my eyes as Hunter drags me into a soft kiss, Amel placing a hand on my thigh to remind me that they’re all here for me.
“You do have us, Koa. We’ve been looking for you for a damn long time and I’m so happy that we found you.”
I breathe out a happy sigh before letting sleep overtake me.