Chapter Thirty-one
Carter
A fter Friday night’s drama, I’m very glad to be back at the compound—even if it ends up meaning I’m that much closer to being sent home.
Nikolai, Alexei, Riley, and I all know the rose ceremony that’ll be starting shortly is the last. We’ll either receive a black rose or a red one.
I don’t know what Riley and I will do if we’re sent home. It’s not like I’m getting any younger. Sure, Riley has plenty of years to find a pack, but I’m also over fifteen years his senior. Both of us want kids, and I don’t want to be in my fifties or sixties when we have them.
This feels like our last chance, and I hate it.
“What has you thinking so hard, Carter?” Riley wraps his arms around me from behind, his buttercream, prosecco, and blackberries scent soothing me in a way nothing else can.
I shrug, knowing he isn’t going to drop this but afraid to mention it. Not because I think he’ll be mad. I don’t want him feeling sorry for me or trying to soothe my fear. It’s his job to take care of me, and he takes it very seriously—without taking over my life, which is better than some alphas I dated in the past.
“Don’t do that. You know I hate it when you brush me off, and it’s clear that something’s bothering you.” He turns me around to face him, cupping my cheeks. “Talk to me. Please.”
I sigh. “I’m worried that Remington won’t choose us, and where will that leave us? I’m going to be forty-five in a couple of years. If I want to have kids, it needs to happen soon. I don’t want to be an old-ass dad—the one who can’t play with them because my body is falling apart. The one everyone asks if they’re one of the grandparents’ packs.”
His face falls. “I didn’t realize this was bothering you so badly. I don’t want to think about Remy not choosing us, but I can see your point. I don’t know what we’ll do. I don’t even care so much about having a pack. I would be happy for the rest of my life as long as you were by my side. We can always try surrogacy if we’re sent home today. I’ll do whatever I have to make you happy. You know that, right?”
“Of course I do. That’s why I didn’t want to say anything to you. I love you, Riley, and I always will. But this is something you can’t fix with your money.” I shake my head. “We can try surrogacy, but we all know the odds of a woman being impregnated are low. It can take years for a surrogate to get pregnant. I just…don’t know if I want that.”
“And that’s okay. It’s something we can discuss if we need to, but we don’t know if we’ll need to. Yes, we know tonight is the final rose ceremony, and Remy is going into heat soon. But what if he chooses us? What if we become part of the pack he’s building? We already know Quinn’s getting a red rose tonight, but that doesn’t mean we’re not.”
I shake my head, not wanting to get my hopes up. “Alexei and Nikolai are just as likely to get a red rose as we are. Hell, he might decide that Quinn is the last person his pack needs. All four of us could be sent home tonight. I understand you want to be optimistic about the situation, but I need to be a realist. I need to consider the fact that we might be sent packing instead of packing up. I need to know what we’re going to do next, if that’s the case.”
“I know. That’s just how your brain works.” Riley runs a hand down his face. “Okay, if we don’t get chosen, we have three options. The first is we keep looking for a pack, or at least a woman willing to join our pack. Yes, we’ve struggled with that in the past, and that’s my fault. After the season airs, I think it’ll be much better for us. The second option is we start trying with a surrogate. The third is we adopt.”
Hearing it broken down like that, I’m almost willing to admit defeat. The rejection that could come from trying to find a pack. The dejection we’ll face each time the pregnancy fails to implant. Adopting isn’t a terrible idea, but with so few babies being born each year, there are fewer and fewer to adopt—which is a double-edged sword. It’s great for the kids but not so great for packs trying to adopt.
“Why do those all sound like terrible options?” I ask.
“Because what you really want is for Remington to choose us,” Riley says matter-of-factly. “Just like I do.”
“Fuck,” I bellow, glad for the soundproofing in the rooms. “I hate that there’s nothing I can do right now. I need a plan of action, and I can’t make one until we hear what Remington has to say.”
Riley pulls me into his arms once more, chest rumbling as he purrs for me. It doesn’t have the same effect on me as it does on omegas, but it’s still comforting. Probably because I know he’s using it to make me feel better.
“The upside is that the rose ceremony will start soon. We should probably head downstairs.”
I wrinkle my nose as I pull away. “I don’t want to.”
He snickers. “Yes, you do.”
“Stop doing that.” I shove at his chest—not that it does a damn thing to him. He just smirks at me.
Rolling my eyes, I turn back to the mirror, making sure my bow tie is perfect. Of course it is, since Riley’s the one who tied it. I can tie a regular tie with no problems since I wear them almost daily, but these fucking bow ties always get the better of me.
“You look amazing, Carter—just like you always do. Stop fussing. Let’s head downstairs.”
While he doesn’t use his alpha bark, it’s definitely a demand. One I know I’ll be punished for ignoring if that’s the route I choose. Not that being punished by my alpha is necessarily a bad thing, but I also know he’s right.
Making us late for the ceremony isn’t going to stop it from happening. Bree and Tessa will just end up sending someone up to get us, and neither of us wants that.
“Fine. Fine. Fine. You win. Let’s go.” I start for the door, but Riley stops me.
“I’ll be hopeful enough for both of us, okay?” He leans forward, brushing his lips against mine, and I sigh into the kiss.
Riley’s a damn fine kisser, that’s for sure.
“I’m trying, Ri. I promise I am, and I hope like hell you’re right about this one.” I tug him toward the door. “But we also don’t want to keep an omega waiting. Or two omegas since Bree’s down there as well. I’m so not in the mood to deal with hers and Tessa’s anger tonight. I think we all saw enough of that last night.”
He snorts. “That’s for damn sure. That was a fucking disaster. It looks like everyone managed to patch things up with Remy, and that’s all that really matters.”
“You’re the fucking best, Riley, and Remy would be lucky to have you as an alpha.” I kiss him one last time before opening the door and stepping into the hallway.
“Thank you, Carter. He would be lucky to have you as a beta, too.”
“ Da. He would be lucky to have any of us.”
I jump at the sound of Alexei’s voice, turning my head to find him and Nikolai leaning against the wall outside our suite.
“We thought we could go together,” he continues. “Quinn was supposed to meet us, but he not.”
“I’m here,” he calls, coming running up the stairs. “I’m sorry. When the two of you didn’t answer your door, I headed for the ballroom. I was halfway there when I remembered you said we were going to meet up here. My head is a fucking mess right now.”
Riley snorts. “That probably has something to do with the incomplete bond you’re carrying around. Imagine what Remy is dealing with.”
Quinn winces. “I know. I spent most of the day with him to ease some of his discomfort. He was begging me to bite him earlier, and I almost gave in. I’m not a fan of him being in pain.” He pauses, glancing around at the four of us. “We’re all cool, right? I know I haven’t really gotten a chance to talk to all of you since last night…”
“Everything is fine here,” Alexei assures him. “Remington wanted to bite you, so he did. It is omega’s prerogative.”
Nikolai grunts. “You protected him and took care of him when he needed you. You are good alpha. I am happy for you.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Mine and Carter’s only concern last night was that no one noticed how upset Remy was getting. What happened wasn’t your fault. It could’ve happened to anyone—especially when both of you thought he was going into heat. We’re good.” Riley holds his hand out, and Quinn shakes it with a smile.
“Just keep taking care of him, and I won’t have to hunt you down and pretend to kick your ass,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m a little jealous, though.”
Quinn shrugs. “I think a little jealousy is normal. I’m glad I didn’t screw things up with the four of you. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you this season, and I’d love to remain friends.”
“ Da.” Alexei nods his head. “Nikolai needs more friends. Maybe me too.”
I laugh, moving toward the stairs. “Come along, gentlemen. We have a rose ceremony to get to.”
We make our way to the ballroom. Tessa rushes us inside with a hissed, “Hurry up. Remy isn’t doing great. We need to get this done before he goes into heat.”
Only a minute or so has passed since we found our spots in front of the stage before the doors fly open to reveal Reginald with Remy on his arm. When Remy’s eyes land on Quinn, he tries to break away from him and run to the alpha, but Reginald holds steadfast. He murmurs something to Remy, and the omega glares at him but allows him to drag him onto the stage. The rest of his pack trails in behind him, with Tessa and Bree bringing up the rear.
Reginald stops beside the table, holding the vase of red and black roses. He leans in to whisper something to Remy, who nods. Then he steps forward with his signature smile.
“Welcome back, viewers. We arrived back in Rancho Mirage a few hours ago. What a week Remington, his suitors, and his pack had in New York City. Unfortunately, there were a few speed bumps along the way. As Remington’s heat could start at any time, he has decided that this week’s rose ceremony shall be the last.” He chuckles. “Somehow, our omegas never make it to week eight, do they? Maybe next season’s omega will break the mold? For now, let’s see what Remington has decided about our five remaining suitors, shall we?”
Remington smiles, but I can tell it’s forced even from where I stand. “Would all the remaining suitors make their way to the stage? I’d like to do this all at once.”
All five of us jump into motion and make our way onto the stage until we’re standing across from him.
“The five of you made it to this final ceremony because you’re all amazing, and I couldn’t imagine any of you not being here. This last week in New York allowed me to see exactly how I want the rest of my life to go. Camila? Milo?” Remington turns back to his betas as they come forward to pluck out five roses—two black and three red. “Unfortunately, I won’t be inviting all five of you to join my pack. I wasn’t expecting to find a pack this big to begin with, but here we are.
“I’ve come to care about all of you. I respect you, and I’ll be sad to see any of you go. But there are three of you I felt I connected with better than the two who will leave tonight. First, Quinn. You were unexpected. We all know you’re hot as hell, and as I got to know you, I found out you were more than a pretty face. I want you to be my alpha—a part of my pack.”
Quinn’s moving forward before Remington even finishes speaking, pulling him into his arms and kissing the hell out of him. They’re both smiling when they break apart.
“I would love nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you and your pack. I love you.”
Remy beams up at him. “I love you, too. Take your rose. I have a ceremony to finish.”
“Sir, yes, sir.” Quinn chuckles, stepping around to join the rest of his pack.
Remington sobers up as he turns back to us. “The four of you have been amazing. Alexei and Nikolai, the way you adopted Camila and then Brooke tells me what wonderful men you are. Even if I hadn’t gotten to know you as well as I have, I would’ve been able to say that from those actions alone. But I did get to know you—even if it was a little harder with Nikolai since he seems to hate speaking. You’re men any omega would be happy to call their own.”
Then he’s turning to me and Riley. “The two of you had a rough go of it during season one. When I realized you were my suitors, I was surprised. I was also curious who you would be after three years. Now, I’m only going based on what I saw on the show—which likely isn’t the complete picture—but Riley, you’ve really matured into yourself. You’re making something of yourself, and you’re only like half as cocky as you were back then. Carter, you’ve always been a rock—someone any of us could talk to. As with the twins, any omega would be lucky to call you theirs.”
He takes a deep breath. “This is so much harder than I thought it would be. I hate to disappoint anyone, but in this one case, I have to be selfish. Alexei and Nikolai—”
My stomach drops, and I fight to keep a straight face. Of course, he’s going to choose the hot Russian twins. Who wouldn’t?
“I’m sorry to say that the two of you will be going home tonight. I truly believe you’re meant to be in my life, but not as my mates. Riley and Carter, I want the two of you to be my mates, to join my pack, and to spend the rest of our lives together.”
I stare at him blankly as the twins take their roses and step back. Out of the corner of my eyes, I can see Riley grinning, but I’m really having a problem believing what I’m hearing. Did he really just choose us?
“Babe?” Riley’s smile falls away. “Are you okay?”
I can’t tear my eyes off Remy as I ask, “Did he really just choose us?”
He snorts. “Yeah, he did. We should probably take the roses from him now. Maybe give him a kiss or two, don’t you think?”
Oh. Right.
“I’m so fucking happy.” I close the distance between me and Remy. “I’m sorry I made you wait. I wasn’t sure I heard you right. I mean, why would you choose us over the hot Russian twins?”
Remington snorts, cupping my cheek. “Because you’re you, and he’s him. I need both of you for my pack to be complete. Sadly, not the hot Russian twins, but they are hot, aren’t they?”
“Oh, thank you both. My ego needed boost after being rejected,” Alexei says with a grin. “Kiss him, Carter. You know you want to.”
Hell yes, I want to. I want to kiss him and do a hell of a lot more to him than that.
I lean in to kiss Remy—just a short kiss that hopefully conveys how happy I am that he chose us—before stepping back so my alpha can have his moment with our omega.
Our omega.
I love the way that sounds.
I also love watching the way Riley takes control of his kiss with Remington. It lasts longer than mine had, and when they pull apart, they’re both breathing hard.
“Well, there it is, viewers. Remington Montgomery, our fourth-season omega, has chosen his pack. Quite possibly, just in time, too, based upon the pheromones he’s shooting off.” Reginald chuckles. “We’re so happy that you chose to join us this season to watch another happy omega find their pack. As soon as we know when the next season will be, you’ll be the first to know. Take care of yourselves, and we’ll see you next season.”
The cameras cut off, and I can’t help turning back to the twins. “Are you okay?”
Nikolai nods, a small smile on his lips. “We are glad he is happy. We were not meant for him, and that is okay. We will find our pack.”
“Go over there and celebrate with your new pack,” Alexei demands. “Reginald was correct. Remington is going into heat. We will see you again.”
Before I can respond, I’m swept up in my new pack as we rush to Remington’s suite.
Yup, he’s definitely going into heat soon.
It doesn’t take long for us to make it into the suite, clothes flying before the door is even shut behind us.
“Hurry up,” Aubrey calls with a grin. “The two of you are up first. We decided as a pack to allow the three of you to have this moment. We’re hoping he doesn’t go into heat before you’re done. Quinn will bite him when you do, Riley.”
Now naked, we hurry after the others and into the nest. Milo is on his knees, sucking Remy’s cock while he makes out with Camila. Glancing around, I see everyone is naked. I don’t know what the dynamics are in my new pack, but I guess I have plenty of time to find out.
Right now, there’s only one person I want to focus on, and that’s Remington Montgomery—my omega.
Riley reaches him first, and I lower myself beside my alpha.
“Remy?”
He breaks away from kissing Camila, smiling when he hears Riley call his name. “Yes, alpha?”
“Are you ready for me and Carter? Ready for us to fuck you? Ready for me to bite you and claim you as mine? Ready to bite Carter and make him yours?”
“Yes,” our omega cries, hips pumping, as he spills inside Milo’s mouth.
Milo sits out with a satisfied smirk. “Camila and I got him all ready for you.”
“Fuck me, alpha. Knot me. Mark me. Make me yours,” Remington cries, a whine following his words.
“Oh, my poor little omega,” Riley says, his chest beginning to rattle with a purr. “You’re so close. Let me and Carter take care of you, okay?”
He nods. “Yes. Please. Now.”
“I want you to present for me, omega,” Riley demands, his eyes flashing to me. “Get pillows for under his chest. You’re going to take his mouth while I fuck his perfect ass.”
Remington is already on his hands and knees, ass in the air as he waits for Riley to fuck him. Eric and Victoria hand me some pillows, and I hurry over to place them beneath the omega as our alpha runs his hands down Remy’s ass and thighs.
“Here, Remy. You can rest on these so it’s easier for you,” I tell him softly, waiting until he’s resting on them comfortably before rising to my knees and stroking my cock. “Are you ready for me to fuck your mouth?”
“Yes, beta. Yes. I want to taste your cum. I want to bite you. Please.”
Riley growls. “What a good little omega you are—demanding what you want. You don’t need to worry anymore. Just lie right there, and we’ll give you just what you need.”
I run the head of my cock over his lips. He opens his mouth eagerly and laps at the head before moving forward to take more of me.
“No, omega.” Riley brings his hand down on Remy’s ass. “You take what we give you and know we’ll give you what you need.”
“Yes, alpha,” Remy says as he glances back at Riley before returning his attention to me. “I’m sorry, beta. Please fuck my mouth.”
I lift my eyes to meet Riley’s. He nods before spreading Remy’s ass cheeks and slowly pushing into him.
“Fuck. Yes. So good. More. Please,” Remington rambles as he takes our alpha’s cock, my own throbbing in my hand.
As soon as Riley’s fully seated, I push my cock past Remy’s lips. He sucks me down eagerly, taking me straight down his throat with a small gag before swallowing.
“Fucking hell,” I hiss.
“Does his mouth feel good, Carter? Wait until you get to be inside his tight hole.” He grips Remy’s hips as he pulls out slowly before thrusting back into him. He keeps a slow pace at first but quickly speeds up. I try my best to keep up with him so our omega is never left empty, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Riley lose it like this before. He’s absolutely wild as he fucks into our omega.
Fuck. Is he going into rut?
I’m afraid I’m going to have to bring it to someone’s attention when Riley’s eyes snap up to meet mine once more. They’re not glazed over like they would be if he was in rut. Apparently, fucking an omega just turns him into a wild man.
I gasp as Remy does something with his tongue that has my balls drawing up.
No. No. No. I’m not ready for this to be over.
“You’re too fucking good with this mouth of yours, Remy. That thing with your tongue? It has me on the edge. Do it again, and I’ll be coming in your mouth.”
He pops off my cock with a grin. “Yes, please. Feed me your cum. Let me mark you and make you mine.”
Better men than me might be able to say no to him, but I certainly can’t as I fuck into his mouth again. I’m no longer worried about keeping pace with Riley. All I can focus on is my orgasm.
Sure enough, as soon as he twirls his tongue again, I’m done for. “I’m coming, Remy.”
Hot ropes of cum spill into his mouth and down his throat while he continues to suck on my cock. When I pull back, his hands shoot out so he can jerk me toward him. He bites into the muscles of my thigh, and I grunt as I come again. Cum hits his neck and slides down his chest, but Remy doesn’t seem to care as he laps at his mark.
“Mine,” he growls, and I nod.
“Yours.”
When he pulls back, I lean down to kiss him, grateful that Riley slows his movements so we don’t end up head-butting one another.
“You’re fucking amazing, Remington, and I’m so glad I’m yours.”
“And I’m yours.” He grins, kissing me once more.
As soon as I tumble away from my omega, Quinn takes my spot. Not to feed his dick to Remy like I did but to wait to bite him—though he does stroke himself, but who can blame him?
I lie back on the mattress, trying to catch my breath as the bond solidifies between me and Remy just as he comes again. It has my cock jerking against my thigh as if it’s thinking about getting hard again, but unlike the alphas, females, and omega in the room, I can’t just get hard immediately following back-to-back orgasms.
There are flickers in the bond of others’ pleasure that has me glancing around the nest. While we’d been busy with Remington, the others have been keeping themselves occupied. Aubrey is on his back while Camila rides him, her nails digging into his chest as she comes. Not too far from them, Milo and Eric are both fucking Victoria—two dicks in her pussy.
I haven’t seen that outside of porn before. Yeah, I’d like to give that a try at some point in time.
Riley grunts as Remy cries out once more, and I turn my attention back to them just in time to see Riley force his knot inside Remy as they both explode, Quinn right along with them. Both alphas lean down and bite Remington. Riley’s teeth sink into the meaty area where Remy’s neck meets his shoulder while Quinn ends up biting him near his collarbone. Remy reaches back to grab Riley’s arm and bites into his wrist, completing the bond.
All three of them collapse to the mattress, cuddling Remington between them. Until said omega starts rutting back on Riley’s knot, his hand falling to Quinn’s cock.
“More. Fuck me,” he demands, and as his scent hits me, I realize we’ve sent him right into his heat.
Well, we’re in for a fun next few days aren’t we?
The whole pack hurries over to surround our omega, and I know things are about to get up close and personal really fast between all of us.
I can’t fucking wait.