Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I’m so sorry, Stella…” I whine as I pull her in for a hug.
The guilt tightening my stomach makes me want to barf.
I feel so bad that we missed her karaoke-themed mixed bachelor and bachelorette party.
When I realized I was going into heat, we didn't exactly think about texting her.
In the past, I usually realized it was getting close when I started feeling the urge to climb random alphas like a tree.
Something I would never consider doing otherwise.
Whenever that first overwhelming desire kicks in, that’s when I'd go, 'Uh oh, time for suppressant meds.' This time I missed the signs because I already really wanted to fuck my men. I was already getting slick whenever they walked into the room, so I had no idea it was about to hit.
“Pfft… Don’t be silly. We’re sisters now!” Stella cheers, hugging me back. “Being an omega is already hard enough without being punished by loved ones for our biology. Suppressing your heats for five years was really dangerous. I’m glad you had your men to take care of you.”
We spent yesterday refueling our bodies properly while everyone started to get ready for today. I called Stella to tell her what happened, and instead of being angry, she squealed with pure excitement.
Since my mating marks, as well as the guy's, are all very obviously visible, we have to tell everyone the big news. Understandably, they're unwilling to hide them for the sake of not drawing attention to them during the wedding.
I don’t think I could cover them up either.
The farm is buzzing with activity today, and there are so many people setting up for the wedding while the hair stylists and makeup artists get started on everyone.
My men are doing their best to focus, but it’s only nine in the morning. Stella just got here, and they have checked on me four times since we got up at eight. They’re taking turns, and it’s honestly rather adorable.
So far, we’ve told Nick and Benson’s mom when we visited after dinner last night.
Then I told my father, though I just called him to let him know.
He congratulated me, and that was that. And we also told Tony.
He was here yesterday, doing what he could to prepare for today, especially after my alphas had to ghost the farm for so long.
His reaction moved me the most, the memory bringing me joy even now.
“Holy shit,” Tony gasps the second he spots me and my men walking in his direction. “Holy shit…” he says again. “Plumdrop… you bonded a pack?”
The joy on his face and the love in his eyes make me burst into tears.
Then, without asking, for what might be the first time since I met him, Tony pulls me in for a hug.
He squeezes me too tight, in that way some dads do when they think if they hug you hard enough, you’ll feel how much they love you.
“Oh, Plum. I’m so happy for you. Congratulations.” Tony’s voice cracks with emotion, and it takes me too long to recover.
“Thank you.” I sniff, swiping the tears away. I’m pulled against a buff alpha chest that rumbles with a purr the moment Tony releases me. Nick nods to the older man, shaking his hand when Tony offers it.
“Pack Lead.” Tony nods right back. “Take care of her. She’s a special girl and deserves to be treated with respect and love.” His tone is firm, leaving no room for argument, and I smile.
“Of course, sir. Plum will be well cared for in this pack,” Nick promises, running a soothing hand up and down my spine. Tony turns his intense and protective stare to Kai.
“I knew your mother when I was younger. She’s a good woman. An omega like that wouldn’t raise a fool.” Tony crosses his arms over his chest, meanwhile Kai squirms beside us. The alpha’s expression softens. “Just a kid capable of making a mistake like anyone else, hm?”
“Yes, sir. A mistake I will never repeat. Plum is my everything.” Kai glances my way, and I feel his love for me through our bond.
It hits me then. We’re bonded. We can all feel each other through the bond. And no one has said the words ‘I love you’ yet.
“Good, but I’ll tell you boys what I tell all my girls’ mates.” He pauses, meeting each of their eyes directly before saying just three words. “Don’t make me.” Tony doesn’t elaborate on what he means specifically, but I think we’re all capable of filling in the blanks.
There are responses of ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘Understood,’ but I barely catch them. The words I’m still stuck on are ‘all my girls.’
I’m his girl, too?
Fuck, I’m still too emotionally raw from my heat hormones for this. It’s overwhelming to feel so damn cared for.
“Now, my mate is going to want to meet the three of you properly. Let's all have dinner soon.”
Once we were back inside, I sobbed for a solid half an hour about his reaction.
When an alpha like Tony offers his love so freely for a kid he never asked for, it stops feeling like something’s missing in your heart.
Eventually that kind of love can start to heal the heart that someone else broke.
The heart that was never his responsibility to heal, but he loved so much that he couldn't help himself.
My men were more than a little concerned by the unexpected waterworks, to say the least. So they called in reinforcements in the form of my best friend.
“Where is she!?” I hear Sable's demand as she shouts at Nick, who left my side only long enough to greet her and his brother. “This is actual bullshit, Nick. She’s gone for days, no text, no call, and you don’t tell me fucking anything!?”
I can’t help it. I start laughing. She’s so fired up that she’s shouting at an alpha twice her size. I don’t have to see her to know she’s jamming her finger into his chest too.
“Alright, kitten, put the claws away. No need to assault the man,” Rhian says, their voices closer now.
When they step into the den and Sable sees me, her eyes go wide. I must look shocking. I don’t think she’s seen me cry all that much, so the sight of my red blotchy face is most likely terrifying her.
“I’ll kill them,” she snarls, turning only a fraction before she’s encased in Rhian’s arms. He might be an omega too, but he’s strong enough to keep her from successfully sinking her nails into any innocent eyeballs.
“I’d really prefer if you didn’t kill my mates,” I say gently, and as the words sink in, her body relaxes. Her gaze snaps away from Nick and over to me. Eyes wide.
“Mates? No fucking way. Seriously?” Her jaw drops, and I show her the marks on my neck. “Oh my god. Tell me everything!”
Sable and I kicked the very reluctant men out of the den, and then I told her absolutely everything.
About the fake relationship. About making it real.
I told her how we ended up bonded, without oversharing.
I also explained the real reason I was crying, protecting the innocent from her surprisingly sharp nails.
Now, the only person we have left to tell is Kai’s mom. Bee won’t be at the wedding today, so we’re planning to visit her on Christmas to tell her the big news.
The morning goes by fast, and when I start my walk down the aisle ahead of Stella, I see Benson standing beside his brother Rhian in the front row.
He smiles, and I keep my eyes on him as I make my way to the front.
Once I take my place, I turn my attention to the aisle and watch as Kai grins his way to the best man spot, followed by Felicity, who stands in front of me.
I can’t help but let my eyes linger on the two of my mates. Fucking hell. They both look incredible in their suits.
“Everyone, please rise for the bride,” the officiant says, thankfully capturing my attention as the guests all stand, turning to watch Stella make her entrance.
I knew what was happening, but nothing could prepare me for the sight of Nick walking his little sister down the aisle as he fights to hold back tears. My ovaries scream at the same time that my uterus demands he impregnate me right this second.
Stella glows. She’s stunningly beautiful, and her joy is infectious.
Her mother sits just beside her brothers, and after Nick kisses his sister’s cheek and places her hand in Val’s, he leans down and hugs his mother.
The best part of this moment is feeling him through our new bond.
His joy and strength. How happy he is, but also the sense of relief he’s feeling.
By the time Stella and Val finish their vows, I’ve stopped trying to hold my tears back.
When the ceremony ends, we head over to grab drinks during cocktail hour before heading into the reception area, which is set up under a massive white tent.
Since Stella and Val have their own table, the rest of the bridal party are split between a few others.
I’m with my mates, as well as Sable and hers, along with Stella’s mom.
“Alright, everyone!” The DJ calls through the speakers a bit later.
The guests quiet down, all of us turning our eyes to the center of the tent as he directs a bright light to it.
“The bride has made a special request tonight,” the DJ continues as Stella walks to the center of the dance floor, stopping in the spotlight as she glances around, clearly looking for something—for someone. “Can I have Stella’s big brother Nick join her on the dance floor, please?”
My mate's eyes go wide, and I feel the panic through the bond when everyone turns to watch him. Guessing what’s coming, my face aches from smiling so wide as I usher him to move.
He shouldn’t keep his sister waiting. He clears his throat, nodding, and crosses the dance floor to take his place beside Stella.
“Traditionally this is when we have the father-daughter dance, but tonight, Stella would like to share this special moment with her big brother, Nick,” he finishes as the music starts playing.
Kai pulls me out of my chair and into his lap as I lose my marbles and start crying while watching Nick dance with Stella. It’s so fucking sweet.
“I can’t take it,” I whisper in the beta’s ear. “He’s so proud of her. He’s so happy right now. I’m going to explode.” I cry, and Kai chuckles, nodding his head.
“I know, baby, I can feel him too,” he whispers back. I glance over at Benson because I can feel him too. He’s watching his siblings dance, and when he meets my eyes, he blows me a kiss. He’s not losing his marbles like I am, but he is proud of his family. Of his brother.
“This is too much. I’m going to self-destruct from all these emotions,” I whine, and Kai tries to hold in a snort but fails.
“I love you, Plum, but you can’t make me laugh right now. I’ll look like a dick.” Kai shakes his head, but my eyes go wide.
“You said it,” I whisper, and Kai nods.
“You feel it.”
“I do. I love you too.” I kiss him. Even though we’re probably getting sideways looks, I don’t care.
“The bride would now like to invite all her guests to join her on the dance floor!” The DJ says when the song ends.
“Come on.” I jump off his lap and speed-walk to my alpha. He hugs Stella in the same way Tony hugged me yesterday, and I reach them just as Val sweeps his new bride off her feet.
Nick has enough time to brace for impact as I slam into his arms.
I want to climb him like a tree, but my dress is too long for that. I also want to drag him into a dark corner and have my way with him, but I know we can’t do that right now. This is Stella’s day. I can wait a few hours.
I’ve waited a long time for my happily ever after, anyway. This will be a breeze.
“I love you,” I tell him the second I’m in his arms. “I love you so much, you big grumpy softy!”
“I love you, too, Plum.” Nick presses a kiss over my bond mark, and I sigh.
When the night ends hours later, after we say our goodbyes to Stella and Val, who are heading off to their honeymoon tonight, and every guest has left, I turn to Benson.
“Without you, none of this would have ever happened,” I say as he wraps his arms around my waist. “You could have rejected me in that bar on Halloween and when I showed up here to beg for your help once again. You could’ve told me to get lost, but you said yes and changed my life.”
Benson shakes his head, but I silence him with a kiss before he can begin to object.
“Just listen. Without you saying yes, I would’ve had to face Kai alone when I wasn’t ready to. You were there for me from the moment I turned to you for help. Thank you, Benson.” I kiss him again before saying, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Plum. Endlessly.”