CHAPTER FOURTEEN
HARPER
With a smile on my face and my coils pulled up into a ponytail, I stir thickening crucial for my grandmother’s scrumptious peach cobbler.
Growing up I loved helping Nana make it.
The guys are ups stairs painting my nest. Thatcher had beautiful art pieces delivered.
These guys have no intention of letting me go.
I smile at the thought. Being here with them feels right.
Pulling the oven open, I bend over and place the peach cobbler inside.
A deep voice breaks the silence. “Making yourself comfortable, I see.”
I whip my head to the right. “Hello, Mr. Montclair.”
I close the oven door and set the timer, feeling my cheeks flush as he eyes my clothing.
His gaze lingers on the words scrawled across the front of the oversized sweatshirt swallowing me.
“Dustin’s little Omega.”
“I didn’t realize you two were back together.” He eases onto a stool at the counter as if he owns the place.
Dustin takes after his father in subtle ways—the same nose, eye shape, and height.
“We’re not. Dustin wants us to get back together,” I reply.
“What do you want?” Mr. Donovan asks, stepping into the kitchen behind him.
Mr. Burbank and Mr. Barclay arrive last, dressed sharply in fine wool sweaters, slacks, and polished dress shoes. Their chauffeurs are no doubt waiting just outside.
“I want to find the right mate or mates. I’m just not certain who that is yet.”
“Are you considering mating with any of the alphas?” Mr. Burbank inquires.
“No, but of the four, Sawyer was the first to come to me. He protected me.”
“Hmm,” Mr. Burbank murmurs.
Mr. Barclay peers down at me with a haughty glance, his short brown hair slicked neatly across his forehead.
“When you five were little and the boys trailed after you, I dismissed it as childish play. But I grew uneasy when my son kept pursuing you through high school. Now, as leader of the Wolves, he and his pack must choose a mate from within their own world.”
His words hit me like a slap, igniting a fierce fire in my gut that makes my scent sharp with acidic apples.
A deep frown knots my brow. I press my hands firmly onto the stool before me. “I was raised in a good home, in an upper-class neighborhood. We aren’t wealthy, but my parents have always ensured I lack nothing. I don’t need any of your sons for wealth or influence.”
A dry chuckle vibrates from Mr. Montclair’s throat. “Don’t be so naive, Harper. This town thrives on affluence and power.”
“Archer, Dustin, Sawyer, and Thatcher want me in their lives. We’re-”
“Done here,” Dustin yells cutting off my words as he walks toward me. He pulls me against his chest. His muscled arm solid pinning me against him.
“She’s ours,” he growls possessively.
He drops a tender kiss to my forehead, calming me.
“Dad, you popped up without calling,” Archer says as he enters.
“Didn’t know I needed to call to enter the legacy house.”
“While our omega is here. You are to call first,” Archer bites out.
“So the awakened omega has you four wrapped around her finger.” Mr. Burbank tsks.
“Watch it, Dad,” Sawyer growls getting in his face.
“Sawyer, don’t.” I attempt to lunge for him, but the protective alpha won’t release me.
One thing I know about secret societies they do whatever they want. Not sure what the leaders will do to control their sons and protect their legacy.
“You can’t control our pack,” Sawyer grits out. “I know Archer has made that quite clear.”
“Dad, leave. You’re not welcome here,” Thatcher snaps.
His father squares up to him, their faces inches apart, locked in silent challenge. “You will not mate with her.”
Thatcher shoves his hands hard against his father’s chest. “Yes, the fuck I will.”
A low, possessive growl vibrates deep in all of my alphas’ chests.
“I’ve been hollow for nearly four years. I won’t survive another day without my omega. If that means abandoning my legacy, so be it. She is my sanity,” Dustin bites out.
Tears sting the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back—the tension here could shatter everything. My alphas will give it all away for me.
“I won’t let you do that, Dustin.”
He palms my face and looks into my eyes. “I love you, baby. Nothing will change that.”
His gaze shifts to his father. “You all used desperate Sarah to put a wedge between us. You thought we’d move on and search for a mate.
I don’t care how many times any of us said we were looking.
There was no way I could look for another omega.
There’s only one and she’s trying to give me a second chance.
I will prove to her for the rest of my days that she’s all that matters to me.
And no one will come between our pack again. ”
“Listen, son, your judgment’s clouded. She just got back, and all those old feelings are stirring up again. She’s no good for you, son. You deserve a woman who’ll turn heads in the right circles.”
In an instant, Dustin lunges at his father. I chase after him. Archer pulls me back.
Dustin locks his hands tightly around his father’s neck. “Fuck you and fuck the wolves.”
Caught off guard by the sudden assault, the father lands a blow to Dustin’s stomach, but Dustin stands firm.
“Get a grip, Dustin,” Mr. Montclair gasps.
I don’t think he ever imagined his own son would rise against him.
Dustin’s grip tightens until it seems like his father’s eyes might burst from their sockets.
“I will fucking destroy you, Dad,” he bellows.
“Dustin, let him go,” Archer commands.
Sawyer and Thatcher tug at Dustin, but he’s beyond reason. He’s ready to kill his father for me. His father clasps Dustin’s powerful forearms, trying to pry him loose.
“Archer, please, let me go,” I beg, my heart pounding wildly.
He lets me go but moves me behind him, shielding me as best he can. I step into the chaos and wrap my arms around Dustin’s waist. “I love you, Dustin. Don’t do this,” I plead.
His muscles ease, and he steps back, one arm wrapping around me while the other remains free to fight if needed.
"You threw your life away on her—a nobody," Mr. Montclair spits cruelly before leaving.
Their fathers’ heavy footsteps fade as they leave the house.
His words shatter my spirit. The man I believed cared for me had only been pretending. Their fathers all put on facades to keep their heirs in line.
Dustin pulls away slightly, cups my cheeks, and grins. “You, Harper, our omega, hold this pack together.”
“We’re a pack,” I confirm softly.
The tension evaporates the instant those words leave my lips.
“We have wolf business to take care of.” Dustin presses his lips to mine, kissing me fiercely.
When he parts from me, a smirk plays on his face. “Go take a nap in Archer’s room.”
“Okay.”
After pulling the peach cobbler from the oven, I make my way upstairs and step into Archer’s bedroom.
The walls are painted a deep blue. The accent furniture are dark gray.
I climb onto the massive bed and reach for the picture frame on the nightstand.
My fingers brush against the glass. It’s a photo of Archer and me standing on the track after I won a meet.
We stand close together, his arm resting on my shoulder, my hand on his hip.
The joy shining in his eyes fills me with warmth. He’s always cared deeply for me.
“That’s my favorite picture of us,” his deep voice echoes softly.
“Mine too. We look so happy.”
“Because we were,” he says removing a Glock from the nightstand.
"Once we catch the killer, things will be right again. Thatcher’s downstairs ripping out the security system; I’ll do the same up here.
We’re installing new systems. Can’t have our fathers’ knowing what goes on in this house anymore.
" Archer loads the magazine and sets the Glock carefully on the nightstand.
My eyes widen. Had they seen me with the guys?
“Are their cameras in the bedrooms?” I ask.
“No. This is our headquarters. So we have to make sure it’s secure.”
“Where are Sawyer and Dustin?” I ask.
“They are tracking down a lead,” Archer says. “They’ll be back later.” He stands to his feet.
“I know I said we’re a pack. I’m not ready to bond. Yet.”
He smiles, rests his palms on the mattress, and takes my lips.
“My heat is coming by Friday,” I announce.
“We’ll give you our knots, but we won’t bite you.”
I grin and kiss him with need and hunger.
Archer breaks our kiss. He grabs the hem of his paint splattered shirt from behind, tugging it over his head. He tosses it to the floor. I stare in aww at each defined muscle.
“Your body is a masterpiece,” I murmur, my fingers tracing the wolf crowned like a king etched in the center of his chest.
“Show me your pussy, baby,” he demands, dropping his jeans and boxers to reveal his impressive length. Purple veins trace the thick, curved shaft.
“You’re all so big. I don’t know how I’m supposed to take each of you.”
He smirks, wrapping his hand around himself. “You’ll be so relaxed from the pleasure, you’ll handle us all.”
Archer kicks his clothes aside and sinks to his knees. I slide my panties down from beneath me, letting them fall to the floor. My perfume blossoms around us. I’m so high off his black currant, leather, and musk scent I want to take his knot now.
“I hated our fathers seeing our omega in just a sweatshirt. No one gets to look at your body except your pack.”
I lean over and rub my nose against his. “I doubt that will ever happen again.”
“Damn sure won’t,” he growls.
I ease back on my hands and spread my legs. Archer lifts them, holding them wide open.
“Fuck,” he breathes, his tongue tracing over his pink lips.
He showers kisses along my thighs. “I love your caramel skin that smells like apples, lavender, and jasmine.”
I thread a hand through his fiery curls as my slick gathers. “Oh fuck, Archer.”
His tongue glides from my skin to my core.
“Archer,” I cry, hips bucking against his mouth. He devours me with his tongue as if it were his cock.
“So fucking pretty. And mine.” His words spark my first climax.
He sucks up my flowing slick.
What the hell is this alpha doing to me?
Archer reaches up, pinching my nipple while his tongue dances along my pussy. His teeth gently clamp my clit.
Chest rising and falling, his gaze locks with mine. “Whose pussy is this?”
“Yours, Archer,” I whimper.
Then, unexpectedly, he flicks his tongue over my clit and slides two fingers inside my pussy. The sensation overwhelms me.
Gripping my hair with one hand and curling the other into the comforter, I roar, “Archer, I’m coming.”
The orgasm feels like a tornado tore through my body in the best way.
He rises to his feet, one hand resting on my thigh while the other strokes himself. I watch closely as he shoots his cum, flooding my pussy.
“Fucking beautiful,” he growls.
Archer slips the head through our slickness, tracing circles around my entrance.
“One day you’ll carry our babies,” he murmurs, climbing over me and guiding his cock into my mouth.
I suck our glorious mixture off his dick while holding his gaze. My fingers slide through my folds, I bring them up, and push them into his mouth.
He cleans them eagerly. “Fucking delicious.”
I release him with a soft pop. Archer lies down behind me and pulls my body to the top of the bed.
He leans down, sucking my nipples, sending shivers through me.
“You don’t know how hard it is to resist knotting you.”
I laugh softly, fingers threading through his silky hair. “It’s just as hard for me not to beg for your knot again. Especially now that I’ve stopped the scent suppressants. My craving for your knots keeps growing.”
Archer nuzzles my neck. “Just hold on a little longer.”
I yawn, “Uh, hmmm.”
He holds me close, purring softly. My lips press against his wolf tattoo. “You’re a great leader, Archer.”
He kisses my hair gently. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep our omega safe.”