34. Avery
Avery
“ C an you describe the first time you met the alphas in question?” It was funny to me every time she called them “the alphas in question”, like I would break down if I heard their names again.
After everything that had happened since leaving them, hearing their names only filled me with frustration.
Thankfully, I had an appointment with a new counselor next week to talk things over. I had a feeling that therapy was going to be helpful in fully moving on, but I was still damn proud of myself for how far I’d come just in the last few weeks.
Weeks… that still blew my mind. I came here wanting a fresh start, and I found one, but I never expected things to blow up the way they did.
Not only did I create a career for myself and now make good money doing it, but I was also contributing to the family business, allowing my brothers to take a break, and ensuring that Mama was taken care of.
Then there were the mates I never expected—true mates who didn’t just affect my body but truly infiltrated my soul. They were the first ones I wanted to run to when something happened, good or bad. When I was worried, I wanted them to hold me and reassure me. Those were things I never had in my past relationship.
The interviewer, Eve, was gentle with me. Her questions were always clinical and to the point. She was quiet but understanding as I gave her the answers, outlining everything from the moment we met to how they continued to court me and the effects they had on my body.
“Tell me about the first heat you experienced with them. Walk me through it. How did that go?” Her question was as to the point as the last ones, but her eyes were full of empathy. I was glad the Omega Network was taking this seriously and giving us someone who wouldn’t make things uncomfortable. She was a steady, unyielding force that kept me on track as I relived the trauma.
“I had taken suppressors from the moment I first came into my designation. I didn’t want to go through a heat until I had a pack. The alphas convinced me that it was time to go off them, so I did. It was literally maybe two days without them when the heat started to hit me. They gave me medicine that my doctor assured would make the heat easier on me. He warned the first would be harsh and I was nervous.”
Eve, the interviewer, held up a hand to stop me.
“Sorry, I want to make sure I’m getting everything. Can you tell me what medicine it was?”
She seemed startled. That didn’t bode well.
“It was a tincture. They put drops under my tongue. It was called something silly like the Mindful Omega or something like that. They assured me it was safe.”
I had believed them at the time, but her reaction was making me nervous.
Her eyes closed for a second. “The Mindful Omega?” she confirmed, opening them to focus on me. Her brown orbs were filled with anger on my behalf.
“Yes,” I agreed. “That was honestly the last thing I remembered from that entire heat. I woke up, I think it was seven days later. My body was so sore it hurt to move, and I was dehydrated and shaky. It took me several days to recover from that.”
She nodded, taking a few notes before continuing.
“Could you tell me how you recovered during that time?”
“I drank a lot of water, ordered some electrolytes and easy meals to take care of myself and my pack.”
There was that disturbed look again.
“Did your pack provide those things for you? Did they help you with aftercare and recovery? Did they cook for you?”
She lost her calm demeanor now, her anger coloring her words enough that I tensed. The guys shifted behind me but stayed silent still.
“No, they never cooked for me. I was the only one who cooked. They didn’t order meals either, they expected me to have food on the table the day after my heat,” I said.
Even now I could remember the way Travis and Brad scoffed and called me dramatic. They were tired, too, after all. Keeping me satiated had been a full time job and I was just fulfilling my duties as their omega. My stomach churned and bile started to rise. I could still hear their voices in my head, making me feel so silly and small for feeling that way.
My exes would pay and this was helping. After this, I could let it all go and focus on my pack. They would know everything and I wouldn’t have to talk it out over and over again.
“Could you tell me in your own words what you thought would happen if you didn’t provide those things for them?”
That thought struck me. There was no part of my mind that ever thought about not obeying them. What they asked for, I always provided. Sure, they emphasized that it was my duty, but how could I not question it? They were my alphas and meant for me… or so I thought.
“I genuinely don’t know. They never made it clear if there would be consequences. I simply followed their orders. God, that sounds pathetic.”
Saying it out loud made me feel so stupid. I’d let them do that to me and I didn’t even put up a fight.
As if she could see my internal fight, Eve reassured me this time.
“Part of those medications you took made you compliant, Avery. That was not a fault of yours, but theirs.”
“Thank you,” I said, my voice breaking. Knowing that my guys were behind me, silently helping me get through this, kept me going.
She allowed them to be in the room, against the wall, as long as they were quiet and watchful, not interrupting. She emphasized several times that if they did interrupt, it would affect the interview and its validity in court.
I glanced back, each one of them giving me an encouraging smile. Cohen had his hand gripped in Ford’s, his eyes glossy. Mason looked murderous, as did Arden. Ford kept smiling, though it was definitely strained.
This was just as hard for them to hear as it was for me to say out loud. That was just more confirmation that they truly cared about me.
“Another question for you, Avery. Did the alphas in question ever try to claim you with a bite?”
“No,” I said. “They made it clear that bites were not something they were interested in.”
At the time, it hurt that they didn’t want to bite me, but I had accepted it as part of our dynamic. Now, I had never been more grateful for something in my life. I was unbonded. That meant the break with them was clean, and the only bite I’d ever received was from my true pack.
Maybe that was what they were holding out for all along… their true mate. I was just a placeholder plaything while they waited it out. God, I hoped they never got a chance to find another omega.
The questions continued on for another hour. It felt like I’d been here for several hours already, but I didn’t have a clock to gauge that.
Finally, we reached the end. She stood up and stretched.
“Thank you for your time, Avery. If we have any further questions, we’ll reach out, but I think this is more than enough information. We plan to move forward with the case, and your lawyer will keep you updated as things progress. You did great.”
“Thank you for doing this,” I said, “and for being so professional. It made it a lot easier to get through.”
“Be kind to yourself, Avery. None of this is a reflection of you,” she reminded me again, giving a curt nod before she left the room.
That was all my pack needed before they converged on me, all four of my mates circling around me and holding me tight. My eyes burned with unshed tears—ones I wasn’t going to let fall.
My chest ached from having to relive everything. She made me realize there were so many more things that went wrong in that relationship than I thought.
Yet, through all of it, I never once felt guilty about throwing them under the bus. I hoped that they received every punishment the judge threw at them.
From the trajectory of her questions, I had a feeling they were going past just the doctor and his involvement. They were going to try to take the alphas down who abused the power they held over the affected omegas.
There were laws in place to protect omegas like me, and they had broken so many of them. Lance assured me that this was enough to hold them accountable. Most judges wouldn’t make an omega relive these types of things. So, I hoped their downfall was swift and that I didn’t have to witness it up close and personal.
“Are you ready to get out of here, Baby?” Mason asked, pressing a firm kiss to my forehead.
I breathed in his scent—apple, cedarwood, and fallen leaves. It was rugged, spicy, and sweet, and it chased away some of the inner demons that were threatening to come out. I focused on taking a few breaths, committing that scent to memory, then deciding what I needed in this moment.
We had talked about taking a weekend away and enjoying it, but right now, all I wanted was to go home. I needed them to remind me that I never had to experience anything like that again, that they were going to keep me safe and cared for, and that I never had to look back.
“We can give you that, gorgeous. We promise,” Arden said. I didn’t realize I spoke the question out loud, but I was glad I did.
I looked at all four of my mates in turn, even my beta. “I want you guys to claim me tonight. We can postpone this vacation, right?”
“We definitely can,” said Mason. “Let’s go.”
He grabbed my hand and started to lead me outside, Cohen taking my other and squeezing it softly.
This was everything I needed right now. Soon their bites would be on me, and I wouldn’t be the only one to know. The world would see that I was theirs. We would be an official, bonded pack.
The ride home was pure torture. Mason was sitting next to me, and I was trying to force myself to look out the window and not think about the fact that my pack was going to knot me and claim me.
“Oh, fuck this,” Mason finally said, reaching over, unbuckling me, and pulling me into his lap. “You better drive safe, Arden.”
“I will,” Arden said, a half groan when he realized why Mason said that.
“Thank fuck you wore a skirt, omega,” Mason said, ripping my panties away from my needy pussy, the scent of my slick hitting the car in seconds as it permeated the air.
“Fuck,” Arden cursed, the steering wheel groaning in protest as he gripped it.
“Be careful with my jeep,” I laughed, though the sound was just as breathless and needy. It turned into a moan as Mason pulled his cock out and teased it along my entrance.
“Ride me, omega. Take what you need,” he urged, muscles tense as he waited for me to slide onto him.
We both moaned as he filled me, stretching me in the best way as I sank down on him. When I was finally sitting on his cock fully, his knot inside of me, he took over again.
Mason wasn’t gentle as he lifted my body like I weighed nothing, then slammed me down on his cock in one rough movement. It was hard, fast, and brutal.
Fuck, it was exactly what I needed. I wanted to rip off my shirt, to give them everything, but we were still driving. Instead my fingers twisted in his shirt, holding on as I met each thrust, grinding onto him. Each brush of my clit on him sent an electric shock of pleasure through me, coiling in my belly and melding into my bones.
I was so fucking close already, my body ready to shatter for him.
“Make her come, Cohen, help me,” Mason ordered the beta next to me. Cohen didn’t hesitate to slide his fingers between us, giving my clit even more delicious pressure as I rode his fingers and Mason’s cock.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I cried out before it turned into a scream as I rode Cohen’s fingers harder, milking my orgasm for as much pleasure as I could.
Mason apparently didn’t care anymore about public decency, ripping my shirt from my body and tossing it aside, exposing my breasts. Now I was only in my skirt and heels.
“Can I claim you here and now?” Mason practically begged. “I need you, omega.”
“Yes,” I promised, guiding his mouth to my chest. Instead of biting me, he sucked hard on my peaked nipple, waking my body right back up. Cohen didn’t stop teasing my clit, my orgasm so fucking close already, even after just coming.
“Come for me again, Baby,” Mason ordered, releasing my nipple and teasing his fingers over the swell of my breasts. “I want my teeth to sink in you while you come.”
Cohen’s fingers continued to bring me closer, Mason’s knot pushing against my walls, pressing into every sensitive spot so I was nearly in tears.
“I’m coming,” I warned them both, head falling back as I shamelessly rode them both until my body gave in. My cries echoed in the quiet car, our scents strong and thick in the air as pleasure slammed into me, stealing my breath in nearly painful waves.
Mason bit down then, right at the top of my breast, the pain forcing another orgasm from me as our bond locked into place.
I could feel his need for me, his pride, the pleasure as he filled me with his cum. My own happiness went right back to him, showing him how much I loved them even if I hadn’t said it yet. They were my world already, and I was even more content knowing I was officially his, bonded and claimed.
Cohen pulled away and climbed out of the car, giving us our moment. Apparently, we’d finally reached home in our frenzy and I hadn’t noticed.
“You’re every alpha’s fantasy right now, Baby,” Mason husked, fingers playing with the edge of my skirt then skimming down my legs to my heels.
“I’d rather be naked in our bed,” I admitted.
“Still hungry for more?” he teased. At least he wasn’t hurt by that.
“I want all my bites,” I said, my voice quiet for a second. It felt so silly and demanding now.
His fingers tapped the bottom of my chin, forcing me to look up.
“We want nothing more than that, Baby, I promise,” he said, pulling me closer and pressing his lips to mine. The kiss wasn’t heated, but it was a promise. He told me without words how much I meant to him and how much we belonged together.
“I love you, Avery,” he said as he pulled away.
“I love you, too,” I admitted. “I’m scared of being hurt again, but I know you all wouldn’t do any of that to me.”
“We’d rather die,” he promised. Finally, his knot released us but Mason didn’t let me go, simply shifting me over so he could climb out then scooping me out of the car to carry inside. My hands wrapped around his neck to hold on but I knew he wouldn’t let me fall.
I meant what I said. I loved and trusted them all, even though I still had those worries. In time, they’d be gone, too.
Ford, Cohen, and Arden were waiting inside. Arden moved forward, taking me from Mason and carrying me up to the bedroom.
“Fuck, you smell divine, omega,” he whispered in my ear before tossing me on the bed.
“I want you all to claim me. Now. Don’t make me wait,” I begged as I kicked off my heels and skirt.
Cohen didn’t hesitate to dive onto the bed, mouth finding mine. He was hungry for me, desperate, kicking his clothes off as he devoured me.
“I want your bite, too,” I begged my beta. “Please.”
“I’ll bite you,” he promised, “but only as Ford claims you, too. We’ll do it together.”
A keening whine escaped me at the thought, legs spreading wide.
“Fuck, look at you,” Ford purred. “Dripping with your alpha’s cum and still wanting more. I’m taking you now, Princess.”
Ford didn’t wait before he was pushing himself inside of me. The relief I felt at the connection was palpable. I’d never needed anyone or anything more than my pack to claim me like this.
My hand sought out Cohen’s cock, pumping him as our mate fucked me ruthlessly. My mind was foggy and desperate, their scents and touches consuming me from the inside out.
Ford’s knot pushed me to my limits. My back arching on the bed as I clawed at his back. It was hard to handle this much pleasure, especially while feeling Mason’s contentment and lust as he watched.
“Bite me,” I begged. “Now.”
“Gladly,” Ford said, both he and Cohen leaning over me, teeth sinking into each side of my neck in a matching set of claiming bites.
Our bond was vibrant and intense as it fell into place, all three of us a rotating wheel of pleasure, happiness, and love.
“I love you guys,” I managed to choke out, the sob cutting off in a cry as Ford ground his hips into me, putting enough pressure on my clit to send me over the edge.
He came with me, his knot swelling and locking us together fully, cum spilling inside of me while Cohen’s painted our chests.
It was messy and glorious, my fog lifting for a second as we collapsed together, soaking in the bond as it settled into a gentle hum of feelings and contentment.
When Ford’s knot released me, Arden helped me off of the bed.
“How about a shower and recovery time first?” he offered. I was too much in a daze to protest much, following him into the bathroom. He held me close as he turned on the water, pulling me inside when steam filled the air.
“I love you, Arden. Thanks for always taking care of me, of us,” I said as I nuzzled into his neck. His scent bloomed under the attention, my fingers teasing over his exposed skin.
“Are you scent marking me?” he laughed at first before it cut off. I heard him inhale, then curse.
“Gorgeous, I think you’re going into heat,” he said. “Or at least pre-heat.”
“I’m fine,” I said, pulling away and frowning as I processed it. “Maybe it’s starting, but I feel normal, just needy.”
“I’ve got you,” he said gently, washing every inch of me and rinsing away the suds. When his hands delved between my thighs, pushing gently inside of me as if to test my soreness, I was over being cared for.
“Need you now,” I pleaded, pushing against his fingers to show I could take more, take him.
“Alright,” he gave in, turning off the water and drying me slowly. It felt like torture as he skimmed the towel over every inch of me, then drying my hair.
He laughed when he saw my frown.
“Is my omega pouting right now?” he asked me, pulling me in for a hug. “All for my knot and my bite?”
“Yes,” I growled. “Fuck me, claim me, please.”
He scooped me up, carrying me back in the room. The sheets were changed, though they’d need it again soon.
“Can you bend over the bed for me?” he asked, putting me on my feet. I practically threw myself into position, ass in the air, feet on the ground, face on the mattress. “Fuck, this is what I wanted to see. So fucking sexy.”
Arden kneaded my ass with rough hands, parting me enough to take in my slick-coated cunt. I could hear his ragged breathing, feel his knot nudging against my ass.
I knew I wouldn’t be waiting long, but what I didn’t expect was Arden to lean down, putting a kiss on my ass before biting into the flesh. He chuckled at my yelp before sliding his tongue between my cheeks, teasing my ass as his fingers pushed into my pussy.
I’d never had anyone touch me like this, but I was panting into the sheets as he finger fucked me and tongue fucked me in tandem.
“Come for me and you can have my knot, but I want to claim you before I knot you, so you can feel everything I’m feeling,” he said, nose running along the globe of my ass before I felt his teeth sink into me. He’d claimed me right on my ass cheek and I had a feeling he’d want to admire that mark often.
“Fuck,” I cursed, but his fingers wouldn’t let me tense, fucking me ruthlessly until I was coming around them, squeezing my thighs together as the sweet pleasure and sharp pain morphed into one mind-blowing moment.
He was right, I felt every ounce of his need and desire, the sweet swell of his love and adoration. It was everything I needed to feel tonight.
Arden slid his hands free and stood, gripping my hips and kicking my legs apart before sinking into me.
Thanks to the claiming, I could feel what he did. The way his body tensed, the way he needed to fill me, to claim me from the inside out this time.
I wanted him just as fiercely, ready to be locked together, to finally have my pack whole. The others had left us, but I felt them, too, my entire group feeling the same shared experience on some level, though right now Arden’s was the loudest.
“This is only the beginning, Avery. We’re going to love you and take care of you for the rest of our lives. We were always meant to be, and now you’re ours in every way.”
“Yours,” I agreed, and I meant it with everything in me.
There was no holding back now. We belonged to each other and no one could come between that.