Chapter 32
BLAIR
Travis drives me from my apartment to the packhouse, Marlin and Mervin in tow. I placed a blanket on top of each of their carriers, shrouding them in darkness so they don’t panic as much in the car.
It’s a trick I learned when trapping cats.
“I still don’t drive well,” I admit to him softly. “I have to sit in the driver’s seat and count until I can start the car.”
The admission is bitter on my tongue, but now that he knows about Annette, nothing seems off limits.
The truth is freeing.
“I know,” he says. “I saw you in the parking lot at Scents a few times.”
“Oh, god,” I groan. “Really?”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We all deal with things differently. I couldn’t pick up a damn knitting needle for years.”
My heart aches at the reminder of the story of his parents.
“You’re the least judgmental person I’ve ever met, Trav,” I admit.
“I judge other people all the time. Just not you and my packmates.” He shrugs as he pulls into the driveway of the packhouse. “Ryland knows you’re here, by the way, and Rowan is on his way home.”
I scented Ryland before Travis even parked the car, though. That comforting smell of moss and rain is almost enough to make me cry, and my inner Omega sighs in relief.
“Stay here,” Travis says. “I want to carry you in.”
I turn to him. “You want to carry me through the threshold?” My face splits into a smile as Travis blushes. He covers it up with a scowl, and I smirk.
“Yes. Now stay put.”
“Yes, sir,” I say playfully.
His eyes darken and he clears his throat as he exits the driver’s side. He opens my door for me, reaches over to unbuckle my seatbelt, then easily gathers me in his arms.
“I know how to walk,” I insist, wrapping my arms around his neck. His smokey scent swirls around me, and I nuzzle my face into his throat, sighing contentedly.
Why the hell did I insist on staying away for a week?
“I never said you didn’t. Stop arguing and let me take care of you. Ryland already has everything prepared for your nap.”
“You know, I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the princess treatment,” I admit as he opens the front door.
“Good. I’ll find new ways to surprise you, then.”
I can’t stop grinning like an idiot as he carries me into the foyer.
“You’re worth it all,” he adds softly. “Always worth it, even if you don’t believe it. I promise we’ll spend the rest of our lives making you see it.”
The scents of the packhouse slam into me at once.
All three of my Alphas combined make a potent, heady concoction that makes my womb cramp and my stomach flip.
“Oh,” I gasp, my nipples tightening. “Oh.”
I’m not sure how that nap is going to go if the warmth in my core is any indication.
I’m diligent with my suppressants, but I haven’t bothered with my scent blocking toiletries today.
Uh oh.
I bury my face in Travis’ neck and inhale him, then dart my tongue out to lick his throat.
He stiffens at my touch and lets out a low growl.
I huff a laugh and continue my assault, licking and biting at the skin there.
“What the fuck,” he groans. “I thought we were going to nap.”
“We are,” I promise breathily. “After you set me down and we get my boys out of the car.”
The minute Travis places me down, another pair of strong arms wraps around me, and I let out a delighted sigh as I’m pulled into Ryland’s embrace.
“There you are, baby,” he breathes, the scent of rain and earth washing over me.
“I’m here,” I promise him, stepping back to look at him. “I’m here.”
His eyes are intense are he stares at me, and his hands reach to cradle my face. I don’t miss the tremble in his touch.
“It feels like it’s been forever,” he admits softly. “But it’s only been a week. I missed you so fucking much.”
His eyes dart to my lips, and another surge of arousal washes over me.
“I missed you, too,” I admit. “And I’m sorry.”
Ryland shakes his head. “You’re back.” He strokes my cheek, and I close my eyes in bliss. “That’s what matters.”
He closes the distance between us, pressing his lips to mine, and I sigh into his kiss.
Ryland is much too forgiving.
“I’m not going away again,” I promise him when I pull away, and his smile is full and genuine.
I don’t even realize Travis has left until he’s back with Marlin and Mervin in tow, a carrier in each hand. He nods at Ryland.
“Lead her to the cat room,” he murmurs.
“The cat room?” I repeat. My arousal from earlier is on the backburner, now replaced with curiosity.
Granted, it’s still there.
My inner Omega won’t let me forget that she’s more than willing to sink her teeth into all three of her Alphas.
“You’ll see,” Ryland says, giving me a mischievous grin.
“You did all this in a week?” I whisper, my jaw dropping.
Mar and Merv have made themselves at home immediately, claiming a cat tree that starts from the floor of the office and attaches to the ceiling.
Josie, Posie, and Rosie are piled together and asleep in the opposite corner on a pet bed, while Ash rests on a shelf installed into the wall.
A small climbing ladder hangs next to it along with more shelves strategically placed around the room.
It’s like a playground for cats.
Two other cat trees, each with ramps to climb and cubes to hide in, are set up next to the desks.
“We wanted a place for the cats to enjoy themselves,” Ryland says. “And if you ever brought Marlin and Mervin over, we wanted them to be comfortable, too.”
“This looks amazing,” I murmur. “But isn’t this your and Rowan’s office? Won’t they distract you?”
Ryland shrugs. “I function better with them. Besides, if we ever foster in the future, we wanted a place where the kittens could go.”
“You want to foster again?” I whisper. “Really?”
“The cats make the house better,” Travis says. “They make it feel like a home, almost as much as you do,” he adds softly.
My chest aches.
“You did all this,” I breathe. “And you’re feeding colonies?”
“And trapping,” a familiar voice behind me says. “Apparently, I’m a cat whisperer. I’ve got to show you my skills, baby.”
I whirl to see Rowan, his piercing eyes smoldering.
Despite his dark circles and paler than usual skin, he’s just as handsome as ever.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he whispers. “I missed you.”
I throw myself into his arms, breathing in his stormy, wild aroma.
“I missed you, too,” I whimper, clinging to him. “I’m so, so sorry.”
He presses me closer to him. “It’s okay,” he promises.
It’s not, though.
Once again, the pack is far too forgiving for what I’ve done.
A deep purr rumbles from Rowan’s chest, and I tilt my head to close the distance between our mouths.
He tastes just as I remembered. Earthy like his brother, but wilder.
My womb aches again, and I pull back, arousal threatening to consume me.
“You need to sleep,” Travis says.
Any other time, I would be annoyed with Travis telling me what I need, but he’s right.
I’m exhausted, horny, and a little irrational.
A nap would do me good.
“Only if the three of you will sleep with me,” I insist, and realize the double entendre when Ryland grins at me, showing off dimples.
“I couldn’t stay away from you if I tried, Blair,” he says. “This time, you’re trapped with us, sweetheart.”
This time, I like that idea.
Travis isn’t grinning, though. His dark eyes burn when he looks at me. “Let’s get you into bed,” he says, his voice low. “I want you nice and rested when you wake up.”
My cunt throbs at his words.
Rowan wraps an arm around my waist and leads me to the bedroom, but my eyes widen in shock when he opens the door.
“Do you like it?” Ryland asks softly next to me.
It’s the most inviting nest I’ve ever seen and perfect for a nap.
The bed is made with a fluffy thick comforter sitting on top. Knitted throw blankets are folded over the foot of the bed, and more pillows than I could ever need adorn the top of it.
The plush Alvin cat sits tucked between them.
Ryland steps in front of me, his rich brown eyes meeting mine.
“Anything else you want or need; we can make happen. If this isn’t enough—”
I silence him with a kiss, while Rowan steps behind me to nibble at my neck. I moan into Ryland’s mouth, and he sucks on my tongue eagerly while Rowan sucks my mating gland.
Time stops as both brothers touch me.
My cunt flutters, needy for attention and dripping slick when I lock eyes with Travis, who watches us with an unreadable expression on his face.
“You have thirty seconds to make her come,” he tells the brothers, “or I’m doing it myself. She needs to rest.”
I let out a delighted laugh.
Ryland pulls away to grab my hand and lead me toward the bed. I collapse on it, letting out a deep sigh as my back hits the blankets.
The mattress is soft and plush with just enough firmness to be a perfect caress on my body.
Rowan and Ryland join the pile of blankets, and then I’m drowning in kisses.
I smile against each of their lips, laughing delightedly.
I’m back.
I’m home.
But the kisses quickly turn frantic as I taste the swirl of moss, rain, and ocean.
Ryland kneels on the mattress to unbutton my pants while Rowan leans over me to suck at my mating gland.
The sensation of his tongue against my skin sends a shockwave straight to my clit, and I tilt my head back and cry out in pleasure.
My pussy throbs with my first orgasm in a week, and slick spills out of me, soaking my panties.
“It took less than thirty seconds,” Travis rumbles somewhere across the room, and Ryland chuckles.
“Lift your hips, sweetheart,” he croons while Rowan growls into my neck. He rubs his cheek against my gland, marking me with his scent.
“Alpha,” I whisper. “Please.”
“Fuck, I love when you call us that,” Ryland breathes. “You’re our Omega, baby, you know that, right?”
“Yes,” I choke out as Ryland tugs my jeans off.
Maybe it’s only hitting me now, but it’s better late than never.
Besides being their scent match, I willingly belong to them.
Not just by biology, but with my whole heart.
“I choose the three of you,” I tell them softly, stroking Rowan’s hair while he nuzzles me. “I want to belong to you.”
Smoke and firewood surround us, then Travis joins us in the nest, sitting with his back against the pillows. He looks down at me, his brown eyes almost black. I stare right back at him, my breathing still heavy from Rowan’s assault of my mating gland.
“You already do,” he says lowly. “This whole time, you’ve been ours. You just had to realize it.”
Unbidden, tears fill my eyes, and I’m mortified at my reaction.
Rowan immediately pulls away from my gland and Ryland moves up the bed so I’m laying between the brothers. Travis, still sitting beside to us, gently threads his fingers through my hair.
“Hey,” Ryland whispers, and I move onto my side to lay my head on his chest. “We’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m sorry for leaving.”
“Baby,” Rowan says behind me. “We understand.”
How could they? I’m a terrible person after what I’ve done.
But purrs, deep and rumbly, fill the room, interrupting my train of thought.
I’ve experienced enough guilt in the past two years for a lifetime.
“Just rest,” Travis orders, a hint of command in his voice. “Sleep, Omega. You’re safe with us.”
Obey Alpha, my inner Omega murmurs. Trust him.
The purrs increase, and Rowan spoons me from behind while I cuddle on his brother. Travis keeps watch over us, and their combined scents slowly calm my nervous system and lull me into sleep.
But there’s one more fragrance note that stands out in the room.
One that’s sugary sweet, like candied violets.
It’s my scent but amplified.
I knew this was coming, but I hadn’t expected it so soon.
Maybe I should have.
Maybe if I wasn’t exhausted from the last week, I would have put it together before now, right when I’m on the precipice of sleep.
The pack triggered my Heat.