Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Kiara
Iwake up slowly, my body aching. The room is mostly dark and silent as I sit up.
The soft light from the fairy lights reveals four sleeping men surrounding me, and I let out a sigh of relief as I realize Crew’s heat has finally broken.
I take a deep breath, stiffening as unfamiliar scents hit me.
Peach and bourbon.
Leather and wood warmed by fire.
Warm spice with a rugged edge.
Whiskey, leather, and lemon.
Crew, Mason, Alexander, and Davis’s scents. I don’t know how I know which is which, but I do.
A grin breaks out on my lips. We’re bonded so I can scent them now.
Holy shit.
“What are you doing, Kiki?” Alexander’s voice is husky with sleep as he sits up, and the others start to wake around us.
My smile only grows as I feel love and worry along my bond with Alexander.
“I woke up and realized I could scent all of you.” I laugh, the sound joyful. “I can feel you through the bond. It’s magnificent.”
His smile is lazy as he reaches for me. “Come here. I’m surprised you didn’t realize you could scent us sooner—at least Crew and Davis, since they were the ones you bonded with first.”
“I don’t know what to tell you except that this heat has been exhausting, and I haven’t been in my right mind.” I climb into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck as he hugs me close. “This is amazing.”
Crew sighs, sliding across the space to curl up against Alexander, his hand finding mine. “That’s my fault. I’ve been wearing her out practically since we got here. I’m sorry, baby. I’m an asshole.”
“You’re not an asshole. You’re a horny omega. Come give me a kiss.” I lean toward him, smiling as he sits up to kiss me.
When we pull apart, he kisses Alexander sweetly.
“The good news is I’m not horny now, so you’re safe.” Crew snickers. “Davis tells me you’re putting your vagina out of commission for a week?”
I snort, because I definitely said that. “We’ll see, but I definitely need a break. Can vaginas bruise? Because if they can, mine is.”
A chuckle rumbles out of Mason as he and Davis join us. “It might be possible. Do you need me to get you an ice pack?”
“Maybe. We’ll see. What I really need is food.” As if on cue, my stomach growls. “Told you.”
Davis is already on his feet. “Does anything in particular sound good?”
I shrug. “Do we even know what time it is?”
There aren’t any clocks in the room we’re using as Crew’s nest, and I’m pretty sure none of us thought to bring our phones in.
“I don’t even know what day it is,” Crew admits, and I have to think about it.
“Depending on what time it is, it’s either Wednesday night or Thursday morning.” I glance at Davis, who nods. “I need to find my phone and take a shower.”
Alexander buries his head in my neck and breathes me in. “You smell perfect to me—vanilla and honey with just a hint of bitter orange. An intriguing scent for an intriguing woman.”
I flush, scrambling out of his lap. “You might be able to scent me, but we both know I smell like cum—and a lot of it.”
“I happen to like the smell of my mates’ cum,” he says nonchalantly, and I shake my head.
“Excellent. Then you can sit here and smell it on the rest of them. I’m sticky and going to take a shower.” I ran for the door, uncaring that I’m naked—they just spend five days fucking me, there’s no reason to be shy about my body now—while their laughter follows me.
“Stupid men,” I mutter, ducking into the hallway and slamming the door behind me. Three steps later, I’m at my bedroom door. I beeline straight for the en suite, ready to be clean.
It doesn’t matter how many times I showered during Crew’s heat, I was covered in cum and slick again within minutes.
The first shower after the heat ends is always my favorite. I can finally savor the heat of the water while I wash my hair and body thoroughly. Usually Crew’s with me, but I don’t know if he’ll join me today.
After all, he has three other new mates who might want to drag him into the shower. And for the first time, I’m not jealous of the idea.
I really should’ve bonded with him sooner. It’s hard to doubt myself and his feelings when he sends his love down our bond.
And it’s not just him—it’s Mason, Davis, and Alexander too.
My heart feels full enough to burst.
This is why I always wanted to be part of a pack. It’s everything I wanted and so much more.
I sigh as I step into the water and dip my head back. I can already feel my muscles relaxing beneath the steaming hot stream.
“Do you have room for one more?”
I turn my head to find Crew standing on the other side of the glass door with a soft smile painting his lips.
“For you? Always. Just keep your dick to yourself.”
He snorts as he steps inside. “I promise I won’t try to fuck you in the shower. At least not today.”
Shaking my head, I reach for the shampoo, but Crew stops me.
“Let me. It’s been forever since I washed your hair.”
“You just went through your heat—shouldn’t I be the one taking care of you?” I ask, letting him grab the bottle.
He shakes his head. “Nah, baby. You’re the one who needs pampering today. If I want to be pampered, I’ll go find one of our alphas.”
“We have alphas,” I say dreamily as I turn so he can start washing my hair. My eyes fall shut as his fingers massage my scalp, working the shampoo in.
“Not what you were expecting when we relocated to Champagne Falls, was it?”
I sigh. “I mean, I knew you’d find a pack eventually, but I was afraid to hope for too much for me.”
“And yet, my scent matches were set on wooing you.”
“I guess it worked out the way it was supposed to.”
“It sure the fuck did.”
We both fall silent as he washes my hair a second time before conditioning it. We take our time washing each other, and I feel so relaxed by the time we step out of the shower.
“Damn, I never even checked my phone.”
Crew chuckles. “I’m not surprised. You’ve always headed straight for the shower, not really caring about anything else until you’re clean. I checked the time before I joined you, and it was just after two in the morning. I think we’re going to mess up the guys’ sleep schedule.”
“They’ll be fine.” Wrapped in my towel, I step into our bedroom and find my phone on the charger where I left it. There are a few missed messages that I flick through quickly.
DAD
I love you, kiddo. Message me when Crew’s heat is over. It doesn’t matter the time. I just want to make sure you both are okay.
KIARA
We’re both alive and more than okay.
We’re a bonded pack now.
DAD
You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.
You were meant for those boys, and they for you.
Them being scent-matched to Crew was a nice bonus.
KIARA
Agreed. I love you, but I need to get some food in my belly.
DAD
Love you too.
Everyone sends their love.
KIARA
Tell everyone I love them too.
Ishake my head, flipping to my next message—more than a little surprised to see who it’s from.
DELILAH
You better have bond marks, or I’m going to beat my brother’s ass.
KIARA
You’re ridiculous.
DELILAH
But you love me.
And you better be bonded.
KIARA
I do love you. And yes, we all bonded.
DELILAH
Hell yes!!! You’ve made my day.
Love you, Kiki!
KIARA
Love you too, brat.
Then there’s only one last set of messages to read.
RUBY
Do you want to make plans for your next day off? I miss you.
Bitch, why are you ignoring me?
Okay, I’m getting worried. You haven’t even seen my messages.
If you don’t message me back, I’m calling Akira.
You’re a bitch. You didn’t even tell me Crew’s heat hit. I’m so mad at you.
KIARA
I’m so fucking sorry, Rubes. I’m a terrible friend.
RUBY
Oh, thank the gods! You’re alive.
And you are a terrible friend.
KIARA
Why are you even awake right now?
RUBY
Well, I was having sex. Then there was cuddling.
But my phone was on full volume because I was waiting for your call.
I’ll forgive you if you tell me you and Crew finally bonded.
KIARA
We did.
We also bonded with Alexander, Davis, and Mason.
RUBY
That’s amazing, babe. I’m so fucking happy for you.
Hey Kiki. It’s Christopher. We’re thrilled you’re safe and bonded, but it’s time for Ruby to sleep.
KIARA
Sorry, Christopher! Love y’all!
“Did you get everyone updated?”
I hum as I lift my head to find Crew already dressed. “Yup. I forgot to tell Ruby you went into heat.”
“Oops. I texted my parents to let them know we’re back in the land of the living, but they both sleep like rocks, so I’m sure I’ll hear from them in the morning.”
My stomach lets out another growl, and I laugh. “Shit, I need to get dressed and eat.”
“I set out some clothes for you.” He brushes his lips across mine. “I’m going to check on everyone else. I’ll meet you downstairs, yeah?”
“As if I’d miss our first meal as a pack. Or that my stomach would let me miss it. I love you.”
“I love you with my entire heart, Kiara Oka.” He shoots me a wink before ducking out of the room.
I quickly pull on the comfy pajamas Crew left out for me, unable to wipe the smile off my face. I might be Kiara Oka now, but it won’t be long until I become Kiara Kennedy of the Kennedy pack.