Chapter 26
It had been well over a week since she discovered she was mated to the Obsidian Alphas, and in that time, Sonnet had discovered that having mates wasn’t as terrible or terrifying as her birth mother always said.
It felt more like home than her own home had.
And it also felt like all four boys were keeping something from her.
She’d seen each of them carrying their own notebook with their names on it, secretly scribbling things inside, and a very annoying part of her wanted to steal them away to see what all the fuss was about.
Why were they here at the beach? To bond?
Or was something bigger happening that she wasn’t aware of?
Well, who cares? Not her! Not really. Not when she was having too much fun to ruin it.
She couldn’t get over all this sunshine and sand and perfect evenings, mornings, and in-betweens. Perfect was an understatement, but Sonnet didn’t have enough words to express her big feelings. All she knew was that she was happy, and so was her omega.
Right?
Hmm.
Still no words, but a humming noise in reply was a big step forward.
Sonnet smiled, digging her painted toes into the sand as the ocean waves inched closer and closer.
Beside her, Summer was on speaker, ranting on and on about work and how no one in her building was taking her seriously as a journalist, leaving her to write all the gossip pieces when all she really wanted to write about was things to make people feel, like saving the planet and feeding the hungry.
Summer had been writing for so long now because it was the only way to calm her inflammation of rage and ambition. Sonnet always loved that most about her sister. Her passion for life was so intense that it had to be quelled.
“I swear, I’m going to quiet and find something better.”
Sonnet smiled and tossed a seashell into the water. “You’ve said that since you graduated from college last year.”
“It’s not that simple, Sonnet. You know I needed the experience to make a name for myself in order to be taken seriously in this industry, and this company was best known for accepting graduates. It made sense at the time.”
“I know because you’ve been telling me all that for the past year, too!” Sonnet picked up her phone, the bedazzles slightly hot from sitting in the sun, and clicked her off the speaker. “What happened to your blog? Weren’t you and Scarlett working on something together?”
She scoffed and Sonnet could hear the eyeroll in her tone.
“Scarlett loves a cause, but she’s impulsive.
I couldn’t keep up with all her protests and what not.
I think she’s still posting paragraphs and pictures, but I want more.
I’m twenty-three years old. I know that’s still young, but how much longer do I have to wait until I can say I’ve written and published something of substance, of meaning, instead of telling people I’m the head of the gossip column? Gossip. UGH! I’ve sold myself out!”
“You should quit.”
“Yeah, I should.” She sighed. “Maybe next year—”
Sonnet laughed. “Summer, no! You should quit now. Go rent a cabin for a year, write a whole bunch, and then come back home and take over the publishing world. Everyone will be impressed, National Geographic will want to partner with you, and I’ll never have to hear this rant again.”
There was a long silence, and this time it was the wheels in Summer’s head turning. She took another heavy sigh and mumbled something under her breath. “How’s your vacation?”
“Perfect. I never want to leave.”
“And the boys? Are they behaving? How are they treating you? Have you been responding to Mom’s texts?”
“Summer,” Sonnet laughed, “you don’t have to worry about me.”
“Well, I do, and so is Mom, and she’s bugging me about it all the time. We’re all still reeling from you having fated mates who just so happen to be a famous boy band.”
“Yeah.” Sonnet flopped backwards, letting the sun wash itself across her face.
“It feels weird. I guess I thought things were going to be awkward for a while. I mean, I was a huge fan of theirs, and now I’m their fated mate?
It’s crazy! I wasn’t sure if I’d feel like I belonged or would be good enough for them, but I think I’m starting to realize I am. ”
Being at the beach, Sonnet had seen a different side of them all.
A wholesome, loving, silly, fun side that made being comfortable around them much easier.
She was glad they weren’t back in Chicago at their house.
Everything felt tense inside those dark, boring walls, but here, it was all so open.
They could all be themselves, and it was really, really nice.
“I’m happy for you, Sonnet. I was worried I was going to have to fly down and kick some alpha ass.”
“Haha, well, if it helps, they’re all afraid of you.”
“Really?” She chuckled. “I like that.”
“I knew you would. How are Mom and Dad? I should probably give them a call.”
“Yes, please! Get them off my back. They’re both doing well.
Dad hates talking about you having mates.
He gets all awkward, which is funny because it’s all mom can talk about.
She’s really happy for you, too. But just remember, you have a choice, Sonnet, and if you ever want to come home and say no to all of this, let me know. I’m always going to choose you.”
“I’m always going to choose you, too, sissy.”
“Not always,” she mumbled. “Not anymore. And that’s okay.”
“Sissy—”
“I got to run,” Summer rushed, someone shouting at her from the other end. “Duty calls. Hey, don’t forget to wear sunscreen and drink water! Love you, Sonnet.”
“Love—” she clicked off before Sonnet could finish.
Sonnet hated it when she did that. What was her problem that she didn’t mind saying the L word, but the moment someone said it back, she freaked out?
Summer never talked about her love life, or lack of, or anything that had to do with deep problems. For someone who had deep thoughts, she talked like she was shallow.
Ouch.
Sonnet pressed the palm of her hand into her lower stomach and whined. All morning she’s had cramps come and go, and each hour they got worse and longer.
Mmm. Something smells good, though. Something sweet.
“SONNET!”
She sat up and grinned, Jude waving at her from the front porch of the house and Zayden standing behind him.
They were far apart, and yet, she could smell them both from down on the edge of the beach.
Funfetti and molten lava chocolate sat right on the tip of her tongue, but she needed more. God, she was so hungry.
Jude came running towards her, but all she could think about was running her tongue up and down his body.
She squealed and covered her mouth. What was wrong with her?
Ouch!
Oh, that one really hurts.
She kept one hand over her mouth and the other pressed into her lower stomach. The pain went on and on, and then a heat trickled into her core.
Don’t tell me … Not now!
Hmm?
Hmm? That’s all you have to say?
Mate. Mate. Mate.
Mate? Where are our mates? You’re right. I want them.
Jude.
Oh, Jude.
Why did he look so serious? He should be smiling and scooping Sonnet up into his arms, carrying her into the bedroom, and undressing her. Yes, undressing her. Why did she have all these clothes on right now? It was so hot outside. Way too hot. God, it was burning her up.
She whined only once before Jude was scooping her off the sand and into his arms, carrying her back towards the house. She couldn’t think straight. She dug her face into the crook of his neck, engulfing every wave of his perfectly sweet scent.
More. She wanted more.
“Zayden!”
“Dammit,” Zayden growled. “Get her inside, now. She’s having a heat spike.”
“Hmm?” Sonnet rolled her head, looking over Jude’s shoulder for Zayden, for her alpha. Her eyes never left him, making sure he was following close behind.
Need him. Need them all.
All.
“No,” Sonnet whined as Jude gently placed her into the bathtub, letting go of her. Her head was spinning. She was losing control of her mind, letting her omega take over, and it was too late to protest or struggle against it. All she could do was whine a second time. “No.”
“It’s okay,” Jude shushed.
Sonnet shook her head and her fingers started yanking on her crop top. “Off. Get it off. Please.”
The need for pleasure quickly morphed into pain.
Her entire body had been set to flames and it was killing her.
The intensity brought her little sanity and control over her consciousness.
Once Jude helped her change down into nothing but her bikini and Zayden turned on the cold bath water, she was losing herself to her omega almost completely.
Would she behave? Did she know what to do?
With no clear communication, Sonnet had little faith that her omega wouldn’t make a mess of things, and even worse, reveal in her lewd behaviors that they were as incomplete and broken as their pack.
There was no time to better prepare herself now. All she could do was have faith in her omega and, even more, in her mates.
Mates.
Hmm. What were their names, these two handsome, warm men with auras that shone of pure sunlight?
She couldn’t remember. Sonnet wasn’t just Sonnet anymore, and her omega cared little for their names when she knew them by the melody of their individual heartbeats, which together created a soothing tune that lulled her deeper into a hot, needy mess.
If someone didn’t touch her right now, she was going to lose her ever-living mind.
She whined, this time at an octave that meant business. Her mate that smelled like sprinkles and vanilla cake batter sat rigid, his eyes wide and hungry, and she was ready to be devoured.
“I don’t know what to do,” he choked out.
Touch me!
Her other mate, she recognized as the lead alpha, was blooming his dark chocolate and espresso scent which twirled in her lungs and dropped lower towards her groin.
He looked so serious but not locked in like their other mate.
No, he looked scared, as if he was purposefully holding himself back, but why?
She was a present waiting to be unwrapped and played with. Unwrap her already, dang it!
She whined again.
The sweeter-scented mate whined, his eyes rolling back, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the bathtub. “What should we do?”
TOUCH ME!
“Touch her,” her lead alpha barked, his tone commanding. “I’ll guide you.”
“You’re not going to—”
“No. She doesn’t need both of us stumbling over each other.
She just needs relief. I’ll guide you.” He cleared his throat, unbuttoned his shirt collar, and sat on the edge of the toilet.
She tried not to whine in protest that her lead alpha wouldn’t indulge, but she had more important matters to concern herself with.
“Get in the tub and set her in your lap. Let her find her own comfort with what she wants next.”
Her sweet mate wasted no time after that command.
He dipped himself into the cool water, clothes and all, and carefully picked her up into his lap.
She could feel his bulge right away, hitting so close to her core she almost cried out in pain and relief.
The whimper she made startled him, and his hands froze.
She felt her confidence remain unwavering as she took what she needed, scent-marking her sweet mate as if dipping herself into a bowl of Funfetti cake batter.
She wanted more, so more she took, licking at his skin and pressing down her core into his hips, which made them buckle up in return. They both moaned in response.
“What do I do?” her sweet-scented alpha gasped, his fingers burying into the soft skin at her curved hips.
“Let her guide herself, first. Let her take what she needs, and then,” her lead alpha choked. “Play with her. She needs relief from this heat spike.”
Thank God someone knows what they’re talking about.
Her sweet-scented alpha nodded his head shyly. Oh, he looked so perfect, so kind, and so sweet. She was safe. She was so safe in his hands, and it made the bathroom fill with her happy scent.
She continued to glide back and forth across his lap; each time, the sensation brought her closer and closer to what she wanted to be feeling, but it wasn’t enough.
She nuzzled her head into his neck and planted soft kisses on his warm skin.
“Baby,” he gasped, pressing her hips firmly down onto his bulge. “I’ve got you. I’ll make you feel good.”
She believed him. Her omega purred happily and melted into his hands, and just like that, Sonnet was completely gone. Her omega was in complete control, a terrifying feeling of power, and she held onto her sweet-scented mate tightly, trusting him to make her feel better.
And he did.
He began by kissing down her jawline, her neck, her collarbone, before his lips brushed slightly over the fabric of her bikini top. Her nipples perked up, and her hands fisted into his wet t-shirt.
He gave a teasing amount of attention to both of her nipples while continuing to grind against her core. Everything was building up, and yet it still wasn’t enough. Her omega nipped at his ear.
Give me more.
“Touch her clit,” her lead alpha said, his voice hoarse, rough. “She needs relief. Start slow with light, circular motions.”
“I…okay. Okay.”
Her sweet-scented alphas face was bright red, but no matter how embarrassed he appeared, he didn’t stop.
He widened his legs for better access as he reached his hand under the water towards her core.
She rested her head on his large shoulder and inhaled sharply as he pushed her bikini bottom to the side.
Just as her lead alpha had instructed, he began with slow and light motions, first exploring the depth between her folds before focusing on the area of her clit. His thumb was gentle as it rubbed in circular motions, making her jolt.
No one had touched her there before. It felt so much better than her own hands.
The cold water added to the sensation, and she couldn’t control her hips as they slowly moved closer to his hands. She couldn’t control her moans as her sweet-scented alpha began to increase the speed and pressure on her clit until she was nearing the very release she needed.
Her heart rate was the fastest it had ever been, and her muscles began to tighten. An energetic wave of pleasure rippled down her legs as she cried out in satisfaction, her climax making her toes curl, and she looked back, searching for him. For her lead alpha.
She met his gaze, reaching out a hand, wanting him to join this moment, and right as she was coming down from the height of her climax, he flinched. Her lead alpha flinched and looked away from her.
He flinched.