Chapter 11 – June
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JUNE
My hair is getting really long.
I didn’t have time to get it cut before I left for London, and between the heat and the move, it’s down to my collarbone, in wispy waves of auburn. I push my fingers through it, trying to make it look like something instead of limp and frizzy, fidgeting as I pull it all to the side, exposing the silver bond mark at the junction of my neck and shoulder.
It thrums when my fingers glide over it, like a second and third heartbeat.
Seth’s impatience sings through the bond, quickly followed by Bennett’s amusement.
It’s a foreign feeling, having such an unobscured idea of what both of them are experiencing at any moment, but I love it. Unabashedly — I can’t get enough of feeling both of them inside my chest, as clear as I feel my own emotions.
We only dampened it slightly this morning after I finally crawled out of bed from between them. I don’t think Bennett meant to keep me in his room for another twenty-four hours, but after the bonding, it was like I couldn’t settle unless my lips and hands were on them both. I had to lick Seth’s neck and shoulders, I had to feel Bennett’s body against mine, his knot in me while Seth pressed into him from behind. We were limbs, raw emotions, and endless desire.
Maybe with enough time I can understand every little nuance of the connection, but for now, it just feels like I’m constantly being wrapped in their arms.
I’ll never be alone again.
Turning my head, I eye the bathroom door one more time. It took a lot to leave them, but I knew Arin wanted me to do this — to go into New York City with every one of them and shop for the nest downstairs that they’ve given to me. And I should feel happy and grateful and some level of excitement.
Should .
Sweeping my hair back down, I leave it pushed to one side and step out of my bathroom, dressed warmly for the still-cool spring weather. My hands find my phone, leaving everything else except it and my ID in my room — I don’t really need anything when I’m with them all, and my brain doesn’t know how to function this way.
I also don’t know how Arin and Theo will react to the giant fucking bite on my throat .
My hand rises, touching it, and a spark of pleasure hums through my skin. Seth and Bennett echo in my chest, joy and love, patience and impatience. Shoving my feet into my boots, I reach for the door, lighting up when I see Seth leaning against the wall just outside.
Rushing toward him, I wrap my arms around his torso, kissing his throat again, even though it’s only been two hours at most since I was underneath him, squirming and gasping. My tongue nudges the fresh golden bite on his throat, soothing it as he cups the back of my head with a hand. I like seeing my bite next to Bennett’s — an alpha’s bite scars silver, an omega’s golden — perfect compliments to each other on my beta’s tanned skin.
“Keep doing that and we won’t make it downstairs, baby.”
Bennett said that bond marks heal unexplainably quickly, especially when constantly tended. I’ve been using that as an excuse to cling to him and I press an extra kiss to Seth’s throat, my nose nudging his skin as I breathe in, humming softly.
“Sorry.”
Seth nudges me back until I’m the one against the wall, then pulls my head up and kisses me softly, sweetly, his lips twitching against mine. “Don’t apologize. It’s cute when you’re territorial and loving.”
I give him a look before dragging him back to me, assaulting the mark on his neck and making his knees falter. Seth falls forward, a hand on the wall by me as he groans, lust and heat flashing over the bond.
He grunts as I suck on it. “Arin will kill me if we don’t go downstairs.”
Flashing him a smile, I grab onto his free hand and pull away, licking my lips. “I won’t let him. You’re mine now.”
His lips graze over my knuckles as he lifts my hand to his face, mumbling against my skin. “Bennett’s downstairs with them, since he’s the only one not totally chewed up.”
Save for his lip . That didn’t swell for very long, though. There’s two little golden marks where my teeth broke skin, only visible if you pull his lip down.
My eyes meet Seth’s as he tilts his head at me. “Want to go show them you’re not running?”
I smile back, my heart aching as I nod. He tugs me away from the wall and to the stairs, winding down them with me as our shoulders brush, fingers intertwining. My hand clutches his a little tighter, my voice soft as I chew on my tongue. “What if they’re mad?”
“They won’t be.” Seth stops us, squeezing my hand tightly and looking at me seriously, repeating the words, softer this time. “They won’t be mad, baby. I love you.”
Sucking in a breath, I close my eyes before I nod and whisper back. “I love you.”
Anxiety wraps itself around me, familiar but unwelcome as I let him tug me down the last few stairs. My eyes find Arin first, lingering near the front door, entranced in a conversation with Theo. I move toward Bennett instinctively, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning into him with a little sigh, trying to gather myself before I confront the two other alphas in the room.
I’m not worried about the way I smell like Bennett and Seth — there is no denying that I’ve spent time with them both. That’s ebbed — it’s the worry that somehow, I’ve done this wrong. Should I have bonded Arin first? Should I have proven that Theo and I are better than we were in London and let him bite me?
Bennett kisses the side of my temple, muttering in my ear. “I prefer you in dresses.” His hands slide down my sweater, cupping my hips in the jeans I threw on. “But these make me want to take you back upstairs.”
I flush, my mind pulled back to him.
Bennett’s lips twitch, his nose brushing mine. “Oh, I felt you toying with our poor beta upstairs. Sucking on his mark?” His voice lowers to a growl, speaking directly into my ear. “Naughty, Juniper. Almost as naughty as you in a dress, covered in flour, pushing it up your thighs and fucking yourself on your fingers —”
I shove his chest, feeling my cheeks flame as I jerk back, clearing my throat.
He laughs loudly as I try to stop the flustered way my perfume blooms in the foyer. It fills the air with honey and tea and I glance over at Arin and Theo, pushing my hair back without thinking.
Arin’s eyes, dark and hungry, find mine before he stops mid-sentence with Theo — both their gazes landing on my exposed neck. My heartbeat picks up, reverberating in my ears as I stand still, Bennett at my back providing warmth and strength to retreat to — but I don’t need it.
Theo’s face lights up. He takes a step forward, then another, before he darts across the foyer to me, shoving my hair entirely out of the way and bending down to look at the bite for himself, his voice hoarse. “You…” He straightens, looking behind me at Seth and Bennett.
I bite my lip, tilting my chin up to stare at Theo, so tall and broad and strong. His blond hair has grown out, almost coming to his ears, and as I reach up to card my fingers through it, his thumb presses against the raw mark on my throat, making me jolt into his chest.
“I love them, I…” I gasp the words, looking behind Theo at Arin, trying to make sure they both hear me. “I wanted everyone to know that I had a pack.”
Theo pulls me closer, his arms wrapping around me in a tight hug, crushing me for a moment as he whispers, “You do , June. You do have us. I’m so happy, I’m jealous, and it’s going to take everything in my power not to drag you into my room and —”
I flush again, pressing my lips against his slightly stubbled jaw as I giggle at the feeling of him lifting me, spinning me in a little circle. When he puts me back down, my eyes find Arin, nervous as he smiles gently.
“I see you made sure you had your claim to Seth, too.”
Seth grins as he strides toward the front door confidently, baring the mark on his throat proudly. “She could chew me up and spit me out and I’d say thank you.”
“Me too,” Theo mutters in my ear, nipping at the other side of my throat, making me shiver.
“ Theo .” Arin says the other alpha’s name and I squirm a little, trying to fight my smile.
Theo ignores him, grabbing my chin and kissing me. He devours my mouth, making my brain blank as his lips and teeth tug at my lips. “I wanna drag you into my room and push you up against the window so you can look at the pretty lake while I fill you over and over again until your legs give out. Then I’ll just hold you up and do it again because I like when you smell like them, but I love it when you only smell like me .”
A whimper drags itself out of my throat as my knees wobble. Yes , a thousand times yes — but instead of giving in, I gasp out, “You’re so fucking possessive.”
“You love it.”
I do, and I don’t even have to say the words. Theo eyes me knowingly as he lets me go. Arin holds out a hand to me, his eyes roving over my outfit, coming to rest again on my throat. “We should leave now if we want to finish our errands in the city before it’s too late.”
Stepping closer, I reach for his hand, but it evades mine. His fingers flick my hair back, dragging over the bare side of my neck, collaring it and squeezing just slightly, cutting airflow for the briefest of seconds. His voice is gentle, but a possessive growl hums just underneath. “You look so pretty with that bite on you, omega.”
I stare up at him, my lips parting. “You’re not upset?”
Arin’s eyes flash as he shakes his head, smiling. “I would never be upset about this. I’m more upset Bennett took the side I wanted. But I’m already considering other places.”
My heart stops, unable to comprehend his words as he drags me outside, the rest of them following us.
I met Charles the day the movers arrived with my things from Virginia. The nice beta is easily twenty-five years senior to Arin, and is the one who drives us to a small airfield not ten minutes away from the pack house.
The private flight barely took an hour to get us from Rochester to New York City.
Clutching Theo’s hand, I glance out the windows of the town car that picked us up, taking in the busy streets, flashing lights, and constant noise. His other hand swallows mine, soothing my white knuckles as I suck in little breath after little breath, anxiety overtaking me.
Across from us, Bennett and Seth shoot me worrying glances, sending as much calm and reassurance as they can through the bond, but it all bounces off the wall of panic like paper planes, crumpled and weak.
The car slows as we near Fifth Avenue and Theo pulls me into his side, forcing me to press my nose against his chest.
“Shh” — he strokes my hair — “the stores will be quieter.” His chest vibrates as he growls aloud to Arin. “I told you we shouldn’t have come into the city — what the fuck were you thinking —”
I fight away from his chest, flinching away from the way he’s snarling at Arin, turning to shoot our prime a wide-eyed look. “I’m okay.”
Arin’s expression shatters. “We can just go home, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it would be this distressing —”
“No, we’re here.” I glance at the door, trying to steel myself. In the process, I feel almost a wall come down, cutting off the support and dimming the emotions down the bond from both Seth and Bennett. It’s isolating, but it shoves the shaking away — the same process I used to do to get through painful dinners with my parents or meetings with my publishing team.
Suppress it. It’s fine. I can be fucking normal for one second.
“Let’s go in.”
Theo gets out first, and his bulk helps shield me from the chaos of the street as I slide out of the car, pressing against his chest. People walk quickly, split in two different directions as they move with the hustle and bustle. His hand curls around my hip, turning me toward the white brick storefront the car is idling in front of.
The sign above the awning reads RETREAT in white neon script, and I stay plastered to him as he splits the flow of the people walking, charging directly through them and bringing me with him to the door of the nesting store.
Bennett, Seth, and Arin follow behind us, with Seth jogging to join Theo and I, grabbing my hand just to squeeze it.
“This looks too fancy.” I mutter the words as we step inside, the noise of the city quieting the moment the door clicks shut.
Theo looks down at me, scowling. “Nothing is too much for you.”
I scowl right back, rearing up to glare at him. “Theo —”
“No.” He bends down, getting in my face. “You’re going to pick out anything you want and not question it when I buy it all for you.”
I bite my tongue to hold off my snarky response as Seth tugs me away, tension sparking and fizzling out in the same moment between Theo and I.
“I think we’ve had enough of alphas.” Seth guides me over to a random display of flameless candles, and his scent comes off him in waves. I swear it’s more powerful since I bit him, the fudge melting on my tongue as he picks up a box and waves it at me. “I do agree with him, you should grab what you want while we’re here.”
Inhaling his perfume, I let it carry away the mixed emotions, turning to focus on the candle he’s holding.
“Nothing has a price, Seth.”
“I know.” His lip twitches. “If you start to feel overwhelmed, we’ll go home. Bennett did try to talk Arin out of a trip here, but he’s a little narrow-sighted sometimes. Arin just wants you to have whatever you need, baby.”
Letting out a breath, I lean into him, muttering against his shoulder. “Fucking alphas.”
He ruffles my hair. “Thank god I’m not one, right?”
Snorting, I kiss his shoulder before pulling away, noticing a worker as she strides toward us, her eyes brightening.
“Hi!” She slows to a stop, wringing her hands together, brown hair swept back in a sleek ponytail as her eyes dart to my neck, then Seth next to me. “Welcome to Retreat!” She hesitates, then steps a little closer, her voice lowering. “I’m sorry, my boss said that someone reserved the store for a new omega, but I didn’t know it was you .” She squeaks. “I literally have my paperback of The Pack and I in my bag to read at lunch. Will you sign it? Please?”
All the anxiety in my body gets shoved away as I smile at her, practiced and gentle. “Of course. I don’t mind at all.”
She gives me a wide-eyed look before turning sharply, then whirling back, blurting out, “Please look around and let me know if you or your pack need anything!” With that, she’s gone.
My smile falls slightly, barely masking my discomfort as I suck in a little breath, reminding myself to look like I’m enjoying myself.
Seth’s hand slides over my side, and warmth presses against the wall blocking off the bond. I lower it just enough to feel Bennett’s pride in me as Seth leans in, whispering, “Go shop. The store is yours for the afternoon.”
I go into a meditative state as I step over to a display of blankets. It almost reminds me of writing — of sinking into a scene and just knowing what the words will be next, even if I’ve not fully planned it out yet. Wandering in circles, I touch samples and displays, picking things up when I’m drawn to them, but putting a lot back. The lack of price tags is too strange. How can I buy anything if I don’t know if it’s too expensive?
People flicker around me, but all on the cusp of my vision, like they’re all hesitant to break the omega haze over me. The only thing that startles me is when the worker returns, paperback to her chest. I can see the cover is creased, the spine folded multiple times as she gives me a hesitant smile.
“Sorry it’s kind of beat-up, it’s my third time reading it and I dropped it on the train a few times.”
I take it and a pen from her, running my fingers over the illustration on the front. I never expected it to become my most popular — but Janet reminded me on the call a couple days ago that she always believed in my stories — even if it took a few years for others to find their love for them too. My heart warms as I stare at the book that got me out of my parents’ house, into my own apartment, into a career that, for all its pitfalls, fills me with joy even on the bad days.
“What’s your name?”
The worker grins at me, stuttering, “L-Libby.”
I flip the cover open and sign my name under the title, adding LIBBY , FIND YOUR HAPPINESS to the top with a flourish. Handing both the book and pen back to Libby, I glance around the store, offering softly, “I’m sure this won’t be my last time at Retreat, if you’d ever like the other books signed.”
She nods rapidly, her eyes comically round. “Yes! I mean — yes, absolutely. I had tickets for your NYC stop for the last book, but I couldn’t make it. I know you had to cancel the UK dates, but I’m so excited that I even get to meet you. I just love the story. I love that Katie found her pack and her happiness in it. It means a lot. It makes me remember not to take things for granted, to say yes more.”
I feel a presence at my back and I lean into it, letting Theo’s soft perfume curl around me as I nod at Libby. “You should say yes more — let yourself have the good, unexpected experiences.”
Her eyes brighten, but then they dart behind me. Libby clutches her book to her chest. “Please flag me down if there’s anything you need.” She runs off before I can thank her just as Theo’s hand curls protectively around my hip, fingers spanning across to the curve of my ass.
He bends down, kissing my head. “Sound advice.” Theo nudges my hair with his nose. “Arin thought we could go get food next, but it’s your choice if you’re hungry after we finish here.” His voice grows a little darker, fingers tightening, sending a jolt of dangerous pleasure through me. “You haven’t picked out much, do you not like this store, princess?”
My eyes flicker around the soft colors, the fabrics that fit with what seems right for my nest — but I can’t stop thinking about the fact that everyone’s focus is on me , waiting for my choice. I fidget as I stare at a wedge-shaped body pillow, made out of a cool fabric for heats, but supportive for other activities.
“I don’t know how to be an omega,” I blurt out. “I don’t deserve all this special attention, time, or energy. I should be more normal. I shouldn’t panic because we’re in a busy city, especially not since I have the entire store to ourselves. I’m broken .”
I freeze, unable to believe the words hanging in the air came out of me .
Theo’s voice is low, barely audible as he turns me by the shoulders, bending to look at me, his face against mine. “Yeah?”
I blink up at him, licking my suddenly dry lips. “Yes?”
His eyes drag over me, lingering on my hips, then my chest, then my neck. Each look feels like a caress, a groping grab that sets my skin on fire. This isn’t Bennett or Arin — this is Theo , and the unrestrained lust in his gaze makes me squirm.
“What are you doing?” I hiss as he pulls me closer.
“I was trying to figure out what part of you doesn’t deserve this.” His nose touches mine, the soft touch juxtaposed with a growl. “I know it’s not your throat, with that pretty bond mark on it now, connecting you to those two assholes over there.” He throws a glance to Bennett and Seth, engrossed in a display of cooling sheets meant for nest mattresses.
Theo’s eyes snare mine, the blue dark .
“And it’s not your pretty little pussy that takes my knot so fucking well.”
It’s embarrassing how quickly my heart rate rises, my perfume blooming.
“ Theo .”
He hums, shaking his head as he eyes me. “No, I don’t know what kind of bullshit rules you think you’re not adhering to, and frankly, I don’t give a fuck about them.” He pauses, sucking in a breath. “Because I spent years telling myself I could fold laundry to satisfy the need in me to care for someone, instead of accepting that I needed someone in my life to throw my entire fucking weight and love into — so I don’t really like it when you tell me you think you don’t deserve all of me, all of my alpha that wants to satisfy you. Whether satisfying you means buying a goddamn blanket or burying my cock in your cunt.”
I fluster, my hands grabbing onto his biceps as he drags me closer, whispering against my lips.
“Because I sure as shit didn’t spend your entire heat fucking you out of the kindness of my own heart. You’re it for me, June. You’re mine . My omega .” He snarls the words, kissing me heatedly and taking my breath away as he nips at my lips. “Hearing all this kind of makes me want to punish you, make you see reason and sense while you come so hard you can’t function.”
My breathing is ragged when he pulls his lips away from mine. Theo glances around the store, his nostrils flaring.
“This is no longer an optional trip, princess. You’re going to pick up every goddamn thing you like in this store, then we’re going to the next one and we’re doing the same, and I’m going to feed you while the rest of the pack ignores the fact that you’re going to be constantly squirming closer to me, wishing I’d touch you. You say you don’t know how to be an omega? Fine, I’ll make you accept the spoiling, the courting, the presents, and whatever else I feel like giving you. If that’s my fucking knot in public at the dinner table, so be it.”
My lips part in surprise, and his eyes zero in on my tongue.
“And maybe after that, I won’t even make you come. I’ll just let you go back to Bennett and Seth’s bed, with the explicit instructions that neither of them ease the ache between your legs that makes you want me .”
He leans closer, brushing a kiss along my flushed skin. “So pick out some fucking blankets, omega, because you want to do a good job for me and get a reward later instead of being punished, don’t you?”
“Yes, alpha.” My hindbrain buzzes as I nod, my eyes locked on him as he lets me go.
“And June?”
I stare at him, my heart in my throat as he crosses his arms over his wide chest.
“If you question one more time if you deserve all of this, I’ll let Arin turn your ass so red you can’t sit for a week. And I’ll enjoy choking my cock in my fist to the sight of him doing it.”