Chapter Twenty-four
Eric
V ictoria straightens my bow tie as I bite back a curse. I’m so over wearing tuxes, and it’s only the end of the third week. As much as I’m hoping to be here for the remainder of the season, I’m not looking forward to having to wear this damn thing every Saturday. At least it’s only it’s not more often than that.
“Stop fidgeting, Eric.” Victoria cups my cheek. “I know you hate wearing it, but it’s only for like an hour. Plus, you look very dashing.”
“That doesn’t make it any better, but thank you.” Leaning down, I kiss her—albeit carefully because if I smear her lipstick, I’ll never hear the end of it. “You look amazing.”
She grins up at me, but I can tell how uncomfortable she is about the compliment. I try to limit how often I praise her on her appearance because it makes her so uncomfortable, but I refuse to stop completely. I like to recognize when she puts in the effort like she did today.
She’s wearing a sexy red satin dress that drapes across her figure perfectly. She looks like the queen she is, and she should know that.
“Let me guess,” Milo says as he sweeps into the room. “You told her how she looked?”
I smirk because our beta knows both of us so well. He swoops in to kiss her before booping her on the nose. “You’re hot as hell, Vic, and we’re never going to stop telling you that. Just know we love you for more than your looks. That’s all that’s important.”
We’re separated from the other suitors by a few feet. Not because we don’t want to interact with them but because there’s a weird energy in the air. Everyone seems to be a little on edge.
Remy never explained to us what happened on his date with Taylor, falling asleep almost immediately once we settled into his nest. Then when we woke up this morning, he had us join him for breakfast in his sitting room, where he thanked us and let us know he was going to see Finn as soon as he finished eating.
None of us wanted to press him for information, so we let it go. Once we joined the other suitors, there was already tension in the air, and it seemed to originate with Taylor. I know Milo tried talking to Camila and Brooke about it, but they just said she started spewing shit, so they walked away. They wouldn’t tell us what she was saying, but I can imagine.
I would never hit a woman, but I kind of want to send Victoria over there to rearrange her face.
As the doors to the ballroom open, we move closer to the others. Reginald is walking arm in arm with Tessa while Remington and Bree trail them, also arm in arm. I’m a little surprised to see all four of them making their way on stage, and I can’t help wondering if it has anything to do with Taylor.
Once they reach the table holding the vase of roses, Reginald steps forward. “Good evening, suitors and viewers. It’s Saturday night, which means it’s time for our third rose ceremony. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, Bree and Tessa have joined me and Remington on stage. The two of them have an announcement to share with you before we continue with the ceremony.”
“Hello, everyone,” Tessa says with a smile. “We recently received a phone call from Remington’s older sister, Emilia. She is being honored in their hometown of Wilde for her charity work. She hoped that Remington would be able to attend, which can be hard considering we’re filming, but we worked it all out.”
Bree takes over for her. “The ceremony is next Friday, so we’re heading to Wilde for the week. Anyone who makes it through the ceremony will join us as we head to the small town about forty-five minutes outside of San Diego. You’ll have a chance to see where Remington grew up and to meet his family. We’ll be leaving tomorrow afternoon as it’s a two-hour drive. Luckily, it’s a vacation destination, so we’ve rented a cabin for the week.”
“Remington, the stage is all yours,” Tessa says with a nod, the two of them moving to stand behind Reginald.
“Taylor Larkin, if you’ll please join us on the stage.”
All eyes turn to the woman, who’s standing at the front of the suitors with her arms crossed over her chest. She doesn’t move from her spot as she glares up at the stage—not that they can see her with the bright lights illuminating.
Reginald’s smile falters as he repeats, “Taylor, please make your way to the stage.”
When she doesn’t immediately move, I wonder if she’s planning to outright refuse as murmurs spill from the other suitors. Finally, she drops her arms and heads for the stage, but she’s definitely taking her sweet ass time.
Yeah, I really should’ve sent Victoria after her.
No, wait. That would’ve been bad because we’d have been kicked off.
Remington looks so uncomfortable as he shifts from foot to foot as he waits. When she finally joins him, he clears her throat. “Taylor, clearly things didn’t go the way either of us expected—“
She cuts him off with a shake of her head. “You mean when you threw an omega tantrum before stomping out of the restaurant, leaving me there alone and embarrassed?”
His head jerks back as if he was struck. “Excuse me?”
“What? You don’t like being called out? Did you think I was going to let you pin the blame on me?” She scoffs. “As if I would allow you to sully my reputation like that.”
“Okay. Cool. I was planning to just do this simply and let you know it wasn’t going to work, but if this is the way you’re going to behave, then let’s do this.” He straightens his shoulders, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Let’s talk about how you said we shouldn’t have been left alone because my omega instincts could ‘get the better of me.’ Or how you ordered my food because otherwise, we’d be there all night because omegas are so indecisive. How you acted as if I was barely an adult who can’t do anything for myself.”
Taylor’s face remains placid. “I stand by my statements. I didn’t say or do anything wrong, but you’re the one who blew up in the middle of a restaurant before storming out. All you did was prove my point to me.”
“I hate to tell you, Taylor, but backward thinking like that is never going to land you an omega. We are people, and we are more than our designation. And we’re definitely not the stereotypes you seem to believe we are.” He practically throws the black rose at her. “I would never choose someone like you for my pack.”
Taylor looks like she’s going to say something else, but Tessa steps up beside her and wraps her hand around the other female’s arm. “If you’re so damn worried about your reputation, I’d keep that mouth closed if I were you and leave the stage immediately.”
Taylor squares up like she’s getting ready to fight Tessa, but Tessa’s having none of it. Even from where I stand, I can feel her alpha presence, as she almost seems to grow right before our eyes. “Leave the stage before I have you escorted off it,” she barks, more power behind it than I thought Tessa had.
Taylor tries to fight against it, but clearly, she isn’t as strong as she thinks she is as she ducks her head and hurries off the stage.
Bree and Reginald are speaking to Remington quietly, but they must have turned off their microphones because I can’t hear anything they’re saying. When Taylor reaches the group of suitors, those nearest to her move away, leaving her to stand alone.
She fucking deserves it.
“Next, will Pack Hawthorne join us on the stage?” Reginald’s voice sounds out around us, surprising me. I take Victoria’s hand and we follow Milo to the stage. My eyes remain on Remy, trying to figure out if he’s doing okay. It would be understandable if he wasn’t after the shit Taylor had just pulled.
I’m kind of glad he didn’t tell us last night or we would’ve ended up kicked off the show for fighting. Victoria would not have let that shit go. Though she might look completely at ease to those around us, I can practically feel the rage coming off her in waves. I know Milo can too, as he reaches back to take her other free hand.
By the time we reach Remy, she’s calmed down enough that her scent no longer smells off. The last thing we want is for him to think any of us are upset with him.
“I want to start off by saying thank you. When I asked you to come to my suite, you came—no questions asked. You didn’t force me to talk when I wasn’t ready. You just did what I asked for when I asked you to hold me.” Remy plucks three red roses from the vase, and I forget how to breathe.
Is he going to ask us to join his pack? Is this really happening right now?
Holy shit, I think it is.
“You were everything I needed when I felt like I was falling apart. You centered me and helped me relax enough to fall asleep. That might not sound like much, but to me, it’s everything.” His hands shake a little as he offers us the roses. “You’re everything—all three of you. From Milo’s playfulness to Eric’s stoic nature to Victoria’s quiet strength. It’s everything I didn’t know I was looking for. It would be an honor if the three of you would become the first members of my pack.”
“Umm…duh. As if there’s any question about it.” Milo grabs a rose and kisses Remy, dipping him backward before righting him. Both men are grinning when they break apart.
Victoria sighs. “I feel like that should’ve been my job to agree to it, Milo.”
Our beta doesn’t even look sorry as he shrugs, and I can’t help chuckling.
“I’d love nothing more than to be your alpha, Remington. Thank you for trusting us. Even if we’re not ready to say we love one another yet, the feelings are there and they’re growing every day.” With her heels on, Victoria is nearly as tall as our omega—how weird is it to call him ours—so she has no trouble leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek before stepping back.
I take the rose, trying to figure out what to say to him, but I don’t have the words to tell him what he means to me—to our pack. I always have this problem. It’s why I’m as quiet as I am. It’s like words escape me every time I need them.
I’m more a man of action, anyway. I take the rose from him and pull him into my embrace. I use my kiss to tell him everything I can’t say with words.
You’re amazing.
I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in my life.
I’m falling in love with you.
You’re exactly what my pack needs.
You complete us.
We’re both panting when we break apart, and I cup his cheek. “Thank you.”
Remington’s smile lights up his face as he gives me a small nod. I feel like he’s telling me he understands.
His smile doesn’t fall as he steps back, and Tessa nods for us to exit the stage.
Right. We can’t stay up here for the rest of the ceremony. I lead my pack mates back to the other suitors, who call out their congratulations quietly as Remy turns back to face us.
“Now that I’ve chosen my first mates, things will be done a little differently. Going forward, I may pass out a peach rose to more than one person. This signifies that we’ll be going on a date without my pack. As for the lavender roses, these will signify my desire for you to join me on a date with my pack—or at least one member of my pack.” He grabs a handful of lavender roses and makes his way off the stage, giving Taylor a wide berth.
“Since we’ll be newly bonded, I believe the best course of action is for all dates next week to be group dates. Each of you will receive a lavender rose tonight, and when we arrive in Wilde, Tessa and Bree will have an itinerary for the week, including the dates I’ve chosen.” He continues to move through the suitors as he hands each of them a rose. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with each of you, even if it’s in a group setting.”
Once he’s handed out the roses, he flashes me and my pack a grin before heading back to the stage.
“Tonight turned out to be more interesting than anticipated,” Reginald says, his smile firmly in place. “But what’s Heated without a little drama? With one suitor sent home and three being chosen to be a part of Remington’s pack, there are still thirteen suitors hoping to win this season’s omega over. Make sure to come back next week as we bring you to Wilde, California, where the suitors meet their potential in-laws.”
As soon as the cameraman lets us know we’re clear, two security guys approach Taylor. When one of them reaches for her, she practically hisses as she jerks away from him. “Do not touch me.”
“Fine. I won’t touch you as long as you do what is asked of you. We’re to escort you to your room, where you will pack your belongings and then you’ll be escorted outside to be taken to a hotel for the night. If you so much as look at me wrong, I will forcibly remove you from the mansion and someone else will pack your things for you.” It takes me a moment to realize it’s Mike speaking. “Do you understand me?”
“Of course I do. I’m not a fucking child—or an omega.” She throws the last part at Remy, who’s making his way off stage once more.
Mike chuckles, but it sounds menacing. “You know what? Nope. We’ll be heading straight to the car that’s waiting for you outside since you don’t seem to know when to shut your mouth.”
“You can’t talk to me like that!” Taylor raises her hand as if to strike him, but Tessa grabs it and twists it behind her. “Stop! I said don’t fucking touch me.”
“Just start walking. You’re lucky I’m not allowing Mike to throw you over his shoulder and carry you out,” Tessa hisses as I hurry over to Remington, my pack at my back.
He doesn’t need to see or hear this shit.
“I’ll fucking sue you!”
Bree scoffs. “Good luck with that. Nothing has been done to cause any injury to your person. You were only restrained once it was clear you were going to strike another person. We have handled everything in the manner set forth in the contract you signed. Meanwhile, you’ve violated more than one clause. If you try to sue us, we’ll have to file a suit ourselves. I promise we’re not the ones who will lose.”
Taylor continues to fight Tessa’s hold on her until Mike and the other security guy pick her up by her arms and carry her from the room. Both Bree and Tessa shake their heads as they turn to Remy.
“Are you okay?” Bree asks. “I’m so sorry it went down like that.”
He waves her off. “All I care about is that she’s gone. I won’t waste another moment thinking about her when I have mates to claim.”
A growl rumbles from my chest as I smirk, twining my fingers with his. “Yes. We should get back to your suite now.”
“Just remember,” Bree says, stepping in front of me. “If you choose to mark one another tonight, it can cause some issues with the other suitors. All of you could feel more possessive than you have before. You might not be able to watch each other with the other suitors, so just be sure you can handle it before you make that decision. There’s also a chance that it could cause Remington’s heat to come early, and if he hasn’t chosen his entire pack by then, it could be bad.”
“We understand the risks, Bree, and we’ll discuss them together.” Thank the gods for Victoria because all I want to do is snap at the omega for standing in the way of me claiming my mate.
Remington nods. “I also understand the risks, I promise.”
Bree nods and steps out of our way. Remington is already dragging me toward the door when Tessa calls out behind us, “Have fun! Bonding sex is hot!”
“What the fuck?” I hear Bree hiss at her friend, but then we’re in the hallway and heading straight for the omega suite.
Remington doesn’t stop until we reach the door, and when he does, he doesn’t unlock it like I expect him to. Instead, he releases my hand and spins around to face us. “Bree is right. We do need to make a decision before we step inside that room. We can all say we won’t be jealous or possessive, but we really won’t know until we’re in the situation. I will continue to date the other suitors, and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“While I understand your worries, you let me and Eric worry about how we will react to it. If you want to bond tonight, then that’s what we want,” Victoria tells him softly.
“We all know I won’t be jealous. It’s not like I can mark you, anyway.” Milo grins. “I like watching, so it’s a moot point for me.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Milo. We’re aware of just how much you like watching. But Victoria is right, Remy. You’re the one who gets to choose the pace we go at. If you want to wait to bond with us until you’ve found the rest of your mates, then we’ll wait.”
He shakes his head. “No. I definitely don’t want that.”
He unlocks the door and rushes inside, leaving us to hurry after him. I grin when I realize he’s shedding clothes as he goes, leaving a trail behind him. No longer feeling the need to rush, I begin undressing as we step into the bedroom. I catch a glimpse of Remington in his closet and I can already hear him unlocking the door to his nest.
Milo still rushes after him, tossing his clothes to join Remy’s as he runs into the closet. I chuckle, discarding my clothes as Victoria does the same.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask her, and she nods as she presses her naked body against mine. I close my eyes, reveling in the feeling of her body against mine.
“I didn’t want to get my hopes up after last week when he gave us the white roses, but after last night? It would’ve broken my heart if he didn’t choose us.” She sighs, laying her head on my chest. “I know it’s fast, but it just feels right. Even if we’re not at the I love you stage, it feels like we’re meant to be together.”
I hum. “It does. We should probably get in there. You know Milo will have started without us.”
She laughs as she pulls away. “You’re right. They could be in there fucking already, and it wouldn’t surprise me.”
Placing my hand on her lower back, we walk to Remington’s nest together, closing the door behind us.
While Milo and Remy aren’t fucking yet, they’re pretty damn close. They’re entwined in a kiss, bodies flush as they rut against one another. They’re both desperate but unwilling to break their kiss. It’s hot as hell.
“We should let Milo have this,” I tell her, and she nods. As a beta, he’s often overlooked, even though he’s an essential part of our pack. Victoria and I can wait for our turns. Milo deserves to have this first.
“Are you not joining us?” Milo asks as they break apart, glancing over his shoulder at the two of us.
I shake my head. “Not yet. We thought Remy might want to mark you first.”
Milo is so surprised, he sits up to stare at us. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious, Milo. You’re just as much a part of this pack as we are. We shouldn’t go first just because we’re alphas. Plus, you’ll be able to feel some of what Remy feels while Eric and I mark him.” She turns her attention to Remington. “As long as you’re okay with that.”
“More than okay with it.” He nods, already trying to pull Milo back to him.
Milo shakes his head. “No. I want you to fuck me while you’re marking me.”
“Then you best present for your omega,” I grumble, grinning when Milo hurries to do just that. I bite my lip as I watch him clamber onto all fours before leaning forward, presenting his ass to Remy.
Our omega licks his lips as he moves behind Milo, hands tracing over the curve of his ass before he looks up. “We’re going to need lube, then.”
“No.” I shake my head, moving to kneel behind Remy. “You’ll provide more than enough slick and cum. Just let me help you with that part.”
Closing my hand around his cock, I stroke him as he leans back against me. Milo has already worked him up so much that he twitches in my hand as soon as I touch him. With just a few strokes, he’s spilling over Milo’s ass.
I love the way male omega’s bodies defy both logic and biology because even after he comes, he’s still hard in my grasp. Male omegas have almost no refractory period on a normal day—let alone when they’re in heat. Most times, they can come just as much as a female omega.
“Damn,” Remy pants. “I didn’t expect to come so soon.”
I chuckle. “It’s not like you won’t come again and again, little omega. Go ahead and prep your beta’s ass so you can fuck and claim him.”
Remy whines, his hand running through the mess before trailing it down between Milo’s cheeks. As he pushes inside of Milo, our beta’s back arches, and he groans.
Leaving them to it, I move back and call Victoria to me with my finger. She lifts an eyebrow at the motion but saunters toward me. As soon as she’s close enough, I pull her down onto my lap and pull her into a kiss. I lose myself in her kiss until Milo and Remy’s groans grow louder. We break apart long enough to find Remy sliding into Milo, and it’s beautiful.
“I need to feel you around my cock,” I tell her, already spinning her around. “Ride me while we watch them?”
She doesn’t answer verbally, waiting until she’s facing the sight before us before reaching back and grasping my cock, sliding down its length.
“Fuck,” I groan, hands falling to her hips as she works herself up and down me. Her cunt feels fucking perfect on top of getting to watch the man I love getting railed by the one I’m falling for.
This is heaven.
Reaching around Victoria, I circle her clit as she flutters around me. It seems we’re all a little on edge tonight. Remy has already come twice since he started fucking Milo but hasn’t yet claimed him, likely waiting for him to come. He’s pulled Milo up to lean back against his chest while he strokes Milo’s cock.
“Come with me, Milo. Come and I’ll make you mine.” Remy nips at my mark that Milo wears. “I’m going to bite you right here beside Eric’s mark.”
“Fuck, yes. Please,” Milo begs as he fucks himself between Remy’s cock and his hand.
“Are you close, alpha?” I ask, running my nose along Victoria’s neck before running my tongue along my claiming mark on the back of her neck.
She gasps, grinding down on my dick. “Yes. I’m going to come.”
She and Milo explode at the same time, Remy following just behind them as he sinks his teeth into Milo’s shoulder. I bite my tongue to keep from spilling myself inside Victoria as she locks down on my cock.
“Sorry, baby,” she murmurs, turning to kiss me over her shoulder. “At least my lock doesn’t last as long as your knot. We’ll get our chance with our omega soon.”
I nod, watching as Remy pulls out of Milo and they shift to face one another. “They need some time together, anyway.”
It takes about five minutes for Victoria’s lock to release enough so we can separate and surround Remington and Milo.
“How does it feel?” I ask Remy as I snuggle into him from behind.
“So amazing,” he responds. “I’m ready for more. I need you and Victoria to claim me. Please.”
I chuckle at the whine in his words, moving back far enough that I can run my cock through his slick-soaked cheeks.
“Alpha, please,” he begs, reaching for Victoria, who Milo helps get into place. She throws a leg over Remy’s hip before sliding down his cock.
Fucking like this means it can’t be hard and fast, but it still feels amazing. With each roll of my hips, I push Remington further into Victoria, pulling moans from both of them.
I’m too worked up. I won’t last as long as I’d like to, but there can be other nights of marathon sex. Right now, I want to make this omega mine.
“I’m gonna come,” Remy groans as he fucks himself between me and Victoria. Glancing down, I watch the way his ass swallows my cock—why is that so fucking hot?
“Yes, omega. Come for us.” Victoria meets my eyes over his shoulder, and I can see how close she is too.
Good. We can all do this together.
“Are you ready for our bites, omega?” I ask, picking up my pace as much as I can. “Are you ready to be ours?”
“Fuck. Yes. Bite me. Claim me. Make me yours.” Remington screams out his release as he darts forward to bite the slope of her breast, sending her over the edge.
As soon as he releases her, she darts forward to bite his pec.
It only takes me a few more strokes before my knot locks me inside his ass, and I bite down on the side of his neck as I come—and come and come.
I continue to rut into Remington’s ass, as much as my knot allows and end up sending all three of us into another set of orgasms before we still.
“That was so hot,” Milo says as he kneels behind Victoria. His stomach is covered in cum, telling me he really enjoyed the show.
Closing my eyes, I feel the bond forming between me and Remington. I can feel hints of his emotions as well as echoes of Milo’s and Victoria’s. That’s going to take some getting used to.
“Sleep, omega,” I murmur. “We’ll take a short nap, and then we’ll shower as a pack.”
He hums, eyes already closed. “I like the sound of that. Thank you for being part of my pack.”
“Thank you for choosing us,” Milo murmurs as he lies behind Victoria. Within minutes, all three of them are asleep, and I finally allow myself to join them.