Chapter 31
Chapter
Thirty-One
EMMA
I wake up gradually, blinking, then scrunching my eyes shut against the cool sunlight filtering past the curtains. From how bright the outside world seems, it must be late in the morning—or maybe it’s afternoon? I have no sense of how much time has passed since…
My body remembers what we’ve been doing better than my brain, at least at first. The aches make themselves known one after the other, and I realize the full moon’s magic must have been keeping some of them away.
I’m definitely sore, my muscles stretched, my pussy throbbing lightly from being so well-used.
That doesn’t mean I don’t grow warm and liquid at the thought of how my mates shared me during that last bout of sex where we all went a little crazy for each other.
I have whisker burn on my thighs—or maybe that’s fur burn, since all three men were in their half forms throughout the night. The mating bites on my neck and thigh pulse with pain when I run my fingers over them, but the pleasure follows immediately after, soothing and arousing at the same time.
Sebastian mumbles something incoherent when I touch the one on my thigh, so I remove my fingers, not wanting to wake him. He’s fast asleep, his face buried in the covers in front of me where he must have passed out after cleaning us up.
It’s Carter’s arm that’s slung over my body, I realize now, and his heavy weight must have comforted me through the night.
It takes me a moment to locate Troy, squished as I am between Carter and Sebastian, but then I notice my feet are touching fur—it’s Troy in his wolf form, curled up at the foot of the bed, snoring softly.
The room smells like sex and sweat and my mates, and I sigh happily, knowing I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
I luxuriate in the knowledge that I’m wanted and loved, that these three men have chosen me as their mate and sealed the deal with their bites.
Like Sebastian suggested last night, we might find a way for me to bite them as well.
I think I might like to have a human wedding, too, just a small one for our best friends and family.
I want to get to know my in-laws, even though I’m a bit scared of what they’ll think of me.
I hope it’ll be enough for everyone to see how much I adore Carter, Sebastian, and Troy—and how much they cherish me.
It would be amazing to spend the morning here and just sleep the day away, but my stomach rumbles loudly, and my body is telling me it’s time to go to the bathroom.
I carefully slip from under Carter’s arm and climb over Sebastian’s legs, trying not to disturb anyone.
While I got some rest during the night, the three of them were up for more than twenty-four hours straight, what with the tensions rising before the full moon and the exhausting—if exhilarating—sex marathon.
Working slowly, I grab a pair of boxers and a t-shirt from Sebastian’s drawer and tiptoe out of the room.
I relax slightly after I manage to close the bedroom door without waking anyone.
My shower feels amazing, and I use Carter’s shampoo and Troy’s bodywash so I get to smell like all three of them once I put on Sebastian’s clean clothes.
I’ll bring my own toiletries here when we move all my belongings from my apartment to this cabin, but I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to using my own stuff.
It’s just too good to know that I’m carrying little pieces of them around with me.
Speaking of little pieces—in the shower, I had to wash away the cum that dripped from my pussy.
I’m not surprised, given how many times we’ve had sex over the last couple of days, but it still brings home the realization that I might be pregnant.
It’s unlikely, given the part of the cycle I’m in and the pill I’m taking, but the thought fills me with excitement, not dread, so I know it won’t be long until I’m ready to try for real.
If the guys have their say, it’ll be sooner rather than later, I’m sure.
Once dressed and smelling like my mates in the freshest sense possible, I pad into the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee.
By the time I open the fridge to find some food, I’m ravenous.
My mouth waters at the sight of a tub of grapes that Sebastian prepared for a snack.
I pop one in my mouth, then snag a pot of yogurt and devour it quickly, satisfying the most urgent cravings before taking out eggs and milk, bacon, sausages, and tomatoes for a full breakfast spread.
I work as silently as possible because I want to let the guys sleep, but it’s not long before the bedroom door opens and shuffling footsteps sound in the hall. A sleepy and disheveled Carter appears, blinking blearily at me.
“You were gone,” he mumbles. “I thought…”
He shoves his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end. He’s gorgeous, even when clearly exhausted and sticky with all kinds of bodily fluids.
He’s human-shaped again, his powerful muscles reminding me he’s truly built like an alpha, no matter what form he takes. But for a moment, he seems so unsure. I stare at him, confused, and then it hits me.
Dropping the chef’s knife onto the chopping board, I hurry toward him and take his face between my hands. “Carter. Did you really think I left you? After everything we said and did last night?”
He drops his gaze to the floor, the tips of his ears flushing. “I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
I nudge him until he looks up at me again, then say, “Well, let me be very clear. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to stay, and I’d never leave you like that.”
He swallows thickly, then nods. “Okay. I know that, now that I’m not panicking anymore.”
“You can’t help it if you panic.” I press a quick kiss to his lips. “But know that I’ll always be here to show you that there’s no reason for you to be afraid.”
He kisses me back, but when he tries to wrap his arms around me and pull me in, I swat lightly at his chest.
“No, no,” I scold him. “You’re sticky and gross. Shower first, cuddles later.”
He grins, his dark eyes flashing golden for a moment. “I don’t know if I should wash this all off. I smell like your pussy, Emma, and it’s the sweetest scent. I want more of it.”
My body warms at his words, my nipples tightening into hard points, but I cross my arms over my chest and glower at him. “No breakfast—of any kind—before you wash up. And you should know, I make the best waffles with maple syrup and bacon.”
“Mm.” Carter sneaks in another quick kiss, then steps back. “Any other day, I’d resist and demand at least a hug first, but I’m starving. Thank you for cooking for us, sweetheart.”
With that, he saunters off toward the bathroom, and I’m treated to the magnificent view of his naked ass flexing.
From the naughty wink he sends me just before he disappears from view, it’s clear he was aware I was watching.
I sigh, knowing breakfast will never get done if I follow him into the bathroom, and turn back to the counter.
By the time the house is filled with the scents of cooking bacon and waffles, Troy and Sebastian emerge as well, looking as if they’d run a marathon yesterday, then partied all night.
I stick to my decision and only give them quick kisses before shooing them off to the bathroom.
One by one, they emerge again, dressed in comfortable, clean clothes, their hair washed, their scents subdued by bodywash.
I stifle a sigh because I was the one who sent them away to clean themselves, but I can’t help myself—I want them to smell like me.
I know they said that any supernatural would still be able to scent me on them, but I want to scent it, too.
I’m quietly stewing in my thoughts, watching the waffle maker so I don’t burn our breakfast when Troy steps up to me from behind and wraps his thick arms around my middle.
“Mm,” he says, “smells delicious.”
“It’s my favorite waffle recipe.” I turn my head halfway to meet his gaze. “You’ll love it.”
Troy chuckles, the sound reverberating through me. “I wasn’t talking about the waffles.”
That has me standing up straight. I push away from him and face him. “What, then?”
“You’re feeling grumpy and possessive, aren’t you?” He crowds me against the counter, leans down to put his face against my neck, and takes a deep whiff of my scent. “So good. But you don’t have to worry, Emma. We’re right here.”
I give a helpless moan and wrap my arms around his neck, digging my fingers into his hair.
Troy gathers me close and nuzzles my cheek, my neck, as if he wants to spread his scent all over me.
My body molds to his so perfectly. He squeezes me close, but it’s not a horny kind of hug—it’s pure comfort, and I know he’s rubbing my scent over himself, too.
“Okay, okay, my turn.” Sebastian squeezes himself between us, nudging Troy out of the way. “Take that waffle out, will you? It’s turning to charcoal.”
Troy grumbles at Sebastian and swats his ass in retaliation, but he does focus on the waffle maker, leaving us to our hug.
Sebastian kisses me, tipping my head back to lick into my mouth—and as deep as the kiss is, it’s not charged with that raw sexual energy from last night but an expression of love and affection.
I kiss him back, balancing on my tiptoes, and tug on his hair a little because I know he likes it.
Then he pulls me into a tight embrace and rubs his cheek over the top of my head while I nuzzle his naked chest, happily leaving my scent on him.
When he releases me, I turn on the spot, searching for Carter.
He’s setting the table, laying down forks and knives on placemats, seemingly ignoring us.
I purse my lips to hide a smile. Maybe he thinks he has to wait or let his pack mates get first dibs or maybe he considers himself above all this because he’s the alpha, but he betrays himself by casting a furtive glance my way, checking if I’m still wrapped up in Sebastian.
I raise my eyebrow at him, and he straightens, his powerful shoulders rolling back.
A part of me wants to stand my ground and make him come to me, but that’s not what he needs right now.
I step forward quickly, almost skipping to his side, and wrap my arms around his waist for a hug.
He lets out a surprised breath, then folds himself around me, a rumble starting in his chest.
Somewhere behind us, Sebastian is ordering Troy around, putting the last finishing touches on our breakfast, carrying pans and plates to the table.
Carter holds me for a long moment, and when I glance up at him, his dark eyes are shining bright, happiness glowing from inside him.
“I love you,” I whisper.
His mouth quirks up on one side. “I love you, too. And I love hearing you say it.”
He says those last words reluctantly, as if he’s worried about confessing as much, so I tighten my grip on his waist for a moment.
“I’ll tell you so every day,” I promise. “So you’ll never have to doubt it.”
He smiles for real then. “I’m looking forward to that.”
He kisses me, then turns quickly, sits at the table, and hauls me into his lap.
I squeak in protest, and he squeezes me once more before allowing me to take my seat next to him.
Troy and Sebastian join us at the table, bringing up some sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as the rest of the grapes.
I didn’t quite realize how much food I’d been making, but it’s a feast, and for a moment I worry I’ve overdone it.
Then I see Troy heaping on eggs and sausages while already snacking on a waffle, and I realize that we might have to cook more.
“This is really good, Emma,” Sebastian tells me between bites. “I’ll need you to teach me your waffle recipe. They’re so chewy.”
Troy pours us all coffee and adds a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of cream to mine without asking, preparing a perfect cup for me.
I stay very still, my hands squeezed under the table, and watch them chatting and enjoying their food.
My throat tightens, my eyes prickling with tears.
I blink fast, trying to keep it together because I don’t want them to see, but that doesn’t last long.
“What’s wrong?” Troy barks. He’s seated across from me, so of course he’s the first to notice. “Why are you crying?”
Carter drops his fork and wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me toward him, chair and all. “Emma. Talk to us.”
I take a paper towel and blot my tears, then blow my nose, angry with myself for ruining a perfect moment. “I’m sorry.”
Sebastian frowns at me. “For what?”
I shrug, staring down at my still-empty plate. “For being so weird. I just—I never thought I’d get this. It’s everything I ever wanted. You’re everything I ever wanted. It’s going to take a while for me to believe that it’s real.”
Troy is staring at me. “I will help in any way I can.”
The smile I give him is still a little wobbly. “Thank you.”
“And we’ll just keep doing this until it sinks in for you,” Sebastian adds.
Carter takes my chin and presses a hard kiss on my lips. “We’re real. And we’re not going anywhere. Remember what you told me earlier?”
I gaze up at him. “Yeah.”
“We’re here for you,” he says softly. “Whenever you need us.”
“Okay.” I sniffle but manage to keep myself from bawling. “That’s good to know.”
His grin is a little crooked when he releases me and motions at my empty plate. “You need to eat, sweetheart. You’ll need the energy.”
As Sebastian grabs my plate to fill it with waffles and fruit, I send Carter an incredulous look.
“I’ll need the energy?” I demand. “Again? I thought that once the full moon ends, we’ll—I don’t know, get a break?”
He just shakes his head and shovels eggs into his mouth as if to follow his own advice.
Troy reaches over and puts his large hand over mine. “We told you, Emma. You’re ours, and we’ll worship your body every night.”
Impossibly, my belly tightens with pleasure. I squeeze my legs together to hide my reaction, but if the low growls reverberating around the room are any indication, I have no more secrets from my mates.
I grin, tucking into my breakfast. “Okay. I can live with that.”