Chapter 16 No Longer Lonely #2
It was thrilling to arrive at the packhouse—this amazing building that I’d just agreed to make my permanent home.
I knew I was taking a major step towards bonding with my pack, and it still frightened me to some degree, but more and more of my omega instincts were screaming for me to comply.
My pack was bursting with joy and energy, pulling me around to have fun with each of them before Demetrius stepped in, setting down my suitcase from the car.
“Let’s all calm down. We need to shower and clean up a bit, and let Ivy relax and get situated. No one’s allowed to touch her for the next hour.”
The atmosphere became a bit moody, but they all agreed and took off to shower and change. Demetrius helped carry my bag upstairs to my room, then embraced me in a warm hug, kissing me softly.
“I thought no one was allowed to touch me for an hour?” I teased, snuggling into his arms.
He held me for a fraction longer before letting go. “Starting now,” he said with a wink before leaving my room.
I flopped down on the soft, comfortable bed and closed my eyes for a moment, letting the gentle background noises of the packhouse sink in. The hum of electrical appliances, the run of the water from a shower nearby, the mixed scents of all my packmates—I was a part of this now.
Being in the house meant opening the door to a physical relationship with all four of my packmates, and my desire was growing for all of them each day.
Demetrius and I shared something amazing and special last night, and I wanted each of my mates to feel special in their own way with me.
I laughed at myself; it was weird yet felt so right to be analyzing how to become physical with three more men.
Trying to keep the balance frightened me, though.
I’d never been successful with a boyfriend in the past, and now I had four to maintain.
It was all fun and exciting at the moment, but would I be able to keep up with their needs?
My body said yes, but my mind thought differently.
What if this transition wasn’t as seamless as this moment felt?
I sat up and willed myself to unpack my clothes, placing them in the dresser.
This would be their permanent home now, forever.
I’d never had this kind of stability since I’d left my parents' house. For years, I’d packed and unpacked like a performer on tour.
But this was permanent. No more planning for the next company, no more traveling for auditions for the next season, no more moving back to my parents’ house for the summer if I couldn’t afford the rent.
No more of that struggling dancer lifestyle I’d lived the past six years.
It felt weird, almost too easy—like I’d cheated at life.
Once everything was put away, I looked around and imagined what I wanted the space to say.
I could picture soft shades of purple bringing color in, perhaps some fairy lights, and maybe a few plants in the windows.
I thought about the rays of sunlight that entered the room and how a little book nook would be perfect right there.
The sunlight reminded me of early mornings alone in my first apartment, snuggled in my old, rickety chair with a good book.
Except now I wouldn’t be alone ever again.
Walking over to the window, I looked out to the front yard and the neighborhood street below. It was such a beautiful day, I should take advantage of the sunshine.
Then it hit me. I knew exactly what I was going to do first.
***
Isaac
I quickly rushed through a shower and threw on some clothes. I was practically vibrating with excitement—she was here. She was finally here. We were so close to becoming a complete pack, not to mention her sexy body was on my mind all the time.
I rushed to her room—not there. Next, I checked the kitchen and living room—not there either.
Preston seemed to be looking around for her as well.
“Have you found her yet?” I felt like a kid in an easter egg hunt searching for my favorite egg.
“I’ve found her.” Lukas was staring out the window, smiling. “She’s stretching outside on a yoga mat.”
Her hips were pressed up in a downward-facing dog position as she stretched in her pose for a brief moment.
“Dear god,” Preston murmured, grinning before running to get a mat, with me quickly following behind him.
***
Ivy
The warmth of the sunlight gently warmed my skin as I moved through my yoga poses out in the backyard. We were at the tail end of this beautiful, warm-weathered season, and I wanted to take advantage of the sunlight as much as I could.
I shifted my weight in my downward-facing dog position as the smell of fresh-cut grass hit my nose.
The sun continued to beat down on my skin while droplets of sweat formed along my brow line.
Pausing for a moment, I shed my workout shirt, leaving just my sports bra and shorts on.
A warm breeze blew through the air, feeling so refreshing as I gently lowered down on my stomach.
Within a few minutes, I heard the backdoor open, and the wonderful scent of dark chocolate and roasted coffee drifted through the air.
“Are you going to join me?” I asked, listening to the sound of Demetrius approaching. He set out a mat next to me and lay down. “Next, I’m going to move to cobra pose.”
“Oh no, I’m just here to watch,” Demetrius said, getting comfortable on his side. “Please continue.”
I laughed as I heard the backdoor open again. Now Preston, Isaac, and Lukas were all setting out mats next to me.
“Are you all here to watch me, too? I’m not really used to doing yoga with an audience,” I joked, pausing for a moment and watching them get comfortable. Preston and Isaac actually joined my workout while Lukas lay on his back, taking in the sun.
“I haven’t done yoga in like three years,” Isaac cried out during his attempt to do a forward fold.
“That’s pretty apparent. Your flexibility has greatly decreased,” Preston pointed out as he folded his nose to his knees effortlessly.
Lukas pulled out his phone and took a few pictures, throwing jokes at us. “Here we see the graceful omega, stretching and strengthening her core in her natural habitat, surrounded by doting idiots.”
I laughed at his joke while Preston, Isaac, and I continued to shift poses. Lukas lay on his back, unbuttoning his shirt and soaking in the sunrays. As he let his shirt fall open, that delicious lemon sugar and warm shortbread scent found my nose.
We sat back into child’s pose to stretch out our lower spines; I enjoyed each scent from my mates as it drifted through the air to me.
After about thirty minutes of stretching, I finally relaxed on my mat, ending with a cooldown.
Lying on my back, Preston’s fingers intertwined with mine while Isaac slowly rubbed his hand against my arm.
The scent of all five of us together on top of the grass eased away all my anxiety, and we all relaxed and enjoyed the afternoon sun, chatting about the upcoming week.
There was a slight pang of sadness when Preston left to start making dinner, but then I reminded myself we were all together now, and this was every day for me.