Chapter 39
Ariana
Before even opening my eyes, I can tell the heat’s been broken.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Sebastian’s deep voice rumbles. Forcing my eyes open, I find myself looking at Jason.
He’s awake as well, sitting up and reading a book.
“Sleep well?” He asks, brushing hair away from my face.
Instead of responding, I admire the view in front of me.
The alpha hasn’t pulled up the blanket, giving me a front row seat to the sight of his chest. When he smiles at me knowingly, I roll over.
Turning has me face to face with the owner of the muscled arm my head rests on. His blue eyes blink at me sleepily.
“Hi.” Evan whispers, pressing his forehead to mine.
“Hi,” I whisper back, remembering our first kiss.
Nico pops up behind him, wearing only a pair of boxers. “Water?” He stretches a bottle out towards me. I sit up, making Evan’s arm shift from hugging my waist to my thighs. The blond palms the flesh appreciatively, purring with satisfaction.
“And why are you just standing there?” Nico directs the second question at Sebastian, who I only now notice is positioned at the end of the bed.
The pack lead thrusts his chin towards us as if the answer is apparent. “Appreciating Ariana’s nest. Obviously.”
“It’s a work in progress,” I pass the water bottle to Jason, who opens it for me without a question. Nico leaves and returns with a large tray, setting it in the middle of the bed and taking a seat. It’s breakfast again, like they had prepared the day I first came here.
My heart flutters, seeing the effort he’s put in. “I’m starving,” I admit honestly, reaching for a fork.
Evan snorts. “We know. It was a mission and a half trying to get food in you.” He bites down on my thigh playfully. “I wouldn’t change a thing though.”
There’s a lazy murmur of agreement from the pack as everyone leans in, ready to tackle the spread in front of us.
“How was it? The heat, I mean?” The satisfied soreness between my legs gives me an idea, but I’m curious how it felt for them.
Jason presses a kiss against my shoulder. “Amazing.”
“Perfect,” Sebastian spreads jam onto a slice of toast and passes it to me.
“Shut up for a minute.” Evan tells them, pressing his hands over his eyes.
Nico frowns at him. “Why?”
“I’m trying to commit every part of it to memory.” The blond bumps shoulders with me affectionately, winking. “Before post rut clarity sinks in.”
“Speaking of clarity, was everything alright?” Jason asks me. “We didn’t go too hard, did we?”
I feel my cheeks burning, remembering the last few days and nights. “No. I loved it.”
I’ve only experienced heat with one other set of alphas. And they never had their mouths at my entrance like that. They didn’t bring me breakfast in bed after either. After the first few years, I found myself waking up alone and sore once they’d fallen out of rut.
The alphas appear pleased with my answer, making the omega part of me delighted. Their scents flood the room now, a far cry from the almost sterile smell it had when I first came here.
We eat in comfortable silence for a while, passing plates and stealing bites from each other’s portions. They’ve knotted, bathed and now fed me. Being pampered so much makes me feel spoiled. Sebastian rolls his eyes, smiling, when I tell him that.
“You’re an omega, Ariana. We like taking care of you.” The dark haired alpha points out.
I’ve been spoiled for years, in theory. All the priceless jewelry and designer dresses I’d owned once would serve as a testament to that. None of it made me feel as cherished as our breakfast, eaten in bed while I sit shoulder to shoulder with two alphas does now.
Once the tray is cleared, Nico sweeps it out of the nest, setting it on the nightstand. Evan lays down again, closing his eyes and pulling me against him. He wraps around me from behind, his chest warm against my back. Every inch of him presses into me.
I shift slightly, rubbing myself against his length, and feel him harden immediately.
“I thought the heat was done,” he murmurs against my ear, though his hands are already sliding over my hips.
“It is.” I turn my head to catch his eyes. “I just want you to touch me again.”
Evan presses his face into my throat, smiling against the sensitive skin. He kisses it softly, sliding his hand down my body to lift my leg. Positioning himself at my entrance, he enters me slowly.
Jason shifts on the bed, his dark eyes warm as he presses his lips against mine in a deep kiss. The bed dips under the weight of Sebastian and Nico joining us, peeling the blanket away and running their hands over my body.
No longer consumed by heat or rut, we touch each other unhurriedly. Tangled so closely I’m not sure which limb belongs to who anymore, the morning passes without urgency as we kiss tender and slow, exploring each other’s bodies.
* * *
Hands on my hips, I watch as the alphas rearrange the living room furniture. Showered and still pleasantly sore, I’m in one of Sebastian’s hoodies. It’s so big it falls to my mid thigh, completely concealing my shorts.
Somehow, that makes me the most modestly dressed person here. All four have elected not to wear a shirt, pulling on only shorts or sweatpants after our shower. I’m not complaining, enjoying the view of their muscles flexing as they slide the coffee table away with ease.
“Alright,” Sebastian says once satisfied, beckoning me over. “Come here.”
I pad over to the newly opened space. Nico and Jason take seats on the floor, scents bright with amusement.
“Welcome to your first lesson. I’m Sebastian Coates and I’ll be your instructor for today. This is Evan Coates, my assistant.” The blond nods beside him, grinning.
Seeing Evan about to teach gives me a sense of deja vu. “And what exactly am I meant to be learning?” I ask, curious.
“Self defense. You may not believe it, but I was quite the boxer in college.”
“Ten years ago,” Evan adds under his breath, making the dark haired alpha shoot him a dirty look.
“It was less than ten, don’t worry. You’re in good hands,” he reassures me.
“People generally round nine up to ten, man.” Evan pipes up from behind him again. Sebastian rolls his eyes.
“Glad to know you’re aware of what comes after nine. Go learn your multiplication tables next.”
Nico’s scent flares, his face looking highly entertained by their dispute.
Sebastian doesn’t acknowledge him, attention fixed on me.
He shows me how to make a proper fist, how to pivot my hips for power.
Evan adds his input occasionally, helpful instead of sarcastic.
They demonstrate together, correcting my form using Nico and Jason’s observations when I repeat the motions after.
Their instructions are clear and patient. Without a ball trying to escape from me, I find myself actually enjoying it.
“Good,” Sebastian says after I throw a few practice punches, nodding in approval. Evan gives me a thumbs up from behind him. “Just because you’re small doesn’t mean you’re defenseless.” We work on an uppercut, pushing my palm into a chin instead of a closed fist.
He trails his fingers down from my hand to my elbows. “You can use these as well. They’re sharp, that’s handy for jabbing people with.”
“Noted.” I test the motion, driving my elbow into the air. They’re not as sharp as they used to be. I’ve gained weight since I started staying with the Coates pack. I can’t see my ribs in the mirror anymore.
“And if all else fails,” Evan continues the lesson, his expression only half joking, “kick them in the balls.”
There’s a chorus of agreement as the alphas nod sagely at the wisdom.
“Preferably you kick first, ask questions after.” Jason adds solemnly, voice completely serious.
Nico leans forward, looking up at me from the floor. “If you get sued, Jason will handle it. Don’t worry about repercussions.”
“You guys are very passionate about this strategy,” I observe, smiling.
“It’s effective,” Sebastian explains earnestly. “Can’t argue with results.” His green eyes glint with mischief. “We should practice. Evan, get over here.”
Alarm crosses the blond’s face. “What?”
“Target practice,” Sebastian says innocently. “For Ariana.”
The alpha starts backing away. “Fuck no. That wasn’t in the job description.”
“Read the fine print next time,” Jason suggests, the corners of his lips curving up.
“Find another assistant. I quit.”
Pouting purposely, I widen my eyes at Evan. “You don’t want to help me?” Hesitation flickers into his expression, making amusement flood into me. Maybe I am becoming spoiled, because the fact that he considers it is a bit outlandish. “Just kidding.”
“Ariana!” Evan looks at me, betrayed.
Sebastian laughs, pulling me in for a light hug.
The lesson ends with everyone’s body intact and my shyness gone.
The Coates pack has seen me at both my lowest and most embarrassing.
First when I was kicked out, then later, whining because of a purr and begging for them in my heat. We’ve only grown closer despite it all.