17. Lyra
O nce the news about Mira Chambers being arrested had settled amongst us, we cleaned up everything from our paint project. We’d have to wait a few days for the whole thing to dry, but it gave us another excuse to hang out together sometime soon. Bailey-Rose’s pack invited us back to their home for a cookout, which Fawn and I eagerly accepted. Thankfully, all the guys were getting along, and being out of the house was a wonderful change of pace.
It was an evening full of laughs, good food, and wonderful new friends. Tanner and Warrick were in charge of drinks, and they were amazing. Zachary and Yun-Sun were the grill masters, while Gareth and Pascal worked on making the salad and chopping vegetables to be cooked on the grill. I volunteered to make something for dessert since I didn’t get to bake all that often. Fawn was banished from the kitchen, so he hung out with Eli, Ulysses, and Bailey-Rose.
Rummaging through the pantry, I found what I needed to make toffee bars. They were Elora’s favorite, so I knew how to make them without looking up the recipe. Once it was all mixed together, I popped the glass dish into the oven and set the timer. Done with my part of the meal, I started to head out to the patio where everyone was hanging out, but I felt my phone buzz. Grinning when I saw it was Elora, I answered the video chat.
“Hello, stranger,” I greeted cheerily. “Wow, you look amazing.”
Elora snorted at my comment. Her dark, thick hair was styled and teased so it was extra voluminous. Her makeup was expertly done to give her this modern rocker vibe which had the amber hues in her hazel eyes popping.
“I just got done with a magazine photoshoot and had an hour to kill before being hauled off to my next promo opportunity,” Elora explained. “God, I have no idea how I’m going to tame this rat’s nest.”
Chuckling, I bit my lip, trying not to laugh too hard. “I’m sure Zelly will work her magic as always. Oh, speaking of Zelly, did you know we share a friend?”
Elora frowned. “You do?”
“It’s the wildest thing, Eli’s younger sister, Bailey-Rose, is bonded to a sweet Alpha named Vili?—”
“Oh my God,” Elora blurted, cutting me off. “Holy shit, your Alpha is that Eli?”
“Yeees,” I said hesitantly.
“Wait, wait, wait, that means you know Crew Thatcher too, right?” she pressed. “The man is fucking brilliant with his audio-production skills. He can take a great song and make it the number one hit of the season.”
I sat on the arm of the sofa, realizing this was going to be a longer conversation. “Eli does have a brother named Crew, who I’ve met, but I had no idea he did anything with music.”
“Hell yeah!” Elora hollered. “Wooo. ”
I had to look away from the screen as my best friend did some sort of cheer, which was giving me motion sickness. “Anytime you want to clue me in on what’s got you so excited, I’m all ears.”
“Sorry, babe. It’s been my biggest dream to work with Crew, but he is super selective,” Elora shared once she calmed down. “If you ever get the chance, and it’s not gonna make things awkward, I’d appreciate it if you could put in a good word for me. I’ve reached out to his people but keep getting stone-walled.”
“I’ll try,” I assured her. “You’ve never asked me for anything like this in all our years of friendship, so I understand how big of a deal this is for you.”
“You’re the best, babe, but if it will put you in an awkward spot, don’t worry about it. I’ll manage to get his attention one day,” Elora said, proving how good a person she really was.
“Hey, honey bear, dinner’s about ready,” Zachary called from the patio door.
I gave him a thumbs up and a smile, to which he returned by blowing me a kiss. Typically, you’d think a move like that from a guy as burly as Zachary would look silly, but it wasn’t in the slightest.
“Oh, girl, you’ve got it bad,” Elora teased. “I don’t even have to ask if that was one of your Alphas because it’s written all over your face. Speaking of your Alphas…”
Rolling my eyes, I pulled back my hair so she could see the mark Eli had given me last night under my left ear and Fawn’s mark at the crook of my neck. “I’m bonded to Eli and Fawn, but I don’t see it taking long for the others to leave their mark on me.”
Elora squealed like a little kid as she did a little happy dance. “Oh, babe, I’m so happy for you, and I must say you’re looking practically radiant now that you’re being showered in love like you always should have.”
“Thanks, girl. A lot has happened in the past few weeks, but in the end, it’s been worth it. I’ve finally realized I was the one trapping myself in the past, unwilling to heal and move forward. Now I have such an amazing pack who truly love and support me however they can. I hope you don’t have to wait too long to find your pack,” I said, wiping away a rogue tear that slipped out. “I’ve got to go, but let’s figure out when you have time to visit me and meet the rest of my family.”
“Love you, babe, and I’ll make the fucking time no matter what my agency says,” Elora stated, then she leaned in and fake kissed the phone. “ Muah , talk later.”
“Love you too,” I said with a wave before the call ended.
I felt something settle across my feet and found Nugget sitting there looking at me. His tail started to wag the moment he saw I noticed him. Bending down, I scooped him up and buried my face in his fur.
“Nugget, I didn’t think I could ever be this happy,” I whispered into his fur. “Promise me this isn’t a dream, and if it is, then I pray I never wake up.”
We were all still smiling from the lovely day when we got home that evening. Neither my mother nor fathers had family they were close with, so I’d never had the chance to know what it was like to spend time with extended family. While all the guys were so different, they seemed to mesh, and Bailey-Rose was like Fawn, you just couldn’t help but adore them.
Bailey-Rose made sure I got all of Nugget’s things including some dog food, his service vest, and the dog bed he preferred to sleep in. “My guess is he’ll want to sleep in your bed, but if you want some alone time with your guys, he won’t make a fuss if he’s shut out of the room,” Bailey-Rose informed me with a wink.
Nugget didn’t hesitate when I motioned for him to get into the car. He hopped right in tongue lolling as if he was smiling while Bailey-Rose and her guys waved goodbye. It was utterly relaxing to snuggle up next to Fawn with Nugget napping in my lap. With both of their calming energies, I almost fell asleep. I think it was at that moment in the haze between being asleep or awake that I made up my mind. Now I had to put on my big girl panties and tell them regardless of the random timing.
The guys carried in everything for Nugget and set it on the kitchen counter, unsure where it would be best to place things.
“For now, I say we put his food and water bowl in the kitchen. It might be smart to put water on all the floors, but we can do that any time,” Pascal reasoned.
“Works for me,” I agreed and set Nugget down so I could fill his bowl.
The need to talk to my guys was gnawing at me, but I struggled with how to even brooch the subject. Certain matters felt like they required a bit of forethought or pizzazz, something I’d never been skilled at.
“Petal, what’s gotten you so anxious?” Eli asked as he turned the water off. The bowl had filled and was now overflowing back into the sink.
I used the situation to catch my breath as I dumped a little of the water out so it wouldn’t spill and I carried it to its spot. “I’m not anxious, not really.”
“I don’t mean to call you a liar, angel, but you most certainly are anxious about something,” Fawn challenged.
Standing, I wiped my hands along my thighs to dry them and soothe myself a little. “This just feels so awkward to simply come out and say.”
Zachary stepped up and cupped my chin. “You can always be honest with us no matter how awkward it might make us feel. Packs see each other at their best and worst moments in life, and that’s what makes us family. Trust us to do right by you, honey bear.”
I smiled and curled my hand around his wrist. “That’s the thing. I do trust you, all of you. It kills me to know I’m the one who ever made you doubt how much I trust and love each and every one of you. I want there to be no more walls between us, wondering what each other is thinking or feeling. More than anything right now, I want to give you a piece of my heart forever, for us to be a completely bonded pack.”
The room fell silent as the guys stared at me with wide eyes, clearly surprised at my declaration. Just when I thought I’d fucked it all up, Zachary tossed me over his shoulder and ran up the stairs. The thunder of feet following told me the rest weren’t far behind.
“Take her to the nest,” Tanner called from behind us.
Zachary grunted. “Where did you think I was going, to the roof?”
“Don’t be an ass, Zac, or I’ll find a way to make sure you two bond last,” Tanner shot back.
I was a little stunned at the banter going on between them, these two never talked to each other so gruffly. It wasn’t until I was tossed onto the massive bed covered with pillows and silk sheets I saw my three unbonded Alphas had fallen into rut. They’d been fighting against the urge to bond for so long. When I gave them the green light, all their pent-up energy came to the forefront.
Fawn cut in front of his Alphas, holding up his hands. “Whoa there, fellas, you’re gonna need to take a deep breath and chill the fuck out before you lay a finger on her. This moment is supposed to be happy and full of love, right now, you’re none of those things.”
His words seemed to hit the mark as Tanner backed up a step and rubbed his face. Pascal yanked off his glasses, cursing under his breath, while Zachary stared down at his hands in disappointment.
“All right, this is better,” Fawn encouraged. “Now it’s time to get naked!”
Quick as a flash, Fawn yanked his shirt over his head and wriggled out of the short shorts he’d been wearing. He glanced over his shoulder at me with a devious grin before bending over and showing off that he’d had a butt plug in his ass all day.
Eli’s hand came out of nowhere to slap Fawn’s perfectly round ass causing him to moan in delight. “Yes, spank me, Daddy, spank your naughty Omega.”
“Get down on your knees and take these pants off, and maybe I’ll give in to your request,” Eli ordered.
Through our bond, I could feel how euphoric Fawn was with Eli’s response. With boneless grace, Fawn dropped to his knees to undo Eli’s belt. My view was cut off as a shirtless Pascal knelt on the bed and started to crawl toward me. The look of hunger in his amber eyes had my pussy clenching, knowing the attention she’d be getting with an expression like that.
“I think it’s time you were wearing a little less clothing, beautiful,” Pascal said as he grasped my ankle and dragged me closer.
He shoved up my shirt and slowly kissed his way down to the top of my jeans. Deftly, he popped the button and then used his teeth to pull down the zipper. The feel of his warm breath on my skin sent shivers up my spine, causing me to moan. Pascal’s fingers curled around the waistband and slowly drew down my pants and underwear. When they reached my knees he stopped, flipped me over, and pulled my hips up before diving into my pussy. I cried out in pleasure as Pascal sucked and licked until I was tossed headlong into an orgasm.
I’d already been turned on, but now I could feel slick running down the backs of my thighs. My pussy was practically begging for a cock to be shoved into me. Pascal used an arm to help me sit so Tanner could yank off my shirt and undo my bra leaving my top half bare. I could feel Pascal’s cock teasing my entrance, but with my knees held together with my jeans, I couldn’t get the right angle to lower myself onto him.
“Tell us what you want, beautiful,” Pascal instructed as he slipped one finger between my legs and brushed it over my clit.
“I want you to fuck me, knot me, and place your mark forever on my body,” I answered, between gasps as he flicked his finger over my clit.
“Then that is what I shall do,” Pascal said right before slamming his cock balls deep.
We both cried out as he buried his face in my neck, holding me tightly to him. He wasted no time getting down to business, thrusting into me as if he planned to split me in half. I clung to his arms as I reveled in the feel of his cock filling me and hitting all the right places. Yet I needed more, so I turned my head until I felt his lips crash into mine. I drank in his scent and pushed back against him, urging him to fuck me deeper. With a growl, Pascal shoved my upper body into the mattress, giving him a better angle to pound into me.
“Yes, yes, yes, fuck me just like that,” I screamed as I was tipped over the edge into another climax.
Pascal draped himself over my back, pressing me flat until I doubted anyone could see me the way he covered me completely. Then I felt him gathering my hair and yanking it sharply, so I curled my head, exposing the back of my neck.
“Lyra Clark, my scent matched Omega, and the woman who holds my heart in her hands. I claim you for now and always,” Pascal managed to say as his hips continued to piston into me.
I felt the sharp pain of his teeth on the back of my neck, but it instantly sent me spiraling into another orgasm as his knot locked us together. My hand latched onto his forearm, and I dragged it close enough for me to turn my head and mark his bicep. Pascal roared, and I felt him come a second time, filling me with more of his cum. I had been well and truly marked by my Alpha.