Her doctor makes a note. “Do you still want an unsupervised heat?”
Madi nods. “I just want to be alone with my alphas right now. They’ll know what to do to make me feel better.”
Dr. Rose smiles at her. “Alright, final question. Would you like any of your alphas to wear a bite guard to ensure that no bonding takes place during this heat? The urge to bond is going to be very strong, especially after you all went through such a traumatic experience. Plus it’s your first heat and you’ve delayed it for a long time.”
“That might be a good idea,” I tell Madi honestly. “Emotions are really high right now.”
Hunter nods. “Everyone is shaken up, and we don’t need to make a decision about bonding this time.”
“We’re honored to share your heat”—Alric takes her hand, kissing the back of it—“but I won’t be able to control the alpha urge to bite and bond you after we almost lost you today. None of us expect you to be ready for that, but you should know that I want it.”
“We all want that,” I add, Hunter nodding next to me. She looks at each one of us and I know we’re all holding our breath. It’s too much to hope for, that she would ask for no bite guards. It’s too soon and she’s been through so much today. Even the question makes my teeth ache with the desperation to make her mine.
To know her emotions as she feels them, to love her fully, tying all of our souls together in the most intimate and thrilling way, for all of eternity. As a pack, as scent matches, and as soulmates. Bonded through love and friendship.
Finally, she answers, “No bite guards. I’m done running from my future.”
“And you are absolutely sure?” I need to ask one last time and she answers me with a brazen smile.
“If I bite, alpha, you better bite back.”
Chapter 34
Hunter
Elation explodes within me, hearing that she’s finally ready to become everything she was always meant to be to us. I need her to be absolutely sure. I’ve been ready to make her mine for a long time, but I couldn’t live with myself if she regretted it.
“Are you absolutely sure, babycakes? ’Cause this is all gonna go from zero to one hundred very fast. There’s no hiding in the bond when your whole soul is on display, and without bite guards, you’re definitely walking out of here with three bonds. We want our future with you to startnow.”
Even though I’m offering her an out, I silently beg her to say yes.
She’s still in Alric’s arms, but she reaches her hand out for me to come closer, until she’s smushed between us.
“I’m as ready as I’m going to be. That’s why I texted you that I wanted you at my heat. I miss you guys so much. I can’t promise I’ll be the best packmate, but I’m going to try. I can’t imagine my life without you guys.”
I could cry from the relief.
Dr. Rose interrupts us. “Let’s get you into your suite. We’re pushing the limits of the medication holding back your heat symptoms, and you all need to get cleaned up before it starts.”
I reluctantly step away from my girl. Alric stands up with her in his arms, bridal style, and we all head into our luxurious heat room.
A small kitchen with a partition in front of it will spare whoever delivers our meals the sight of an orgy. In the center of the room, there’s a massive nest with blankets everywhere. The mattress is set into the hardwood floor for maximum space. Sheer draping hangs from above for an added sense of confinement that omegas love during their heats. A long couch sits along one wall. The lights are off in the room, but twinkle lights around the edges give it a soft, sensual mood.
We head straight for the large bathroom with a shower, a sink, and a tub big enough for five. The moment she’s on her feet, Madi starts to take off her clothes.
Alric instantly focuses on her newly exposed breasts, but I playfully shove him on my way to turn on the water. “Shower, now! You’re a bloody mess. We’ll meet you in the tub.”
I can tell through his eyes that the medication they gave him to get him out of his feral state is working overtime. He races ahead into the shower, stripping as he goes, and steps beneath the spray.
I’m so fucking grateful today is ending with her here with us, safe and whole. She trusts us with her first heat and all the ones that will come after. Fuck, she can’t even imagine the life we’re going to give her. Today was the last day she’ll ever know fear or heartache or doubt.
After this is over, she’ll never be alone in her own head. We’ll all be in there, shouting our love down the bond so shecan feel our constant devotion and affection for her every second of every day.
Zachary and I strip too, getting the tub filled. In the meantime, we help scrub Madi’s epically awful day from her skin with warm washcloths and scent-neutralizing body wash, so there’s no trace of Jensen in her nest.
When the water runs clear, I turn on the tub jets, add some fragrant oils before Zach and I hop in the bath with her.
Zachary yells over the shower at our packmate. “Alric! Bath time!”
