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“Hopefully, the knives won’t have to come out too often.” She giggled, the sound making my heart light.
“I hope so too, but if there’s a need, they’ll be there.” I smiled and kissed her.
We converged around our omega, reconnecting and sealing our bond once again. “Let’s get you out of those clothes and cleaned up, baby girl. I think we could all use a bath and some cuddle time.”
Alena nodded. “That sounds like Heaven.”
I scooped her into my arms and carried her into the master bathroom, my heart feeling light despite the heaviness of the day.
CHAPTER30
Alena
Isank against Elias’ chest as Xavier moved the cloth along my skin. The fragrant aroma of eucalyptus surrounded me. Along with my mates, it replaced Dylan’s foul scent. The tub in the master bathroom was equipped to fit even my four large mates plus me. Something I was immensely thankful for at the moment. I could reach out and touch any of them easily.
My mates were all doing their best to stay calm and not make any sudden movements. Something I was immensely grateful for as I worked through the emotions after seeing Dylan again.
I knew I didn’t want to go anywhere. I was home here with my mates, but it made fresh doubts linger in my thoughts.
“Do I have to break out the alpha tone with you too, little one?” Elias asked as his fingers skated up and down my arms with a soft caress. “I can feel the wheels turning in your head. Talk to us, tell us what you’re thinking.”
Letting out a deep sigh, I sank further into the water and let its warmth surround me. Well surround me as much as possible with Elias at my back and Xavier in front.
Simon leaned over from his side of the tub and ran his fingers over my collarbone. “Listen to Elias, love. It really makes things easier when we do.”
They chuckled and couldn’t resist the smile that tilted up my mouth.
But my heart leapt in my throat, and I knew I had to express my doubts. Just as Xavier had done, and we reassured him, I had to do the same.
So I blurted it out. “Do you still even want me? When all you have to do is keep rescuing me and I come back to your home covered in the scent of another alpha?”
The world stilled around us as no one moved. My statement hung heavy in the air and I tensed as I waited for their reactions.
“Why would you think that?” Elias asked softly.
“Because all you do is keep rescuing me,” I lamented and trailed my fingers over the surface of the water. I didn’t meet any of their gazes, despite the fact they were all pinned on me and making my temperature rise.
Julian scooted closer and placed his palm just above my knee. “We love you, baby girl. That means no matter what, we will always be there for you. If that’s rescuing you, or putting a bandaid on a scape, holding your hair while you throw up, cooking you meals. Anything and everything, that’s what true mates are for each other.”
My breath caught in my throat as I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his. In typical Julian fashion, his lips were tilted up in just the slightest bit of a smirk.
“Julian is right.” Elias kissed the top of my shoulder. “Anything that comes up. Good and bad. The beautiful part of a mating bond is being able to share any and all burdens. We told you before, lean on us. We’ll catch you if you stumble.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying out or bursting into sobs. “Thank you for being so patient with me,” I croaked out after I composed myself. “I know it hasn’t been easy.”
Simon snorted. “Life isn’t easy, love. What makes it worth living is the love of those around you. The good far outweighs the bad. Holding you makes any obstacles we may have faced worth it in the end.”
“We would bleed for you gladly, Alena.” Xavier placed my ankle on top of his shoulder and kissed the inside of my leg. “Like you told me, we’re worthy of love. If we have to spend a lifetime to prove it to you, then that’s what we’ll fucking do.”
A small smile spread over my face. “Thank you.”
“No need to ever thank us.” Julian tilted my head towards him and kissed me softly. “How about we get out of the water and spend the rest of the night cuddling in Elias’ big giant bed?”
Elias rumbled his approval. “Don’t you think that sounds perfect, Alena?” He nuzzled my ear, careful to avoid the bruises that were rapidly forming. “I have a little surprise for you in the closet too. I had hoped you might like to build another nest here. It’s the biggest room, and we can move over some of the things from the other room.”
“Two nests?” My eyes widened as I looked over my shoulder at him.
“Yes,” he chuckled and kissed the tip of my nose. “We’d love for you to move into this room. The other room can still be your space alone, but we want you in the big bed and with us every night.”
