The city faded away, replaced by the forested countryside. Theo had grumbled that if he was going to drive, I had to sit next to him to prevent any âfooling around.â Weâd all teased him for his choice of words, but sitting up front with him was no hardship, especially with the way he kept his hand firmly on my thigh. Every once in a while, he would squeeze it, sending a little thrill of arousal through my body.
My skin felt hot so Iâd cracked my window to get a hit of the cold winter air, but other than that, I was feeling more settled than before. My heat was building, but I still felt mostly normal. Iâd texted Poppy and Lilah after my freak out, and theyâd both reassured me that heat fog was nothing like being under the deviceâs influence.
âHowâre you feeling, love?â Theo asked.
âBetter,â I responded, placing my hand on his.
âWell, Iâm super excited,â Ben said, leaning forward to kiss me on the cheek.
Cam snorted. âWe know how excited you are. Pretty sure half your suitcase is just sex toys.â
âYou should always be prepared,â Ben said, unashamed.
âWait, you all brought extra shirts and sweatshirts I can use in the nest, right?â I asked, a jolt of anxiety going through me as I realized I hadnât been paying attention when Theo packed the car.
âYes, love, we brought a whole duffel bag full. Youâll have plenty to choose from,â Theo said.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to relax back into my seat. My alphas were here. They would take care of me.
As we got further into the mountains, the landscape shifted to taller pine trees. I was excited to return to the cabin, the place that had been a safe refuge for us right after everything happened.
Theoâs soothing playlist made my eyelids feel heavier and heavier until I was close to being lulled asleep. My alphasâ scents swirled heavily around me, mixing with my deepening vanilla until I felt something change⦠a shift in the bond.
It suddenly hit me as if a piece of my soul clicked into place.
Mates mates mates.
âOh my fucking god!â I shouted, my eyes flying open. Cam lunged forward, throwing his arm across my chest to shield me, and Theo cursed as he almost swerved off the road.
âWhat?â Cam shouted, searching out the window for the unknown threat.
âYouâre my mates!â
Confusion and panic pulsed through the bond. Cam was still looking around as if an enemy were about to jump out at any moment.
âI thought we covered this a while ago,â Ben said in a stage whisper.
âNo, like I knew we were mates, but I didnât know we were mates!â
âBaby girl, I think you just took ten years off my life,â Cam groaned, resting his head in his hands.
âIâm sorry! I didnât mean to freak you out. Angie said suppressants block omegas from being able to recognize mates until they fully leave your system, which takes a few months. It literally just clicked into place for me!â
I waited for my alphas to realize what I was saying, but they still looked a little shell-shocked by my outburst. I bounced in my seat, unable to contain my excitement. Iâd never felt this good, this sure about anything in my life.
âNo wonder you all were obsessed with me from the start. This feels so right! Like we belong together!â
Theoâs lips twitched as he glanced over at me. âYes, love, itâs like we belong together.â
Tears streamed down my face, and Ben made a distressed sound.
âWhatâs wrong, precious?â Ben asked, shoving Cam out of the way so he could wipe my tears.
âIâm just really happy. I canât believe we all found each other and that we fit together so perfectly. I never thought I would have this.â
Cam reached his hand forward so he could hold mine. âLove you, sweetheart.â
I took in another deep breath as my alphasâ scents drenched the air, sharper and stronger than before. It felt like their scents were completing a part of me I hadnât even known was missing.
I couldnât stop myself from leaning over to press my face into Theoâs neck, breathing in so deeply it made me dizzy. My mouth watered from his deep coffee scent, which now had chocolate notes to it.
âAngel, are you licking my neck?â Theo asked, hands tightening on the steering wheel.
Oops. I guessed I was. But I couldnât stop myself.
Cam reached forward and gently tried to push me back into my seat.
âNot safe, baby girl.â
I fought against his hold. I needed Theo, needed to get more of his scent.
âPull over,â Cam said, his voice sharp.
The car lurched as Theo pulled over onto the gravel shoulder. As soon as we were stopped, I pressed my face into his neck. I whimpered at how good he smelled, how perfect this felt.
âWow, I have to say, Iâm really impressed with how well we kept our shit together when we first scented you,â Ben said, his head popping up between the two front seats.
âMmm,â was all I could say in response. I was lost in a haze of lust.
âFuck, sheâs totally in heat,â Cam said, his voice strained.
I faintly registered his words, but my omega had taken over.
âNeed you,â I whispered to Theo, trying to pull down his pants. Tears of frustration welled when I couldnât get to his cock. Why were they trying to keep themselves hidden from me?
âBaby girl, listen to me,â Cam said, his stern tone only increasing my arousal. âWeâre ten minutes away. You need to get back in your seat so we can finish the drive. Then I promise weâll take care of you.â
âNo, now,â I commanded. A cramp wracked through my body, the pain cutting through the haze momentarily.
I realized I was straddling Theoâs lap.
âNeed my nest,â I said with a sob. Why had my alphas not provided a nest for me? Were we going to go through my heat in this car?
âNo, precious. We have a really nice nest waiting for you. Why donât you come back here and Iâll tell you all about it?â Ben coaxed, holding out his hand and pulling me into the backseat, sandwiching me between him and Cam.
âThatâs a good girl,â he said. âListening to your alphas. Thatâs going to earn you a reward.â
I moaned. I wanted my reward now. The car started moving again, and I tried to work the zipper on Benâs pants. Why werenât my mates naked?
Finally, I freed Benâs erection. I slipped off the seat until I was on my knees in front of him and shoved his cock into my mouth.
âFuck!â he gasped as I started to suck.
Relief washed through me as the taste of his precum hit my tongue. My hand snaked down the front of my pants as my fingers started frantically circling my clit.
âFuck me,â Theo said, his voice strained.
I wanted to, but he hadnât let me, so now I was going to enjoy my treat.
âDid she just call your dick a treat?â Cam asked with a chuckle. Oops, guess I said that out loud. He reached down and ran his hand through my hair, the touch soothing and arousing at the same time.
âYouâre doing such a good job, precious. Look at those sweet lips wrapped around me, taking me so deep,â Ben groaned. âSuch a good girl.â
I smiled around his cock and hummed my pleasure. My orgasm was quickly building, but I felt empty. Just playing with my clit wasnât enough.
âGoing to come,â Ben gasped. Cam shifted his hand to grip my hair, urging me to take Ben deeper.
Fuck, that was so hot.
A burst of slick drenched me as Ben came, but my orgasm still evaded me.
âKnot,â I whined, wrapping my hands around his swollen knot.
âNo knotting in the car!â Theo shouted.
My lip trembled and I whined. Why was he mad at me?
Cam pulled off my leggings and underwear and hauled me onto his lap so I was straddling him.
âTheoâs just jealous heâs not back here with you,â he murmured. âIâm going to take care of you, little omega. Stuff you full and make you cream on my fingers.â
I whimpered as he lifted me enough so he could slip two thick fingers into my core. It felt so good, but I needed more. Cam slipped another finger in, curving them so it hit my pleasure spot. I came with a cry, the pleasure shooting through me like lightning. It was over too quickly. Cam went to move his hand, but I seized his wrist, forcing him to stay right where he was.
The part of my mind that wasnât fully in the heat yet recognized that I didnât want to be knotted in the car⦠but that reasonable part of my mind was growing quieter, overpowered by my omega who wanted a knot now.
âWeâre here, thank fuck,â Theo announced.
We bounced onto the unpaved road, each movement grinding me against Camâs fingers. When we came to a stop, he slid his fingers out of me and put them in his mouth, sucking off my slick before grasping me behind the neck and pulling me in, pressing my forehead against his.
âYou ready for this, baby girl? Feeling good, not scared?â Cam asked.
He knew how I felt through the bond, but I loved that he still wanted to hear me say it.
âIâm ready. I love you and trust you,â I responded, pressing kisses down his face until I reached his lips. Cam released a growl that went straight to my clit, and he deepened the kiss, his tongue fucking my mouth.
Theo tore the door open with a curse. His pupils were dilated and his hair fell messily in his face.
âInside,â he bit out. I got out of the car and he immediately swung me into his arms. I giggled as he ran inside the cabin, Ben and Cam hot on our heels.