Chapter Twenty Five.

The morning sunlight crept through the sheer curtains, casting golden patterns across my bedroom walls. I stretched beneath the covers, a slow smile spreading across my face as I remembered what day it was—Saturday. Tonight, I’d be staying at the pack house again.

Even though I’d stayed over before, tonight felt different. The bond I shared with Theo, Elias, Micah, and Callum had deepened in ways I hadn’t expected. Each of them had a piece of my heart now, and the thought of spending the night in their world again filled me with nervous excitement.

I glanced over at my bedside table, where a jar of wildflowers and daisies from Micah stood proudly, filling the room with their soft scent. The delicate emerald bracelet Elias had given me rested beside it, a reminder of his steady presence and Callum and Theo's gifts sitting in their boxes on the other side, making me smile.

I sighed, pulling myself out of bed. The day ahead was mine to fill, but my thoughts remained fixed on the evening.

~~~

By the time I arrived at the pack house, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The familiar structure loomed before me, its warm light spilling through the windows. My heart thudded in my chest as I approached the door.

Before I could knock, it swung open to reveal Callum, his cobalt blue eyes sparkling with mischief. His dark brown hair was slightly tousled, and his grin was as confident as ever.

“Well, well, look who finally made it,” he teased, leaning casually against the doorframe.

I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips. “Don’t act like you weren’t counting down the minutes.”

“Guilty,” he admitted with a wink before stepping aside.

As I walked in, Theo appeared from the kitchen, his salted caramel scent wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. His brown eyes softened when they met mine, and he strode forward, pulling me into his arms without hesitation.

“You’re here,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple.

“Of course I’m here,” I said, leaning into his warmth.

Elias appeared next, his whiskey-and-cedar scent announcing him before I even saw his face. He stood in the hallway, his broad frame leaning against the wall, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

“Welcome back, Ivy,” he said, his voice smooth and reassuring.

Micah’s lavender scent drifted toward me as he emerged from the living room, his smile soft and inviting. “Come see what I did,” he said, his excitement evident as he took my hand.

Micah led me to his room, and when I stepped inside, my breath caught. The nest had been transformed—layers of soft, silky fabrics in shades of cream and pale green covered the bed, fairy lights twinkled overhead, and heart-shaped plants were arranged in the corners, their delicate vines trailing down the walls.

“Micah…” I whispered, taking it all in.

“You like it?” he asked, his lavender scent growing stronger as he hovered behind me.

“I love it,” I said sincerely, turning to face him.

Before I could say more, Theo’s commanding presence filled the room. “Micah, you’re spoiling her,” he said with a smirk, though his tone held no real bite.

“She deserves it,” Micah shot back, his grin widening.

Elias stepped into the room, his steady gaze locking onto mine. “He’s right. You do,” he said simply.

Callum leaned against the doorframe, his cobalt eyes twinkling with humor. “So, are we going to stand around all night, or are we going to make her feel at home?”

I laughed, the sound easing the tension in my chest. As the four of them surrounded me, their scents mingling in the air, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time—complete.

“Welcome home, Omega,” Theo said, his voice a low rumble that sent warmth flooding through me.

I smiled, my heart full. “I’m glad to be here.”

~~~

The evening unfolded with a cozy intimacy that I was quickly growing to love. Callum took charge in the kitchen, his confident voice carrying as he rattled off what he was preparing.

“Nothing too fancy tonight,” he said, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk. “Roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and sautéed green beans. Simple but delicious.”

“You’re spoiling me already,” I teased, leaning against the counter.

“Hey, if I’m cooking, you’d better appreciate it,” he shot back, winking.

The scent of roasted garlic and fresh herbs filled the house, blending faintly with the comforting undertones of salted caramel, lavender, and whiskey that always lingered around the pack house. It was intoxicating in the best way.

Micah, who’d been hovering near the doorway, moved closer to me. His lavender scent enveloped me, soft and grounding. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“You’ve been on your feet all day,” he murmured. “Sit down, Ivy.”

I tilted my head to meet his warm gaze. “Micah, I’m fine.”

“Nope,” he said with a determined smile, guiding me toward the couch. “You’re relaxing, and that’s final.”

As soon as I was seated, Micah flopped down beside me, pulling me into his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. My cheeks burned as I glanced toward the kitchen, where Theo and Elias were helping Callum set the table.

“You’re impossible,” I said, trying to sound exasperated.

Micah just grinned, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You love it,” he said softly, his lavender scent growing stronger as he held me close.

And he was right—I did.

Dinner was a lively affair, filled with banter and laughter. Callum kept the mood light, teasing Theo about his overly serious demeanor and poking fun at Elias for his stoic front.

“You know,” Callum said, pointing his fork at me, “I think Ivy’s secretly the glue holding us all together.”

“I think you’re right,” Elias agreed, his whiskey-and-cedar scent calming and steady. He reached across the table, his hand brushing mine briefly. “She’s brought something we didn’t even know we were missing.”

I ducked my head, my cheeks flushing. “You’re all making me sound a lot more important than I am.”

“You are important,” Theo said, his brown eyes locking onto mine. “To all of us.”

The sincerity in his voice made my heart ache in the best way.

After dinner, we all gathered in the living room. Micah, true to form, wasted no time pulling me onto the couch with him. His hands were gentle but firm as he tucked me against his chest, his lavender-and-bread scent wrapping around me like a cocoon.

“You’re clingy tonight,” I teased, though I made no move to pull away.

“Can’t help it,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. “You make me feel settled.”

Callum stretched out on the floor with a satisfied groan, his cobalt eyes gleaming with amusement. “Micah’s just mad he has to share you,” he said, smirking.

“Shut up,” Micah shot back, though his tone was playful.

“You’re not wrong,” Theo said, his deep voice sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. He was leaning against the armrest, his gaze fixed on me. "Our Micahs spoilt that way"

Elias, who was perched in the chair closest to me, chuckled softly. “ Well, I happen to think it makes everything more meaningful.”

Micah pressed his nose into my hair, his hold tightening ever so slightly. “Still doesn’t mean I like it.”

I tilted my head to meet his gaze, my heart swelling at the vulnerability in his eyes. “You’re not losing me, Micah. None of you are.”

His lips curved into a small smile, his lavender scent calming even further. “I know,” he whispered. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t hold onto you every chance I get.”

And I let him, sinking into Micah’s embrace. His hands held me close, one resting on the small of my back, the other slipping beneath my shirt to settle against the warm skin of my stomach. His touch sent heat coursing through me, and I could feel the way his body tensed beneath mine, his restlessness clear in every small movement.

I was hyper-aware of Theo and Elias moving closer, their scents of salted caramel and whiskey intensifying in the air.

“You both are perfuming like crazy,” Theo growled, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. He reached out, wrapping his fingers in my hair with gentle but possessive intent. His brown eyes glinted with amusement, though his jaw was tight. “I think one of my Omegas is desperate for the other, hmm?”

Micah’s cheeks flushed a soft pink as Elias leaned in, his cedar and whiskey scent surrounding us like a calming balm. He stroked Micah’s face tenderly, his thumb brushing across his cheek with deliberate care. A deep, soothing rumble escaped Elias’s throat, clearly meant to draw the attention of his needy Omega.

Micah whimpered softly, torn between the comfort of Elias’s touch and the undeniable pull he felt toward me. His hands tightened their hold on me, his lavender-and-bread scent growing richer, more intoxicating.

And then there was Callum, always the unpredictable one. Slowly, he crawled up between us, his cobalt eyes sparkling with mischief as his lips curled into a sly grin.

“You’re all wound so tight tonight,” he teased, his voice playful but edged with something deeper. He reached out, his hand stroking my jean-clad leg with purpose, the warmth of his palm seeping through the fabric.

I gasped softly, my body reacting to the unexpected yet gentle touch. “Callum,” I murmured, unsure whether it was a protest or an invitation.

“What?” he asked, his grin widening. “I’m just here to help. Looks like things are heating up, and I’d hate to miss out on the fun.”

Theo chuckled darkly, his fingers tightening slightly in my hair. “You’re always stirring the pot, Callum.”

“Someone’s gotta keep things interesting,” Callum shot back, leaning closer, his breath brushing against my knee.

Elias’s hand slid down Micah’s arm, grounding him as he continued his gentle stroking. “Focus, Micah,” Elias murmured, his voice low and steady. “We’re all here, and no one’s going anywhere.”

Micah exhaled shakily, his grip on me loosening slightly as he turned his attention to Elias, their bond clear in the way their gazes locked.

The air buzzed with energy, the dynamic between us shifting and pulling in a way that felt both overwhelming and thrilling. I could feel the weight of their attention on me, each of them offering something different but equally vital.

"Maybe we should take this to the nest." I barely get the whispered suggestion our before someone, Theo it would seem.  Has ripped me out of Micahs arms and is moving faster, Than humanly possible in the direction of the nest.