Mason lifts his hands to the hem of my shirt, eyes asking permission. I nod, and he removes my shirt to reveal the healed bite on my shoulder –hisbite.
“Before,” he says softly, “this mark was a mistake made in instinct.” His thumb traces over the faded indentation. “If you allow it…today it becomes a promise.”
My throat closes around a sob.
“I want that,” I breathe. “I want all of you.”
Alex smiles like he’s been waiting years to hear those words.
Desmond bows his head in relief.
Mason leans close until his forehead touches mine. “Then let us mark you. Together.”
My pulse skips.
“Here,” he says, touching the other shoulder.
“And here,” Alex murmurs, touching my throat.
“And here,” Desmond whispers, touching the inside of my wrist.
“I want all three,” I say.
The bond flares, warm, bright, whole, and I feel every ounce of their love.
Mason marks me first.
The bite is gentle, nothing like the frenzied mark during my heat. His teeth press barely enough to break the skin, his lips covering the sting with warmth. Heat flares through the bond, deep, grounding.
Alex marks me next.
He presses his canines to the side of my throat, over my pulse, not piercing too deeply, only enough for my scent to mingle with his. My breath trembles as the world goes soft around the edges.
Finally, Desmond lifts my wrist to his mouth.
His teeth graze my skin, then sink in lightly, reverently, his tongue and lips soothing the mark and starting the healing process. A ripple of comfort blooms through me, sinking into my bones. Finally. I finally carry my beautiful, sweet alpha’s bite.
When they pull back, I’m marked three times, claimed not by accident, not by rut, not by desperation.
They claimed me out of sheer love. For me. For the family we’re building together.
My vision blurs as they climb onto the bed, surrounding me, one behind me, one at my side, one stretched along my legs. Their hands cradle my belly, overlapping, anchoring.
Mason whispers, “Hudson Anders.”
I choke on a soft laugh, tears sliding freely down my cheeks. “Yeah,” I breathe. “Omega Anders.”
Desmond kisses my temple.
Alex kisses my shoulder.
Mason softly presses his lips to my belly.
For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m home.
Completely, irrevocably, beautifully home.
EPILOGUE
