I touch Mason’s son first. “This one…Rowan.”
Mason’s breath catches. “Rowan Anders.” He says it like he’s memorizing every syllable.
I turn to Desmond’s arms next. “And this one…Luca.”
Desmond closes his eyes for a long moment. “Luca Anders,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to his son’s forehead.
“And she…” My voice breaks. “She’s Ivy.”
Alex smiles with such unrestrained joy that it’s nearly my undoing. I’m struggling to hold in my emotions and these three – these six? – are effectively pulling as many tears from me as possible.
“Ivy Anders.” Alex kisses the top of her tiny head. “Our little vine.”
Mason’s laugh is soft. “Better than your first suggestion.”
Alex scowls playfully. “Magnolia was a perfectly respectable name.”
“For a ninety-year-old Southern belle,” Mason deadpans.
I laugh through the tears. I’m exhausted, wrung out, but somehow overflowing with happiness.
All three alphas ease closer until their bodies form a warm, protective circle around me. Rowan sleeps soundly against Mason’s chest. Luca stirs and makes a tiny squeaking sound that sends Desmond into an emotional meltdown. And Ivy stretches her miniature fingers against Alex’s collarbone, already claiming him.
My heart expands painfully.
I inhale their scents – smoke, peppermint and whipped cream, and chocolate hazelnut – and feel the bond adjust itself, reshaping, expanding, settling over the four of us like a blanket woven from love and devotion.
“I love you,” I say before I can think to pull it back.
Alex leans closer and nuzzles his cheek to mine.
Ivy fusses at the movement, soft whimpers breaking the quiet.
“Here,” Mason says, shifting Rowan carefully into my arms.
The moment that tiny, warm weight settles against my chest, everything inside me shifts.
Ivy peeks her eyes open at the sound. Luca hiccups. And it hits me – all of it – the enormity, the miracle, the life I never thought I’d want.
I look up at my alphas.
My mates.
My home.
“We’re a pack,” I whisper.
Alex strokes my hair. “We always were. We just needed you to make us complete.”
The five of us stay curled together on the pack bed as the sun rises, painting the room gold. The babies sleep against our chests. My alphas hold me like I’m something precious.
And for the first time in my life, I feel whole.
Loved.
Claimed.
Forever.
