I groan, that hunger under my skin spiking to another level. I twitch as his hands squeeze my waist, his lips capturing myearlobe between his teeth. It feels so amazing, I can feel myself getting moist, and I take an abrupt step back. “Wait.”
His hands are instantly off me, his eyes wide. “Did I do something wrong?”
My heart squeezes, but it’s my panties that are in danger right now. “No, it’s just... I’m feeling a little sweeter than usual. Ellis, I think I’m going into heat.”
If I thought I was feeling flushed, my announcement sets a fire under Ellis that is almost amusing to watch. He’s been running around for ten minutes, torn between kissing me senseless, and spiraling into panic.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he pants as he drags the bulging saddlebag inside, his eyes glazed as he looks around the reception room. “This is not how I wanted this to happen.”
I smirk as I lean back against the edge of the meeting table. It feels sturdy, which might come in handy later. “You wanted rose petals and chocolate cake?”
“Yes!” he squawks, plucking a piece of hay off his shirt in disgust. “And a bubble bath, silk sheets, and a room that doesn’t have a cowhide rug on the floor.”
I run the toe of my boot over the offending rug, biting back a smile. “Calm down, Ellis. It’s a heat, not childbirth.”
That just makes his eyes bulge, so I take the saddlebag from him and start placing the containers on the table, since we’re probably going to have an appetite in a few hours.
“Do you need to get home to Knotty Falls?” Ellis’ voice has dropped a few octaves as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “If you want to be back on the farm for this, we’ll make it happen, no matter what.”
I pluck a chocolate-covered strawberry from one of the containers and shake my head. “I never spent my heats there. Itdidn’t feel right, with Leo so close, and Rosie just trying to hold things together.”
“Thank fuck.” I look at him in surprise, but he’s marching towards the door. “Otley’s here.”
I raise my brows, even as my stomach clenches in anticipation. “You called reinforcements?”
He snorts but pulls the door open and gestures me to his side. “That, and a change of venue.”
I stop abruptly, staring at the shiny beast now parked on the doorstep. It’s hitched to a luxury truck, but I barely give it a glance as I stare at the trailer. “That looks like the Airstream that was featured inOmega Fair.”
When I found out that my favorite magazine was collaborating with Airstream to produce custom trailers - built specifically for omegas - I actually clipped out the article and kept it in my nightstand.
“It is, with a few extra tweaks,” Otley tells me, climbing out of the truck and beckoning me over. He has a set of keys in his hand, but I just stare at him dumbly. “If you want us to drive it back to Willow Lake, we can,” he says quietly, pushing his glasses up his nose. “But the truck and trailer are already in your name.”
I stare down at the key fob, my throat catching as I run a thumb over the lily engraving. “I can’t accept this, Otley. I’d feel bad even borrowing something as nice as this.”
I cringe as I think about the old trailer, and how the scent of my heat never seems to fade, even with the liberal use of bleach and Febreze.
“I opened an account for you,” he replies, looking down at me with somber eyes. “Straight after that weekend we spent together. Every year, I used it for investments, always topping it up with the dividends. There's more than enough in the account to pay for an RV, Lily.”
I stare at him, dumbstruck. “But why?”
He shakes his head, like the answer is obvious. “Because it was the only way I could feel like I was taking care of you.”
I’m still staring at him when Ellis gently nudges my shoulder. “Just so you know, this Airstream version comes with a couple of special add-ons.”
I blink at him, but he’s already walking over to open the door, and a startled cry leaves my lips as Tristan tumbles out, closely followed by a scowling Logan. “Who are you calling an add-on, jerkface?” he growls as he stomps past Ellis to sweep me into his arms. He doesn’t seem to mind that Tristan is already hugging me, a hungry rumble vibrating in Logan’s throat as he breathes me in. “Damn, but I didn’t think you could smell any more irresistible, LeeLee.”
I cling to him, my mouth moving from his lips to Tristan’s and back again. The combination of fresh mint and smoky amber – not to mention the delicious slide of their hungry tongues – is enough to coat my thighs in slick. I only break away when I remember that there are two other guys watching us, their pheromones like a seductive mist in the air. “I can’t believe you’re all here,” I pant, leaning into Logan while I weave my fingers through Tristan’s hair. “And I really can’t believe you bought me an Airstream!”
“I was planning to park it on the other side of Willow Lake, but…” He shrugs, but I can see the intensity in his gaze. “If you don’t like the view…”
“Of course I like the view!” I wave a trembling hand towards the riverbank. “Who wouldn’t like the view?”
Logan snorts and buries his face in my hair. “He meansus, LeeLee. Well,them, since you know I’m definitely gonna be in your nest for this heat.”
I bite my lip, looking from the guys to the trailer. All those years I spent on my own, making the best of a heat with justtoys and desperation for company, suddenly flood back to me, and I can’t quite swallow the whimper that’s rising in my throat. Logan growls at the sound, while Tristan clutches me tighter, but I keep my gaze on the other two alphas. “I love the trailer,” I tell Otley, before looking at Ellis. “And I love this little slice of your world more than anything. But if I get to pick the view, it’s all of you, back in the pack nest.”
To my relief, Otley and Ellis stride towards me, and I’m grateful their arms are long enough to pull me close without dislodging the other guys from my embrace. As I breathe them all in, I suddenly realize why a puppy pile is such a well-used trope in pack romance. And I want more of that.
