“How are you feeling, omega?” Dax asks, his voice rough. He’s still knotted inside her, will be for at least another fifteen minutes, but his hands are gentle as they stroke her hair back from her face.
“Good,” she mumbles, her eyes still closed. “So good. Full. Perfect.”
“Yeah?” He sounds pleased. “Not too much?”
“No.” She’s definitely purring now, her omega completely satisfied for the moment. “Just right.”
I force myself to move, to think past the haze of rut and themess in my hand. Sierra needs aftercare. Needs water and comfort and gentle touches while she’s knotted.
Needs her pack.
“I’ll get water,” I manage, my voice sounding like stones.
“I’ll get a warm cloth,” Malik adds. He’s already moving toward the bathroom, his movements careful like he doesn’t quite trust his legs.
Jalen stays close, one hand reaching out to stroke Sierra’s arm. “You did so well, sweetheart. Took Dax’s knot so perfectly. So proud of you.”
The praise makes Sierra’s purr intensify and even knotted and satisfied, I can scent fresh slick. Her heat isn’t done, not even close, but for now, she’s content.
I head to the kitchen, grateful for the brief respite from the overwhelming scent of the nest. I wash my hands first, getting rid of the evidence of my lack of self-control, before I grab bottles of water and some of the protein bars we’d set aside, then head back to the nest room.
The scene I return to makes my chest tight.
Dax is still knotted inside Sierra, but he’s shifted them so she’s practically lying on top of him, her head tucked under his chin. One of his hands is stroking her back in long, soothing motions while the other holds her hip, keeping them locked together. The dark, syrupy notes in his scent have softened, becoming almost sweet with satisfaction and protectiveness.
Malik is back too, carefully cleaning Sierra’s thighs with a warm cloth. His touch is gentle, taking care not to jostle where she and Dax are joined.
And Jalen is lying beside them, one hand playing with Sierra’s hair while he murmurs soft praise.
I set the water and snacks within easy reach and then settle on Sierra’s other side, mirroring Jalen’s position.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I say softly. “How you doing?”
Her eyes flutter open, and the smile she gives me is drowsy and satisfied. “Cole. Hi.”
“Hi yourself.” I can’t help but smile back. “You thirsty?”
She considers this, then nods. “Yeah. Yeah, I think I am.”
I grab a water bottle and help her drink, supporting her head since she’s still lying on Dax. She drains half the bottle before pulling back with a satisfied sigh.
“Better?” I ask.
“Better,” she confirms. Then, after a pause: “Did you...?”
She trails off, but I know what she’s asking. Heat floods my face.
“Yeah,” I admit. “I, uh. Couldn’t help it. Watching you was too hot.”
Instead of being embarrassed, Sierra looks pleased. “Really?”
“Really,” Jalen confirms from her other side. “We both did. You’re incredibly sexy when you come, Sierra. Watching Dax knot you was...” He trails off, shaking his head. “There aren’t words.”
“Intense,” Malik supplies. He’s finished cleaning her up and is now settling at the foot of the nest, his hand resting on her ankle. “Beautiful. Perfect.”
Sierra’s blush spreads down her chest, and her scent spikes with pleasure and embarrassment. “I don’t know about perfect.”
“We do,” Dax says firmly. His arms tighten around her. “You were perfect, omega. Are perfect.”
