Tessa
Iwake up to purring.
Three different pitches, three different rhythms, rumbling through me from every direction. Ben against my back, vibrating like a space heater set to maximum. Milo’s chest against my arm, his purr a low, steady hum. Elijah’s face buried in my hair, his purr the deepest of all, thrumming against my scalp.
I’ve never felt so safe in my life.
Morning light filters through the windows, turning everything golden. My body aches in places I didn’t know could ache, and my throat is tender where three sets of teeth broke skin.
I’ve never been more satisfied.
The scent of three alphas wraps around me like a blanket. Leather and musk from Ben, warm and masculine. Dark chocolate and amber from Milo, rich and inviting. Cedarwood and honey from Elijah, grounding and sweet. And underneath it all, something new—all of us combined into a scent that’s purely pack.
Ours.
I reach up to touch the marks on my throat, feeling the raised skin where each alpha claimed me. Milo on the left, the first tobond me. Ben on the right, his mark slightly newer. Elijah at the back of my neck, completing the set.
Three claiming bites. One omega. One pack.
Through the bonds, I feel them.
Ben is mostly asleep, his emotions slow and golden, radiating contentment like sunlight. His love for me pulses steady and sure, uncomplicated in a way that makes my chest ache.
Milo is more awake. Has been for a while, I think, based on the restless energy humming through the bond. The caretaker in him never rests. I feel his quiet alertness, his need to make sure everyone is okay.
Elijah sleeps deepest of all. His usual intensity has softened into something peaceful, his emotions quiet and certain. Even unconscious, his love feels like bedrock. Like the furniture he builds—solid, lasting, made to withstand anything.
Tears prick my eyes. Happy tears. Overwhelmed tears.
I spent so long being afraid of this. Afraid of needing people. Afraid of letting anyone in. I told myself I was fine on my own, that wanting a pack was weakness, that I didn’t need anyone to complete me.
I was so wrong.
“You’re leaking feelings everywhere.” Milo’s voice is rough with sleep. “Very loud for...” He squints at the window. “Jesus. Seven in the morning.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He props himself up on one elbow, his smile soft and sleep-rumpled. “I like feeling you. Like having you in my head.” He taps his temple. “Even when you’re emotional at unreasonable hours.”
“Seven isn’t unreasonable.”
“It is when we were up until three.” His grin turns wicked. “And I distinctly remember someone begging for ‘more’ and ‘harder’ and ‘please don’t stop’...”
I smack his chest. Through the bond, I feel his amusement, warm and teasing.
“What’s happening?” Ben’s voice is groggy against my shoulder. “Someone say breakfast?”
“No one said breakfast.”
“Someone should. I’m starving.” He presses a kiss to the right side of my throat, right over his mark. “Claiming works up an appetite.”
His purring intensifies, and I feel myself melting back against him. The vibration travels through my whole body, making everything feel soft and warm.
“Mm,” I manage. “That’s not fair.”
“What’s not fair?”
“The purring. It’s like... a cheat code.”
