"That's normal," Grayson confirms. "Bonding satisfies something deeper than just heat."
"Is my heat breaking?" She sounds almost disappointed.
"Probably." River strokes her hair. "You'll likely sleep for several hours, and when you wake up, the desperate edge should be gone. You'll still be in heat for another day or so, but it'll be manageable."
"So I still get to sleep with all of you?" The hopeful note in her voice makes all three of us laugh.
"Yes," I assure her. "Heat or no heat, you're stuck with us now."
My knot starts to deflate, and the feeling of slipping free makes both of us wince. Immediately, Grayson's there with the warm cloth, cleaning her gently while River helps me shift to the side.
"How do you feel?" River asks me seriously. "First time is intense. First bonding is even more so."
He doesn't say "first time having sex ever" but we all know that's what he means.
"Overwhelmed," I admit. "Scared I messed up. But also—" I look at Bea, curled against me with my bite mark visible on her throat. "—happy. Really, really happy."
"Good." Grayson's hand on my shoulder, grounding. "Because you did great. She's satisfied, safe, and bonded. That's everything that matters."
"For your first time with anyone, ever." River adds quietly. "You were incredible, Seth. Instincts took over exactly like they were supposed to."
"She never would have known you were nervous," Grayson confirms. "You took care of her perfectly."
The praise makes my chest warm. They're not judging me. Not making me feel pathetic for being a twenty-seven-year-old now ex-virgin. They're just... supportive. Like pack should be.
Bea's already falling asleep, the combination of satisfaction and bonding and exhaustion pulling her under. I start purring automatically, the deep rumble designed to soothe and comfort.
"We should talk," River says quietly. "About the bonding."
"Later," Grayson decides. "Let them rest. We can figure out logistics when she's out of heat."
"I didn't mean to bond her without talking to you guys first," I say, guilt creeping in. "I know we're all supposed to decide together?—"
"Seth." River's voice is firm but kind. "Stop. You bonded her because she asked you to. Because she needed it. We're not upset."
"We're happy for you," Grayson adds. "Both of you. Now get some sleep. You're going to need your energy when she wakes up."
Right. Heat might be breaking, but it's not over yet. She'll need us again before this is through.
But for now, she's safe and satisfied andmine. Ours. Our bonded omega, sleeping peacefully in our nest, surrounded by pack.
I press my face into her hair, breathing in her scent—cinnamon-apple mixed with my cedar and rain now, permanently altered by our bond.
"I love you," I whisper, knowing she can probably feel it through the bond even in sleep.
And through that connection, I feel her response. Her love.
Everything else—the fear, the uncertainty, the worry about whether I did it right—fades away. Because at the end of the day, this is what matters.
She's ours. We're hers. We're pack.
And that's everything.
Chapter 25
Bea
Iwake up to the overwhelming sensation ofhim.
