As his hand pulls back, his knuckles graze my cheek, and I can’t help scent-marking him too. My omega is desperate to make all of them ours. Gage’s cocky little smile tells me he has an inkling of exactly what I’m thinking.
I take a deep breath and start with the most pressing issue first. “My heat is coming up soon,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Every alpha’s purr stutters. Every body seems to freeze in place. For one wild heartbeat, time stands still.
Then they’re all moving around me. Rafe and Corbin cage me between their broad chests. Eli leans over Rafe, running a soothing hand through my hair. Gage and Zeke both move further up my middle.
“Would,” I start, “would you want—”
“Yes!” Zeke says before I can finish. A small giggle escapes me. “That's the answer, right?” Zeke looks around at the others.
“Jesus, Zeke. Remember that chill we talked about?” Gage asks, bumping his shoulder.
“If you were going to ask us to stay for your heat, Sweetheart,” Corbin says, and I nod, “then I don’t think there’s an alpha in this nest who would say no to you.”
My heart feels like it might crush my chest.
“Okay,” I manage.
“Okay,” Rafe echoes, leaning in to press a kiss to my lips. Eli follows, his mouth grazing my forehead.
“In that case, though, we need to talk about the nest,” Gage begins.
I stiffen, my heart dropping again. My nest definitely isn’t ideal. I knew they couldn’t like it. I—
“Winnie.” Corbin’s soft bark pulls me out of my spiral. From the way they’re all looking at me, it’s not the first time he’s said my name. Gage looks absolutely abashed.
“Princess, that’s not what I meant,” he assures me, leaning up on his elbows to hover over my torso. “Your nest is lovely. It’s cozy and warm and perfect for you. I’m just worried that with such a small space, we can’t tend to all your needs here. And you deserve a dedicated space.”
What he’s saying makes sense, even if it still makes my chest ache.
“It’s kind of all there is, though. I don’t think the hotel has heat facilities,” I point out, since that’s where they’re still staying.
Corbin shifts beside us. His pale blue eyes meet mine. “My cabin has a nest space,” he says, like it’s a simple fact. I hold my breath. “It came with it. I wasn’t looking for it at the time. There are several extra bedrooms. Enough for the pack.”
The statement hangs there, still not quite a question.
“Is that a damn invite or what?” Eli gruffs, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up.
Corbin groans and buries his face in my neck, kissing along the column of my throat. “Yes, it’s a damn invitation. Mostly for my mate, but I suppose for the rest of you fuckfaces too.”
My mind catches on the words my mate. I love those words. I love hearing them from Corbin’s mouth. My perfume rises in the small space, and I feel five alphas snap to attention. Rafe’s hand glides down my side and over my hip. Zeke slides kisses up my leg. Corbin’s fingers find my chin and tip my face up to meet his.
His scar stands out starkly against his skin in the early morning light, making him look both dangerous and sexy.
“You like when I call you my mate, Sweetheart?” he asks, his lips brushing my jawline.
As he nibbles and nips, I struggle to breathe.
“Yes,” I manage through gasps. Zeke has reached the apex of my thighs.
Then my phone buzzes.
I’m primed to ignore it, but the name on the screen makes me pause. Rose. I glance at the clock. It’s six thirty in the morning. Rose is known for never getting up before noon if she can help it.
“Wait,” I say, and every alpha immediately pulls back.
I reach over Corbin’s shoulder and grab the still-buzzing phone. “Sorry,” I tell the room before answering. Every alpha’s attention stays locked on me.
