“I've had enough time to think about it." Lucy’s tone was decisive.
Asher dropped his cigarette, crushing it beneath his boot as he stepped forward. Without smoking to comfort him, his hands trembled slightly. "After everything... after how we treated you at first..."
"I haven't forgotten," Lucy said softly. "But I also haven't forgotten what happened after.”
Her eyes stayed locked on Asher. “How you showed me what real warmth felt like.” Lucy’s gaze shifted over to Nitro. “How you spent hours making me something incredibly special.” Next,her emerald gaze landed on Kane. “How you tried patiently to teach me about cars.” She smiled, turning her head to catch Fallon staring at her. “How you read me to sleep.” Lastly, Lucy’s eyes found Xander’s face. “How you were honest with me.Reallyhonest.”
Nitro, who was gripping his knife so tightly his knuckles had whitened, let out a staggered breath. He dropped the blade, letting it clatter to the floor. That surprised everyone. Nitro never mistreated his knives. His expression strained, he moved toward Lucy quickly, stopping just short of touching her.
"You're sure?" he asked, his hazel eyes searching her face for any sign of doubt or hesitation.
Lucy's laugh was like wind chimes. "Would I be standing here in my pajamas if I wasn't? It’s ridiculously late and I’m ridiculously cold."
The lingering tension broke. The Alphas relaxed simultaneously, their faces transforming into expressions ranging from disbelief to ecstasy.
Kane was the first to touch her, his calloused fingers brushing against her cheek. "Lucy," he whispered.
She leaned into his touch, and that small gesture of acceptance was all the invitation the others needed. They moved closer to her—five planets more than willing to orbit around her eternal sunshine.
As the men touched her anywhere that they could, Lucy found herself at the center of a brand-new universe.
The chillstill clung to Lucy’s skin, but the roaring fire in the hearth was chasing it away bit by bit. She leaned back against Asher’s strong chest, the steady beat of his heart grounding her. With her legs perched atop Kane’s strong thighs, she was as comfortable as she could ever imagine being. She inhaled deeply.So, this is what home smells like,she thought. Woodsmoke. Leather. Greenery. Fuel. And the brightness of her own Omega scent.
Her gaze traveled down to where Xander and Fallon sat on the floor, their backs pressed into the sofa, so close that she could reach out and touch them easily. Which, she did, running her fingers through first Xander’s hair, then Fallon’s. They each leaned into her touch.
Nitro leaned against the mantel, his eyes glinting with mischief as he flicked one of his throwing blades expertly. "I’ve got the perfect DemonX name for you, Lucy.” There was a note of amusement threading through his voice. As he flicked his knife upward again, he grinned widely and said, “Venom.”
Asher chuckled, the low sound vibrating through Lucy and settling her deeper into the comfort of his embrace.
"Venom?" She raised an eyebrow, the playful tilt of her lips revealing her curiosity. Ever since leaving the garage, she’d felt filled to bursting with a bubbling warmth.
Nitro, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face, frowned as he tapped the tip of his blade against his forehead. "Dumb idea, I guess. Just thought since that treatment that cured you used snake venom it would…" His voice trailed off, self-consciousness creeping into his demeanor as he shrugged, momentarily retreating into himself.
Lucy had forgotten so many details already, as if the excruciating experimental treatment that saved her was a fever dream. She’d never even thought about reading all themedical files Eros sent her Alphas. That not-so-distant past was something she didn’t care to revisit.
"I love it," Lucy breathed out, her face lighting up nearly as bright as the flames dancing in the fireplace. “It’s perfect, Nitro.”
The flicker of pride in Nitro’s eyes at her compliment sent warmth flooding through her chest.
"You need a motorcycle too," he exclaimed, his infectious enthusiasm returning in full force.
Lucy laughed, tilting her head back against Asher’s chest, letting the sound escape her freely. "Me? On a motorcycle? I can’t even drive that fancy car you guys bought."
"We’ll all teach you to ride," Xander chimed in, reaching back to curl his hand over her thigh, his touch casual yet possessive. When he pulled his fingers away, Lucy’s skin tingled.
"You’ll be standing on the back of a bike shooting arrows in no time," Fallon added, his voice laced with playful bravado.
Lucy shook her head, laughter still spilling from her as she met each of their expectant gazes. "Definitely. I'll master that at the same time I master how to rebuild a transmission."
Kane cupped his hands over both her knees and squeezed gently. When he looked at Lucy’s face, he knew exactly what to say. "You rebuilt this pack, Lucy. Pretty damn sure you can master anything you put your mind to."
The atmosphere around Lucy and the Alphas heated, and it had nothing to do with the blazing fire. Lucy's heart fluttered in her chest, Kane's words seeping into the shadowy places of herself that still lived in hospitals, always viewing the world through barriers.
The men wanted Lucy desperately in that moment, but they controlled themselves. The six “newly committed to one another” souls passed the next hour talking about anything and everything that came to mind. Then Lucy closed her eyes, lettingso many different emotions rush through her. The five Alphas around her simply watched, mesmerized by her very existence.
Slowly, sleep began to claim her. She felt so safe, surrounded by strong bodies. For the first time in many, many years, she let herself drift off without worries.
60
