I want to learn all of his multitudes.
“I want to mark you,” I say softly.
Eli chuckles as he switches to my other foot. I watch Walker closely, judging whether or not that’s something he might enjoy.
Omegas marking their Alphas back isn’t always a thing that is done. Some Alphas don’t want to be marked like that, and I’d respect that perspective if that’s the one Walker lives with.
But when he grins, I know I’m about to get my wish.
“Where do you want to mark me, beautiful?”
I shrug. “Wherever you’d like.”
Walker puts the plate of food down and shifts a bit closer to me. “What about… here?”
He points to the same scent gland he marked on me. His right one. Matching mating marks.
Tears crest my eyes as I nod and lean in. Knox’s arm bands around me, helping me to stay steady as Eli removes his handsfrom my foot so I can shift. Walker smooths my hair away from my face as my teeth begin pulsing again, like they know what’s coming.
I sink them into Walker’s scent gland as his scent of grapes aging in oak barrels spurts down the back of my throat.
“Mmmm,” I hum as the tang of his blood hits the tips of my teeth.
“Fuck, beautiful,” he says, his voice ragged with need. “Just like that.”
The bite turns to soft licks as I try to soothe the angry red spot I’ve just created. He rewards me with more of his scent, and I nuzzle my face against it once it’s done bleeding.
I know my bites aren’t as deep as theirs. They probably won’t scar as much, either.
But knowing they’re there is enough for me.
“Mine,” I whisper softly as I finally pull back from the crook of his neck.
He grips my chin and places a slice of apple against my lips. “Yours. Now, eat. If you can keep the fruit down, I’ll make you some scrambled eggs.”
I smile softly at him as I take the apple slice from his fingertips.
By the time the fruit plate is empty, exhaustion is already tugging at me again. It’s different, though. Heavy in a good way, not like I’m being dropped to the bottom of the ocean with cement attached to my feet. It feels quiet and safe.
But I have one more Alpha I want to mark as mine before sleep overcomes me again.
“All right,” Knox says as he readjusts my pillows so I can lean back a bit. “How’s that?”
I shift a little bit, sinking deeper into the softness. “Thank you, Knox. I really appreciate that.”
He takes my hand and links our fingers. “Anything for you, Lia. I hope you know that.”
I look over at him. The Alpha that’s wanted nothing but a family his entire life. The Alpha that took me to watch the sunset over Honeysuckle Grove and the Alpha who never once made my emotions feel as if they were invalid or wrong.
The Alpha who always has a smile for me. The Alpha who always has a plan brewing in that head of his, whether we execute said plan or not.
“Knox?” I ask.
“Yeah?”
“Will you let me mark you, too?”
He searches my face for a long time, and for a moment, I think he’s going to turn me down.
