Page 1 of Rescued by Four Alphas (Claimed by the Four Alphas #2)

" F our babies?" Emily nearly spits out her tea, her eyes wide as dinner plates. "You're having four actual babies at once?"

I laugh at her reaction and rub my barely showing belly.

"The ultrasound confirmed it last week. Four separate heartbeats." I take a sip of my herbal tea, as I've given up caffeine. "The doctor said it's unprecedented in medical literature. Multiple births happen with Omegas, but four is... exceptional."

Emily shakes her head in disbelief. "And they're all... I mean, how does that even work with the DNA? Are they from different fathers?"

"That's what makes this so fascinating from a scientific perspective." I lean forward. "Each baby shows markers from all four Alphas, but in different combinations and concentrations. It's like their DNA merged and redistributed across all four embryos."

"So, they're all the biological children of all four men? That's wild." Emily sets down her teacup. "And how are the proud papas handling the news?"

"They've built spreadsheets for everything from feeding schedules to college funds, bought every baby safety product on the market, and even started carving wooden cribs..." I pause, smiling at the memory.

Emily grins.

"That's adorable and totally on brand for each of them." She glances around my office, taking in the framed scientific journals featuring my research, the comfortable couch where I sometimes nap, and the multiple exits I insisted on during renovations.

"So, this is your life now, huh? Dr. Dahlia Baldwin, world-famous geneticist, is pregnant with quadruplets from her four Alpha mates. You couldn't make this shit up."

"Trust me, I still wake up some mornings and think I dreamed the whole thing." I adjust my position on the couch, my back already protesting despite my small bump. "Three months ago, I was just a scientist who lived for her lab work. Now I'm an Omega with four mates and four babies on the way."

"And you found the cure for the Crimson Plague," Emily adds. "Don't forget that minor accomplishment."

"Oh, that old thing?" I wave my hand dismissively, and we both burst into laughter.

Emily leans back, crosses her legs, and gives me a mischievous look.

"So... how exactly does this work? The whole four-mates situation? Do you have some sort of rotation system, or is it just a free-for-all?"

"We tried the free-for-all approach at first." I turn my head and try to hide my smile at the memory. "It was... intense. But not sustainable. We needed structure."

"So, you made a sex schedule?" Emily waggles her eyebrows. "That's so you."

"Not just sex!" I protest, though she's not entirely wrong. "We have a weekly rotation for one-on-one time. Each Alpha gets a dedicated date night where we focus just on our specific bond."

"And the other nights?"

"We have pack nights," I explain. "We all spend time together to build our connection as a unit. Sometimes that means dinner and a movie. Sometimes it means..."

"Wild pack orgies?" Emily supplies helpfully.

I throw a decorative pillow at her head, which she dodges easily. "I hate that term. But... yes, sometimes."

"Oh my god!" Emily bounces in her seat. "You have to tell me everything. And don't leave out a single dirty detail."

I hesitate, not because I'm embarrassed, Emily and I have shared everything since college, but because the bond I share with my Alphas feels sacred somehow.

"Come on," she pleads. "I'm living vicariously through you. My dating life consists of swiping right on guys who think a personality is listing their height and gym schedule."

"Fine." I relent with a sigh. "But this stays between us."

"Scout's honor." Emily mimes crossing her heart. "Now spill."

"The pregnancy hormones have made me... insatiable," I admit. "Especially during the first few weeks. I want them all the time, sometimes all at once."

"All four? At the same time?" Emily's jaw drops. "How does that even... I mean, logistically speaking..."

"Very carefully," I laugh. "And with excellent communication."

"And they don't get jealous? I mean, four Alphas sharing one Omega seems like a recipe for territorial disaster."

"Oh, they did at first," I remember those early weeks, the growling, the posturing, the occasional broken furniture. "But our bond changed things. They still have their moments, but they've learned to channel that energy more... productively."

"Into what?"

"Into pleasing me." I can't help the smug smile that spreads across my face. "You should have seen them last week. I mentioned craving chocolate ice cream at two in the morning, and they nearly trampled each other racing to be the one who got it for me."

Emily throws her head back and laughs. "That's what I call service!"

"But it's not just about sex or ice cream runs," I clarify. "Each relationship is different. Evan challenges my mind. Leo makes me feel safe. Onyx understands my primal side. And Axl reminds me not to take life too seriously."

"And tonight is...?"

"Evan's night," I confirm. "He's taking me to that new restaurant downtown, the one with the six-month waiting list. Then we'll go stargazing from his private rooftop garden."

"Of course he is," Emily rolls her eyes. "Mr. Billionaire with his exclusive reservations and private gardens."

"He can be a bit much," I acknowledge with a fond smile. "But he means well. They all do."

Emily studies my face for a moment. "You really love them, don't you? All of them."

"I do." The simple truth of it warms me from within. "It's different with each of them, but equally powerful."

"And the sex?" Emily wiggles her eyebrows again. "Four different styles there, too?"

"You're incorrigible." I shake my head but can't help smiling. "But yes… very different styles."

"And when it's all four?" Emily leans forward, completely enraptured.

I blush deeply. "It's... transcendent. There's no other word for it. It’s as if I'm the center of the universe, and they are planets in my orbit.

The combined scent of them, the feeling of their hands and mouths everywhere, the way they move like they share one mind with the sole purpose of pleasuring me. .."

"Fuck," Emily breathes. "I think I just came from that description alone."

We both burst into laughter.

"I want that," she says when our giggles subside. "Not your specific men, obviously…though if you ever want to loan one out..."

"Not a chance," I say firmly.

"Worth a shot." She shrugs. "But seriously, I want that connection. That passion. That sense of belonging."

"You'll find it," I assure her. "Maybe not with four Alphas… that's a special kind of chaos I wouldn't wish on anyone, but you'll find your person."

"Persons, plural, might be nice though," Emily muses. "Especially after hearing about your arrangement."

As we talk, I notice my hand has drifted to my stomach again, an unconscious protective gesture that's become a habit. I also realize I've positioned myself to see both exits from the room.

Emily notices, too. "You still think about it, don't you? What happened there?"

I nod, not needing to ask what "it" is. "The nightmares have mostly stopped, but sometimes I catch myself planning escape routes or checking for threats. The boys say I scan every room we enter, though I don't always realize I'm doing it."

"That's normal after the trauma," Emily says gently. "You went through hell."

"I know." I take a deep breath, willing away the memories of needles and restraints and Hammond's cold eyes. "But I'm safe now. We all are."

"Damn right you are." Emily reaches across to squeeze my hand. "With four overprotective Alphas around, you're probably the safest woman on the planet."

"They can be a bit much," I admit with a small smile. "Leo installed a security system that would make the Pentagon jealous. And Evan..." I gesture around us. "Evan bought this entire estate and renovated it into a fortress."

"Sounds exhausting."

"Sometimes," I agree. "But after everything with Hammond, I understand their concern. And with the babies coming..." I trail off, my hand once again moving to my stomach.

Emily sighs dreamily. "It sounds perfect."

"It's not perfect," I correct her. "It's messy and complicated, and sometimes we fight. But it's ours, and it works for us."

"I'm happy for you, Dahlia." Emily reaches for my hand. "Really. After everything you've been through, you deserve this."

"Thanks, Em." I squeeze her fingers. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably the same thing you're doing now, just with fewer inappropriate questions about your sex life."

We both laugh, and I glance at the clock on my desk. "I should start getting ready for my date with Evan. He's picking me up in two hours."

"What are you wearing?" Emily asks, following me as I move to the adjoining bedroom.

I open my closet, pulling out a midnight blue dress with a sweetheart neckline. "This. It's new."

Emily whistles. "That's going to look amazing on you. Evan won't know what hit him."

"That's the idea," I grin, laying the dress on the bed. "Though lately, I could wear a potato sack and they'd still look at me like I'm the most beautiful thing they've ever seen."

"Pregnancy glow is real," Emily nods. "Plus, there's something primal about it, right? You're carrying their young."

"It's exactly that," I confirm.

"And you're not complaining."

"Definitely not complaining."

I walk her to the door of my office as she picks up her purse.

We make our way through the house toward the front door.

"This place is ridiculous," Emily comments as we pass through the grand foyer with its sweeping staircase. "I still can't believe you live here."

"Me neither," I admit. "But with four babies on the way, we need space."

At the front door, Emily turns to hug me. "Call me after your fancy date tonight. I want all the details."

"Will do."

"Oh, before I forget," she says, halfway out the door. "I noticed some unmarked vans in the neighborhood recently. It's probably nothing, but I thought you should know."

My body tensed immediately. "What kind of vans?"

"Black, tinted windows. Very spy-movie chic." She must notice my expression because she quickly adds, "It's probably just a new security company or something. Don't worry about it."

"I'm sure you're right," I say, trying to keep my voice light. "Thanks for coming by."

"Anytime, mama." Emily gives my barely-there bump a gentle pat. "Take care of my future godchildren."

"Godchildren? We haven't discussed that yet."

"Well, start discussing. I call dibs on at least three of them." She grins and heads down the front steps.

I wave as she drives away, trying to shake off the sudden chill that has nothing to do with the autumn breeze. As I turn to go back inside, movement across the street catches my eye.

A figure in dark clothing stands partially concealed behind a tree, a camera with a long lens pointed directly at our house. At me.

My heart rate spikes, and I step back into the doorway, one hand protectively covering my stomach. I blink, and in that split second, the figure vanishes.