Page 3

Seraphina

The pot roast is simmering in the oven, filling my apartment with a mixture of savory spices and onions that makes everything feel like it could be just right.

“Smells wonderful, Fi,” Callum murmurs as he comes up beside me. I preen beneath the praise, my cheeks warming as one of his large hands settle beside me, everything about us a beautiful contrast. My hands disappear in his, the creamy tone of my skin clashes against the rich brown of his.

The rumble of Ambrose’s truck in the parking lot steals my attention and I twist to look at Callum, his deep brown eyes playfully mocking me as I run to the edge of the mudroom to wait for them. Callum just shakes his head as he starts cleaning up the mess in the kitchen and I bounce on my toes, grinning as the other two spill inside, several bags in each of Ambrose’s hands.

They follow the same routine Callum did—kicking off their shoes and dousing themselves in descenter spray but not fast enough because I catch a whiff of Lyle’s eucalyptus amber and Ambrose’s rum spice. I take greedy gulps of air, my chest tight with want, knowing I shouldn’t. My fingers twist in the sides of my dress as I anxiously wait for them to hurry up, to come to me, to fill this growing need for men I’m not supposed to have.

Ambrose spots me first, his hazel eyes glinting with that reckless charm. He’s all tattoos and long black silky hair that brushes his shoulders, a length that Lyle mentions every now and then. I’m more intrigued by the several piercings, especially the one in his lip that he always chews on.

I launch myself at him, the Alpha dropping the groceries to catch me against him as strong hands lift me until my legs wrap around his waist. “Hey, wildfire,” he murmurs, voice rough against my ear. I cling to him, face buried in his neck, chasing the faint trace of his scent beneath the spray.

Lyle steps up to my side, brushing a soft kiss just behind my ear, and a purr rumbles from his chest, vibrating through me. The last of the three Alphas that are my entire world is nothing short of a teddy bear, his large size in contrast to his personality. At least when it comes to me. He’s the softest, sweetest Alpha I’ve ever met, the scraggly brown hair that sits on top of his head just adding to his boyish charm.

I lean into them, Ambrose’s hands steady on my thighs, Lyle’s breath warm on my skin. My own purr slips out, soft and needy, and I crave more, even though I know I can’t have it. Not like this. Not when one wrong move could shatter everything.

Callum’s voice booms from the kitchen. “Hello, lovebirds!”

I chuckle into Ambrose’s neck, wondering what it would be like to truly be part of these men’s lives. They’ve told me stories of how they met, how Ambrose and Lyle fell together, how they all share a cute little house a few streets over from the firehouse. But I’m so far removed from them that I don’t see any of it. Every now and then, I’ll catch Lyle stealing a kiss from Ambrose or a small caress but I only get snippets of their lives because I’m in here while they have the whole world at their feet.

Ambrose presses a kiss to my temple before sliding me down to my feet and grabbing the bags again. “Got you a few things, Fi.”

I clasp my hands together as I follow him to the kitchen, Lyle on my heels. Digging into the bags the moment Ambrose sets them on my counter, I wade through the steaks, several containers of fruit, and then the prettiest slice of strawberry cake I’ve ever seen. My favorite flavor in absolutely everything. But it’s Callum’s birthday, not mine.

A frown overtakes my face as I glance up at Ambrose. “What about Callum?”

Ambrose laughs, digging deeper into the bag. He unearths a small round chocolate cake that looks like it’s been iced twice over. “Got him covered,” he says, winking. “That slice is just for you, though.”

I protectively cradle the strawberry cake against my chest when Ambrose tries to reach for it and then set it on the counter with a pout. “Don’t want it cold,” I mumble, the Alphas chuckling at my insistence. Soft, room temperature icing is the only way to go and nuking it for 15 seconds just isn’t the same.

Ambrose starts unloading the rest of the things into the fridge, Lyle pulling plates and forks to set up the coffee table as Callum delivers the roast in the middle. I try to help but I’m dragged into my spot beside Lyle, the Alpha wrapping an arm around my shoulder as I sink into his warmth. “Hey, bear,” I murmur as he squeezes me a little tighter, his Alpha purr rumbling through his chest.

It’s moments like this that I wish I could frame and keep forever. Moments that I know after tonight will cease. A sob threatens to lodge itself in my throat, but I shove that away, focusing on these men as they settle around me. Callum sits across from us, his ever watchful eye trying to dissect the range of emotions running through my face. Ambrose saddles up on my other side, squeezing my thigh before they all start dishing out food, metal clanking against porcelain.

I blush under their whispered praises and muffled groans, my own little plate of meat and potatoes losing its flavor. They notice but don’t comment as I stab one of the carrots and it falls apart, my resolve slowly going with it. I’m not sure why I waited until tonight, until Callum’s birthday to deliver this news but it can’t wait any longer.

Not when I’m this close to my heat.

I clear my throat, about to say something when Ambrose cracks a joke about Lyle’s cooking which turns into Lyle chucking a napkin at him, a soft laugh bubbling up despite the ache in my chest. Just tell them, Seraphina.

Somehow the conversation takes a sharp turn to my brother, Callum telling a story I’ve heard before but never tire of. Felix, leaping off a firefighter ladder to grab a window ledge when some rookie started driving the rig away. He saved a little girl that night, her teddy clutched tight in her arms. That just makes the ache hurt worse, a tear slipping down my cheek.

“I still miss him so much.” That sob I’ve been holding back makes an appearance, strong tattooed arms suddenly pulling me into a warm embrace. Ambrose runs his fingers through my hair, his hand settling at the back of my neck as he cradles me against his chest.

“We do too, Fi,” he mumbles into my hair.

I try not to like it too much, try not to melt into him but it’s nearly impossible when his other hand settles on my hip, fingers starting to trace little circles there. Heat pools low in my belly, and I shift, trying to ignore the slick gathering in my panties. If I’m not careful, they’ll smell it. Needing a distraction, I shift the conversation again. “No one has told me anything about the station. I heard there was a new guy?” Working as the fire department’s dispatcher was a stroke of luck procured by my brother, a gift that keeps on giving after I confined myself to this house.

It's one of the only other connections to the outside world that I have even if it means I’m fielding emergencies calls on the daily.

Lyle leans back against the couch, threading his fingers behind his head. “Yeah, Nate. Thinks he’s the shit.” He launches into a rant, his voice sharp with annoyance. Nate’s cocky, reckless, always trying to one-up everyone. I listen, smiling as Lyle’s hands wave, his beard twitching with every scowl. He hates this guy, and it’s kind of adorable because to me, he’s always this big teddy bear.

I’ve seen him annoyed, even angry a few times and it’s not pretty but every time I manage to catch his gaze, he softens just the tiniest bit.

Heat surges through me as Ambrose tightens his grip on the back of my neck, slick coating my panties, a whine sitting at the back of my throat. Fuck. I sit up, maybe a little too fast, but if they catch my scent, I don’t know what will happen. The last time someone did…

I refuse to think about that as I wriggle out of Ambrose’s lap, mumbling about cake. My legs feel shaky as I dart to the kitchen, grabbing the strawberry slice and Callum’s chocolate one. There’s candles in the bag, a goofy looking two and a nine, the same age my brother would have been if he was still alive. We still celebrate his birthday every year as well which was just a few months ago but it never gets any easier.

Composing myself, I run back to the living room, tearing off the plastic dome and setting the candles into the top. It would be complete if I lit them but fire has terrified me ever since it took my brother from me—ironic that I still work for the department. They take it in stride as they do everything, all of us launching into an idiotic rendition of Happy Birthday that hides my sadness and the confession I’ve been holding back all night.

Just as the song ends, I catch a whiff of their scents, a heady mixture that has me trembling for them, my Omega fighting to take control. More slick gathers in my panties, the briefest edge of my scent peeking through which has me scrambling to my feet.

They all look up, concern flashing across their faces. Lyle starts to rise, but I throw out a hand, shaking my head. “No,” I choke out. “Just… give me a minute.”

I bolt to the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind me, and I grab the descenter from the counter, spraying it over myself in frantic bursts. Lavender clouds around me, covering my wild berry scent like a second skin. I sag against the sink, tears pricking my eyes as the nightmare from a few years ago tries to take hold. My rational mind tries to tell me that the Alphas in my living room would never do anything to hurt me but my body is warring with everything I know and it’s killing me.

“Just tell them, Fi,” I whisper to myself, catching my panicked look in the mirror. “Just tell them that they no longer need to take care of you. That it’s okay to start a family.”

Another tear rolls down my cheek and I slap it away, forcing myself to be strong.

“Just tell them that it’s okay to leave you.”