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58

SIX MONTHS LATER

“ Y ou okay?” Roman sets his hand on my leg as the small plane hits a bit of turbulence.

“Just don’t like flying, remember?” I smile, thinking of that first flight Roman and I took together and how different things are between us now.

We’ve been nearly inseparable for the past six months. After we both officially became the leads on the excavation of Lunara’s temple, we immediately hired Archer, Bear, and even Jax as part of our crew. There’s no one else we’d want to work with day after day. The crude tents around the dig site were replaced with more permanent dwellings, and we were given a little makeshift cabin big enough for all five of us. It’s tight. We don’t get much space for ourselves, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I smile at the four men who’ve become my home. Roman is next to me, with Bear and Archer in the seats facing us, and Jax just across the small aisle from them .

“Are you gonna finally tell us where we’re going?” Bear kicks Jax’s foot.

My treasure hunter arranged this whole thing. The tiny private jet, the accommodations, everything. He’s been planning it for… well, I’m not sure how long, but I’m sure it’s been in the works longer than when he first pitched the idea of a vacation to us.

Not just any vacation, a private bonding ceremony. Two weeks away together.

After the temple, I stopped having constant pre-heat symptoms, but we still don’t know if I’ll ever go into heat naturally or not. Jax assures us that this is the week, and we’ve all learned to trust his intuition, strange as it seems sometimes. I have been feeling a little extra clingy and emotional, so maybe he’s right.

But we agreed that whether I went into heat or not, this week we’d commit our lives to each other and become an official pack—with or without bonds.

“Nope,” Jax answers. “You’ll see when we land. But I will tell everyone your real name.” Jax waves a ticket in the air. Because he wanted to keep the destination a secret, he hasn’t let any of us see the tickets.

“Don’t you dare,” Bear growls. “I swore you to secrecy.”

“And I won’t tell anyone—outside of the pack.” Jax yanks his arm up as Bear lunges for the ticket, keeping it out of reach. “But packs don’t keep secrets.”

“Come on, Bear, I’ve guessed every name under the sun and still haven’t figured it out,” Archer pleads. “Don’t you think it’s time. ”

Bear takes Archer’s hand. “I like our little game. Are you sure you want it to end?”

Archer leans over the armrest and kisses Bear. “I want to know you.”

Bear pauses for a moment to kiss Archer again, then turns to Jax. “Alright. Do it.”

“Lady and gentlemen, may I introduce you to Bartleby Archimedes Hudson…the third.” Jax’s smile could give the Grand Canyon a run for its money with how wide it is. “I kinda like it. Maybe we should name our first born son Bartleby.”

“No way,” Bear groans.

“We can talk about it after we knock her up.” Jax takes my hand and kisses the middle of my palm.

I close my eyes, taking in the rich anise smell of my bonded mate, imagining for a moment what it’ll be like to add three more tethers next to Jax’s.

“Not this time, though,” Roman says. “Right, Jax? I need to hear you say it.”

We were all a little shocked I didn’t get pregnant in the temple, and as much as the old hurt and worry still hit me in the gut, looking back, I’m kinda glad. I don’t want any of my mates to feel obligated to stay because of a baby, and despite how strong our connection was, the relationship was still so new. When we got home and settled in together, we discussed it as a pack and decided we wanted a bit more time before having kids.

Which I’m okay with, truly. As much as I want a family, I’m enjoying my time with my men, and work on the temple is keeping me far too busy to think of much else. We didn’t want to suppress my heat—since we still want to bond and aren’t sure what suppressants would do to my body after the experience with Lunara’s relic—but the guys agreed to cover up this time around. Though Jax did so begrudgingly. That man is crazy, but he really would do anything to make me happy. He bought a box of condoms big enough to last a month at least, so we should be good. Hopefully.

“I know. I know,” Jax grumbles.

“Say it,” Roman demands, just shy of a bark.

“I’ll wrap my dick. Promise.” Jax crosses his heart. “But, oh, love, when you’re ready…” He makes a whooshing sound through pursed lips, brings his hand to my belly, and leans across the aisle, bringing his lips to my ear. “I can’t wait to fill you so full of my cum your body bulges. Any that slips out, I’m pushing back into your cunt, right where it belongs until you’re carrying our little one,” he whispers so only I can hear.

My core clenches so strongly, I have to cross my legs to help ease it. Slick pools in my panties, and yeah, Jax may be right about my heat coming this week. To try to cool off, I stare out the window past Roman.

The view on our descent couldn’t be more different from Ekdoti. We circle a small tropical island and land in the middle of a vibrant jungle unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

“Ta-da!” Jax proclaims as the flight attendant opens the door. There’s no big airport or terminal. Just a set of stairs that lead down to the tarmac, and a building off in the distance.

“Where are we?” Archer asks.

“Our very own private island!” Jax throws his arms out to the side. “Isn’t it great?!”

“You bought an island?!” My mouth falls open.

“Nah, sorry, love. Wish I could have, but we’re just renting it.”

“How can you afford this?” Roman asks.

Jax gives him a cheeky wink. “I got my ways.” That’s his answer every time.

“You stole something from the temple, didn’t you?” I put my hands on my hips and glare at him, but he doesn’t balk.

“Sure did.” In true Jax fashion, he pulls me into a kiss that has my knees going instantly weak. His arm bands around my back, and he grips my hair, tilting my head to kiss down my neck to his bite. “Hmmm, you smell so good, love.”

When he pulls away, I’m flushed and needy, immediately surrounded by my other men. Archer kisses my shoulder while Bear teases my neck with his lips. “Jax, is right, honey, you smell like heaven.”

“Come on,” Roman takes my hand, leading me toward the beautiful house, half hidden by foliage.

The structure looks like a low treehouse, built amongst the natural formations of the tree trunks so it nearly blends in. There’s one main house, with three rope bridges that span the gaps between trees and lead to smaller individual cabin-like structures. All of the buildings have large sloping roofs and wood siding, which helps with the illusion. You can’t miss the wrap-around porch, or the fairy lights dangling from the overhang, though. Plus, the entire front of the main house is made of windows. Thank the goddess this place is literally a private island. If we had neighbors they would be getting more of a show than they asked for. Jax loves being naked, and I doubt the rest of us will be much better during my heat—if it actually happens.

A stab of nerves makes my stomach swirl. I know these men will stay with me no matter what, but I want to bond them. Being bonded with Jax has been so much better than I ever dreamed. It’s like having a window into his soul, and I want that with my other men.

I’m lost in my thoughts when, without warning, Jax scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder, delivering a stinging slap to my ass that causes me to squeal. “Jax!”

I should have known he’d feel my anxiety and try to distract me from it. He’s always been in-tune with me, even before the bond, but now, it’s like he can read my mind just by knowing what I’m feeling. I’m not nearly as good at determining what’s going on in his head, even though I can feel every shift in his emotions. Right now, he’s pretty easy to read, though.

“I can’t wait any longer, love,” he proclaims. “You wouldn’t let us join the mile high club, and I need to sink inside your sweet pussy before we do anything else.”

“To be fair, the plane was super tiny.” Archer says, pragmatic as always.

Lifting my head, I can barely see Bear lean into our beta, saying something that makes his brows raise and his steps quicken. Roman rolls his eyes at the entire scene, albeit with a smile on his face.

He’s been so much happier these past few months. For someone who was worried he wasn’t enough for me or this pack, he sure went all in when it came to trying. Sure, he’s still a sarcastic alphahole sometimes, but that’s part of his personality. I don’t want to change him. I love him, attitude and all. But it has been nice to see his softer, more caring side.

Jax sweeps us up four stairs, pausing only to open the sliding front door. I guess if you’re the only house on the island, you don’t need locks? The logistical thoughts are wiped from my mind seconds later when I’m thrown into a sea of soft, white and forest green blankets. Flailing my arms, I manage to swim my way out of the fabric trap, swiveling my head to take in the room.

It’s laid out like a large studio, the massive bed I’m on taking up most of the space. There’s a small settee and several comfy looking, low slung chairs on the other side of the room, as well as some kind of loft. Before I can ask what’s up there, I turn to see my men all nearly stripped bare.

“Oh. Straight to it, huh?” I breathe, fanning myself with my hand as desire floods my veins.

“You feeling a little warm, love? Maybe a little needy? Why don’t you let us help you out of those clothes,” Jax teases.

Sure enough, he’s right. I do feel hotter than normal, even by tropical weather standards. The clothes that felt comfy on the flight, now feel scratchy and unbearable on my skin. I let out a whine.

“Treasure hunter’s right again. Pay up professor.” Bear laughs, holding his hand out to Roman expectantly. Roman rolls his eyes, but grabs his wallet off the chair where he put his clothes and pulls out what looks like a twenty, slapping it in Bear’s meaty palm.

“Did you guys…really…ah!” I don’t get to finish that question because a cramp pummels me like it’s using me for target practice. When I try to curl into myself, Jax is there, pulling me into his lap and running his hands up the length of my body. I scramble around to straddle him, but it’s still not close enough.

“Shh, love. Let your alphas and beta take care of you. I can feel how much you need to be fucked and knotted.” When Jax’s hardness presses against the seam of my leggings, I moan. Suddenly, the bed dips, and there are hands everywhere, divesting me of my shirt and bra.

Large hands grasp my waist, lifting me off the bed so I’m standing between Jax’s legs while he sits on the edge. Black pepper and honey. Bear. My burly military man spins me to face him, kissing me as someone else’s hands slide into my leggings and ease them down my thighs and off my legs entirely. Bear’s lips leave mine as he lowers to his knees trailing kisses down my body as he goes. He removes my panties, my last stitch of clothing, leaving me completely naked as he pushes me back down onto Jax’s lap.

“Show us that pretty pussy, honey,” Bear commands, and I know exactly what he wants.

Still facing Bear, I straddle Jax and he spreads his powerful thighs with my legs draped on either side. Cool air hits my fevered flesh as Jax opens me lewdly for the men in front of me. Archer is standing on one side of Bear with Roman on the other, and they’re all looking at me like I’m the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen .

Jax’s cock twitches against my backside. “Give them a real show, love. Part those pretty curls. Let them see how you glisten with slick for them.”

Another cramp twists my insides. Empty. So empty. “I need?—”

“Do it, and I’ll give you what you need,” Jax whispers.

Bear’s tongue peeks out, gaze lighting a fire in my belly. With two fingers I part my slick curls and spread my pussy lips.

The groans that come from the three men watching me are completely obscene. The smells of my men thickening in the air. Absinthe, black pepper and honey, green tea and raspberry, juniper and cranberry. Bitter and sweet and floral and rich.

And mine .

Jax lifts me just enough to position his cock at my already slick entrance. He’s already wearing a condom, fulfilling his promise, even though I know he’d rather not.

He doesn’t waste time, pulling me down, impaling me in one long stroke. Even though we’ve barely started, his knot is already swelling. He holds me, rocking me up and down his shaft.

“Hmmm,” I moan. “Feels so good.”

“Open your eyes, love.” I obey my alpha’s gentle command. “Look how hot you make them. They love watching your sexy little body get fucked. Bet they wish they were sitting under you right now, getting their cocks coated in your sweet slick.”

As I watch, Bear pulls Archer into a scorching kiss, lifting the beta up and laying him on his back on the bed next to us. Bear licks a trail down Archer’s body as he lowers to his knees. When he takes Archer’s dripping shaft into his mouth, he keens.

More slick gushes out of me as my pussy contracts around my alpha’s cock.

“Fuck yes, that’s my girl,” Jax whispers right against my ear. “You like watching them together, don't you, love? I do, too, but I think the professor wants your attention right now. He’s got something to prove.”

Roman’s gaze travels over me like a caress, starting at the apex of my thighs and moving up until our eyes lock. He wets his lips as he lowers to his knees in front of me. My whole body shakes with anticipation. Jax eases the ache with each thrust, but it’s not enough. I need Roman, my grumpy alpha. Why is he taking so long?

I grab him by the hair and pull him forward. He chuckles. “Shh, hummingbird. Let me savor you.” He licks from my entrance, where Jax’s cock breaches me, to my clit, lapping up any slick trying to escape.

“Fucking delicious.” Roman growls, before diving back in with earnest, not caring that Jax’s cock is still shuttling in and out of my body. He sucks and licks and bites my clit, driving me to a quick climax that has me shouting. Jax follows me over the edge, but he doesn’t knot me. I feel his climax as if it’s my own, sending me into a whole other realm of pleasure.

“Knot!” I cry out when Jax slips out of me, leaving me empty.

“I know, love, but your professor wants to knot and bond you. Don’t you want that?” Jax coos as he maneuvers us so I’m laying on my back on the bed with him on my left and Archer on my right.

Archer. My beautiful beta.

From the foot of the bed, Bear hooks his arms under Archer’s thighs and spreads them wide. Our beta’s expression twists in ecstasy as Bear pushes inside him, and I reach out, stroking my thumb across his lip. He sucks the digit into his mouth and sparks fly across my skin, all the way down to my clit.

“Omega.” My attention is pulled back to Roman, who is now situated at the end of the bed, between my thighs. “I want to knot you, bite you, make you mine. Do you want that?”

“Yes! Please, alpha!” I’m slipping further into the heat haze, but I need him to know I want him. I manage to look into his eyes. “Yes, Roman. Please bond me. Now.”

His smile is dazzling as he notches his head to my pussy, pushing in to the hilt.

The bed shakes from Bear pounding into Archer, but Roman manages to establish a rhythm all his own, pumping in and out of me so quickly, all I can do is take it, which I do gladly.

Jax lays on his side next to me, tracing my breasts with gentle touches. The stimulation builds in intensity until he’s kneading my flesh and tweaking my nipples with a fervor that has me bucking off the bed.

A guttural sound tears from Archer’s throat, and I look over in time to see Bear sink his teeth into our beta’s neck.

“Yes!” I cry out, loving that Bear is giving Archer exactly what he wants. Oh, how I want that, too. I place my wrist to Archer's lips. He locks eyes with me, understanding flowing between us. He gives me his wrist in return, and we bite down simultaneously.

An orgasm tears through me, Roman fucking me through it as my bond with Archer snaps into place. Oh, my sweet beta. His emotions are so tender, so fragile and hesitant. And under it all there’s an echo of Bear’s impatience.

“Bite me, baby.” Bear insists.

Archer leans up, sinking his blunt teeth into Bear’s pec, right over his heart. Bear literally roars as he comes, and there is something so special about bearing witness to their mate bond forming. I can feel it in my chest, the love they have for one another. The love they have for me.

“My turn, omega.” Roman stands, lifting me while I’m still impaled on his cock, leaving my other men behind. I’m about to protest until I see Jax prowling toward Archer, a hungry look in his eyes. Roman nods to Bear, then walks to one of the plush, low chairs, sitting on it while I still ride his lap.

I’m squirming, urging him to move, when I smell black pepper and honey. Bear runs a hand down my spine, spreading my ass cheeks as he whispers in my ear. “Can the professor and I both have you, now, honey? Wanna bite you, make you mine.”

I nod vigorously. Roman reclines back in the deep chair, and Bear leans over us, one hand gripping the back of the chair for balance as he situates himself so he can fill my ass.

“Hurry up,” Roman grits out. “I don’t know how long I can sit here without moving.”

After spreading slick around my tight hole, Bear sinks his cock fully inside me, and all three of us let out strained sounds. The two alphas are uncoordinated at first, but finally establish a rhythm. Roman bucks up as Bear retreats, then Bear presses both Roman and I down into the chair with hard thrusts.

This has been a favorite of ours these past few months. I love all my men and crave being connected to as many as possible. Feeling both alphas rutting into me, controlling my pleasure while chasing their own—it’s intoxicating. Addicting. The only thing that could make this better is if one of them would fill my mouth, too.

A hand strokes my hair. Absinthe. Jax.

Lips brush my shoulder. Raspberry. Archer.

I somehow manage to wrench my eyes open long enough to see Jax wrapped around my beta, pumping Archer’s cock right in front of my face. My tongue darts out to lick my lower lip, and Jax leans forward, pushing Archer closer to me. “That’s right, love. Suck your beta’s cock while I fuck and claim him,” Jax purrs.

My mouth drops open and Archer’s shaft thrusts in, working his way down my throat while my other two holes are owned by my unbonded alphas. When Jax enters Archer and begins fucking him in earnest, we end up a continuous tangle of pleasure. I don’t know where one of us ends and the next begins. I have fledgling bonds lighting up all over the place, and dark spots awaiting the rest of my connections to my mates.

Jax cries out as he comes, biting Archer’s shoulder. Warm, salty cum floods my mouth as Archer finds his release, turning to bite Jax on his bicep.

My pussy clenches as I feel everything. Archer and Jax’s pleasure, the fullness inside me from Bear and Roman. I’m awash in it all, drowning in the glorious ecstasy of my mates. Bear and Roman become haphazard in their strokes, frantic and uncoordinated. Bear roars his climax, this time filling my ass while he gives me a bonding bite on my neck, the opposite side of Jax’s.

Desperate, I strain to find any bit of Bear I can reach with my teeth. His hand is still on the back of the chair, putting his arm just above me. Straining my neck, I bite his forearm. Calm strength engulfs me like a blanket of warmth. A well of love so much deeper than I imagined.

Roman thrusts his knot into me, setting off another round of climaxes, and sharp teeth graze the top of my breast before settling in my skin, branding me as his. I return his bite with one near his throat, high enough it will peek out of the collar of those stuffy shirts he likes to wear, telling everyone he’s taken.

My connection with Roman is a fire that burns through any doubt I may have had about his feelings for me. His love is all consuming. Hot and fierce and protective.

Mine. All of them. Mine .

We all collapse in an awkward heap on the chair in a sweaty, sated, happy heap. A pack.

“On her tit, professor? I didn’t think you had it in you,” Jax says out of nowhere.

Roman chuckles, which causes his knot to tug where it’s locked inside me, and we both groan. “You aren’t the only one with surprises, treasure hunter.”