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Chapter Sixty-Eight

Lilianna

I woke up feeling a kiss on my forehead, blinking slowly as I emerged from the deepest sleep I'd had in weeks. The living room was dim, early morning light filtering through the curtains, and Julian was crouched beside the nest, his hair mussed from sleep.

"Good morning, beautiful," he murmured, his voice still rough with sleep.

"How are you feeling?" I stretched languidly in the nest, taking inventory of my body and mind.

The bone-deep exhaustion from yesterday's confrontation had lifted, leaving behind a strange sense of lightness—as if I'd shed a weight I'd been carrying for years.

"Better," I said honestly, sitting up and running my fingers through my tangled hair. "Clearer."

Julian's eyes searched my face, looking for any signs of regret or uncertainty. "Any second thoughts about yesterday? About... what we discussed?"

I shook my head without hesitation. "No. If anything, I'm more certain this morning."

Julian's face broke into that radiant smile that never failed to make my heart skip. He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "The others are in the kitchen making breakfast. They wanted to let you sleep, but I couldn't wait any longer to see you."

I smiled against his mouth, breathing in his familiar scent. "I'm glad you did."

He helped me up from the nest, his hand lingering at the small of my back as we walked toward the kitchen. The delicious smell of coffee and something sweet filled the air, making my stomach growl embarrassingly loud.

"Someone's hungry," Julian teased, pressing another kiss to my temple.

We entered the kitchen to find Christopher at the stove flipping pancakes, Miles setting the table, and Nicolaus at his laptop, though he immediately closed it when he saw me enter. All three men looked up, their expressions warming as they took me in.

"Good morning," Christopher said, his voice gentle. "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry," I admitted with a small smile. "And... good. Surprisingly good."

Miles pulled out a chair for me, his hand brushing mine as I sat down. "No headache? You slept deeply."

"None," I confirmed, accepting the mug of coffee Nicolaus slid across the table to me. "I feel... lighter somehow."

"Confronting your demons will do that," Nicolaus said, his analytical tone softened by the warmth in his eyes. "You were extraordinary yesterday."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks at the praise. "I didn't plan any of it. The livestream was impulsive, and I—"

"It was brilliant," Miles interrupted, sitting beside me. "The response has been overwhelming, Lili. Thousands of supportive comments, advocacy groups reaching out, other omegas sharing similar stories."

I stared into my coffee, processing this information. "I never meant to become some kind of... symbol."

"Sometimes the most powerful statements are the ones we make without planning," Christopher said, setting a plate of pancakes in the center of the table. "You spoke your truth. That resonates with people."

Julian slid into the chair on my other side, his knee pressing against mine under the table. "You don't have to be anything you don't want to be. If you want to step back from the public attention, we'll make that happen."

I considered his words as I reached for a pancake, suddenly ravenous. "What's happening with my mother? With Karen?"

The men exchanged glances before Nicolaus answered. "Karen's been fired," Nicolaus said, his voice neutral but satisfaction evident in his eyes. "Your mother tried to claim she acted without authorization, but the cameraman confirmed your mother personally coordinated everything."

I nodded, taking a bite of my pancake. The sweet flavor burst across my tongue, grounding me in the present moment. "And my mother?"

"Your father issued a statement this morning," Miles said carefully. "He's claiming your mother has been struggling with mental health issues and is seeking treatment."

I nearly choked on my coffee. "Mental health issues? That's their defense?"

Christopher's expression darkened as he joined us at the table. "It's a calculated move. They're trying to discredit your accusations by suggesting your mother wasn't in her right mind."

"Classic gaslighting," Julian muttered, his hand finding mine under the table. "Make everyone question the victim's perception of reality."

I set my fork down, appetite momentarily forgotten. "They've been doing that to me my whole life. Why should now be any different?”

Nicolaus leaned forward, his blue eyes intense.

"Because now you have evidence. Witnesses.

And four alphas who won't let them continue to manipulate things.

" The fierce protectiveness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

For so long, I'd faced my parents' manipulation alone.

Having these four men standing firmly beside me felt like a miracle I still couldn't quite believe.

"The media requests are flooding in," Miles continued, his expression softening as he looked at me. "But we've declined them all for now. Your well-being comes first."

I nodded gratefully, picking up my fork again. "Thank you. I don't think I could handle interviews right now."

"You don't have to handle anything you don't want to," Christopher assured me, his gentle eyes meeting mine across the table. "That's what we're here for."

I took another bite of pancake, letting the sweet taste comfort me as I considered everything that had happened. The silence that settled over the kitchen wasn't uncomfortable—just five people who knew each other well enough to share quiet moments.

"About what we discussed yesterday," I finally said, setting down my fork and looking around at the four men who had become my world.

"I've made my decision." The atmosphere in the kitchen immediately shifted, the air charged with anticipation as all four alphas focused their complete attention on me.

"I want the mating marks," I continued, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. “Your mating marks…..I want you as my alphas.”

Julian's hand tightened around mine under the table. Miles's eyes darkened with desire. Christopher set his coffee mug down with deliberate care. Nicolaus's composed expression cracked, revealing raw hunger beneath.

"Are you certain?" Christopher asked, his voice dropping to that deep register that made my omega instincts flutter.

"I am" I said, meeting each of their gazes in turn. "I really really am.” The silence stretched for a heartbeat before Julian pushed back from the table, his chair scraping against the floor.

"When?" he asked, his voice rough with barely contained need.

"Now," I whispered, then cleared my throat and said more firmly, "I want it to be now. I don't want to wait anymore. "

Miles stood slowly, his movements predatory as he rounded the table toward me. "Here? In the kitchen?" I shook my head, suddenly shy despite me being certain what I wanted.

"In the nest," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "The one in the living room. I want to be surrounded by all of you by the nest we made when it happens."

Christopher rose from his chair, his movements fluid and purposeful. "Are you sure you don't want to wait? We could make it special, plan something—"

"This is special," I interrupted, standing as well. "Being with all of you, choosing this moment—it's perfect because it's real. It's us."

Nicolaus was the last to rise, his calculating eyes scanning my face for any hint of doubt. Finding none, he gave a single, decisive nod. "To the nest, then."

My heart hammered against my ribs as Julian took my hand, leading me from the kitchen toward the living room.

The short journey felt momentous, each step carrying me further from my old life and closer to the future I'd chosen.

The nest looked different in the morning light—softer somehow, the blankets and pillows we'd arranged together creating a perfect nest.

I paused at the edge, suddenly overwhelmed by the significance of what we were about to do. Four mating marks—unprecedented, unconventional, and absolutely right for us.

"Second thoughts?" Miles asked softly, his hand finding the small of my back.

I shook my head. "No. Just... taking it in. Also…there are four of you and only one of me when this happens so..” I blush slightly at my words, glancing to the ground.

Julian's laugh was soft and understanding. "We've thought about that too, sweetheart. We know how to make this good for you."

Christopher stepped closer, his hand cupping my cheek gently. "We'll take our time. Make sure you're comfortable every step of the way."

"The marking itself doesn't have to happen all at once," Nicolaus added, his analytical mind already working through the logistics. "We can space it out, let your body adjust between each one."

Miles nodded in agreement. "Your comfort and pleasure are what matter most. We're not going anywhere."

I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders at their reassurance. Of course they'd considered this—they'd been thinking about marking me far longer than I'd been thinking about accepting it.

"Okay," I breathed, stepping into the nest and settling among the soft blankets. The familiar scents of all four alphas surrounded me as I knew that I made the right decision…and also knew that I was going to be in for a long day.